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☆ SpaceX unveils backpack-sized 'Starlink Mini' satellite internet antenna for $599
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The company is offering a "limited number" of the Starlink Mini antennas for $599 each in an early access release. SpaceX is rolling out a compact version of its Starlink antennas called "Mini," which the company is advertising as a mobile option for its satellite internet customers. The Starlink Mini antenna is about the size and weight of a laptop, at just over 2 pounds and measuring at about 12 inches by 10 inches by 1.5 inches. The email did not specify when Starlink Mini deliveries would begin. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote in a post Monday that setting up a Starlink Mini took less than 5 minutes.

Persons: Mini, Michael Nicolls, Elon Musk, Musk Organizations: SpaceX, CNBC, Starlink Locations: United States

☆ Boeing and NASA delay Starliner astronaut return to June 22, nearly doubling mission length to test spacecraft
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Boeing 's Starliner capsule "Calypso" will stay at the International Space Station twice as long as the mission originally planned, NASA announced Friday. Before launching on June 5, Boeing and NASA planned for Starliner to be in space for nine days. But Calypso's mission is now expected to return to Earth on June 22 — departing the ISS at 11:42 p.m. That means the Starliner crew flight test will now last at least 17 days, about double the original plan, for further spacecraft testing. The crew flight test represents a final major step before NASA certifies Boeing to fly crew on operational, six-month missions.

Persons: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, — Organizations: Boeing, Space, NASA

☆ Investing in Space: Virgin Galactic enters spaceflight hiatus after retiring Unity
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson, far left, and CEO Michael Colglazier, far right, stand with the crew of the Galactic 07 mission. But Virgin Galactic needs a great suborbital spaceship. But it's a far cry from the forecast Virgin Galactic sold investors on – more than 3,000 "cumulative passengers flown" by 2023 – when it went public five years ago. But that leaves a hiatus before the first Delta spacecraft debuts, with the key target of a first commercial flight in 2026. As a reminder, human spacecraft development is often years delayed, and Virgin Galactic has in the past been no exception: Virgin Galactic was supposed to begin spaceflights in 2010, but didn't until 2018.

Persons: Sir Richard Branson, Michael Colglazier, CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Galactic's, Colglazier, That's, Virgin Organizations: Virgin Galactic, VSS Unity, Galactic, Unity, VSS Imagine, VSS Inspire, VSS, Delta

☆ Bezos' Blue Origin joins SpaceX, ULA in winning bids for $5.6 billion Pentagon rocket program
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Pentagon announced the first winning bidders in its rocket launch contract sweepstakes on Thursday, with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin grabbing a spot for the first time. Blue Origin's winning bid came as part of contracts awarded under the Pentagon's $5.6 billion National Security Space Launch program. Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA did not immediately respond to CNBC requests for comment. Under the program, known as NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1, the trio of companies will be eligible to compete for contracts through mid-2029. Blue Origin, as well as Northrop Grumman , missed out on Phase 2 when the Pentagon selected ULA and SpaceX for the program in August 2020.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin's, Elon Musk's, Alliance –, Lockheed Martin, ULA, Northrop Grumman Organizations: Glenn, Pentagon, Security, Elon Musk's SpaceX, United, Alliance, Lockheed, Boeing, SpaceX, CNBC, Northrop Locations: ULA

☆ SpaceX launches fourth Starship test flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX launched a fourth test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday, as the company looks to push development of the mammoth vehicle past new milestones. Cheney Orr | ReutersSpaceX has flown the full Starship rocket system on three spaceflight tests previously, with launches in April 2023, November and March. Each of the test flights have achieved more milestones than the last, but each result destroyed the rocket before the flight's end. SpaceX will be looking to surpass the third test flight's milestones. "The primary objectives will be executing a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving a controlled entry of Starship," SpaceX wrote.

Persons: Elon, SpaceX's, Cheney Orr, we've, Joe Skipper, it's Organizations: SpaceX, Elon Musk's, Boca Chica, Reuters SpaceX, NASA, Reuters, Super Locations: Boca Chica , Texas, Gulf of Mexico, Brownsville , Texas, U.S, Gulf, Mexico

☆ Boeing Starliner docks with ISS, delivering its first NASA crew to space station
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing's Starliner capsule is seen while approaching the International Space Station with two NASA astronauts on board on June 6, 2024. Boeing's Starliner capsule docked with the International Space Station on Thursday, a milestone for the company's crew spacecraft in a crucial test flight. The spacecraft docked with the ISS at 1:34 p.m. There are now two U.S.-built crew spacecraft docked with the ISS for the first time. The mission represents a final major step before NASA certifies Boeing to fly crew on operational missions.

Persons: Boeing's, Boeing's Starliner Organizations: NASA, International, Boeing, ISS Locations: U.S

☆ Boeing Starliner launches for the first time carrying NASA astronauts to the ISS
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this article BA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTBoeing launched its first Starliner flight with astronauts on Wednesday, beginning a crucial final flight test of the long-delayed spacecraft. ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida with two NASA astronauts aboard. Starliner is carried by an United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket and bound for the International Space Station. Boeing's crew flight test aims to certify the Starliner system as capable of carrying NASA astronauts to-and-from the ISS. The capsule itself is built to carry as many as four NASA astronauts per flight and more than 200 pounds of research and cargo.

Persons: Boeing's, Steve Nesius, Lockheed Martin –, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Wilmore, Kim Shiflett, NASA Williams, Williams, Isaac Watson, NASA Starliner Organizations: Boeing, NASA, United, International Space, Alliance, V, International, Reuters, Lockheed, United Launch, Boeing's, Kennedy Space Center, AFP, Getty, Space Shuttle, Russia's, U.S . Navy, Soyuz, Navy, United Launch Alliance, Cape Canaveral Space Force Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S, ULA, Cape Canaveral, Fla, Florida

☆ Boeing, NASA cancel Starliner launch attempt scheduled Sunday after failed Saturday take-off
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls out in Florida on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Leaders from Boeing, NASA and the United Launch Alliance, or ULA, held a press conference later Saturday afternoon to provide updates on the malfunction and the status of the next launch attempt. "The disappointment lasts for about three seconds," said Mark Nappi, Vice President and Program Manager of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program. Holds in a rocket launch countdown – as well as "scrubs," indicating a launch delay – are a common occurrence in the industry. Two NASA astronauts are aboard the Starliner capsule, which would be carried by United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station.

Persons: Boeing's, Mark Nappi, ULA, Tory Bruno, Lockheed Martin Organizations: United Launch Alliance, International Space Station, Boeing, NASA, United, Lockheed Locations: Florida, ULA

☆ Boeing and NASA call off Starliner crew launch minutes before liftoff
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Boeing 's first Starliner flight with astronauts on board was called off in the final minutes on Saturday. Holds in a rocket launch countdown – as well as "scrubs," indicating a launch delay – are a common occurrence in the industry. Two NASA astronauts are aboard the Starliner capsule, which would be carried by United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station. Depending on the cause of the launch scrub, Boeing and NASA can reschedule the launch for another attempt 24 hours later, or target alternative launch dates of June 5th or June 6th. Saturday's crew flight test represents the final major step before receiving NASA certification to begin regular missions.

Persons: Lockheed Martin Organizations: United Launch Alliance, Boeing, International Space Station, NASA, United, Lockheed Locations: Florida, ULA

☆ Investing in Space: The China factor in the U.S. space station race to replace the ISS
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. I'd be surprised if most Americans know that there are not one, but two crewed space stations in orbit currently. I'd like to think the International Space Station is common knowledge, but is Tiangong? Tiangong, that second space station in orbit, is built and run by the Chinese. Ideally, NASA also gets more than one space station.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, I'd, I've, NASA's Organizations: NASA, NASA's, Soyuz Locations: U.S, China

☆ AST SpaceMobile partners with Verizon, adding to AT&T coverage deal for satellite internet to phones
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Satellite-to-phones service provider AST SpaceMobile announced a partnership with Verizon on Wednesday, adding to the company's recent deal with AT&T to provide remote coverage across the United States. AST SpaceMobile is building satellites to provide broadband service to unmodified smartphones, in the nascent "direct-to-device" communications market. The company's chairman and CEO, Abel Avellan, touted AST's agreements with Verizon and AT&T as "essentially eliminating dead zones and empowering remote areas of the country with space-based connectivity." Verizon's deal effectively includes a $100 million raise for AST, as well, in the form of $65 million in commercial service prepayments and $35 million in debt via convertible notes. The companies said that $45 million of the prepayments "are subject to certain conditions" such as needed regulatory approvals and signing of a definitive commercial agreement.

Persons: Abel Avellan, Kalapala Organizations: AST, Verizon, AT Locations: United States

☆ Boeing, NASA say Starliner astronaut launch will move forward despite spacecraft helium leak
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing and NASA are moving forward with the launch of the company's Starliner capsule, set to carry U.S. astronauts for the first time, despite a "stable" leak in the spacecraft's propulsion system. "We are comfortable with the causes that we've identified for this specific leak," Boeing Vice President and manager of the company's Commercial Crew program, Mark Nappi, said during a press conference on Friday. "We know we can manage this [leak], so this is really not a safety of flight issue," Nappi added. Boeing is now targeting June 1 for the first crewed launch of its spacecraft, with backup opportunities on June 2, June 5 and June 6. To date, Boeing has eaten $1.5 billion in costs due to Starliner setbacks, in addition to nearly $5 billion of NASA development funds.

Persons: Mark Nappi, Nappi Organizations: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, United Launch Alliance, Boeing's, NASA's Boeing, Cape Canaveral Space Force, Boeing, International Space Locations: Florida

☆ Investing in Space: How the Pentagon is making use of AI with spy satellite data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. The conversation I moderated was on "Big (Geospatial) Data & AI," with the goal of exploring how the two rapidly evolving worlds of satellite data collection and artificial intelligence interact. Simply put, Project Maven at NGA is working on how AI can use satellite imagery and data to detect objects and activities around the world. "As the volume of that data grows, it is beyond the capacity of the human mind to be able to derive any kind of useful understanding from that kind of data," Martin said. And more change is coming: The next step in the evolution of geospatial data and AI, from her view, is applying generative AI "to basically arm non-experts with the ability to expertly use geospatial data."

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Nathan Kundtz, Rachael Martin, Martin, Maven Organizations: Space, Maven, National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, of, NGA, National Reconnaissance Office, NRO Locations: China

☆ Investing in Space: Boeing inches closer to Starliner launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally at the pad and on the eve of carrying astronauts for the first time. And, even this test flight doesn't feel like a given. Boeing is going to test the capsule's propulsion system before moving forward, so we'll see if the May 21 target holds. The coming Starliner crew flight test doesn't mean that race is back on.

Persons: Boeing's, CNBC's Michael Sheetz, It's, Starliner's Organizations: Alliance, International, CNBC's, Boeing, NASA, SpaceX Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S

☆ Investing in Space: Boeing takes backup role in flying NASA astronauts
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Boeing's Starliner program finally feels close to flying people in space for the first time. It was originally planned to launch this crew flight test in November 2018. On the eve of flying crew, Boeing's messaging is now closer to "NASA wants us as backup and we're not committing beyond that." The additionally unfortunate aspect of this situation is that none of these years of setbacks and cost overruns seem to have lit a fire under Boeing's space management.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Boeing's, we're, Starliner, it's, SpaceX's Dragon, Boeing's Starliner, Mark Nappi, Nappi Organizations: ISS, Boeing, SpaceX, NASA

☆ Investing in Space: Where NASA made cuts in its underwhelming budget request
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. A year ago, the space agency was seeking budgets of $27.2 billion and $27.7 billion for 2024 and 2025, respectively. Moreover, NASA's budget remains a tiny fraction (less than 0.4%!) But the branch isn't exactly enthused, with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall giving the 2025 request an "acceptable" grade. Space Force's budget has already surpassed NASA's, and the Pentagon is seeking $29.4 billion for the branch in 2025.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, what's, Artemis, Frank Kendall, That's Organizations: House, NASA, Congress, Exploration Systems, Planetary Society, Air Force, Pentagon, Space Force, Security, NSSL

☆ SpaceX Starship launches successfully, notches new milestones on way around Earth
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk's company launched Starship at about 9:25 a.m. The SpaceX Starship spacecraft lifts off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on March 14, 2024. Chandan Khanna | AFP | Getty ImagesSpaceX has flown the full Starship rocket system on two tests in the past year, with launches in April and November. The Starship system is designed to be fully reusable and aims to become a new method of flying cargo and people beyond Earth. Starship's staggering sizeThe SpaceX Starship spacecraft lifts off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on March 14, 2024.

Persons: Elon, Musk, Chandan Khanna, we've Organizations: SpaceX, Elon Musk's, AFP, Getty, Federal Aviation Administration, Afp, Super, FAA, NASA Locations: Boca Chica , Texas, Starbase

☆ SpaceX cleared to attempt third Starship launch Thursday after getting FAA license
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket is prepared for a third launch from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight, near Brownsville, Texas, on March 13, 2024. Elon Musk's SpaceX is preparing to launch its third Starship test flight as soon as Thursday morning after federal regulators signed off on the attempt. The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday issued SpaceX the launch license the company needed to fly its latest Starship prototype. SpaceX is targeting a launch window between 8 a.m. SpaceX and the FAA conducted an investigation into the November launch's problems, resulting in the company making changes to the monster rocket before the third attempt.

Persons: SpaceX's, Elon Organizations: Boca Chica, Elon Musk's SpaceX, Federal Aviation Administration, Wednesday, SpaceX, FAA, NASA Locations: Brownsville , Texas

Satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital is "looking at everything" regarding the company's future, CEO Marc Bell told CNBC, as it considers Lockheed Martin' s acquisition offer. "We found out about [Lockheed's takeover bid] when the rest of the world found out about it," Bell said on CNBC's "Manifest Space" podcast. The defense giant is already a significant stakeholder in Terran Orbital, with a 28.3% stake at the time of the proposal. Terran Orbital declined to comment on a shareholder lawsuit filed Wednesday in response to the company's board adopting a "poison pill" stock rights plan after Lockheed's offer. Bell added that Terran Orbital is "thrilled with the validation" that Lockheed's offer gave it.

Persons: Marc Bell, Lockheed Martin, Bell, Jefferies, We've Organizations: CNBC, Lockheed, Terran, Terran Orbital

☆ Space company Astra going private to avoid bankruptcy after dismal public run
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Space company Astra will go private in a cut-rate deal with its founders after a dismal run as a publicly-traded stock. A special committee of the board, with Kemp and London abstaining, voted in favor of the take-private plan. Astra's stock, halted at 85 cents a share near the time of the announcement, closed at 58 cents a share Thursday. The San Francisco-area company, incorporated in 2016, once aimed to mass produce small rockets and conduct launches as often as daily. Since its stock debut, Astra's rockets reached orbit twice – but the company also suffered three launch failures.

Persons: Chris Kemp, Adam London, –, Kemp Organizations: Astra, London, Astra's Locations: San Francisco

☆ NASA shuts down $2 billion satellite refueling project after contractor Maxar is criticized for poor performance
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

NASA is shutting down a $2 billion project to test satellite refueling in space, it announced Friday, after the agency's auditor criticized the program's lead contractor, Maxar, citing "poor performance." The space agency said in a statement that the OSAM-1 — On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 — project was being discontinued after nearly a decade of work. NASA did not respond to CNBC's request for comment on how many personnel will be affected as a result of OSAM-1's cancellation. Maxar was taken private by private equity firm Advent International in May 2023 before being split into two businesses: Maxar Intelligence, focused on satellite imagery and analytics, and Maxar Space Systems, focused on spacecraft manufacturing. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland was leading the work on OSAM-1, with Maxar Space Systems as the project's prime contractor under multiple deals.

Persons: Eric Glass, Maxar, NASA's, Goddard, General Organizations: NASA, Space Systems, CNBC, International, Maxar Intelligence, Systems, NASA's Goddard Space Flight, Maxar, U.S, Northrop Locations: Maryland, Goddard

☆ Lockheed Martin looks to acquire spacecraft maker Terran Orbital for nearly $600 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Lockheed Martin submitted a bid to acquire spacecraft manufacturer Terran Orbital , the defense giant revealed in a securities filing on Friday. Together, the offer values Terran Orbital at just below $600 million. Terran Orbital stock closed at $1.07 a share on Friday. Terran Orbital did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. Additionally, Lockheed noted in its letter to Terran Orbital management that the defense giant "continues to be Terran's largest revenue generating customer accounting."

Persons: Lockheed Martin Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Lockheed, Terran, Terran Orbital

☆ Investing in Space: How Columbia's fabric tech landed on the surface of the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Looking at Intuitive Machines ' Odysseus spacecraft, you may have noticed any one of four fairly visible images: The American flag, NASA logo, Intuitive Machines logo … and a Columbia Sportswear logo. Of course, Columbia wasn't just involved to keep a moon lander comfortable with its jacket liner. "A technology that's good enough to get a lunar spacecraft to the moon, that you can wear in your everyday life? Pioneers in space – I would have never attached that to our company, say, 5 years ago," Boyle added.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Joe Boyle, We've, Boyle, Columbia wasn't Organizations: Columbia, NASA Locations: Columbia

☆ Rocket Lab says contract backlog tops $1 billion, outlines Neutron progress toward first launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An Electron rocket launches the Baby Come Back mission from New Zealand on July 17, 2023. Rocket Lab is making steady progress on the development of its Neutron vehicle, as the company reported fourth-quarter results that saw its contract backlog soar above $1 billion. Year over year, Rocket Lab's fourth-quarter net loss widened by about 36% as the company continues to spend heavily to create its Neutron rocket. Shares of Rocket Lab slipped 5% in after-hours trading from its close at $4.71. Rocket Lab forecast first-quarter revenue between $92 million and $98 million.

Persons: Peter Beck Organizations: Revenue, LSEG, Space Development Agency, Rocket Locations: New Zealand

☆ FAA closes Starship investigation as SpaceX seeks license for next launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday announced the close of its investigation alongside SpaceX into the second Starship flight, as Elon Musk's company seeks a license to launch the towering rocket again. SpaceX led an investigation that the FAA oversaw into the Nov. 18 launch of a Starship prototype that reached space before being intentionally destroyed due to a problem with the rocket. "Prior to the next launch, SpaceX must implement all corrective actions and receive a license. SpaceX, in a post on its website on Monday, identified some of the issues that cut the second Starship launch short. The 17 corrective actions following the second Starship flight also represent a marked improvement from the first, which required 63 corrective actions before the rocket launched again.

Persons: SpaceX's, Elon, —, Musk Organizations: Boca Chica, Federal Aviation Administration, Monday, SpaceX, FAA Locations: Brownsville , Texas

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