The European Space Agency (ESA) has revived the Venus Express mission to orbit the planet and make radar soundings of its subsurface. It will be launched in 2005 after an extra infusion of €8.5 million ($8.56 million) and will use the same design as the Mars Express orbiter to be launched in 2003.
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.
