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Softbank Invests $1 Billion Into OneWeb
OneWeb has raised $1.2 billion in investments in their combined Series B and C rounds. The Japanese firm SoftBank led the round, investing $1 billion. The European startup aims to provide rural communities around the globe with broadband Internet access. OneWeb has raised a total of $1.7 billion so far, and it projects that it will take roughly $3 billion to build their constellation of 900 satellites. 
"Zero-G and I Feel Fine"
John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth in 1962 and the oldest person to fly in space in 1998, has died on December 9, 2016 at the age of 95. His first flight on Mercury-Atlas 6 came at a time when only two humans had ever been in orbit, both Soviet cosmonauts. Upon reaching orbit, his words back to NASA were, "Zero-G and I feel fine," after which he orbited Earth three times. At age 77, Glenn made history again by becoming the oldest person to go into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-95 mission. In 2012, Glenn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 
Virgin Galactic Completes First Glide Tests of VSS Unity
Virgin Galactic has completed the first two glide tests of its second SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity. This marked the fifth and sixth flight for the vehicle including the captive carry flights that started in September. The free flight lasted approximately 10 minutes, and it reached a maximum speed of Mach 0.6 and altitude of 50,000 feet. [video
Gradatim Ferociter
Construction of Blue Origin's 750,000 square feet facility in Florida is moving ferociously in order to open by end of 2017. Their new orbital rocket New Glenn will be built here. Founder Jeff Bezos was also awarded Smithsonian's Technology Award for Breakthroughs for Blue Origin's reusable rockets, and in a letter, John Glenn (a.k.a. the "original Glenn") congratulated Bezos for his achievement and future vision. 
A Step Closer to Satellite Servicing
NASA has awarded Space Systems Loral (SSL) to build the Restore-L satellite servicing spacecraft. The mission of Restore-L is to demonstrate the ability to refuel a spacecraft in orbit including satellites that are not designed for in-space refueling. The satellite is scheduled to launch in 2020, and NASA plans on using it to dock with Landsat-7, which was launched back in 1999. 
JAXA Partnering with Newspace Companies
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) made two partnership announcements with domestic New Space companies. First, JAXA announced that it will be working with Canon Electronics, who will build the avionics for JAXA's new small satellite launch vehicle. Measuring 52cm in diameter and less than 10 meters in length, the new three-stage rocket will be an upgrade to JAXA's two-stage SS-520 sounding rocket and will be capable to launch microsatellites into orbit. Initial launch of the rocket is slated for early 2017. Second, JAXA has signed an agreement with Tokyo-based ispace Inc. (the company running the Google Lunar XPRIZE team HAKUTO) to jointly create a comprehensive plan for the space resource industry including necessary technologies and industrial value chains involving lunar resource mapping, mining, storage, delivery, sales, and utilization in space. 
Rocket Lab Qualifies First Stage Rocket
Rocket Lab announced that they met flight qualifications for the first stage booster of their Electron Launch Vehicle - a major achievement along the road to commercial operations. Designed and manufactured in-house, all major components of the Rocket Lab's first stage tested successfully. Rocket Lab intends to have full vehicle testing underway by early 2017.  [ video
PD Aerospace Receives Investment
PD Aerospace has received investments from major Japanese firms for a total of $444,000. The Japanese travel agency H.I.S. invested $264,000 and ANA Holdings invested $180,000. The three companies issued a joint statement stating their plans to work together on the commercialization of space. PD Aerospace is developing a hybrid rocket/jet engine spacecraft to take tourists into suborbital space by 2023. 
Vector Space Systems Test First Stage Engine
Vector Space Systems successfully tested their first stage engine that uses a single 3D-printed injector that was developed in partnership with NASA's Science, Technology, and Mission Directorate (STMD). Their 5,000-lbf thrust engine features a unique LOX/Propylene propellant combination. In addition to their successful test this month, Vector announced approval by the Pima County in Arizona to build a rocket factory in the area. Set to start construction in the Spring of 2017, the factory intends to manufacture the Vector-R and Vector-H vehicles on site.
CASIS, NSF Joint Solicitation for Fluid Dynamics
The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have allocated $1.8 million for fluid mechanics research aboard the International Space Station. The NSF and CASIS put out a joint solicitation for proposals to test various phenomena in space including capillary flow, diffusion, and surface tension. CASIS President and Executive Director Gregory Johnson stated that, "[The] announcement with the National Science Foundation represents a major win for the ISS National Lab research community...As our Nation's most recognizable force for fundamental scientific and engineering inquiry, the National Science Foundation will help push the boundaries in fluid dynamics research using this unique innovation platform."
NASA Research Grants and Opportunities
The recipients of NASA's annual Early Stage Innovation (ESI) Grant were announced, covering areas such as parachute dynamics, additive manufacturing certification, electric propulsion physics, telescopes, and autonomous planning for human spaceflight. NASA has also revamped a Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) that targets small businesses that have successfully demonstrated progress of the NIAC Phase II technology and innovation that aligns with NASA's interests and are nearing or capable of making commercial impact. And, speaking of NIAC, the Phase II Solicitation is now out and closing on Februrary 3rd.
Leadership Changes at SFF
Space Frontier Foundation's Executive Director Hannah Kerner has resigned, and Alexandra Hall, who is serving on the SFF's board of directors, is now serving as the interim Executive Director. Kerner has led the SFF through two of the most successful NewSpace Conferences, grew the organization's active volunteer staff, and forged relationships across the industry and internationally. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Arizona State University, and the NSN staff thanks her for her time and dedication as executive director for helping open up the frontier and for making SFF a fun organization to volunteer for.
The Space Show
This month, Mike Suffredini and Amir Blachman of Axiom Space are sharing their respective  newspace  initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on  The Space Show . 
Anselm Wiercioch
Anand Biradar
Brandon Medina
Chris Pitts
Curtis Iwata
Goktug Karacalioglu
Jeff Smith
Miekkel Clarkson
Project Manager 
NSN Editor 
NSN Editor 
NSN Editor 
NSN Editor 
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NSN Editor 

A project of the Space Frontier Foundation