Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:19 AM ET (1319 GMT)
The Space Force has added Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contract. The Space Force announced Thursday that it included the two companies in NSSL Phase 3's Lane 1, which is the entry-level tier for missions to low Earth orbit. Each company gets a $5 million initial task order for a capabilities assessment and to establish their tailored mission assurance process. They will then be eligible to compete for launch service orders through 2029, with at least 30 missions expected to be awarded. Rocket Lab's Neutron is scheduled for a first launch later this year, while Stoke Space's Nova medium-class rocket is in development.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Reuters article
•  Aviation Week article
•  Defense News article
•  Space Systems Command press release

Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:14 AM ET (1314 GMT)
A Cygnus cargo spacecraft departed from the station Friday morning. The station's Canadarm2 robotic arm unberthed the Cygnus and released it at about 6:55 am EDT (1055 GMT). The Cygnus, which had been at the ISS since last August on the NG-21 mission, is carrying trash that will be burned up in the atmosphere when the spacecraft reenters on Sunday. The departure came days after NASA and Northrop said they would not launch the NG-22 Cygnus in June as previously planned because of damage to the spacecraft's cargo module during shipping.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  NASA statement

Vulcan Centaur certified for national security launches
Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:10 AM ET (1310 GMT)
The U.S. Space Force has finally certified ULA's Vulcan Centaur for national security launches. The service's Space Systems Command (SSC) announced Wednesday...

China launches data relay satellite
Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:07 AM ET (1307 GMT)
China launched a data relay satellite to support its human spaceflight program Wednesday. A Long March 3B lifted off at 11:55 am EDT (1555...

Rocket Lab launches OroraTech satellites
Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:06 AM ET (1306 GMT)
Rocket Lab launched eight cubesats for German wildfire-tracking company OroraTech. An Electron rocket lifted off at 11:30 am EDT (1530 GMT) Wednesday from...