Welcome Back to TechCrunch Space!
Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. I hope everyone had a fantastic July 4 this week. Go eat a hot dog.
Last week, I delved into the causes of Starliner’s additional delay and what it might mean for Boeing’s Starliner program. Today, we have some exciting updates and stories to share!
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The News of the Week
The highlight of the week is NASA’s massive $843 million contract awarded to SpaceX for developing the vehicle that will deorbit the International Space Station. The purpose is to ensure a safe reentry of the station into Earth’s atmosphere to protect humans on the ground. The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, based on “Dragon heritage” hardware, is shrouded in mystery, but its significance is undeniable.
I also covered the latest agreement between Starfish Space and Intelsat, shedding light on the growing GEO servicing market. Partnerships like these indicate that the industry is evolving rapidly, much to the skeptics’ surprise.
Celebrating Independence in Space
NASA’s delightful article, “Fourth of July Holidays in Space,” recounts the evolution of celebrating July 4 in space. From a non-existent celebration to now having a yearly tradition onboard the ISS, astronauts have found unique ways to mark the occasion. Let’s raise a glass to stars-and-stripes pants in space!
