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Rocket Lab launches NASA solar sail test, South Korean observation satellite

A graphic of NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft in orbit. Credit: NASA.

Rocket Lab launched two satellites on April 24. One is an Earth observation satellites for a Korea university and the other is a solar sail technology demonstration.

As launch failures grow, satellite operators are more resilient to risk

Rocket Lab launched the final pair of TROPICS satellites for NASA on May 26, 2023, after the first two were lost in an Astra rocket failure. Even with this setback, NASA was able to begin mission operations for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season after launching the remaining four satellites in the constellation. Credit: Rocket Lab

Increasing annual launches and new players in the launch market have led to several notable payload delivery failures over the past few years.

U.S. private sector space employment shows steady growth

A Blue Origin New Glenn launch vehicle rolls out for testing ahead of a planned 2024 maiden flight. The firm had 1,574 job openings posted in March. Credit: Blue Origin

Monitoring trends in this workforce across private, civil, and national security sectors and examining changes in wages and location of employment provides insight into broader space industry dynamics.