Space
Asteroid mining startup AstroForge will test its metal refinery tech in space this year
Asteroid mining startup AstroForge will head to space twice this year, as it attempts to do what no other company has been able to before: unlock the potentially limitless value of precious minerals i
Watch Rocket Lab launch Electron from US soil for the first time
After multiple delays due to inclement weather and high winds, Rocket Lab is poised to launch its first mission from Virginia today, with a two-hour launch window opening at 6 p.m. EST. The mission is
Six ex-OneWeb engineers raise $2.5M for Quindar to revolutionize satellite mission management
It’s never been cheaper to send a spacecraft to orbit, but many companies are hamstrung by the complex and expensive demands of satellite mission management. Quindar wants to change that. The compan
Max Q: Things are tough out there
Hello and welcome back to Max Q! In this issue: A startup tackling the "unsexy" parts ordering workflows; space tech predictions from Seraphim Spacel; news from Varda, ClearSpace and more
With Starship testing, SpaceX moves one step closer to making science fiction a reality
SpaceX is poised to conduct a wet dress rehearsal of the Starship launch system from its Starbase site in southeastern Texas, a major milestone in CEO Elon Musk’s quest to turn long-haul interplanet
Canada wants to support commercial space launches
While the bulk of commercial space launch activity is happening just south of its border, Canada is tired of watching from the sidelines and wants in on the action: The country’s federal transpo
Private investment in space dropped 58% last year, even with SpaceX, Anduril monster raises
Private investment in the space economy dropped by 58% in 2022 compared to the year prior, with macroeconomic headwinds battering private and public markets, according to new analysis from New York-ba
TechCrunch+ roundup: Space tech predictions, startup IP strategy, finding feasible funding
Do you have IP counsel? Does your app have a UX protection strategy? Have you ever conducted an audit?
Stell wants to modernize the ‘unsexy’ workflows slowing down America’s industrial base
There is very little room for error in aerospace and defense (A&D) manufacturing. For companies that build products like missiles, rocket boosters and avionics, each part must not deviate more tha
7 space tech predictions for 2023
Developments in the defense, cybersecurity and climate sectors will prove to be strong tailwinds for revenues in spacetech in 2023.
Max Q: Anomalous
Last week wasn't the most successful for spaceflight missions. We'll get into that.
Stratospheric balloon company World View to go public in $350M SPAC deal
World View, a company developing stratospheric balloons for Earth observation and tourism, is heading to the public markets. The company announced Friday that it would merge with special purpose acqui
Virgin Orbit says issue with rocket’s second stage led to mission failure
Virgin Orbit, the unconventional rocket company founded by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, said its mission failure earlier this week was due to an anomaly with the rocket’s second stage. Although
ABL Space Systems’ rocket experiences simultaneous engine shutdown shortly after lift-off
Launch startup ABL Space Systems’ first orbital launch attempt ended in failure Tuesday after all nine engines on the RS1 rocket’s first stage shut down simultaneously. The rocket subsequently
Virgin Orbit’s botched launch highlights shaky financial future
Virgin Orbit’s much-hyped launch from Cornwall, U.K. on Monday ended in failure, with the company announcing that the mission experienced an “anomaly” that prevented the rocket from reaching orb
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 cre
Max Q: Hitting the ground running
We're hitting the ground running at TC HQ, and it seems the space industry is, too — there was a lot of news, which means a lot to get to in this issue!
Virgin Orbit mission suffers anomaly in first orbital launch from British soil
Update: Despite successfully reaching second engine cut-off and thus past many of the most difficult parts of launch, the Start Me Up mission has suffered “an anomaly that has prevented us from
Microsoft partners with India space agency to work with startups
Microsoft plans to collaborate with the Indian space agency to give Indian space tech startups free access to cloud tools, the two said Thursday, the latest in the U.S. tech giant’s attempts to deep
Impulse Space will hitch a ride on SpaceX’s Transporter-9 for first mission later this year
In-space transportation startup Impulse Space will head to orbit aboard a SpaceX ride-share mission later this year, as it seeks to prove out its orbital maneuvering and servicing technology for the f