Debra Werner
Debra Werner is a correspondent for SpaceNews based in San Francisco. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Debra is a recipient of the 1989 Gerald Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. Her SN Commercial Drive newsletter is sent out on Wednesdays.
Latest articles by Debra Werner
![This is an aerial photo of the U.S. Air Force Space Surveillance Network on Kwajalein Atoll slated for initial operations in late 2019.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ShQ2CW5Waz74vHSY5NQfbF-320-80.jpg)
Indian Anti-Satellite Test Proves Early Test for Space Fence
By Debra Werner published
Still in testing mode, the U.S. Air Force Space Fence on Kwajalein Atoll detected India’s March 27 anti-satellite test and issued a break-up alert.
![An Indian PSLV rocket lifts off Nov. 28, 2018 at 11:28 p.m. Eastern with ISRO's HysIS satellite and 30 secondary payloads.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3oA7owtKUQoHQExAQss7XN-320-80.jpg)
Boycott Indian Launchers? Industry Reacts to India's Anti-Satellite Weapon Test
By Debra Werner published
In the wake of the March 27 Indian anti-satellite test, Brian Weeden of the Secure World Foundation suggested companies consider boycotting India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
![Art of cubesats and small satellites from Exolaunch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZUMHEzFogsgTLTeTq8QyHL-320-80.jpg)
Exolaunch Plans Ambitious Launch Campaign
By Debra Werner published
Exolaunch, the German launch services provider formerly called ECM-Space, is preparing its most complex small satellite cluster to date.
![InSight lander](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jV9u5wnb3BL6HzgyiSNBxi-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Is Still at Work, For Now
By Debra Werner published
![Amazon river basin by CGNSS](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QgYe8AXoysdsARnpHmQcsP-320-80.jpg)
Hurricane Satellites Reveal Flooding on Earth
By Debra Werner published
Researchers examining data produced by small satellites launched in 2016 to track ocean winds were surprised the mission produced valuable information on soil moisture and flooding.
![Solstar employees with New Shepard crew capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GDasUrQ4Qom7eNmfCfybj9-320-80.jpg)
Solstar Seeks Strategic Investor for WiFi in Space
By Debra Werner published
Solstar Space, the New Mexico startup planning to offer WiFi to payloads and people in space, is looking for a strategic investor.
![Space Tango ST-42](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tyEF4zXiBBenUvTMafDuxm-320-80.jpg)
Space Tango Plans In-Orbit Manufacturing
By Debra Werner published
Space Tango, a Kentucky startup focused on research and manufacturing in microgravity, announced plans Nov. 15 to launch in the mid-2020s an autonomous in-orbit manufacturing facility.
![Interstellar Technologies momo sounding rockets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wTUMBxBAeGJUrLw2Fvs87R-320-80.jpg)
Japan's Interstellar Technologies Goes Full Throttle Toward Small Orbital Rocket
By Debra Werner published
Japanese startup Interstellar Technologies is developing the main engine for an orbital rocket designed to carry 100 kilograms and slated to conduct its initial test flight in 2020.
![Stellar Exploration bi-propellant thruster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kXxwUGcCvfPdVVrhsm3mQK-320-80.png)
New Thruster Aims to Help Microsats Bust Out of the Kiddy Pool
By Debra Werner published
Stellar Exploration, a space technology company based in San Luis Obispo, California, is in the midst of qualification testing of a miniature propulsion system for planetary microsatellite missions.
![Astrobotic lunar lander art](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z4D7w5i7EpKAZEHfj3JDSE-320-80.jpg)
NASA to Begin Buying Rides on Commercial Lunar Landers by Year's End
By Debra Werner published
NASA intends to begin buying rides on small commercial lunar landers by the end of the year and start looking for miniature instruments for those flights.
![Futurama's Taco Bellevue Hospital](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MQn4Jw9meXUC8tcUmLYtwR-320-80.jpg)
Taco Bell Space Station? It's Possible, Experts Say
By Debra Werner published
Future private space stations may be sponsored by major corporations, which prompted a spirited discussion during a panel on the future of low Earth orbit at the 34th Space Symposium here.
![ESA's 3.Deorbit mission](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YVRd27QSGtdT5Ayg4qUK4m-320-80.jpg)
ESA to Study Links Between Space Debris Removal and Satellite Servicing
By Debra Werner published
![Earth with 2017 storms](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b9ZeUx4tGEDWZo25Y9Qg8U-320-80.jpeg)
NOAA Updates Its Weather Constellation and Retires an Old Workhorse
By Debra Werner published
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced plans Jan. 8 to retire its decade-old Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 13 to make way for its next generation.
![Sandra Cauffman earth science data](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wtd7mzzSLU2uRvjaBYJgKe-320-80.jpeg)
NASA Prepares to Buy Earth Science Data from Small Satellite Constellations
By Debra Werner published
NASA plans to begin awarding sole source contracts in March to companies flying small satellite constellations as part of an Earth science data pilot program.
![Deep Space Gateway art](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w5DEPXyTGUBKjf4RHTEUEk-320-80.jpg)
Deep Space Gateway Key Part of Updated Exploration Roadmap
By Debra Werner published
![Satlet design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/biMLopZqc2qLXNW9CsUtji-320-80.jpg)
Satlets: Crazy Idea or Ingenious Concept? This Week's Test on ISS Will Offer Clues
By Debra Werner published
![U.S. Vice President Mike Pence](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BK5j9KthpYsngGQdn2PYeV-320-80.jpg)
Trump Administration Tees Up National Space Council to Offer Cohesive Strategy, Former Insider Says
By Debra Werner published
![Corpus Christi flooding](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hcSFQMUcDVZUoUQ2w3VYkj-320-80.jpg)
Ursa Uses Radar Imagery to Reveal Extent of Texas Flooding
By Debra Werner published
Ursa Space Systems, a geospatial data and analytics company, is using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to monitor flooding along the Texas Gulf Coast caused by Hurricane Harvey.
![Audacy constellation graphic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tspyw27yEaSTX7dixfm3a7-320-80.jpg)
CASIS Awards Audacy Grant to Test Radio on Space Station
By Debra Werner published
![Astro Digital](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EWWfSBXioLrRC94tM7daTf-320-80.jpg)
Internet of Things Startup Helios Wire Raises $4 million for Satellites
By Debra Werner published
Helios Wire, a satellite-enabled Internet of Things startup led by former UrtheCast founder and chief executive Scott Larson, announced Aug. 21 that it closed a $4 million funding round.
![Earh-i image of Dubai](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ayK9Zm9DrhqP6rq2dneiLQ-320-80.jpg)
Earth-i Plans Constellation to Provide High-Definition Video Imagery in Color
By Debra Werner published
![Vähä-Jaakkola Space Nation CEO](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2ea5raEunW5mcPPabfSrPn-320-80.jpg)
Your Smartphone Could be Your Ticket to Space — If Space Nation Takes Flight
By Debra Werner published
Space Nation, the Finnish startup seeking to pave the way for the transition of humanity into space, announced plans May 16 to conduct experiments on the International Space Station.
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