George Dvorsky
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U.S. Space Force Taps SpaceX for $70 Million Starshield Contract
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has secured a Pentagon contract for its military satellite network, Starshield. This news, first reported by Bloomberg, marks the Pentagon’s first confirmed Starshield contract with SpaceX. A U.S. Space Force spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the contract was awarded on September 1, with a ceiling value of $US70 million. The initial commitment…
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Environmental Scrutiny May Push SpaceX’s Second Starship Launch to Next Year
SpaceX’s plans for a second launch of its Starship megarocket could face new delays, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) launches a review of environmental impacts and potential threats to endangered species in the Boca Chica region. Starship’s launch on April 20 from Boca Chica, Texas, while achieving basic milestones for an inaugural…
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SpaceX’s Starship Poised for Second Flight, Pending FAA Go-Ahead
The stacking of Starship’s upper stage 25 onto booster 9 was completed on September 5 at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. With the megarocket now standing tall at the launch mount, SpaceX announced its readiness for the second launch, though FAA approval remains outstanding. On Tuesday, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Elon Musk confirmed…
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Hackers Force Shutdown of Two Key Astronomical Observatories
The International Gemini Observatory, a key player in global astronomical research, has temporarily halted astronomical operations following a cyberattack. The culprits and their motives remain unknown. The computer hack, which took place on the morning of August 1, led to the suspension of the Gemini North and South Telescopes, as detailed in an August 24…