Trials and tribulations: SpaceX loses majority of satellites one day post-launch February 9, 2022 SpaceX is expected to lose up to 40 satellites, due to a geomagnetic storm in space that hit just one day after they launched. After sending off 49 Starlink satellites on Thursday via its Falcon 9, Elon Musk’s space venture has confirmed that it will suffer a major loss as a result of the storm [...]
Business of Space: Is there anything slowing down space-tech investing? February 5, 2022 This week Orbex files for UK launch licence More than £100m in fresh investment for ICEYE Military eye Isotropic Systems’ landmark tech Orbex applies for licence as UK heads for landmark launches this year The countdown has begun for the UK’s first-ever launches from British soil this year, which has prompted rocket firm Orbex to [...]
SpaceX’s mega-rocket Starship could make or break space industry, say experts January 18, 2022 The rise of mega-rockets, such as SpaceX’s Starship, could make or break the ‘New Space’ industry, according to experts. Countries including South Korea, Japan, India and UAE are planning to launch their first missions the Moon, which will require the use of so-called mega-rockets. “Public enthusiasm for space will remain high with the launch of [...]
Musk urges there is room for ‘billions’ of satellites in Earth’s orbit, following SpaceX backlash December 30, 2021 Elon Musk has urged that there is room for “tens of billions” of satellites in Earth’s orbit, amid concerns that SpaceX is hoarding space for its own. The European Space Agency suggested that Musk was blocking out smaller rivals in space. It is not the first time the billionaire has drawn criticism from the agency, [...]
Collision risk: China files official UN complaint against US’ space etiquette December 28, 2021 China has filed an official complaint with the United Nations regarding the US’ space etiquette. Two near collisions involving SpaceX’s Starlink Internet Services and the China Space Station on July 1 and October 21 prompted the filing. China’s foreign minister urged the US to act responsibly, after it accused it of ignoring its obligations to [...]
Elon Musk says he will pay $11bn in taxes this year December 20, 2021 Celebrity entrepreneur Elon Musk has said he will pay $11bn in taxes this year, an amount which could constitute the biggest contribution in history.
Elon Musk named Time’s 2021 ‘Person of the Year’ December 13, 2021 Tesla boss Elon Musk has been named Time magazine's 2021 "Person of the Year" this afternoon.
Japanese billionaire joins growing list of wealthy entrepreneurs heading for space December 8, 2021 Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has today joined the growing list of wealthy entrepreneurs in heading to space. Maezawa’s first launch, which will see him spend 12 days on the International Space Station, forms part of his goal to go to the Moon on SpaceX’s Starship in 2023. On the trip, via a Russian rocket, the billionaire [...]
Nasa to test planet’s defences against asteroids with spacecraft collision November 23, 2021 Nasa is set to test the planet’s defences against near Earth objects (NEOs) by slamming a spacecraft into an asteroid – in a bid to knock it from its path. The mission, known as a double asteroid redirection test, will test defence technologies and strategies in preventing dangerous asteroids and meteors impacting Earth. If all [...]
Rideshare for satellites: Exolaunch inks multi-million-dollar deal with SpaceX November 16, 2021 Launch services and in-space logistics firm Exolaunch has inked a multi-million-dollar deal with tech-billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX for a satellite rideshare service. The deal, which covers two years worth of transporter missions, will see Exolaunch’s customer satellites ferried into space by SpaceX rockets. Over 95 per cent of Exolaunch’s 3,000kg capacity on the SpaceX missions [...]