Greetings and a warm return to TechCrunch’s Space Dispatch. Regularly, it seems we kick off our TechCrunch Space newsletter with the latest from Boeing’s Starliner mission – so please, bear with us. According to NASA’s latest reports, the spacecraft’s duo of astronauts won’t make their journey back to Earth until at least June 26, a revision from the initial June 14 plan. This means their stay aboard the International Space Station extends to a minimum of 20 days, as opposed to the initially intended eight days.
Dive into my last week’s coverage to understand the reasons behind this postponement and its implications for the Starliner program.
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The anticipation within the space sector is palpable, with discussions centered around how SpaceX’s Starship, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and other advanced heavy-lift rockets are poised to revolutionize space travel and exploration. A significant byproduct of this innovation is the expected increase in spacecraft size, as engineers are no longer bound by strict mass limitations.
However, there’s an issue – the current protocols for spacecraft testing are tailored for payloads not exceeding four meters in width. Gravitics, in collaboration with NASA, is set on bridging this gap, having recently entered into a pivotal agreement aimed at revamping the testing and qualification criterion for larger spacecraft.
Like many other top-tier startups, SpaceX occasionally arranges for its employees to liquidate a portion of their shares through sales to pre-approved external investors.
TechCrunch has recently glimpsed an internal SpaceX memo detailing such an offer from May 2022. Last month, Musk revealed on X that these employee share sale events are typically held biannually.
These documents illuminate the identity of these approved investors and the advantageous terms they receive. For a detailed view, follow the link mentioned above.
Launch of the Week
A round of applause for Rocket Lab as it celebrates the successful launch of its 50th Electron rocket! The company commemorated this significant landmark with an evocative video posted on X, showcasing the monumental journey Rocket Lab has undertaken.
In case you weren’t aware, we’ve announced the agenda for this year’s space programming at TechCrunch Disrupt. The lineup sparks incredible excitement, featuring top founders and investors from the space sector, alongside insightful fireside chats with luminaries including Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and Bridgit Mendler from Northwood Space. Explore the link above for details.
This Week in Space History
Last week, our ‘This Week in Space History’ column highlighted Sally Ride’s groundbreaking journey as the first American woman in space. This week, we celebrate her triumphant return. On June 24, 1983, Ride and the Space Shuttle Challenger safely landed in California, marking the culmination of her historical mission.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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