Space
Gravitics to develop ‘tactically responsive’ orbital platforms for the Space Force
The contract is part of a larger push from the Force to procure space capabilities from private industry on timelines that have been previously unheard of.
Orbex’s new funding may accelerate its Prime microlauncher into orbit
U.K.-based small launch developer Orbex got another boost from the Scottish National Investment Bank and other investors as it gears up for its first orbital launch, though that mission still…
Dark is building a rocket-powered boxing glove to push debris out of orbit
Paris-based Dark is taking on the dual problems of debris and conflict in orbit with their mobile platform designed to launch, attach to, and ultimately de-orbit uncooperative objects in space.…
Space startups are licking their lips after NASA converts $11B Mars mission into a free-for-all
Considering how heavily both primes and space startups have been investing in interplanetary capability, this announcement arguably amounts to a historic windfall.
Agile Space Industries fires up Animas test stand to meet soaring demand
Despite the space industry’s incredible growth over the past 10 years, there are still few places in the United States dedicated to testing rocket and spacecraft engines. This isn’t a…
The company has faced two main issues related to communications and the spacecraft rotation rate — and it’s largely solved both those problems.
India spurs space sector investment with raised limits on foreign funding
India has updated official rules in the space sector to attract global investors and companies, after opening it up to private players four years ago. The new foreign direct investment…
The hard tech renaissance accelerates as YC spotlights space, manufacturing and defense
Y Combinator is putting hard tech in the spotlight. On Wednesday, the accelerator released an updated list of ideas it would like to see in applications — with categories like…
Japanese lunar lander touches down and Axiom space launches its third mission with SpaceX
Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. For the second week in a row, we have lunar lander news to report on. Plus, a final update on Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander,…
Stoke Space completes milestone test in quest to build a fully reusable rocket
Stoke Space completed a key test of its second stage prototype, bringing the company one step closer to flying a fully reusable rocket.
Five to ten years ago, you would have struggled to find anyone, anywhere connecting the words ‘sustainability’ and ‘space.’
Continuum Space Systems wants to make space mission management easy
Space mission management is a complicated beast, too often characterized by complex workflows and information siloes that cost organizations time and money. Continuum Space Systems, a two-year-old startup based in…
Hundreds of small aerospace businesses will receive grant funding from NASA to accelerate their technologies, as part of a wider government program to seed cutting-edge American enterprises. A total of…
Vast and SpaceX aim to put the first commercial space station in orbit in 2025
Artificial gravity space station startup Vast announced that it intends to put the first commercial space station in orbit in August 2025 via launch partner SpaceX — which will also…
Orbit Fab closes $28.5M Series A for on-orbit refueling capabilities
Orbit Fab, a company that wants to build a network of refueling stations in orbit, closed a $28.5 million Series A to launch more fuel delivery and infrastructure missions. The…
Launch startup Stoke Space rolls out software tool for complex hardware development
Stoke Space, a company that’s developing a fully reusable rocket, has unveiled a new tool to let hardware companies track the design, testing and integration of parts.
Virgin Orbit, the low Earth orbit small-payload launch company that was spun out of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, has filed for bankruptcy protection with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.…
ABL Space Systems scores $60M for rapid response launch for defense customers
Launch startup ABL Space Systems has landed a $60 million contract to build out its “responsive launch” operational capacity, as part of the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force…
Relativity Space’s first launch fails to reach orbit, but proves its 3D-printing rocket tech works
Relativity Space has launched its first rocket, roughly eight years after it founded the 3D-printed space launch company.
Voyager Space raises $80M as it continues development on private space station, Starlab
Voyager Space, a company developing a private space station, has raised $80.2 million in new capital. The new funding comes as Voyager continues its development of the station, Starlab, which…
Atomos tows a $16M load of funding to create tugboats in space
You may not have known that space needs tugboats, but now you do — and Atomos Space just closed a $16.2 million Series A investment, which will enable the company…
FCC moves to form Space Bureau as its role in regulating orbit intensifies
The Federal Communications Commission regulates lots of industries and practices relating to telecommunications and the internet, but it is now cementing its role as a space regulator by voting to…
Founders — pitch onstage with TechCrunch. Next month we’re back with the star-studded TC Sessions: Space — an event dedicated to exploring all things innovation, investment and industry in the…
India’s first private rocket, built by startup Skyroot, makes successful launch
India’s space agency has successfully launched the Vikram-S after much anticipation and years-long work in a boost to the private sector of the nation’s space industry. The Indian Space Research…
Satellite startup Constellr wins backing to build out its water-monitoring platform
We are living in the era of so-called microsatellites, which are equipped with thermal cameras and other regalia to, for instance, alert farmers before crops are damaged, predict droughts and…
SpaceX successfully launches Falcon Heavy for the fourth time ever
SpaceX has launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on a mission for the U.S. Space Force. This is the fourth launch of the company’s heavy payload launch vehicle, which first flew…
Watch the asteroid-smashing DART spacecraft make its 6-million-mile shot today
One of NASA’s biggest crowd-pleasers in years is about to reach its denouement: If all goes well, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft (or rather guided anti-space-rock missile) will impact…
SpinLaunch’s technique for sending payload to orbit, which uses centrifugal force to fling mass to space, has solicited its fair share of skeptics. But at least some of those skeptics…
Morpheus Space’s satellite thrusters are propelled forward with a $28M Series A
The booming satellite industry has been a boon for Morpheus Space, which produces a modular, electric propulsion system for small satellites. Morpheus has raised a $28 million Series A, with…
Blue Origin launched its 23rd New Shepard rocket mission this morning, featuring science payloads designed for experimentation. The mission needed early, however, after it was aborted during the first ascent…
