Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, is on the cusp of revolutionizing the space industry with its highly anticipated New Glenn rocket. Named after the first American astronaut to orbit Earth, John Glenn, this massive launch vehicle is set to become a key player in both commercial and government space missions. As Blue Origin prepares for New Glenn's maiden flight, the space community eagerly awaits the impact this rocket will have on the future of space exploration and commercialization ..read more

The United States operates the most advanced and extensive satellite network in the world, playing a critical role in safeguarding national security, supporting military operations, and gathering vital intelligence ..read more

2022 global space economy estimates from Bryce Tech and Euroconsult ..read more

The ambitious goals of NASA's Artemis program herald a renewed era of lunar exploration. With plans for a sustained human presence on the Moon and future expeditions to Mars, there's a pressing need for innovative technologies and approaches to overcome the unique challenges of operating in the lunar environment. The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC), established by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), plays and important role in addressing this need ..read more

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to lay the groundwork for a prosperous lunar economy within the next decade. The 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study aims to unite what the agency perceives as isolated efforts within the scientific and commercial sectors, fostering a collaborative environment that will drive innovation and expedite the establishment of a self-sustaining lunar infrastructure ..read more

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will generally not authorize the launch of reentry vehicles as payloads unless the reentry vehicle operator has obtained the appropriate reentry authorization. This notice, which took effect on April 17, 2024, aims to address safety concerns associated with launching reentry vehicles that have not received proper authorization to return to Earth ..read more

With a renewed focus on lunar exploration through NASA's Artemis program and the ambitions of other nations and private enterprises, the need for a robust lunar search and rescue (LunaSAR) system is becoming an urgent priority. In contrast to missions in low Earth orbit, lunar missions pose significant logistical and operational challenges due to the distance, environment, and limited infrastructure. This article reviews the complexities of establishing LunaSAR, examining the essential technologies, coordination frameworks, and international collaboration required to protect astronauts and ens ..read more

Earth observation products or services encompass the various outputs and applications derived from monitoring Earth's physical, chemical, and biological systems. These can range from satellite imagery and climate data to more complex analytical services that interpret and apply this data for specific uses. Understanding how these offerings relate to value misalignment and product misalignment involves examining their interactions with stakeholders' expectations and needs ..read more

Space debris, the ever-growing collection of defunct satellites, rocket bodies, and fragments from collisions, is an escalating threat to our continued safe operation within Earth's orbit. With each launch and every accidental collision, we contribute to this cosmic junkyard, endangering active spacecraft, the International Space Station (ISS), and the vital services we rely on from space. The time for decisive action is now. But with hundreds of thousands of pieces of space debris in orbit, how do we prioritize what should be removed first? This article explores the factors determining which ..read more

Space exploration and satellite operations face a persistent challenge: propulsion. Traditional chemical rockets, while powerful, are limited by their bulky fuel tanks and the inherent dangers of storing volatile propellants. In recent years, a new breed of thrusters called electric propulsion systems has gained attention. The Neumann thruster, developed by Neumann Space, presents an innovative paradigm shift in electric propulsion technology, promising a simpler, safer, and more sustainable solution. By utilizing a solid-state fuel source, the Neumann thruster eliminates the need for complex ..read more