SpaceNews This Week | Europa lander work continues despite budget uncertainty

March 31, 2017 View this email in your browser Europa lander work continues despite budget uncertainty Jeff Foust —The NASA team studying a lander mission to Jupiter's moon Europa says their work is continuing even though the White House is requesting no funding for the mission in its latest budget. SpaceX demonstrates rocket reusability with SES-10 launch and booster landing Caleb Henry — SpaceX has completed the first reusable orbital launch since the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle, delivering the SES-10 telecommunications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit with a rocket that first flew last April for NASA. White House seeks near-term cuts to NASA and NOAA programs Jeff Foust — The Trump administration is asking Congressional appropriators to cut $90 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellite programs and $50 million from NASA science programs in any fiscal year 2017 spending bills they approve in the next month. SN FIRST UP Satcom is our new, weekly rundown of what's happening in the satellite telecommunications industry. Every Wednesday, you will receive a handpicked selection of news and info that matters to satellite professionals.  Sign up now. SmartSky raises $170 million for terrestrial in-flight connectivity network Caleb Henry — SmartSky Networks, a startup building cellular towers for in-flight connectivity — a market coveted and dominated by satellite operators — says it is fully funded to build out ground-based network thanks to a new $170 million Series B funding round. Trump's Air Force pick says increasing space-threat awareness a priority Phillip Swarts — Heather Wilson, President Trump's nominee to be the next U.S. Air Force secretary, said expanding awareness of space as a warfighting domain would be one of her priorities if she's confirmed. UK industry praises spaceflight bill, but calls 2020 launch goal unrealistic Caleb Henry —The United Kingdom's would-be launch service providers — a mix of British startups and international primes — told Parliament this week the country's goal of seeing a first launch from within its borders by 2020 is at this point most likely wishful thinking.   Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Copyright © 2017 SpaceNews Inc., All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: SpaceNews Inc. 1414 Prince St, Suite 204 Alexandria, VA 22314