Blue Origin pins May 28 New Glenn explosion on BE-4 engine oxygen valve; retrofit hardware due by month-end
Blue Origin traced the May 28 New Glenn static-fire explosion to a liquid oxygen main valve in one BE-4 engine and is modifying the valve with retrofits expected by month-end, while investigations continue. Because ULA’s Vulcan uses the BE-4, the valve issue could also affect Vulcan operations.
Satellite Companies Raise $8.1 Billion in H1 2026, Surpassing All Prior Annual Totals Tracked by Space Capital
Satellite companies attracted $8.1 billion in investment in the first half of 2026, surpassing every previous annual total tracked by Space Capital.
VivaTech 2026 Sets Attendance Record with 200,000 Visitors and Top Speakers for 10th Anniversary
VivaTech 2026 celebrated its 10th anniversary from June 17-20 with a record-breaking attendance of over 200,000 visitors in Paris, featuring 15,000 startups and more than 1,155 speakers including Jeff Bezos and Yann LeCun. The event focused on five strategic tech themes and included participation from French and Indian leaders, marking it as a major global innovation and startup showcase.
Blue Origin Considers First-Ever Outside Investment to Support Expanded New Glenn Launches Amid Recent Failures
Blue Origin, funded by Jeff Bezos primarily through Amazon stock sales, is considering seeking outside investment to support increased launch cadence after its New Glenn rocket launch complications. The company plans to increase launches but faces challenges including a recent failed launch and regulatory oversight.
NASA Plans Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 Lunar Lander Mission for Summer 2024 to Deliver Scientific Payload
NASA has scheduled Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 cargo lander to deliver a scientific payload to the moon's south pole as early as summer 2024. This uncrewed mission will study lunar surface disturbances caused by lander engines and pave the way for future crewed moon missions in the 2030s.
Blue Origin to Lay Off 1,400 Employees Amid Shift to Speed Up Manufacturing Post-New Glenn Launch
Blue Origin announced it will lay off about 10% of its nearly 14,000 employees to reduce bureaucracy and better align roles with company priorities following the successful launch of its New Glenn rocket. CEO Dave Limp emphasized the need to focus on scaling manufacturing and launch cadence efficiently to compete with SpaceX.
T-Mobile Settles FCC Cybersecurity Breaches for $31.5M; Amazon and TerraPower Highlighted in GeekWire's Top Stories for Week of Sept. 29, 2024
The week of September 29, 2024, on GeekWire highlighted major tech news including T-Mobile's $31.5 million FCC settlement over cybersecurity breaches, Amazon's safe recovery of a toddler from a package locker, TerraPower's isotope production for cancer drugs, and leadership changes at Amazon and AWS.
Blue Origin Raises New Glenn Rocket on Florida Pad for First Time Ahead of Tests Led by Jeff Bezos
Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos and CEO Dave Limp, successfully raised its orbital-class New Glenn rocket on Florida's Launch Complex 36 for the first time, marking a key milestone before a series of upcoming tests. The rocket will undergo tanking tests without engines and is designed as a heavy-lift, reusable vehicle named in honor of astronaut John Glenn.
Ex-Microsoft exec Panos Panay to lead Amazon Devices & Services starting late October as Dave Limp departs for Blue Origin
Panos Panay, former Microsoft chief product officer for Windows & Devices, will join Amazon as head of Devices & Services in late October, succeeding Dave Limp, who is moving to Blue Origin. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and Limp expressed confidence in Panay's product leadership and highlighted a transition period to ensure a smooth handover.
Amazon Exec Dave Limp Named New CEO of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Space Venture
Dave Limp, Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and services, will become CEO of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture starting December. The current CEO Bob Smith is retiring but will remain through January to support the transition.
Panos Panay Leaves Microsoft to Lead Amazon's Alexa and Echo Business After a Decade of Surface Device Leadership
Panos Panay, known for his detailed and passionate leadership of Microsoft's Surface devices, has left Microsoft and is expected to lead Amazon's Alexa and Echo business. His management style is intense but makes team members feel valued and appreciated.
Panos Panay to Lead Amazon's Alexa and Echo Business After Departing Microsoft
Panos Panay, formerly Microsoft's leader of hardware and Windows devices, is expected to take over Amazon's Alexa and Echo business, replacing Dave Limp who is stepping down after 13 years. This leadership change happens as Amazon and Microsoft prepare for major product events amid evolving AI competition.
Microsoft Chief Product Officer Panos Panay to Leave After 19 Years, Yusuf Mehdi to Lead Windows and Surface
Panos Panay, Microsoft's chief product officer and head of Windows and Devices, is leaving after 19 years, with Yusuf Mehdi taking over his role. Panay plans to lead Amazon’s Alexa and Echo business as he departs just before a major Microsoft event.
Amazon Devices Chief Dave Limp to Step Down; Bungie Expands Remote Work; Seattle Biotech Plans COVID-19 Trials – GeekWire Week of Aug. 13, 2023
GeekWire's most popular stories for the week of August 13, 2023, highlight major tech updates including Amazon devices chief Dave Limp's upcoming departure, Bungie's expansion of remote work, and Seattle biotech firm Cocrystal Pharma's plans for COVID-19 drug trials. Additionally, the week features notable events such as Vice President Kamala Harris's visit to Seattle and ex-Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff's AI startup launch.
Amazon's Ring Appoints Elizabeth Hamren as CEO, Founder Jamie Siminoff Becomes Chief Inventor
Ring, the smart home security company acquired by Amazon in 2018, has named Elizabeth Hamren, formerly of Meta's Oculus, Xbox, and Discord, as its new CEO starting March 22. Founder Jamie Siminoff will transition to chief inventor while Hamren also oversees Amazon's Blink cameras, Key delivery service, and Sidewalk network.
Amazon to Open 172,000-Square-Foot Kirkland Factory for Project Kuiper Satellites Ahead of 2026 Launch Deadline
Amazon is opening a 172,000-square-foot factory in Kirkland, Washington, to manufacture thousands of satellites for its Project Kuiper broadband constellation, aiming to deliver internet services globally. The company plans to launch half of the 3,236 satellites by 2026, with initial prototypes set for launch early next year.
Amazon unveils spherical Echo speakers from $49.99, flying Ring camera and Luna cloud gaming at $5.99/month
Amazon revealed new spherical Echo speakers (starting at $49.99), an autonomous flying indoor Ring security camera, and Luna, a cloud gaming service priced at $5.99/month in early access, plus new Alexa conversational and multi-sensory AI features. The announcements were made at Amazon’s annual Devices & Services event and include a $49.99 dedicated Luna controller and Echo models with built-in smart home hubs.
FCC Chair Ajit Pai Proposes Conditional Approval for Amazon’s Project Kuiper — 3,200+ Satellites for Broadband
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced a proposal to grant conditional approval to Amazon’s Project Kuiper, its plan to deploy more than 3,200 low-Earth-orbit satellites for broadband, and has shared the proposal with commission colleagues ahead of a full vote.
Organizations
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Blue Origin Chief Executive Officer · current
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Amazon Former Devices Chief, Former Head of Devices & Services (Amazon), SVP, Devices & Services · past
