Plus: Space Force plans commercial satellite servicing missions
Welcome to our roundup of top SpaceNews stories, delivered every Friday! This week, NASA selected a far-infrared space telescope as a new astrophysics probe mission, Vast established a lunar division, a Chinese launch startup raised $343 million and more.
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OUR TOP STORY
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By Jeff Foust NASA has selected a far-infrared space telescope as the first in a new line of billion-dollar astrophysics missions as it works to balance that effort with smaller spacecraft.
The agency announced Sept. 23 that it picked the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, or PRIMA, as its first Probe Explorer mission for launch in 2033. The decision allows PRIMA to move into Phase B of development.
PRIMA is a space telescope with a primary mirror 1.8 meters across. It will carry an imaging polarimeter and high-resolution spectrometer designed to perform observations at far-infrared wavelengths between 24 and 235 microns. The mirror and instruments will be cryogenically cooled to improve their sensitivity for observations of phenomena such as black holes and the formation of exoplanets.
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FROM SPACENEWS |
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Where do space investors see the biggest opportunities? SpaceNews has mapped the ranks of private space firms valued at $1 billion or more, capturing 37 companies working in launch and satellite broadband, Earth observation, space stations, orbital data centers and other promising markets. Drawing on public disclosures, original reporting and other sources, each profile tracks when and how a company achieved unicorn status and its latest known valuation, alongside funding-round breakdowns and total capital raised from BryceTech’s Startup Space database. Download the report. |
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CIVIL
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A mission that attempted to raise the orbit of a NASA astrophysics spacecraft has officially ended, with lessons both the agency and the company involved plan to apply to future efforts.
NASA has proceeded with plans to purchase three additional SpaceX Crew Dragon missions to the International Space Station, although the spacecraft’s long-term future remains uncertain.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency “dodged a bullet” with the unexpected delay in a Chinese lunar mission as the United States races China to land the next humans on the moon.
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MILITARY
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Three missile-tracking satellite programs have cleared key design reviews as the Space Force builds out new sensor constellations in low and medium Earth orbit.
The U.S. Space Force is looking for satellites that could be kept on standby, launched on short notice and sent to approach and inspect spacecraft in orbit.
The Space Development Agency is seeking industry proposals for a contract worth up to $369 million to expand the worldwide ground infrastructure supporting its constellation of low Earth orbit missile-warning and tracking satellites. |
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COMMERCIAL
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The U.S. Space Force is preparing two commercial satellite servicing missions for 2027 that will test ways of giving military spacecraft more freedom to maneuver after launch.
China’s Space Epoch has secured major new funding as it aims to have its Yuanxingzhe-1 rocket ready to fly by the end of the year. The company completed a B++ funding round, bringing the total raised across its B series to more than $343 million (2.3 billion yuan) over the past half year.
Vast has established a lunar program division that will offer power, habitation and other capabilities to NASA for its Moon Base program. The lunar projects will be in addition to, and take advantage of, Vast’s work on the Haven-1 commercial space station, scheduled to launch in 2027, and the larger Haven-2 station the company is proposing to NASA as part of the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program. |
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Latest Press Releases
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