Redorbit

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says the Internet-providing satellite constellation Starlink has “achieved breakeven cash flow,” meaning it is now bringing in as much money as it spends. Musk went on to say that Starlink now has the majority of active satellites in orbit and he expects the constellation to have most of the total satellites in orbit very soon. This led some commentators to speculate that Mus…

The European Space Agency signed a deal with SpaceX to launch four navigation and communication satellites for the Galileo constellation on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets. Each launch will contain two of the satellites. The ESA had initially hesitated to use a foreign space launch service due to the classified information in the satellite constellation. However, it has become more flexible in choosing…

Elon Musk announced that SpaceX will provide Starlink-based Internet access to internationally recognized aid groups attempting to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza. It will also provide access to groups from the United Nations working in Gaza. He had initially stated that it wasn’t clear who had the authority to coordinate ground links, but no ground station had attempted contact. Gaza lost most …

NASA launched its Psyche probe from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on October 13, 2023, at 10:19 am EDT. The launch became the first launch of an interplanetary mission for SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. The core Falcon Heavy rocket spent all its fuel to ensure that Psyche obtains the best trajectory for its 2.2-billion-mile journey. SpaceX did not plan on retrieving the core booster for reuse. However, it did…

According to a new page on SpaceX’s official Starlink website, the company is planning a Starlink-based direct-to-cell service. The plans include texting service as early as 2024 and voice, data, and an “Internet of Things” application in 2025. The service will be available on existing LTE phones and requires only a clear view of the sky. The thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit, with more b…

SpaceX has settled allegations of stifling an employee’s right to discuss workplace conditions with other SpaceX employees. The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed the allegations after the employee complained. The unnamed employee had communicated with SpaceX’s human resources department about issues in the workplace. He had been told not to discuss the matter with coworkers. The co…

In December 2022, SpaceX unveiled Starshield, a proposed application for the internet-providing Starlink satellite constellation. Now the Pentagon has awarded SpaceX a one-year contract for Starshield that could be worth up to $70 million. The contract allows for “end-to-end service” that includes Starlink terminals, access to the Starlink constellation’s communications capabilities, ancillary eq…

Axiom Space has selected the crew for its third privately funded mission to the International Space Station. Retired NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría will command Axiom-3. He has previously commanded Axiom-1. His NASA experience includes three space shuttle missions and a role as commander for the International Space Station’s Expedition 14. He joined Axiom Space after retiring from NASA in 2…

Canadian broadband communications company Telesat tapped SpaceX to launch its “Lightspeed” satellite constellation. The first satellites will launch in 2026 and the full constellation will be in orbit by late 2027 if everything goes as planned. According to Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg, the company chose SpaceX for “the best combination of price, performance, reliability and schedule tempo.” SpaceX a…

X has filed a lawsuit to stop enforcement of California’s new state-level content moderation law, Assembly Bill 587. It alleges that the measure could have a chilling effect on rights outlined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, especially free speech laws. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed the bill into law. One provision of the bill requires that websites and online servi…

The FAA announced completion of its mishap investigation for SpaceX’s abortive Starship/Super Heavy orbital test on April 20. The Starship/Super Heavy stack had suffered a Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly only a few minutes into the flight after the first stage failed to separate from the prototype Starship spacecraft. Some first stage rocket engines also failed to … Continue reading "FAA Completes …

Crew-6 has departed the International Space Station in the Crew Dragon “Endeavour” after a brief delay due to Hurricane Idalia. Idalia primarily hit the Gulf Coast in Florida, causing concern about the safety of the splashdown site. Crew-7 launched on August 26, 2023, and reached the International Space Station to begin a handover process that … Continue reading "Crew-6 Departs International Spac…

The social media platform formerly known as Twitter obtained a Rhode Island Currency Transmitter license. It already has a federal money transmitter license. However, it still has to go state by state to obtain regional licenses. A money or currency transmitter license allows companies to hold and send money on behalf of their clients. “Money … Continue reading "Elon Musk Denies Plans to Add Nati…

SpaceX has launched the Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station on Saturday, August 26, at 3:27 am EDT. The crew includes astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA), Andreas Mogensen from Denmark (European Space Agency), Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA), and Russian cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. Crew-7 will replace Crew-6 on the space station after a brief handover period. The … Continue reading "SpaceX …

The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has alleged that SpaceX engaged in discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers in its hiring practices in its newest lawsuit. The DoJ says SpaceX refused to hire anyone who wasn’t a U.S. citizen or didn’t have a green card during the period between September 2018 and May 2022. The … Continue reading "DOJ Alleges SpaceX Engaged in Discriminatory Hiring P…

According to an advisory published by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the FBI and the Air Force, SpaceX and Blue Origin could be targets for espionage efforts by China and Russia. “They see US space-related innovation and assets as potential threats as well as valuable opportunities to acquire vital technologies and expertise,” the advisory … Continue reading "United States …

According to leaked company information, SpaceX turned a profit of $55 million on $1.5 billion in expenses in Q1 2023. It had been operating at a loss, though it managed to start closing the gap in 2022. Most startups will normally operate at a loss for years before finally posting profits. This phenomenon is called … Continue reading "SpaceX Turns Quarterly Profit for First Time in Q1 2023" Keep…

FAA put a pause on future launches of Starship prototypes until SpaceX turns in a mishap investigation report. “The FAA will not allow a return to flight operations until it determines that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety or any other aspect of the operator’s license,” an … Continue reading "FAA Nixes Future Starship Launches Until SpaceX Meet…

NASA is making final preparations for the launch of the Crew-7 mission later this month. It was recently pushed back by two days to August 25 due to work on the launchpad that will be used for the launch. The launchpad was recently used to launch the EchoStar satellite on a Falcon Heavy. SpaceX is … Continue reading "NASA Selects Crew for Crew-8 Mission, Prepares for Crew-7 Launch" Keeping readin…

SpaceX launched the Jupiter 3 satellite on a Falcon Heavy after two scrubbed attempts. Jupiter 3 is part of EchoStar’s commercial communication satellite constellation. It was produced by Hughes Communication and built by Maxar Technologies. It deployed about 3.5 hours after launch. The satellite is one of the largest communications satellites ever launched with a … Continue reading "SpaceX Launc…