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The article discusses that launch of the Cygnus space freighter to the International Space Station (ISS)could see duty in the same role around the Moon, as Orbital Sciences reflects taking its heritage-hardware approach to spacecraft development beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). It also mentions that pressurized segment on Cygnus can be fitted with a docking mechanism. It also presents the statement of Carl Walz, vice president for human spaceflight operations at Orbital Sciences.

The article reports on testing of payloads by Aireon towards the Iridium NEXT satellites for determination of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) surveillance transmissions. Topics discussed include encryption of information by the firm in satellites under a data bundle pack; provision of air traffic control services through low-Earth-orbit satellites with ADS-B systems; and views of the firm's chief technology officer Vincent Capezzuto on same.

The article focuses on the issues regarding the space-debris removal with the plans proliferate to launch thousands of new satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) for daily Earth-observation updates and broadband data links. It mentions clouds of hypersonic debris that threaten to form an impenetrable barrier to future space operations. It also mentions E.Deorbit demonstration spacecraft will conduct the first active debris-removal mission of European Space Agency (ESA).

The article focuses on stratospheric balloon and flight-exploration specialist World View aims to fly its Explorer test vehicle for the first time as part of demonstrations meant to pave the way for human-rated, edge-of-space passenger flights by 2018. It mentions World View is also fielding the Stratollite, which is an unmanned payload-carrying platform or "stratospheric satellite. It presents views of Jane Poynter, chief executive officer at World View, on the same.

The article reports that Airbus has invests in orbital debris-tracking startup with the projected growth in the number of commercial satellite constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO) expected to increase risk of collisions. It mentions research organization SRI International, LeoLabs has completed its first dedicated radar located in Midland, Texas. It also mentions satellite communications giant Intelsat is to acquire startup OneWeb to provide broadband internet access.

The article reports that several satellite suppliers are expanding their presence in the mobile airline cabin connectivity market. Topics noted include the increase in investment by infight connectivity service provider Gogo to install its aircraft with satellite-enable Wi-Fi capability, the partnership between OneWeb and Airbus Defense and Space to develop a system in low Earth Orbit, and Panasonic Avionics' use of a global Ku-band satellite to enhance aircraft broadband connectivity.

The article focuses on the plan of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) to make the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) available for future commercial space stations. Topics covered include the issuance by NASA of a request for information (RFI ) for the plan, how a commercial module could advance its efforts to hand off low Earth orbit (LEO) to the private sector, and the hope of NASA of a broader partnership on the controlled assembly of the International Space Station (ISS).

The article reports on the signing by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) of a deal wherein it selected a new Angara 1.2 rocket to lift a high-resolution radar satellite to low Earth orbit (LEO) in 2020. The terms of the deal which is the first commercial contract for Russia's next-generation light launcher, the design of the Angara 1.2, and the comment of KARI President Gwang-Rae Cho on the selection of the Angara 1.2 vehicle for the launch of Kompsat-6 Earth observation satellite.

The article discusses the U.S. president Barack Obama's intention to finance the International Space Station until 2024, focusing on the implications of an extended mission for research as of 2014. Topics include the potential commercialization of low Earth orbit travel, launch vehicles, international cooperation between space agencies, and the cargo delivery services of the satellite company Orbital Sciences Corp.

The article reports developments in the aerospace industry as of late June 2016, particularly the growing popularity of high-altitude helium balloons for low Earth orbit (LEO) travel. Also cited are the Stratolite technology developed by commercial balloon maker World View Enterprises Inc., the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Flight Opportunities Program, and the test flight being conducted by Near Space Corp. to its small glider.

The author comments on the New Space business or the emergent private spaceflight industry. He discusses Orbital ATK chief executive officer (CEO) David Thompson's concerns about the New space cycle and mentions the cycle of spaceflight delusions which started from the 1970s to the space shuttle Challenger tragedy in 1986 and the obsessions with low-Earth-orbit satellite systems in 1995-2000.

The author comments on the call by academic and industrial organizations for space-policy continuity into the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Topics covered include the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) entrusting the job of making space-policy stability an election issue, the plan of NASA to shift operations in low Earth orbit (LEO) to the private sector, and the belief by lawmakers that NASA's architecture for reaching Mars lacks focus and detail.

The article reports that the European Commission (EC) has decided to finance a French-led project to demonstrate the feasibility of developing a low-cost, reusable smallsat launch system. Topics discussed include information on Altair (Air Launch space Transportation using an Automated aircraft and an Innovative Rocket), development of low Earth orbit (LEO) by spaceflight company Virgin Galactic, plan of Atlanta-based Generation Orbit to develop air-launch system.

The article discusses issues related to the emergence of an off-planet economy in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Topics discussed include ppersistenceof Sierra Nevada Corp.'s (SNC) in developing a small reusable space shuttle, issues related to changing the whole space-launch with lower costs by eforts of various private companies as well as the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) and association between Sierra Nevada and United Launch Alliance for Vulcan launcher.

The article discusses research of a relatively low-cost array of heat sensors in low Earth orbit by a group of scientists and engineers from the U.S. Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for almost instantaneous warning of wildfires, oil spills on dry land and other "thermal events" worldwide under the "FireSat" concept. It mentions that the views of Arthur Lane, principal scientist at JPL, on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites.

The article reports on money investment made by the China's Manned Space Engineering Office and the Indian Space Research Organization for hardware, software and technical expertise necessary for humans to live and work in low Earth orbit (LEO). It highlights a study released by the NASA on returning humans to the Moon. It also presents views of Paul Spudis, a geologist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, on robotic sampling at the Moon's poles.

The article discusses a memorandum of understanding signed by avionics manufacturer Rockwell Collins with the satellite company OneWeb to be the exclusive developer and provider of airborne satcom terminals for OneWeb's global broadband service. Topics include OneWeb's plan to launch a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO); challenges in communicating through LEO satellites; and views of John Borghese, of Rockwell Collins, on plan to develop electronically scanned arrays.

The article discusses the new emerging economic sector in low Earth orbit and private investment into spacecraft and launch-services sectors. Topics include views of former U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration chief of staff George Whitesides on small spacecraft emerging from engineering schools; an engineering school at the University of Surrey spun out by Surrey Satellite Technology US; and the development of LauncherOne rocket by spaceflight company Virgin Galactic.

The article reports on the Jupiter general-purpose space utility vehicle proposed by aerospace firm Lockheed Martin for the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s second-round commercial-cargo competition for human-spaceflight services business ranging from low Earth orbit (LEO) to Mars. It mentions that the Jupiter spacecraft bus and robotic arm would remain in orbit after its launch on an Atlas V launch system. It include comments from James Crocker of Lockheed on same.

The article discusses a backlog of orders in 2012 for a modified Falcon 9 medium-lift rocket developed by California company Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) that has not yet been flight tested. The rocket should deliver unmanned payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) satelittes, and commercial space launch operators such as SES are mentioned. The European Space Agency's Ariane 5 rocket and the European rocket consortium Arianespace are discussed.

The article looks at the aerospace launch industry's commercial cargo routes. Topics include price pressures on launch-vehicle manufacturers, the possibility of an off-planet economy in low Earth orbit (LEO), and investments in the private human spaceflight industry by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).