Launch

Arianespace and the European Space Agency (ESA) have concluded the independent inquiry into the failure of the second Vega C launch, reporting March 3 that the second stage Zefiro 40 nozzle deteriorated during the mission.  The Commission confirmed that the cause was an “unexpected thermo-mechanical over-erosion of the carbon-carbon (C-C) throat insert of the nozzle.”...

Inmarsat’s second I-6 satellite, I-6 F2, is on its way to orbit after a SpaceX launch from Florida on February 17. Inmarsat confirmed post-launch the operator is communicating with the satellite. SpaceX launched the Airbus-built satellite from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a Falcon 9 rocket on Friday evening. The satellite will now...

U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) on Feb. 16 released two National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 draft Requests for Proposals (RFP) based on a dual-lane acquisition approach to encourage new commercial entrants to bid on low-cost launch programs and ensure the U.S. is able to send satellites to space more expeditiously to...

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday that it is proposing a $175,000 fine against SpaceX for not submitting collision analysis trajectory data to the agency before an August Starlink launch. The FAA said SpaceX was required to submit the data to the agency at least seven days before the Aug....

Virgin Orbit released more details about its January mission from the United Kingdom that failed, reporting that data showed there was a dislodged fuel filter.  Virgin Orbit said a fuel filter in the fuel feedline was dislodged from its normal position. In addition, a fuel pump located downstream of the filter was operating at a...

SpaceX launched the Amazonas Nexus satellite for Spanish satellite operator Hispasat on Monday evening. The Falcon 9 mission took off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 8:32 p.m. ET.  The satellite was deployed about 35 minutes into the mission, and Hispasat confirmed success after the launch.  The...

SpaceX will now launch Ovzon’s highly anticipated Ovzon 3 satellite in a launch provider switch. Arianespace had been slated to launch the satellite. Ovzon announced Feb. 3 that manufacturer Maxar Technologies is delayed in finalizing the satellite, which led to the launch provider switch. Due to Maxar’s production delays, Ovzon engaged with Arianespace to find...

Poland-based satellite manufacturer SatRev signed a follow-on launch services agreement with Virgin Orbit for additional launches in 2023 and beyond. Under the new agreement, SatRev has the option to launch 500 kg over multiple launches to a variety of different orbital planes.  The launches can take place from the Mojave Air and Space Port in...

Tiphaine Louradour is taking the helm at rideshare provider Spaceflight as the company’s new CEO. Spaceflight announced the news on Thursday, after Louradour announced her departure from ILS International Launch Services (ILS) earlier this week. Louradour succeeds Curt Blake, a founding executive of Spacelight and longtime CEO of the company. Blake will support the leadership...

Tiphaine Louradour, president of ILS International Launch Services (ILS), is departing the company, ILS announced Tuesday.  Louradour took the lead at ILS in March 2020 and has been at the helm of the company through the pandemic and geopolitical constraints due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. ILS is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, Virginia,...