STS-135 mission coverage


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FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT)
Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites, 2025 April 3 (SpaceX) The FAA is temporarily limiting the hours commercial launches can take place because of the effects of the government shutdown. In an order Thursday, the FAA said that, effective Monday morning, commercial launches can only take place between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am local time. The restriction is intended to reduce strain on the air traffic control system as controllers, unpaid since early October, fail to report for work. The order also requires airlines to reduce flight operations at 40 major airports nationwide by 10%. The order could affect several Falcon 9 launches next week, as well as Blue Origin’s second New Glenn launch if it slips from Sunday.


EchoStar sells more spectrum to SpaceX
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:01 AM ET (1401 GMT)
EchoStar is selling more spectrum to SpaceX for $2.6 billion. EchoStar announced Thursday it would sell 15 megahertz of nationwide, unpaired AWS-3 uplink spectrum licenses to SpaceX. The spectrum would improve SpaceX direct-to-device services in the United States. EchoStar sold a larger block of spectrum to SpaceX in September for $17 billion in cash and stock; SpaceX will pay for the new spectrum in stock. EchoStar announced a new division Thursday called EchoStar Capital, which will hold its equity in SpaceX and be responsible for investing in complementary growth opportunities as an “asset-light” company.


China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT)
China is postponing the return of a Shenzhou spacecraft from its Tiangong space station after concerns the spacecraft was damaged by orbital debris. The Shenzhou-...


White House renominates Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:56 AM ET (1356 GMT)
The White House is renominating Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator. President Trump said in a social media post late Tuesday that he was picking...


Intuitive Machines to acquire Lanteris Space Systems
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:53 AM ET (1353 GMT)
Intuitive Machines is acquiring satellite manufacturer Lanteris Space Systems, the former Maxar Space Systems. Intuitive Machines said it reached an agreement with Advent International, the...





Wednesday, November 19
Karnataka’s spacetech policy to offer Rs 1 crore for testing support
The Economic Times (India) — 1:00 am ET (0600 GMT)
How small satellites can help the US win the space race
Cornell Univ. — 12:59 am ET (0559 GMT)
Top SaxaVord roles are given at Shetland spaceport
Shetland Times — 12:57 am ET (0557 GMT)
Virgin Galactic will resume commercial spaceflights
KOAT-TV Albuquerque — 12:57 am ET (0557 GMT)
Senate Schedules Confirmation Hearing For Isaacman
Aviation Week — 12:51 am ET (0551 GMT)
Senate complicates Isaacman confirmation for NASA
Axios — 12:50 am ET (0550 GMT)
US-Based Launch Aggregator Purchases Dedicated Isar Aerospace Flight
European Spaceflight — 12:46 am ET (0546 GMT)
China launches three new satellites into space
Xinhua — 12:43 am ET (0543 GMT)





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