The US SpaceDev company has successfully test fired its new orbital Manoeuvring and Transfer Vehicle (MTV) engine.
There will be three MTV models, weighing 25kg (55lb), 50kg and 100kg designed to perform on-orbit rendezvous for inspection, repair and refuelling. The larger version will be used for supply missions to the International Space Station.
The MTV programme is part funded by the National Reconnaissance Office and the US Air Force.
Source: Flight International
China’s AVIC has secured a contract from the China Manned Space Agency to develop a winged, reusable spacecraft called Haolong.
The UK Space Command’s first owned earth observation microsatellite has been launched, providing the inaugural element of a planned space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) constellation.
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.
