UK Reports Record ESA Contract Wins in 2024
The UK now has more registered entities within ESA’s procurement platform than any other country, and the country’s space industry won £80M ($103.8M) in ESA contracts in Q4 2024 alone.
Civil
Stories about US and international civil space missions, including those led by NASA and ESA.
SDA’s Tranche 0 Satellites Criticized, Tranche 1 Delayed
The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced last week it is pushing the launch of its Tranche 1 satellites until late summer due to system readiness and supply chain issues.
NASA Cutting Policy, Science, and DEI Departments
The space agency will fully close two offices, as well as the branch of a third to comply with a Trump executive order.
Space Advocates Seek To Protect NASA Workforce
“These public servants—many of whom are just starting their careers—represent the future of NASA.”
Lieber Institute: How to Stop Space Nukes
Laying out the legal and geopolitical options available to the US government to stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in orbit.
Haridopolos: NASA Should Relocate From DC
“I think that’s the best way to go where the action is as opposed to where the bureaucrats work.”
AVS Secures ESA Study for Dark Matter Probe Platform
Added Value Solutions (AVS) won an ESA contract to advance the design and development of its satellite platform for the ARRAKIHS dark matter astrophysics mission.
South Korean Space Agency Unveils R&D Budget Boost
The second budget from the Korea AeroSpace Administration, which was established in May, will increase R&D spending by a whopping 43.3%.
Rocket Factory Augsburg Awarded UK License For Debut Launch This Year
The license means the company has cleared all regulatory hurdles for its RFA ONE rocket to launch from the SaxaVord spaceport off the northern coast of Scotland.
ESA’s Budget Shrinks as Germany, Italy, and UK Cut Funding
These nations represent three of the top four contributors to ESA, which collects nearly two-thirds of its income from member states.
NASA Punts Mars Sample Return Decision
After more than a year of review, there’s no concrete plan to retrieve scientific samples from Mars.
