No New Taxes for Commercial Launch - Space Symposium 2024

Space Symposium 2024 Coverage from SpaceNews

Sponsored by Today at the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the FAA clarified the Biden administration's stance on taxing commercial launches, the Space Force unveiled a strategy to to leverage commercial tech innovation and more. SpaceNews is here reporting all week, and for full coverage, visit SpaceNews.com.  FAA: no current plans to tax commercial space launches A Federal Aviation Administration official said April 10 that the Biden administration has no plans for the time being to levy taxes on commercial launches, similar to those on airlines, to address the launch industry's impact on airspace. Kepler partners up for ESA's optical data relay constellation Kepler Communications, a Canadian small satellite operator, is teaming up with Europe's Airbus Defence and Space and its independent laser terminal subsidiary Tesat-Spacecom to develop an optical relay network in low Earth orbit (LEO). Pentagon research chief calls for commercial radiation-hardened electronics Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, is calling on commercial industry to develop affordable, radiation-hardened electronics. Small Astranis GEO broadband satellites are getting bigger Astranis announced plans April 10 to deploy 50% larger broadband satellites from 2026 to offer five times more throughput, while still remaining far smaller than typical geostationary spacecraft to save costs. Space Force unveils strategy to leverage commercial tech innovation Following the Pentagon's recent guidance urging greater use of commercial space technologies, the U.S. Space Force on April 10 released its own blueprint for integrating private-sector capabilities. SDA tests communications network with Norway The Space Development Agency is working closely with Norway to test the communications network underpinning its constellation. U.S. government plans review of space technology export controls The State and Commerce Departments will start a process this summer to update space systems on export control lists, potentially lessening the restrictions on some technologies. ESA awards contract to Thales Alenia Space to restart ExoMars The European Space Agency awarded a contract to a consortium of companies to resume work on a Mars rover mission that was derailed two years ago by geopolitics. L3Harris taps Mercury Systems to supply solid-state data recorders for missile-warning satellites Mercury Systems announced a $31 million contract April 10 to supply solid-state data recorders to L3Harris Technologies for the U.S. Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer Tranche 2. Small satellites aim to fill big shoes for military weather data Orion Space Solutions is looking to demonstrate how shoebox-sized satellites can reliably capture vital meteorological observations that have traditionally required large, more expensive spacecraft.  Relativity Space delays NSSL bid, focuses on 2026 Terran R debut Relativity Space, a company known for its 3D-printed rockets, is putting its initial bid for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 contracts on hold for now.  Investment banks take stock of evolving space finance challenges It is becoming more difficult for young space companies to close growth-stage funding rounds amid increasing investor scrutiny, according to an April 9 panel of investment bankers and equity analysts. Sponsored: A Leap Forward in Satellite Monitoring Beyond Gravity A new Space Situational Awareness solution from Beyond Gravity offers unparalleled accuracy and insights into more than 10,000 active satellites. Copyright © 2024 Multiverse Media Inc., All rights reserved. You signed up to receive this newsletter on Spacenews.com. At times you may receive marketing material. Our mailing address is: Multiverse Media Inc. 100 Fillmore St. 5th Floor Denver, CO 80206 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.