A raging debate over how much a new Space Force will cost taxpayers intensified with the release of a new estimate.

Captive carry tests of Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne low-cost space launch system began on Nov. 18.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Nov. 15 granted requests by SpaceX and Canada’s Telesat to expand planned broadband satellite networks.

A pair of back-to back cargo launches to the International Space station are slated this week.

NASA now considers the SpaceX Falcon 9 to be a Category 3 launch vehicle, suitable for flying its most expensive and critical spacecraft.

Competitors will be required to conduct two separate launches to low Earth orbit within weeks of each other from two different sites.

Flying at Mach 1.4 and 50,000 ft., the X-59 is designed to produce a sonic “thump” of less than 75 PNLdB, compared with the 105-110-PLdB “double-bang” sonic boom produced by Concorde.

Airbus and British academia are studying the potential of very large satellite communication antennas to be placed in orbit.