Tag: North America
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Redwire To Fly Drug-Crystallization Labs On SpaceX Starfall Mission In 2028
Redwire plans to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing research in orbit through an agreement between its SpaceMD subsidiary and SpaceX to fly up to 32 drug-crystallization laboratories on a 2028 Starfall mission. The contract, announced during Redwire’s second-quarter earnings call, represents the first dedicated commercial mission for SpaceX’s Starfall reentry capsule. The spacecraft made its debut in…
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Lite Coms Wins $22 Million Government Satellite Communications Contract
Lite Coms has been awarded a $22 million contract by an undisclosed government and defense customer to provide satellite communications capabilities supporting operational readiness. SpaceTechnology The company announced the award on July 22 but did not identify the customer or disclose additional details about the program. Satellite Communications Support According to Lite Coms, the contract…
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FCC Approves New Part 100 Rules to Streamline Space Licensing
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a broad overhaul of its satellite and earth station licensing framework, replacing its long-standing Part 25 rules with a new Part 100 regulatory structure. The agency said the updated framework is intended to create what it describes as a “licensing assembly line” aimed at improving the efficiency…
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Xona Launches Pulsar Verified Program to Accelerate Adoption of Next-Generation Satellite Navigation
Xona Space Systems has launched Pulsar Verified, a new ecosystem partnership program designed to help receiver manufacturers, chipset developers and test equipment providers validate compatibility with the company’s next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) navigation signals. The initiative aims to accelerate adoption of Xona’s Pulsar navigation service by providing a technical verification process for hardware manufacturers…
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FCC Set to Vote on Satellite Licensing Reforms
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to vote later this month on a package of regulatory reforms designed to streamline the satellite licensing process and support the growth of the commercial space industry. SpaceTechnology FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the commission plans to consider the proposed Space Modernization Order during its meeting…
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NASA Awards Commercial Satellite Data Contracts to Eight New Providers
NASA has awarded contracts to eight commercial satellite data providers under its Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program, expanding the range of Earth observation data available to support scientific research and operational applications. The awards were issued under the CSDA On-Ramp 2 Multiple Award contract, a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) agreement with a cumulative ceiling value…
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SpaceX Plans Natural Gas Pipeline to Support Starship Operations in Texas
SpaceX is planning to construct a natural gas pipeline in Texas to supply fuel for its Starship launch operations, according to regulatory filings reviewed by Reuters and the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal. SpaceTechnology The proposed pipeline would extend approximately eight miles from the Port of Brownsville to the company’s Starbase launch and manufacturing facility.…
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FCC Proposes Auction of 160 MHz in Upper C-Band Spectrum
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to vote on a proposal to auction 160 megahertz (MHz) of upper C-band spectrum, a move that would require satellite operators to clear frequencies by deploying new satellites and upgrading ground infrastructure. The proposal covers spectrum between 3.98 GHz and 4.14 GHz and is scheduled for a…
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NASA Advisory Panel Warns ISS Safety Margins Are Reaching ‘Alarming’ Levels
The safety margin for operating the International Space Station (ISS) is shrinking to an “alarming” level as aging hardware and limited replacement options continue to challenge long-term operations, NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel has warned. Astronomy Speaking during a panel meeting, chair Susan Helms said it is becoming increasingly difficult for NASA to maintain sufficient…
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BAE Systems to Build Satellite Buses for Vantor’s High-Resolution Vantage Imaging Constellation
BAE Systems will manufacture the satellite buses for Vantor’s new Vantage Earth observation satellites, with the first two spacecraft expected to begin operations by 2029 under a partnership announced by the companies on Wednesday. The agreement marks the latest collaboration between the companies as Vantor expands its commercial imaging satellite capabilities with a new generation…