Rocket Lab launches NASA TROPICS cubesats SpaceNews

NASA partnerships announced June 15 would support development of new commercial capabilities from companies including Blue Origin and SpaceX.

SpaceX launched EchoStar’s more than nine metric ton Jupiter-3 spacecraft July 28 and successfully dropped off the world’s heaviest commercial communications satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit.

While Blue Origin considers the first flight of its New Glenn rocket a success, it will have to complete a mishap investigation before its next launch.