Space Business News
March 20, 2025
SPACE TRAVEL
Spaceo leads ESA project to deploy inflatable sail for satellite disposal



Paris, France (SPX) Mar 20, 2025
A European initiative spearheaded by Portuguese start-up Spaceo has secured a European Space Agency (ESA) contract to create a novel solution for clearing obsolete satellites and debris from orbit. The program, called SWIFT (Spacecraft With Inflatable Termination), has received euro 3 million in funding to develop a deployable sail-like structure that acts as a drag device to hasten the descent of defunct satellites. The first orbital demonstration of this system is scheduled for 2028. Spac ... read more

ROBO SPACE
Chinese scientists unveil six-legged robot for future asteroid and lunar mining
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
A research team from China has engineered a six-legged robotic system inspired by insects, aiming to revolutionize how space mining is conducted on the moon and asteroids. Unlike mining on Ear ... more
MICROSAT BLITZ
Exolaunch surpasses 500 satellite deployments and debuts new Quadro system on SpaceX rideshare
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
Exolaunch, a global leader in satellite deployment and mission management, has marked a significant milestone with the successful deployment of its 500th satellite. During SpaceX's Transporter-13 ri ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
ATLAS joins Viasat to enhance NASA's satellite ground services
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 19, 2025
ATLAS Space Operations has partnered with satellite communications leader Viasat, Inc. to deliver essential support for NASA's current and future missions. Viasat, among the initial group of four fi ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
From Contract to Orbit in Record Time for OroraTech Satellite Deployment
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 19, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), an established leader in space systems and launch solutions, has confirmed the rapid scheduling of an Electron mission for OroraT ... more
Previous Issues Mar 19 Mar 18 Mar 17 Mar 14 Mar 13
ADVERTISEMENT

Commercial UAV Expo | Sept 2-4, 2025 | Las Vegas


SPACE.WIRE
TECH.WIRE
NUKE.WIRE
MICROSAT BLITZ
A new wave of mini satellites to monitor the high energy universe
Paris, France (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
The H.E.R.M.E.S. Constellation, operated by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), successfully embarked on its pathfinder mission following a launch aboard SpaceX's Transporter 13 mission. Lift-off occurr ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
Smiles, thumbs ups and a safe return for 'stranded' NASA astronauts
Washington (AFP) Mar 19, 2025
Home at last: After an unexpected nine-month stay in space, a pair of NASA astronauts finally returned to Earth on Tuesday, concluding a mission that captured global attention and became a political flashpoint. ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
Moon navigation system advances with Thales Alenia Space leading orbital segment
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has entered into a contract with Telespazio, itself a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), to handle t ... more
MICROSAT BLITZ
Clarity1 satellite begins VLEO mission after successful deployment
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
Albedo has confirmed the successful deployment of its Clarity-1 satellite into orbit aboard SpaceX's Transporter-13 Rideshare mission, which launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. ... more

ADVERTISEMENT


TECHNOLOGY NEWS


MICROSAT BLITZ
Constellation of student-built satellites launched into orbit from California
Paris, France (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
A record-setting constellation of nine nanosatellites, developed by Israeli high school students, has been successfully launched into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. ... more
SPACE MEDICINE
What happens to the human body in deep space?
Washington (AFP) Mar 18, 2025
Bone and muscle deterioration, radiation exposure, vision impairment - these are just a few of the challenges space travelers face on long-duration missions, even before considering the psychological toll of isolation. ... more
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Unseenlabs opens Singapore office to boost Asia Pacific operations
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
Unseenlabs, a global leader in space-based radio frequency (RF) intelligence, has officially launched its new commercial office in Singapore as of February 2025. This strategic expansion enhances th ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
China's Ceres 1 completes 18th flight delivering eight satellites to orbit
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 18, 2025
Galactic Energy, a private aerospace firm based in Beijing, successfully conducted its 18th mission using the Ceres 1 rocket on Monday, placing eight satellites into orbit. According to a comp ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab boosts Varda's space manufacturing with third successful orbital mission
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 17, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has confirmed that its third Pioneer spacecraft, developed for Varda Space Industries, Inc. ("Varda"), has been successfully deployed and is operating in orbit. T ... more
UAV NEWS
AV secures DIU contract to advance autonomous strike drone deployment
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 17, 2025
AeroVironment (AV), a prominent player in the defense technology sector, has earned a key contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) aimed at fast-tracking the deployment of autonomous precisio ... more
TECHNOLOGY NEWS


Available on Amazon Books

AEROSPACE
Making airfield assessments automatic, remote, and safe
Boston MA (SPX) Mar 14, 2025
In 2022, Randall Pietersen, a civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force, set out on a training mission to assess damage at an airfield runway, practicing "base recovery" protocol after a simulated attack ... more
AEROSPACE
NASA Super Pressure Balloons Return to New Zealand for Test Flights
Wallops Island VA (SPX) Mar 17, 2025
NASA's Scientific Balloon Program has returned to Wanaka, New Zealand, for two scheduled flights to test and qualify the agency's super pressure balloon technology. These stadium-sized, heavy-lift b ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
Two US 'bumped' astronauts to return to Earth on Tuesday: NASA
Washington (AFP) Mar 17, 2025
A pair of US astronauts stuck for more than nine months on the International Space Station will be returned to Earth on Tuesday evening, NASA said. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Musk says Starship to depart for Mars at end of 2026
Washington (AFP) Mar 15, 2025
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Saturday its massive Starship rocket would leave for Mars at the end of 2026 with Tesla humanoid robot Optimus onboard, adding that human landings could follow "as soon as 2029." ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab launches QPS-SAR-9 satellite in latest Electron mission
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 17, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) successfully completed its 61st Electron launch, marking the company's second mission for Japanese satellite operator Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. ... more
DRAGON SPACE
Hong Kong spearheads lunar robotics initiative for national space program
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 17, 2025
China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has taken a pivotal step in contributing to national space ambitions with the launch of the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center. This n ... more
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Researchers establish new basis for quantum sensing and communication
Boston MA (SPX) Mar 14, 2025
Sensing and communication systems based on quantum-mechanical phenomena can greatly outperform today's systems, in terms of accuracy and reliability, and are considered a pivotal part of developing ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Norwegian Space Agency partners with Isar Aerospace for satellite launch from Andoya Spaceport
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Mar 14, 2025
The Norwegian Space Agency has entered into a contract with European launch service provider Isar Aerospace to deploy its Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) program satellites. Under the agreement, Isa ... more
AEROSPACE
Electra secures 2200 aircraft pre-orders for hybrid-electric aviation leap
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 20, 2025
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra), a trailblazer in the Direct Aviation sector, has received 2,200 pre-orders for its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. This order volume, valued close to $9 billi ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Israel says intercepted missile from Yemen
Jerusalem (AFP) Mar 20, 2025
Israel said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Thursday, as the Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed to have targeted Ben Gurion international airport. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
Russian barrage kills one, damages hospitals: Kyiv
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) Mar 19, 2025
Kyiv said Wednesday that Russian forces had launched six missiles and dozens of drones at Ukraine overnight in a barrage that authorities said killed one person and damaged two hospitals. ... more
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
European satellite group ready to step up for Kyiv's military: CEO
Paris (AFP) Mar 18, 2025
European satellite operator Eutelsat is under the spotlight like never before because of fears that Elon Musk's Starlink could pull its crucial service from Ukraine. ... more
TECHNOLOGY NEWS


Available on Amazon Books

AEROSPACE
Macron says France to 'increase' orders for Rafale warplanes
Luxeuil-Les-Bains, France (AFP) Mar 18, 2025
President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France planned to increase orders for Rafale fighter jets, adding the country will have to get ready to defend itself "if we want to avoid war". ... more
UAV NEWS
Rampart debuts StrataWave UAS radio designed for stealth in electronic warfare zones
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 19, 2025
Rampart Communications has launched the Rampart StrataWave UAS Radio, a groundbreaking communications system crafted for drones operating in GPS-denied and jamming-heavy environments. Engineered spe ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
'Stranded' NASA astronauts back on Earth after splashdown
Washington (AFP) Mar 18, 2025
Home at last: After an unexpected nine-month stay in space, a pair of NASA astronauts finally returned to Earth on Tuesday, concluding a mission that gripped global attention and became a political flashpoint. ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
ISRO advances space tech with SPADEX undocking and cryogenic engine milestone
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 17, 2025
India's space program marked a significant stride forward in March 2025 with a trio of successful operations that underscore the growing sophistication and efficiency of the Indian Space Research Or ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
France, Italy, UK order more air defence missiles
Paris (AFP) Mar 14, 2025
Paris, Rome and London said Friday they had ordered new air defence missiles after a shock US policy shift in ties with Europe. ... more
ADVERTISEMENT




Buy Advertising About Us Editorial & Other Enquiries Privacy statement
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement