CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter provides insight into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. CNBC's Michael Sheetz reports and curates the latest news, investor updates and exclusive interviews on the most important companies reaching new heights. Sign up to receive future editions.
A solar eclipse across large swathes of the United States on Monday is currently dominating the space conversation as people compare weather forecasts and look for the last spot to enter the path of totality.
Instead of a regularly scheduled newsletter program, check out NASA's Eclipse Explorer. This is a helpful way to enter your area code and see important information like the time and weather forecast. No matter where you are watching the show, the skies will be clear!
- Boeing's Manned Starliner flight test postponed to May 6th, NASA said this will “optimize the space station's schedule of activities planned for the end of April.” – NASA
- ULA may switch payloads for second Vulcan launchbecause Sierra Space's Cargo Dream Chaser The spacecraft is currently not scheduled to be completed until September. ULA is focused on qualifying its rocket for national security missions, and the company is reportedly ready to look for alternative payloads to launch the rocket's second mission sooner. . – Arstechnica
- blue origin Announcement of flight crew for NS-25, Starring Ed Dwight, Mason Angell, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth Hess, Carol Schaller, and Gopi Sotakula. Notably, Dwight was the first black astronaut candidate selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, but he never got the chance to fly into space. The company did not reveal the target release date for the NS-25, saying it would be “announced soon.'' – Blue Origin
- White House asks NASA to create standard time for the moon: Based on the “Policy on the Standardization of Celestial Time to Support the National Cislunar Science and Technology Strategy,” the government will “formulate a strategy to create Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), a new time standard based on the global agreement, by the end of 2026.” The purpose is Earthly time (UTC). ” – Space News
- Impulse completes first space tug missionThe Orbital Vehicle (OTV), named Mira, said it had completed “all of its major mission objectives” after four months in orbit. – Impulse
- Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) joins Astroscale Space Force refueling project, a $25 million effort to build and test a small demonstration spacecraft, called Astroscale Prototype Servicer for Refueling (APS-R). – SWRI
- Agile opens new testing facility in Colorado To further enhance our capabilities as a spacecraft propulsion manufacturer. – Agile
- telesat Canadian government extends $1.6 billion loan to Lightspeed, the company's low-orbit satellite communications constellation. – Telesat
- NASA signs contracts with three teams to develop manned rover Led by Intuitive Machines, Astrolab and Lunar Outpost under the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) program. These contracts are early-stage, small-scale “feasibility assessment” awards, effectively narrowing the field of competitors for the program, which the agency expects to be worth up to $4.6 billion over the next three years. Intuitive Machines was the only company that revealed a contract worth $30 million over the next 12 months. – NASA / Intuitive Machine
- Muon Space has been awarded a contract worth more than $60 million to build 10 satellites. The company plans to develop a small spacecraft that it will design, manufacture and operate for “remote sensing” payloads in the next few years. – Muon
- Japanese moon company ispace raises nearly $54 million Through the sale of common stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. – Space News
- HawkEye 360 raises $40 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank; The satellite radio frequency analysis company said this “will play a critical role in advancing Hawkeye 360's efforts to strengthen its technology infrastructure and continue building out its satellite constellation.” – Hawkeye 360
- planet Signs $20 million contract with Carbon Mapper The Tanager satellite will provide hyperspectral imagery until 2030. – Planet
- Mitsubishi Motors joins Star Lab joint venture as partner and owner, as the Voyager and Airbus-led joint venture added the Japanese manufacturing giant as a “strategic partner and equity owner.” – Star Lab
- iridium Completed the acquisition of Satell, Adds “Satellite Time and Location” (STL) service to the company's services. – Iridium
- terran orbital Warn of debt limits in annual returnhas previously raised financing from Francisco Partners and Lockheed Martin, which requires the company to break even on an adjusted EBITDA basis by the end of 2024 under its EBITDA Financial Terms. This was revealed in 10-K. Teran noted that the auditor's opinion that “there is material doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern” was based on Teran's anticipated ability to comply with its agreements. – Terran Orbital
- AST Launch of first commercial satellite delayed The first five Block 1 Bluebird satellites are expected to be shipped between July and August. – AST Space Mobile
- momentum After receiving another warning of delisting, Despite the company conducting a reverse stock split last year, its stock price has fallen below $1 per share. – Momentum
- John Plumb resigns from Pentagon space policy role, was confirmed two years ago as assistant secretary of defense for space policy. Mr. Plumb is a former executive at Aerospace. – Space News
- Bob Kavanagh joins IBX as a senior advisor; He joined Kam Ghaffarian's investment firm specializing in space and energy, and recently left NASA after serving as NASA's deputy administrator. – IBX
- Mark Muller hired by Kayhan Space as Vice President of Government Growthcomes to the spaceflight safety startup after more than 35 years in roles in the U.S. military and intelligence agencies. – Kayhan
- Alan Stern joins ispace's American division as an advisor, to help them “expand and accelerate their business in the U.S. market.” Stern is best known for his role as principal investigator on NASA's New Horizons mission, and most recently flew into space on a Virgin Galactic flight. –ispace
- Nathan Oconek leaves Redwire as EVP, General Counsel and Secretary“Mr. Oconek's decision to resign did not arise out of any disagreement with the company regarding any matter regarding the company's operations, policies or practices,” the company said in a statement. – red wire
- April 5: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink Satellite from Florida.
- April 5: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink Satellite from California.
- April 7: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink Satellite from Florida.
- April 9: ULA Delta IV heavy equipment launches NROL-70 mission For NRO in Florida.
- April 10: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink satellite Originally from Florida.
