A payload hitching a ride on the launch of a weather satellite will demonstrate a technology that both NASA is considering for future Mars landings and a company is studying for rocket reusability.

China’s main launch vehicle designer has scrapped plans for an expendable Long March 9 rocket in favor of a design featuring a reusable first stage.

The post China scraps expendable Long March 9 rocket plan in favor of reusable version appeared first on SpaceNews.

Going to the Moon was the first step. Staying there is the next ambition.

ESA is a key partner in NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to return people to the Moon by the end of the decade. Dozens of other international public and private missions are setting their sights on the lunar surface in the coming years.  

But to achieve a permanent and sustainable presence on the Moon, reliable and autonomous lunar communications and navigation services are required.

This is why ESA is working with its industrial partners on the Moonlight initiative, to become the first off-planet commercial

A Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station Nov. 9 despite having only one of its two solar arrays deployed.

The post Cygnus arrives at space station despite solar array problem appeared first on SpaceNews.

Astra Space is laying off one-sixth of its workforce, a move the company’s leadership says is needed to focus its resources on production of spacecraft electric thrusters and development of a new launch vehicle.

The post Astra lays off 16% to focus on spacecraft thrusters and new rocket appeared first on SpaceNews.