2024 Q1 Orbital Launches by Country
There were 63 orbital launch attempts worldwide in the first quarter of 2024—10 more than the same time last year—and more than half of the record-breaking quarter can be attributed to SpaceX.
Jack Kuhr
Starliner by the Numbers: Payload Research
With Starliner slated to transport crew to the ISS for the first time next week, we’re digging into all the money spent to get here—from NASA’s contributions and seat pricing to the total development expenditures.
Muon Space and Earth Fire Alliance Introduce a New Wildfire Detection Satellite Constellation
Muon Space unveiled plans today for its LEO FireSat Constellation, a wildfire management network the company is building with Earth Fire Alliance.
NASA Audit Identifies Significant Issues with Orion Heat Shield
The Orion spacecraft heat shield suffered extensive damage during its first flight that could “pose significant risks to the safety of the crew” of Artemis II, NASA’s watchdog revealed in a report on Wednesday.
Payload Research: China’s 2024 Space Day Updates
China held its annual Space Day conference last week, unveiling new insights into the space program’s hardware development.
Millennium Nabs $414M SDA FOO Fighter Contract
Millennium Space Systems secured a $414M contract on Tuesday to build eight fire control-enabled satellites for the SDA that can detect and track advanced missile systems.
Maxar Closes in on the Launch of its WorldView Legion Satellites
Maxar is preparing to launch its first two WorldView Legion EO satellites in the coming days aboard Falcon 9, following years of delays for the new constellation.
Payload Research: Detailing Launch Startup Funding Part 2 (Firefly Aerospace)
Last week, we covered ABL, Relativity, and Stoke funding, three launch startups that have yet to reach orbit. This week, we are focusing on a business that has hit its orbital proof point, Firefly Aerospace.
Voyager 1 Speaks Again After Five Months of Silence
NASA JPL engineers worked their magic once again, re-establishing comms with the 46-year-old Voyager 1 spacecraft after five months of radio silence.
SpaceX and Blue Origin Cargo Advance Work on Cargo Lunar Landers
NASA released new renderings and details of the SpaceX and Blue Origin lander intended to deliver cargo to the Moon as it progresses toward a preliminary design review.
The FAA Says No Reentry License, No Launch
What goes up must have a pre-launch reentry license to come down.