February 3, 2024

Firefly to Continue Responsive Launch Operations for Future Alpha Missions (Source: Space News)
Firefly Aerospace plans to make responsive launch operations the norm for upcoming launches of its Alpha rocket. Firefly launched the Victus Nox mission for the Space Force Sep. 14, successfully placing a satellite into orbit. The launch took place 27 hours after the Space Force gave Firefly formal notice to carry out the launch.

The company completed that work, which included integrating the satellite with the rocket and setting up the rocket on the launch pad, within 24 hours, the goal for the mission. Brett Alexander said that while Victus Nox was a demonstration of responsive launch, the company planned to follow similar procedures on future launches, whether for commercial or government customers. “Once you operate at that timeline, you don’t want to go back to a slower pace,” he said. (2/2)

Phantom Space + Vaya Space Plan a New Approach for Commercial Space Launches (Source: SatNews)
Two launch service providers have agreed to simultaneously operate from a single launch complex. Phantom Space COO Mark Lester and Vaya Space COO Rob Fabian signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) that outlines how the two companies will work concurrently at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 13 (LC-13).

In addition to maximizing available land use, Phantom and Vaya’s approach provides significant national security advantages through responsive and resilient launch. The ability for multiple companies to share infrastructure and launch support systems in a nimble manner dramatically increases launch pad throughput and launch resilience to provide assured access to space. (2/1)

Companies Seek Streamlined Regulations for Satellite Servicing (Source: Space News)
Companies working on satellite servicing technologies are calling on the federal government to streamline regulations. Industry executives said licensing uncertainties and export control regulations complicate development of vehicles to inspect and service spacecraft. They warned that without regulatory reforms, many of those activities may move to companies operating outside of the United States. (2/2)

Air Force Pressing Forward on Point-to-Point Cargo Missions (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Air Force is pressing forward with plans to demonstrate point-to-point rocket travel, perhaps in a few years. The Air Force Research Lab awarded SpaceX a $102 million five-year contract two years ago to study "rocket cargo" capabilities using SpaceX's Starship. That work is proceeding well, Air Force and SpaceX officials said at the Space Mobility conference this week, with the potential of a demonstration as soon as 2026. Others in the U.S. military are monitoring that work and seeing how they could take advantage of rapid delivery of cargo, while cautioning that it is unclear when, or if, this capability will be available. (2/2)

Blue Ring Space Tug Also Offers Refueling (Source: Space News)
Blue Origin says it's seeing strong interest in its Blue Ring orbital transfer vehicle. A company executive said it has engaged in many discussions with potential customers about the vehicle since it publicly announced it last October. Blue Ring is intended to both transfer satellites to their desired orbits and accommodate hosted payloads. It could also offer more advanced services, such as refueling other spacecraft. (2/2)

Sierra Space Readies for IPO (Source: Bloomberg)
Sierra Space is laying the groundwork for an initial public offering (IPO) of stock. Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice said Thursday that the company has been working for the last year and a half to get ready for an IPO, but has not set a date for going public. The timing of an IPO, he said, will depend on market conditions and when the company can get the "right credit for valuation." Vice spoke Thursday at an event at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio where the company's Dream Chaser vehicle is undergoing testing ahead of its first launch later this year. (2/2)

Startups Team on Space Solar Power Effort (Source: Space News)
Two startups say they will work together on an orbital demonstration of space-based solar power. Orbital Composites and Virtus Solis Technologies said Thursday they will collaborate on a 2027 mission where they will assemble a solar array in orbit and beam more than a kilowatt of power to Earth. The companies did not disclose the cost of the mission or how they will fund it. (2/2)