Boeing’s Orbital Express spacecraft has conducted a “fully autonomous fly-around-and-capture of its NextSat client spacecraft.” In April the company’s Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations servicing spacecraft demonstrated the ability to transfer propellant and a battery from one spacecraft to another. This time ASTRO separated from, circled around, and re-mated with the Ball Aerospace NextSat.
SDA’s Next Phase of Data Transport Satellites on Hold
June 30, 2025
The long-term future of one of the Space Development Agency’s two satellite constellations is on hold as officials study the options for replacing a planned “data transport layer” with one or more commercial solutions. President Trump’s proposed 2026 defense budget...