Max Q: A lifeline
In this issue of Max Q: Relativity Space’s Terran 1 reaches Max Q; NRO lines up hyperspectral imagery providers; News from Virgin Orbit, and more.
Read more
Author: Aria Alamalhodaei
Rocket Lab reveals big supplier deal with mystery mega constellation customer
Rocket Lab has proven that it’s much more than a launch company: One glance at the company’s most recent earnings presentation shows as much, since in 2022, its space systems business, which designs, manufactures and sells satellite components and spacecraft, brought in over 70% of company revenue compared to launch, at $150.3 million versus $60.7 […]
Read more
ABL Space Systems scores $60 million for rapid response launch for defense customers
Launch startup ABL Space Systems has landed a $60 million contract to build out its “responsive launch” operational capacity, as part of the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program. The new funding, which equally matches government funding with private investment, comes as the company prepares for the second launch […]
Read more
America’s space-based spy agency awards six contracts to hyperspectral imagery providers
The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has awarded five-year study contracts to six space companies that provide hyperspectral satellite imagery — BlackSky, Orbital Sidekick, Pixxel, Planet, Xplore and HyperSat — as the agency seeks to expand its remote sensing capabilities. The NRO, the arm of the Department of Defense that conducts space-based spying and surveillance, […]
Read more
Max Q: Maybe next time
In this issue of Max Q: An “operational pause” at Virgin Orbit; Behold: New moon suits!; News from Project Kuiper; and more
Read more
At Virgin Orbit, it never should’ve come to a staff furlough
Last night, CNBC broke the bombshell news that Virgin Orbit was pausing operations for at least a week while it looked for funding to support the business. As part of that pause, company executives reportedly told staff in an all-hands meeting that they were being furloughed – and that it would be unpaid. The news […]
Read more
Starlink and T-Mobile’s sat-to-cell service will start testing this year
SpaceX and T-Mobile will begin testing a new service to bring satellite connectivity to cell phones this year, a SpaceX executive said. The news, first reported by CNBC, suggests that we may be close to a future where cellular “dead zones” are a thing of the past. SpaceX and T-Mobile announced the partnership last August, […]
Read more
Max Q: Have luck and good fun
In this issue: Relativity scrubs first Terran 1 launch attempt; claims of age discrimination in hiring at Blue Origin; news from Starfish Space and more
Read more
Watch Relativity attempt to launch Terran 1…again
https://www.youtube.com/live/9Tv6pbDCmLk?feature=share Relativity Space is gearing up for its second launch attempt of the Terran 1 rocket, wasting no time after scrubbing the first attempt earlier this week. The company returns to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral with the goal of making history: sending the worlds first majority-3D printed rocket to orbit. The first launch […]
Read more
Relativity scrubs first Terran 1 launch attempt
Relativity Space called off the first launch attempt of the Terran 1 rocket a little over a half hour before the close of the launch window, joining every other space company in history in not launching their vehicle on the first attempt. The company has a backup launch window tomorrow, though it’s unclear if they’ll […]
Read more