Orbital Sciences (OSC) has successfully test fired a new low cost, 4,500kN thrust rocket engine it is developing for a NASA/US Air Force upper stage. The hydrogen peroxide-JP-8 kerosene engine fired for 140s. The upper stage will be flown with a small OSC-developed craft scheduled to be launched on a Minuteman missile from Alaska's Kodiak Island during 2001.
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.
