**Boeing’s Starliner Mission Faces Delay**
NASA officials have announced that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will now return its two-person crew to Earth on June 26, instead of the previously scheduled date of June 14. This means that the crew will spend at least 20 days on board the International Space Station, rather than just eight. This delay has raised concerns about the progress of Boeing’s Starliner program and the potential impact on future missions. To learn more about the causes of the delay and its implications, you can read a previous article on the subject.
**Testing Regime for Larger Spacecraft**
As the space industry anticipates the launch of SpaceX’s Starship, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and other heavy-lift rockets, one challenge has emerged: the current testing regime for spacecraft is focused on payloads four meters or less across. However, Gravitics and NASA are working together to address this issue. They have established a new agreement aimed at developing testing and qualification methods for larger spacecraft. This collaboration could pave the way for the development of bigger spacecraft in the future, as engineers are no longer bound by low mass requirements.
**Insights into SpaceX’s Employee Share Sales**
It has been revealed that SpaceX allows its employees to sell some of their shares to company-authorized outside investors. An internal SpaceX document from May 2022 sheds light on this practice. Elon Musk himself confirmed that SpaceX holds such sales for employees approximately every six months. The document provides interesting insights into the investors who are authorized to buy these secondary shares and the advantageous deals they receive. For more details, you can click on the link provided.
**Rocket Lab Celebrates 50th Electron Rocket Launch**
Rocket Lab recently achieved a significant milestone with its 50th Electron rocket launch. To commemorate this achievement, the company shared a video reflecting on its journey so far. The video highlights the challenges Rocket Lab had to overcome to reach its first launch and emphasizes the company’s determination and perseverance. Rocket Lab has come a long way and continues to make strides in the space industry.
**TechCrunch Disrupt Space Programming Agenda**
TechCrunch has released the agenda for this year’s space programming at TechCrunch Disrupt. The lineup includes top founders and investors in the space industry, as well as fireside chats with notable figures such as Peter Beck from Rocket Lab and Bridgit Mendler from Northwood Space. This year’s event promises to be an exciting opportunity to learn from and connect with key players in the space sector. To find out more about the speakers and sessions, you can click on the provided link.
**Commemorating Sally Ride’s Historic Return**
This week in space history marks the return of Sally Ride, the first American woman to go to space. On June 24, 1983, the Space Shuttle Challenger touched down in California, concluding Ride’s historic trip. This milestone serves as a reminder of the progress made in space exploration and the contributions of trailblazers like Sally Ride.