Congress Reopens Space National Guard Battle
Some lawmakers are re-launching their bid to establish a Space National Guard, despite strong White House opposition to previous efforts. House Armed Services Committee members Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) this week reintroduced the Space National Guard Establishment Act, which would move space-focused Air National Guard members from seven states and one…
Airbus Reports Q1 2023 Earnings
Airbus reported €11.8B ($13B) in 1Q revenue yesterday, but the company’s defense and space division saw a 21.5% drop in net order intake. The overall numbers: • Free cash flow = €-900M (-$1B) • Revenue = €11.8B ($13B), a slight decrease from last year’s €12B • EBIT Adjusted = €800M ($885M) Breaking out defense &…
NUVIEW Emerges from Stealth with 3D Mapping Ambitions
NUVIEW is looking to see the world in a whole new dimension. The Orlando, FL-based startup emerged from stealth this morning with an ambition to map the globe in 3D each year and $1.2B in prospective customer contracts under its belt. The world in 3D: While there’s no shortage of companies supplying optical, hyperspectral, or…
Kratos Reports Q1 Results, Sees Space Services Growth
Kratos ($KTOS) is going all-in on space services after growing investment in the division drove strong overall sales growth, the company revealed Wednesday in its Q1 financial results. Overall financials: Breaking out space, satellite and cyber: In the first quarter, Kratos spent $10.2M on R&D, including significant investment in its growing OpenSpace software. OpenSpace is…
Airbus, SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and Thales Band Together for IRIS2
In the ultimate example of competitors coming together, Europe’s largest satellite companies announced yesterday that they are joining forces to bid on the EU’s IRIS2 program contracts. Airbus, SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and Thales said the partnership will “leverage the expertise and capabilities in the field of secure satellite communications solutions,” according to a joint press…
House Introduces NASA and DOE Collaboration Bill
Bipartisan leaders of the subcommittees that oversee NASA and the Energy Department introduced a bill last week that would remove barriers for collaboration between the two agencies. Reps. Eric Sorensen (D-IL), ranking member of the House space and aeronautics subcommittee, and Brandon Williams (R-NY), chairman of the House energy subcommittee, said the bill will allow…
Redwire, Microsoft, and Marvel Team Up on STEM Initiative
An eclectic group is teaming up to save the galaxy bring real-life space technology to students across the country. Ahead of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie release Friday, Redwire ($RDW) announced yesterday that it’s partnering with Microsoft ($MSFT) and Marvel to 3D print a Microsoft Zune music player, like the one Star-Lord…
US, Philippines Join Forces in Orbit
The US and the Philippines announced plans on Monday to increase cooperation in space on SSA and maritime domain awareness, according to a White House readout of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to DC. “Recognizing the importance of enhancing and sustaining joint efforts in outer space activities, the leaders also welcome their countries’…
University of Texas Races Towards the Kármán Line with its Liquid-Fueled Rocket
The University of Texas Rocket Engineering Lab is set to hot fire test its engine today as it ramps up to a Kármán Line launch attempt in 2024. UT is one of 20+ schools racing to be the first collegiate group to launch a liquid-fueled rocket to space. Although the Kármán Line has been achieved…
Relativity Developing New 3D Printing Tech for Terran-R
Relativity is adding two new 3D printing technologies to its repertoire to build the larger, heavy-lift Terran-R, CEO Tim Ellis told Payload. “Aeon R is a pretty giant engine. Not just thrust, but I think the size of it,” Ellis said. “So the two new printing technologies are necessary to start doing some hybrid additive…
Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and Honeywell Release Q1 2023 Earnings
A slew of prime space companies announced Q1 earnings this week and overall performance was in the green. With increased defense spending and no end in sight for the conflict in Ukraine, companies saw an uptick in space and defense revenue. Northrop Grumman: Northrop’s space systems division saw the biggest year on year revenue increase…
Nelson ‘Fairly Confident’ In Lunar Surface Mission Timeline
Lawmakers quizzed NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Thursday about what the space agency needs to keep the first crewed mission to the Moon’s surface on track for a 2025 launch date. In addition to Artemis, members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee asked the former FL Democrat how the US could stay competitive…
