The US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center's Launch Test Programme Office has awarded Orbital Sciences (OSC) a $206 million contract to develop and launch derivatives of the Minuteman inter-continental ballistic missile for suborbital and orbital missions. OSC will combine residual M55 Minuteman 2 first stages with Minuteman 1 and 2 upper-stage motors, and advanced bipropellant liquid motors now being developed.
Source: Flight International
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.
BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of Ball Aerospace, with the move further strengthening its US business presence.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has retired its Mars helicopter Ingenuity after the craft suffered damage upon landing.
