Author: starpathwp-production
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Rocket Lab Secures Multi-Launch Contract with iQPS for Four Electron Missions
Rocket Lab USA, a global leader in launch services and space systems, announced it has signed a multi-launch deal with Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company. The multi-launch contract, signed in July 2024, includes three dedicated missions for launch in 2025 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in…
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Momentus Secures U.S. Air Force Contract for In-Space Sensor Demonstration
Momentus Inc., a U.S. commercial space company offering satellite buses, technologies, transportation, and other in-space transportation services, announced that the U.S. Air Force Research Labs AFWERX organization has selected a proposal from Momentus to perform an in-space demonstration flight of a new, low-cost suite of multispectral sensors for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO). AFWERX is…
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Members of Congress Raise Alarm Over DOGE Activity at NOAA
Members of Congress raised the alarm over reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) representatives were onsite at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Wednesday. The Guardian and Axios reported on Wednesday that DOGE representatives were going through IT systems on Wednesday at NOAA’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. “Elon Musk…
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Verizon Promotes Direct-to-Device in New Commercial With Buzz Aldrin
Verizon’s latest commercial, featuring astronaut Buzz Aldrin, highlighted the company’s work with satellite technology to eliminate cellular “dead zones.” The ad emphasized Verizon’s satellite capabilities as a solution for remote areas where traditional cellular coverage is lacking. The commercial aired on Feb. 2 during the Grammy Awards. In the commercial, Aldrin, and Verizon’s original “Test…
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Concern about SpaceX influence at NASA grows with new appointee
Like a lot of the rest of the federal government right now, NASA is reeling during the first turbulent days of the Trump administration. The last two weeks have brought a change in leadership in the form of interim administrator Janet Petro, whose ascension was a surprise. Her first act was to tell agency employees…
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SpaceX launches final block 1 WorldView Legion satellites for Maxar Technologies
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as seen from Central Florida, making its ascent from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Onboard were two WorldView Legion Satellites that will be operated by Maxar Intelligence, a division of Maxar Technologies. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now Update 7:32 p.m. EST (0032 UTC): SpaceX confirmed deployment of the fifth…
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Taiwan’s Luxury Airline Starlux to Roll Out Viasat IFC Across its Fleet
Starlux, a luxury airline headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, plans to roll out Viasat’s in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution across its entire fleet. The deal announced Tuesday covers 48 aircraft that will be installed with or upgraded to Viasat’s advanced IFC system. Starlux will be one of the first airlines in the Asia-Pacific region to deploy Viasat’s…
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The Satellite Industry’s Policy Priorities for Trump 2.0 With Madeleine Chang
This week on On Orbit, we hear from Madeleine Chang, director of policy for the Satellite Industry Association about the policy priorities SIA is advocating for with the new Trump administration. SIA has put together a set of priorities with agreement from its more than 50 member companies, representing a broad swath of the satellite…
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China to Launch Low-Cost Space Station Resupply Missions with New Commercial Launch Vehicles
China plans to launch two new low-cost cargo spacecraft this year, designed to supply the Tiangong space station, highlighting advances in the country’s growing space industry and commercial space sector. The Haolong cargo shuttle, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), will be launched aboard Landspace’s Zhuque-3 rocket. The…
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Arianespace Secures Ariane 6 Launch Deals with European Space Agencies
Arianespace signed two agreements on Ariane 6 with key European institutions at the 17th European Space Conference. The European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), and EUMETSAT have reaffirmed their support for Ariane 6, Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher. The European Commission and ESA have entrusted Arianespace with the launch of Sentinel-1D in the second half…