SpaceX prepares for Starship's 13th test flight, India's Vikram-1 achieves first private orbital launch, and the US considers offshore oil platforms as launch pads.
The US Space Force has added Impulse Space and Relativity Space to the list of companies eligible to bid on its launch contracts under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program. Relativity Space is progressing with its heavy-lift Terran R rocket, while Impulse Space, specializing in in-space operations, was a surprise addition.
Relativity Space, led by Eric Schmidt, will launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars in 2028. The mission aims to provide the first daily global view of Martian winds, temperatures, dust, and clouds, informing future astronaut missions.
NASA is partnering with Relativity Space for the Aeolus mission, aiming to launch a Martian orbiter in 2028. Relativity Space will provide spacecraft and launch services for NASA's science instruments, which will study Martian winds, temperatures, dust, and clouds to improve future landing systems.
NASA has awarded Relativity Space a contract to build and launch a spacecraft, named Aeolus, to Mars in 2028. The mission aims to provide daily global views of Mars' atmosphere, enhancing safety for future human missions. This public-private partnership model leverages commercial innovation for ambitious space exploration.
