SpaceNews This Week | Falcon 9 deploys Iridium satellites after SpaceX ends video citing NOAA’s orders

March 30, 2018 View this email in your browser Falcon 9 deploys Iridium satellites after SpaceX ends video citing NOAA's orders Caleb Henry, WASHINGTON — SpaceX delivered its latest batch of Iridium Next satellites to orbit Friday morning, but stopped its live video feed nine minutes into the launch citing orders from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Falcon 9, in its fifth outing for Iridium Communications in just over a year, lifted off as planned at 10:13 a.m. EDT from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Iridium confirmed shortly before noon that all 10 satellites had reached orbit and transmitted signals. While SpaceX typically provides live video of its non-classified launches through payload separation, SpaceX ended the video feed shortly before the rocket's second-stage engine stopped firing.  After the launch, SpaceX said in a statement that it didn't have the proper license from NOAA to air live views from orbit. More launch industry headlines Blue Origin switches engines for New Glenn second stage Relativity closes $35 million Series B round Air Force stakes future on privately funded launch vehicles. Will the gamble pay off? Efforts underway to ease Florida's Space Coast launch congestion NASA delays JWST launch to 2020 Jeff Foust, WASHINGTON — NASA announced March 27 that the launch of its next flagship astronomy spacecraft, the James Webb Space Telescope, will be delayed an additional year and that the mission is likely to overrun its $8 billion cost cap. The agency said that the mission, whose launch had already slipped from October 2018 to May-June 2019 because of technical problems, will now launch "approximately" in May 2020. A formal launch date will come this summer after the completion of additional reviews, including one by a new independent review board. "With all the flight hardware 100 percent complete, we're approaching the finish line for launch readiness. However, it looks like we have a ways to go before we cross that finish line," said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science, in a teleconference with reporters that itself experienced an interruption due to a glitch. More civil space headlines WFIRST work continues despite budget and schedule uncertainty Europa lander concept redesigned to lower cost and complexity NASA weighs changes to space technology programs and organization FCC approves SpaceX constellation, denies waiver for easier deployment deadline Caleb Henry, WASHINGTON — U.S. telecom regulators the evening of March 29 accepted SpaceX's application to reach U.S customers with a megaconstellation of 4,425 broadband satellites, but denied the company's request to relax the deadline by which it must have its entire constellation in orbit. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also said SpaceX's approval is conditioned on an updated de-orbit plan, since the sheer number of satellites envisioned by SpaceX's "Starlink" constellation goes far beyond what current guidelines consider manageable.  SpaceX is the fourth company the FCC approved to launch a new non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite constellation after opening up a new processing round in 2016. Other companies approved are OneWeb for 720 satellites in low Earth orbit, Telesat Canada for 117 satellites in low Earth orbit, and Space Norway for two satellites in highly elliptical orbits. Last month FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urged other commissioners to support SpaceX's application, arguing it would help bring Internet access to rural and underserved areas of the United States. More satellite telecom headlines  Iridium Next enters the homestretch Without Amos-8, IAI angling for government lifeline in telecom satellite manufacturing Surprise addition of military satellites to DoD budget irks commercial industry National security think tank recommends military invest in small-satellite networks Thaicom hires new CEO Goldfein: Air staff 'excited' about new three-star space commander Sandra Erwin, WASHINGTON — The four-star general in charge of Air Force Space Command based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has made more than 30 trips to Washington so far this year. Starting next month, things will change. Gen. John 'Jay' Raymond will spend less time traveling back and forth to D.C. and more time running Space Command. He will have a three-star deputy in the Pentagon doing the "lifting" for him, Gen. David Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, told reporters at a breakfast meeting on Thursday. Maj. Gen. David Thompson, formerly deputy commander of Space Command and most recently Raymond's special assistant, next week will receive his third star and be sworn into the new position of vice commander of Air Force Space Command to be based in the Pentagon. The Senate confirmed his appointment last week. More military space headlines Space communications: As the industry launches new products, military can't decide what to buy New National Space Strategy emphasizes "America first" policies Surprise addition of military satellites to DoD budget irks commercial industry National security think tank recommends military invest in small-satellite networks Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy | Subscribe Copyright © 2018 SpaceNews Inc., All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: SpaceNews Inc. 1414 Prince St, Suite 204 Alexandria, VA 22314