TechCrunch - Space
Startup and investment-focused coverage of commercial space technology
CEO of SpaceX Rival United Launch Alliance Resigns
United Launch Alliance chief executive Tory Bruno announced his resignation after a 12‑year tenure, citing a new opportunity. The board thanked him for his service as the company navigates a launch market increasingly dominated by SpaceX and an emerging Blue Origin. Bruno’s era was defined by the development of the Vulcan rocket, a project that finally lifted off in 2024 after a decade of delays. ULA has appointed chief operating officer John Elbon as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent successor.
Rocket Lab Wins Another Defense-Related Space Contract
Rocket Lab has been awarded an $816 million contract by the U.S. Space Development Agency to design and build 18 defense‑focused satellites. The deal, the company’s largest ever, adds to an existing $515 million award for the SDA’s Transport Layer‑Beta Tranche 2 program....
TDK Ventures, Accel Set to Back India’s EtherealX in Reusable Launch Vehicle Push: Sources
EtherealX, an Indian startup developing a fully reusable medium‑lift launch vehicle, is close to closing a $21 million funding round led by TDK Ventures with participation from Accel and BIG Capital. The round, up from an initial $15 million target, follows a...
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as Next Head of NASA
U.S. Senate confirmed billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as the next NASA administrator, finalizing a nomination that President Trump withdrew and later reinstated. Isaacman, founder of Shift4 Payments and a private astronaut, steps into leadership as the agency pivots toward a...
India’s Digantara Raises $50M for Space-Based Missile Defense Tech
Digantara, an Indian space‑surveillance startup, secured a $50 million Series B round to broaden its portfolio from debris tracking to missile detection. The funding, led by new investors 360 ONE Asset and SBI Investment of Japan, brings total capital to $64.5 million and will...
Overview Energy Wants to Beam Energy From Space to Existing Solar Farms
Overview Energy emerged from stealth with a plan to harvest sunlight in geosynchronous orbit and beam it to existing utility‑scale solar farms using infrared lasers. The startup has raised $20 million and already demonstrated a 5‑kilometre laser power‑transfer flight from an...
OSHA Investigating New Crane Accident at SpaceX’s Starbase Facility
A construction worker at SpaceX's Starbase was crushed by a 1,200‑pound crane support in November, prompting a rapid‑response OSHA investigation. The injured worker, Eduardo Cavazos, has filed a lawsuit against SpaceX and subcontractor CCC Group, alleging negligence and reckless crane...
