SpaceX’s first attempt to launch its Starship (the company’s Super Heavy launch vehicle) ended with a spectacular explosion over the Gulf of Mexico last month. While the enormous worldwide attention that the Starship project and its recent test launch garnered might have rendered Starship synonymous with the concept of a Super Heavy in the minds of some, a small startup in the Pacific Northwest named Stoke Space is also pursuing a fully reusable launch vehicle designed for rapid turnaround, but with a different design.

AST SpaceMobile (NAS: ASTS) reported significant technical progress on its satellite-to-smartphone service while reporting zero revenue during the first quarter of 2023. Revenue was $2.4 million during the same period last year.

Welcome to Biz Briefs. In this edition, EnduroSat and Orbital Outpost X succeed in raising new funds, Satelantis took a controlling interest in SuperSharp, Swedish Space Corporation received two contracts and established a subsidiary in Italy, Quub signs up for Phantom Space launches, construction began on Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland, and much more.

In-space transporter provider Momentus (Nasdaq: MNTS) has been having increasing success in orbit, but the progress was not reflected in first-quarter revenue as the company reported low revenue and dwindling cash reserves amid “substantial doubt” about the company’s survival.

Welcome to S-SPACⁱ. In this week’s edition, Momentus and Astra say there are serious doubts about their long-term survival, Terran Orbital and Redwire saw first-quarter revenue increases, Virgin Galactic has set a date for its next launch, and Virgin Orbit entered into a stalking horse agreement for the purchase of its Boeing 747 aircraft.

Struggling launch and propulsion provider Astra Space (Nasdaq: ASTR) reported zero revenue and a $44.9 million net loss for the first quarter on Monday amid dwindling reserves of cash and securities and “substantial doubt” about the company’s survival.

Virgin Galactic is set to conduct the first suborbital flight of its VSS Unity spacecraft in nearly two years on May 25. The flight test, to be held at Spaceport America in New Mexico will be the final one before the company begins carrying paying passengers late next month.

Bankrupt launch provider Virgin Orbit (OTCMKTS: VORBQ) has entered into a stalking horse agreement under which it would sell its Boeing 747 Cosmic Girl to Stratolaunch LLC for $17 million if there are no higher offers made for the aircraft.

Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) reported a 115 percent year-over-year increase in first-quarter revenue on Monday as the satellite manufacturer trimmed 24 percent off its net loss.

Long dominated almost exclusively by the government, the Indian space industry is set for potentially explosive growth under a new national policy issued last month that opens the door for private companies to pursue virtually any business related to space.

In this week’s Launch Roundup, new crews and cargo ships are scheduled to visit the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong orbital outpost this month.

Welcome to Biz Briefs. In this edition, a consortium of European companies wins a contract for a satellite servicing mission, Vast announces plans to launch a private space station, UK regulators approve the Viasat-Inmarsat merger, bankrupt Virgin Orbit pushes back its bid deadline, Intuitive Machines delays its lunar mission, Virgin Galactic says it is going to continue powered flight tests later this month, and Spaceport America commissions a study for a new master plan.