By Jeff Foust
In today's edition: a Starship launch scrub, SDA resumes launches of Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites, DIU explores space power beaming and more.
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Top Stories
SpaceX called off a Starship launch attempt Thursday night because of engine problems. The launch of Starship on its 13th suborbital test flight was scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Eastern from Starbase, Texas, but the launch was aborted just as the Super Heavy booster's engines ignited. SpaceX later said that not all of the booster's 33 engines ignited, causing the scrub. SpaceX is targeting early next week for the next launch attempt after replacing two engines. Flight 13 is designed to fly the same suborbital profile as Flight 12 in May, with plans to address issues seen on that earlier flight. Shares in SpaceX, which closed below its IPO price for the first time Thursday, fell several more dollars in after-hours trading immediately after the scrub. [SpaceNews]
SpaceX, though, did successfully launch a set of Space Development Agency communications satellites earlier in the day. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 4:32 p.m. Eastern on the T1TL-E mission for SDA, carrying 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer spacecraft built by York Space Systems. This was the third launch of Tranche 1 Transport Layer but the first since last October. SDA said the pause was driven by hardware and software issues found on the first 42 Tranche 1 satellites. The agency, which previously planned a monthly cadence of launches, is now moving to a readiness-based model, launching "whoever is ready" rather than holding to a fixed schedule. [SpaceNews]
The nominee to be the next commanding general of the U.S. Space Force said the service's proposed massive budget increase is needed to counter China. Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess said at a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing Thursday said the proposed $71.1 billion budget for the Space Force, more than double its 2026 budget, is "exactly what we need." He said most of the proposed increase would pay for weapons, facilities, training and other equipment rather than personnel. If confirmed, Schiess would succeed Gen. Chance Saltzman as the third chief of space operations. He currently serves as the Space Force's deputy chief of operations. [SpaceNews]
The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking commercial proposals to beam electrical power between spacecraft and from orbit to the ground. Companies selected for the project would be expected to complete a laboratory demonstration within 12 months of receiving an award. The government would then assess whether the technology is ready for an on-orbit prototype demonstration within 24 months. The technology could allow spacecraft to operate for longer periods or support more power-intensive payloads without relying exclusively on their own solar arrays and batteries. The Pentagon wants access to an operational space power-beaming capability by fiscal 2030, either by operating its own system or buying it as a service. [SpaceNews]
Serbia is the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords, two years after joining a Chinese lunar initiative. Serbia's foreign minister signed the Artemis Accords Thursday at NASA Headquarters. The country is the 10th so far this year to sign the Accords and the 69th overall. The Artemis Accords outline best practices for space exploration, and NASA plans to use the Accords to coordinate cooperation on its lunar base plans. In 2024, Serbia joined the Chinese-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) effort but did not disclose what role it might play in that lunar base effort. Two other ILRS countries, Senegal and Thailand, have also signed the Artemis Accords. [SpaceNews]
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Half a century ago, NASA's Viking 1 touched down on Mars, the first American spacecraft to successfully land and operate on another planet. On July 20th, join The Planetary Society, Johns Hopkins University, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, and SpaceNews on Capitol Hill to mark the milestone. Hear from veterans of Project Viking and today's leaders in Mars exploration, science, and industry. A reception with light refreshments and Mars exploration exhibits follows the program. Register at planetary.org/viking50 |
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Other News
A new study proposes a way to inspect satellites that might be harboring nuclear weapons, but with some limits. The study, published last week, showed how a cubesat could approach a spacecraft and detect the presence of a nuclear weapon based on interactions of energetic protons from the Van Allen Belt with the weapon, creating neutrons the cubesat could detect. The concept, though, could raise political concerns since it would require the inspecting cubesat to come within several kilometers. It also requires the nuclear weapon to be in the inner Van Allen Belt, which provides the energetic protons. [SpaceNews]
AST SpaceMobile is planning to raise $1 billion as it seeks alternative launch options. The company announced this week it would raise $1 billion in convertible senior notes, with an option to sell an additional $150 million in notes. The company said it would use the net proceeds of the sale to pursue growth options "and secure additional access to orbit for its space-based cellular broadband network, including partnerships and/or acquisitions to further vertically integrate its business and mitigate risks associated with third-party launch providers." AST's rollout of its commercial broadband direct-to-device service has slipped to 2027 because of launch delays, including the grounding of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. There are, however, limited launch company acquisition options for AST given the amount of money it has available. [AST SpaceMobile]
NASA plans to use Starlink to augment communications for the Artemis 3 mission. NASA said Thursday it will install optical intersatellite terminals on the Orion spacecraft to enable it to communicate with Starlink satellites, allowing Orion to download 4K video and images. Orion will remain in low Earth orbit for Artemis 3, allowing it to use the Starlink constellation in addition to other ground and satellite communications systems. [NASA]
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is making a record-setting donation to a scholarship program. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation announced this week that Isaacman had donated $500,000, the largest one-time personal donation in the foundation's history. The foundation, established in 1984 by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, awards scholarships to students pursuing STEM degrees. [Orlando Sentinel]
The head of the Italian space agency ASI has died. The agency announced Thursday the "untimely passing" of Teodoro Valente but did not disclose any additional details. Valente had been president of ASI since 2023 and was a professor who did research in composite materials and nanotechnology. Earlier this year he was named president of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, or COPUOS, for a two-year term. ASI's vice president, Elda Turco Bulgherini, will take over as president. [ASI]
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Starship Vibecoding
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"Like a lot of people these days, I'm having Claude Code do interesting projects. One of the things I did not long ago was ask it to calculate the debris field if someone accidentally detonated a Starship when it was fully fueled in low Earth orbit."
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– Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) during a hearing by the House Science Committee's space subcommittee on Wednesday about mission authorization of novel space activities.
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