The International Space Station Wraps Up a Busy 2021The ISS, now in its twenty-first year of continuous human occupation, has had a busy year of operations. Two new modules were added and 18 visiting vehicles were at the Station throughout the year. In total, 23 humans called the orbiting outpost home in 2021.
Nevada Air Cadets to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Space StationCadets from the Nevada Civil Air Patrol will have an opportunity soon to hear from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Video: John Grunsfeld, astronaut and former NASA science chief, talks WebbSpaceflight Now’s Stephen Clark speaks to astronaut, astronomer and former NASA science head, John Grunsfeld about the upcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. What big discoveries is he expecting from JWST? Is he nervous about the complex process to unfold the telescope in space? Why did his efforts to prepare JWST for possible servicing fail?
JWST launch marks only the start of a risky deployment processWhile the impending launch of the James Webb Space Telescope has astronomers both excited and nervous, the liftoff marks only the beginning of the riskiest part of the mission.
Webb will take next leap in search for habitable worldsAstronomers have discovered nearly 5,000 planets orbiting other stars in the last 30 years, and the James Webb Space Telescope will begin scanning a sample of the alien worlds next year to find out which ones might harbor the ingredients for life.
Experiments, holiday gifts delivered by SpaceX to International Space StationA SpaceX Dragon cargo capsuled pulled into port at the International Space Station Wednesday, a day after launch from Florida’s Space Coast with 3.2 tons of experiments, holiday gifts, and two external instruments developed by NASA and the U.S. military to help improve hurricane forecasts.
Eva Berneke to be Eutelsat’s next CEOFrench satellite operator Eutelsat has appointed Eva Berneke, a technology and telecoms veteran from outside the space industry, to be the company’s next chief executive officer.
Pléiades Neo 4 satellite enters service without a hitchPléiades Neo 4, the second of four planned high-resolution images satellites built and operated by Airbus Defense and Space, entered service Dec. 15 free from an issue that prompted an insurance claim for Pléiades Neo 3.
Honeywell and Skyloom to produce laser crosslinks for military and commercial satellitesHoneywell announced Dec. 15 it has teamed with telecommunications startup Skyloom to produce optical crosslink terminals for commercial and military satellites.
Rocket Lab to acquire SolAero HoldingsRocket Lab announced Dec. 13 that it is acquiring solar power system manufacturer SolAero Holdings, the latest in a series of acquisitions by Rocket Lab of component developers.
Artemis 1 launch attempt constraints, rocket readiness slips to mid-February 2022When NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program and prime processing contractor Jacobs have configured the Artemis 1 Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle for launch day, they expect to have one-week periods to get the mission to the Moon off the ground. Between propellant consumption of the two liquid SLS stages and a 20-day long period where the range safety system is validated for use, up to three attempts could be conducted to tank the vehicle and launch within that week’s time before teams would have to stand down.
U.S. was not blindsided by Russia’s anti-satellite test, say officials"These advances in capabilities are concerning, they are not a surprise," Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of space operations, said Dec. 4 at the Reagan National Defense Forum
NASA Awards Artemis Contract for Future Mega Moon Rocket BoostersNASA has awarded the Booster Production and Operations Contract (BPOC) to Northrop Grumman of Brigham City, Utah, to build boosters for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to support nine SLS flights.
Biden taps former Air Force procurement official LaPlante to run Pentagon acquisitionsPresident Biden has nominated William LaPlante to be the Defense Department’s top procurement official, the White House announced Nov. 30.
India orders halt on Starlink presales until it gives regulatory approvalIndia’s government has told SpaceX to stop taking preorders for Starlink broadband services in the country until it has a license to operate there.
ADA Space raises $55.6 million in Series B roundChinese satellite operator and remote sensing data firm ADA Space raised $55.6 million in a Series B investment round for its artificially intelligent satellite network plans.
OneWeb mulls debris-removal service for failed satelliteOneWeb is considering options to remove one of its broadband satellites from low Earth orbit after it failed following a software issue last year.
NASA’s Aviation Tech to Roll Out to Airports, Save Time for PassengersNASA Administrator Bill Nelson visited Orlando International Airport in Florida Wednesday and met with aviation leaders to discuss implementing aircraft flight scheduling technology developed by the agency that will soon improve dependability for passengers – which is especially important during peak travel times like the Thanksgiving holiday.
China silent, South Korea ‘concerned’ over debris created by Russia’s anti-satellite missile testSouth Korea’s foreign ministry expressed concern over the “numerous pieces of debris” created in low Earth orbit when Russia destroyed a Soviet-era satellite with a missile strike earlier this week but stopped short of criticizing Russia.
LeoLabs tracks debris cloud expanding in low Earth orbitLeoLabs expects to be issuing collision alerts for many years to help satellite operators dodge the new debris field.

















