Infrastructure
Commercial space stations trekking new paths to orbit
As NASA prepares to deorbit the International Space Station, four commercial space stations are planned to succeed it.
Europa Clipper begins journey to search for life
The Europa Clipper mission launched in October to study the possibility of life on one of Jupiter’s largest moons.
SNAPSHOT: Space Force improves detection for hypersonic missiles
As the United States develops hypersonic capabilities, the Space Force is working to better detect enemy weapons, which combine maneuverability, speed, and stealth to hit targets with little warning.
NASA cheers SpaceX Starship test as lunar deadline looms
NASA leaders cheered SpaceX’s successful fifth Starship test flight on Oct. 13, which demonstrated capabilities the agency plans to use when it returns astronauts to the Moon.
FAA grounds Falcon 9 after failed landing
The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily grounded Falcon 9 launches following a failed landing on Aug. 28. This is the second time the FAA has halted the rocket this year.
Increased launches lead to greater focus on space sustainability
The rate of orbital launches has never been higher. Neither has the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the past million years. While these numbers are not exactly correlated, the increase in both has coincided with a number of new sustainability-oriented space companies.
Lunar rovers paving the way for an economy on the Moon
As private companies continue to outpace governments in orbit, national space agencies are increasingly outsourcing and contracting to fulfill their ambitions both near and far.
Q2 2024 Highlights
The space industry is advancing faster than ever before with continual progress in the government, military and private sectors. Here are noteworthy business highlights from this quarter.
2024 launch pace easily exceeds 2023’s record midyear mark
Global launches through June 30 were up nearly 30% from 2023, easily eclipsing last year’s record 97 first half launches with 126. Launch failures also fell in the first half of 2024 despite the higher launch activity. The pace is expected to accelerate through the second half of 2024, with key launch vehicles set for first flights.
NASA cancels VIPER Moon rover amid budget concerns
After $450 million and six years of work, NASA will not be exploring lunar ice with its new rover. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is already built, and the rocket is still scheduled to launch next year, but the rover will remain on Earth.