Mantis Society Study Center: SpaceNews This Week | The big changes that may (not) be coming to NASA

Friday, February 10, 2017

SpaceNews This Week | The big changes that may (not) be coming to NASA

February 10, 2017

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The big changes that may (not) be coming to NASA

Jeff Foust — The email promised that big changes were coming soon to NASA. The Jan. 23 message from Charles Miller, a member of the Trump administration's "landing team" at NASA, claimed that the White House was preparing to approve a series of memos that would be signed by the acting NASA administrator, outlining a new strategy for NASA.

DARPA picks SSL as satellite-servicing partner despite Orbital ATK lawsuit

Brian Berger and Jeff Foust —DARPA, undeterred by a lawsuit Orbital ATK filed on Tuesday, formally announced today that it will partner with Space Systems Loral (SSL) on the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program.

Eutelsat expands ViaSat joint venture, shrugs off Sky's dishless offering

Caleb Henry — Satellite fleet operator Eutelsat says it sees "absolutely no impact" from British broadcaster Sky's new satellite-free U.K. television product, and that it is GEO, not LEO, that will prove to be the most effective means of connecting underserved populations today.

Smallsat builders admit a little bigger might be a little better

Debra Werner — What's the perfect size for a small satellite? "The answer is 42 kilograms," said Martin Sweeting, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. founder and executive chairman said at the Small Satellite Symposium in Mountain View, California.

Launch woes diminish demand for small satellites

Debra Werner— Launch companies that focus primarily on sending large spacecraft into orbit are modifying their business plans to serve customers in the rapidly growing small satellite market, according to a panel of experts speaking at the Small Satellite Symposium Feb. 7.