HELENSVALE, QLD, Australia, 31 March 2021 — Two of Australia’s New Space pioneers — Queensland-based rocket manufacturer Gilmour Space Technologies, and South Australian nanosatellite manufacturer for the Internet of Things (IoT), Fleet Space Technologies — are joining forces to launch small satellites to orbit.  

“We have signed a contract to launch six Fleet Space Centauri nanosatellites on our Eris rockets in 2023,” said Adam Gilmour, the CEO of Gilmour Space, which is tracking to launch its first commercial payloads to orbit next year.   

HOUSTON (NASA PR) — NASA has named Robyn Gatens as director of the International Space Station for the agency following about seven months of her serving as acting director of the program. Kathy Lueders, NASA’s associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, made the official appointment, effective March 28.

“Robyn’s leadership, experience and strategic vision for the International Space Station have been clearly demonstrated as she’s worked closely with the station team as deputy and acting director,” said Lueders. “I’m confident she will continue our efforts of maximizing the space station for science, research and technology development, including enabling a robust low-Earth orbit economy.”

Politico reports that the Biden Administration will retain the National Space Council. The council was revived by the Trump Administration in 2017 to coordinate national space activities after a 24-year gap in operation.

New Crew Members Representing Prosperity and Generosity Join Hope and Leadership to Complete the Crew Manifest

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., MARCH 30, 2021 (Inspiration4 PR – Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to space, today announced the final two members of the four-person crew that will undertake a historic voyage to the stars later this year. Christopher Sembroski of Everett, WA and Dr. Sian Proctor of Tempe, AZ will join previously announced crew member Hayley Arceneaux under the command of Jared Isaacman. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft later this year.

• Land Rover extends global partnership with Virgin Galactic to 2024
• Latest spaceship roll-out supported by Range Rover Astronaut Edition
• Extension will result in a ten-year partnership between two world leaders in adventure, innovation and exploration
• Land Rover will continue to support Virgin Galactic’s day-to-day operations

LAS CRUCES, NM (Virgin Galactic PR) — Land Rover has announced a three-year extension to its global partnership with Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial ‘spaceline’.

Virgin Galactic’s latest spaceship was unveiled today, supported by a Range Rover Astronaut Edition. Land Rover will remain an integrated part of Virgin Galactic’s day-to-day operations as the company completes test flights with ‘SpaceShipTwo’ and begins a regular commercial service.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. March 30, 2021 (Virgin Galactic PR) – Virgin Galactic today unveiled the Company’s first SpaceShip III in its growing fleet, VSS Imagine. The spaceship showcases Virgin Galactic’s innovation in design and astronaut experience. Imagine also demonstrates progress toward efficient design and production, as Virgin Galactic works to scale the business for the long-term. VSS Imagine will commence ground testing, with glide flights planned for this summer from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

SpaceX launched its Starship SN11 prototype from Boca Chica on Tuesday morning, only to see the vehicle crash like its predecessors SN8, SN9 and SN10. It is not entirely clear what precisely went wrong because the vehicle was launched in a thick fog that enveloped the coastal launch site in south Texas. Using onboard cameras, SpaceX’s website showed SN11 reaching 10 km as it gradually shut off all three engines. […]

PARIS (CNES PR) — The liquid propulsion R&T cooperation agreement between CNES and DLR, the German space agency, marks the start of 2021.

TOKYO (JAXA PR) — In the space-based business idea contest “S-Booster 2021”, space business ideas will be solicited on the following dedicated website from March 23 to May 20. Website dedicated to “S-Booster 2021”: https://s-booster.jp/2021/  (External link) We will collect a wide range of business ideas from working people, students, individuals, different industries, etc. who are aiming to start a business or commercialize not only in Japan but also in Asia […]

BEIJING (CNSA PR) — The Chang’e-5 orbiter has entered a periodic orbit near the Sun-Earth L1 point, achieving the first-stage expansion mission goal and becoming my country’s first spacecraft to enter the Sun-Earth L1 periodic orbit. At present, the whole machine has stable attitude, balanced energy, and normal working conditions. It runs for about 6 months in this orbit. The Chang’e-5 orbiter separated from the returner on December 17, 2020. After […]

Bigelow Aerospace has sued NASA for alleged breach of contract over testing the North Las Vegas company conducted on its B330 space station module prototype.

Bigelow is demanding just over $1 million in unpaid contract fees and attorney costs. At issue is a contract under which Bigelow would complete long-term pressure leak tests on the B330 module.

SPARKS, Nev., March 29, 2021 (SNC PR) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the global aerospace and national security company owned by Eren and Fatih Ozmen, was awarded a contract for a program supporting NASA’s water-hunting robot mission to the moon. SNC will contribute its cutting-edge solar array technology to power a rover on the lunar surface in its mission to identify and quantify water and volatile resources, helping advance the agency’s Artemis program.