SpaceX is aiming for a mid-September launch of a privately chartered Crew Dragon spacecraft on a three-day, 336-mi.-high, free-flying mission called Inspiration4, bankrolled and commanded by Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman.

The U.S. Space Force plans to release a solicitation in the second quarter of 2021 to purchase services from internet providers in low Earth orbit that will serve as an alternative to geostationary satellite communications.

Virgin Galactic unveiled its next-generation reusable suborbital passenger spaceship on March 30, featuring a new design to enhance operations and a mirror-like exterior that adds thermal protection while setting a new bar for aesthetics.

Los Angeles-area rocket startup ABL Space Systems has closed a Series B investment round of $170 million, with the infusion going toward developing the 1,000-kg class RS1 launch vehicle and GS0 deployable launch system that should see its first launch this year.

The European Space Agency has allotted a combined €10.45 million ($12.5 million) to two UK companies developing microlaunchers for small satellites: Orbex and Skyrora.

OneWeb added another 36 satellites to its orbital broadband constellation on March 25, bringing the network to 146 spacecraft.

Another month, another big announcement from private equity-founded Redwire: this time that the new-space roll up will become a publicly traded company in a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company known to be hunting for aerospace and defense assets.

With a 23rd successful mission dedicated to deploying its Starlink communications network, SpaceX is closing in on its initial goal of about 1,450 operational satellites to kick off commercial broadband services in the U.S. and other regions.