The successful launching of a SpaceX Falcon 1 into orbit with a paying customer's payload (a RazakSAT satellite, specifically) shows that the fledgling New Space company is no fluke. It is here to stay.

US President Obama’s budget containing some hopeful directions for the space program…we think. Nestled within the thousand-page document is an increase in NASA’s budget: US$18.7 billion for 2010, which is US$2.4 billion more than the total for 2008; the House of Representatives also passed a bill on February 25, 2009, increasing the budget by US$360 million to the human space exploration budget for 2009.

Commercial space tourism got off to a good start for 2009 with the New Year’s Day announcement by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson that Virgin Galactic has signed a 20-year lease agreement with the state of New Mexico.

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) won a NASA contract to send cargo to and from the International Space Station ( ISS). The ISS Cargo Resupply Services (CRS) contract requires SpaceX to carry at least 20,000 kg of cargo to the orbiting complex, for a value of $US1.6 billion. NASA might elect to order more cargo missions worth up to US$3.1 billion.

WhiteKnightTwo, the twin fuselage carrier for the sub-orbital vehicle SpaceShipTwo, took off for its maiden flight 21 December 2008 from the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, CA. WhiteKnightTwo, or “WK2,” flew for an hour.

The fourth SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket was launched today, achieving a significant milestone; it's the world's first privately funded TSTO liquid rocket to achieve orbit. Even though the first three launches of the Falcon 1 were not successful, NASA and the US Department of Defense kept faith in the fledgling space company. Today, after many trials and tribulations, that faith has been rewarded.

True to his word that he would issue press releases only when there was something to report, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed that the fourth test of Falcon 1 will take place between 28 September and 1 October 2008 from the Kwajalein Pacific island launch site.

In its press release dated September 9, 2008 (see below), Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) disclosed that it had been granted an Operational License from the US Air Force for the use of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the Florida coast.

On August 17, 18, and 19, 2008 the New Mexico Museum of Space History at Alamagordo, New Mexico, along with its partners the , the Space Frontier Foundation, and Spaceport America, will host the DC-X/XA Reunion and 21st Century Space Access Seminar and Workshop.

On July 28, and again on August 1 and 2, at the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the Rocket Racing League debuted during a week-long showcase of experimental, exotic, and remarkable flying machines.