SpaceNews This Week | Moon Express fully funded for Google Lunar X Prize bid

January 13, 2017 View this email in your browser Moon Express fully funded for Google Lunar X Prize bid Jeff Foust —Moon Express announced Jan. 13 that it has closed a $20 million financing round, giving the company sufficient funds for an attempt to win the Google Lunar X Prize later this year. A Planet-Terra Bella merger would make sense, industry watchers say Debra Werner— The reported deal comes as a surprise to some Earth imaging experts because Google's parent Alphabet acquired Skybox for about $500 million only two and a half years ago, saying the imagery would improve Google Maps and bolster its campaign to provide global Internet access.  Spain's GMV takes a stake in PLD Space's reusable rocket quest Caleb Henry — Spanish rocket startup PLD Space said Jan. 9 that it has raised the money it needs to continue development of its Arion 1 reusable suborbital launch vehicle thanks to a $7.1 million investment round lead by satellite ground systems provider GMV of Madrid, Spain. Missile-warning SBIRS GEO-3 looking good for Jan. 19 launch Phillip Swarts — The U.S. Air Force's next missile-warning satellite is set to launch from Florida Jan. 19, mission leaders said during a Tuesday teleconference with reporters. Federal government tweaks space export control rules Jeff Foust —  The federal government is taking more space-related items off of the most restrictive export control list, although some in industry believe the changes don't go far enough. Asteroid missions face delays and restructuring Jeff Foust — NASA is delaying contracts and other awards planned for its Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) early this year by a few months, citing uncertainty about the agency's budget. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy Copyright © 2017 SpaceNews Inc., All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: SpaceNews Inc. 1414 Prince St, Suite 204 Alexandria, VA 22314 Add us to your address book