Civil aerospace news and insights from Forecast International
The failure of Vega C in December 2022 has resulted in the return of the ancestor Vega. Although not unheard of, generally speaking, launch vehicles tend to technologically progress rather …
Out with the New, in with the Old; Vega replaces Vega C in the Short Term Read More
As Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) works on its new launch vehicle One, the company has been busy with another product: Argo. Argo is a new transfer vehicle that must come …
Enter a New Transfer Vehicle: Argo Read More
On Tuesday September 19, a Falcon 9 first stage launched for the 17th time. This feat set a record for reusability in spaceflight. As the industry pursues reusability, in part …
Falcon 9 First Stage Launches for the 17th Time Read More
In a recent interview, Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of the Defense and Government Systems Division at Hughes, shed some light on the future of space architecture in …
Software-Defined Networking and Orbits – What Is the Best Way Forward? Read More
Two missions were recently destined for a lunar landing: India’s Chandrayaan-3 and Russia’s Luna-25. Both were destined for the vicinity of the lunar south pole, with Chandrayaan-3 successfully landing on …
Lunar Landings: One a Success, the Other Not Read More
Originally planned for a 2023 inaugural launch, Ariane 6 will now likely launch in 2024, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). The delay is reportedly due to some software …
Ariane 6 First Launch Slated for 2024; Europe Without a Rocket Read More
On the evening of August 2, in an otherwise nominal launch, the Antares 230+ lifted off with the Cygnus CRS-19 payload destined for the International Space Station. As unremarkable as …
End of an Era for Antares Read More
The U.S. Space Force issued a Request for Information on July 24 for a Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve. The CASR would be similar in concept to the U.S. Air Force’s …
U.S. Space Force Wants Its Own Commercial Reserve Read More
Without any fanfare, Russia has apparently resumed launches from Baikonur to the International Space Station. As reported by a few outlets, including Forecast International, Russian space assets were impounded by …
Russia Resumes Launches to the ISS from Baikonur Read More
In a surprise move, Russia and Roscosmos have agreed to an extension of International Space Station operations to 2028 as reported by TASS, joining other partner nations in the …
Russia Agrees to ISS Extension of Operations Read More