August 8, 2025

James Webb Space Telescope Spots a Potential New Exoplanet Just 4 Light-Years Away (Source: Space.com)
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have found strong evidence for a new exoplanet — one orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the nearest sun-like star to Earth. It's located just four light-years away from us, in the Alpha Centauri triple-star system. Using JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), the team imaged Alpha Centauri with a coronagraphic mask to remove the glare from the stars, allowing them to see much fainter objects like planets. That revealed a potential orbiting world some 10,000 times fainter than Alpha Centauri A. (8/7)

Firefly Raises $868 Million in Upsized US IPO (Source: Reuters)
Northrop Grumman-backed Firefly Aerospace priced its upsized U.S. initial public offering at $45 per share on Wednesday, raising $868.3 million, and indicating strong demand for the buzzy space technology startup that put a lander on the moon.
Firefly sold about 19.3 million shares priced above its already raised, marketed range of $41 and $43 apiece. Previously, it had planned to sell 16.2 million shares of its stock. (8/6)

Launch Manifest Forecasting Less Clear with Range Improvements (Source: SPACErePORT)
Used to be that launch manifests on the Eastern and Western Ranges were fairly static with launches added to the range schedules months in advance. The ranges are now much more efficient and the systems that once took weeks to configure between launches can now be turned around within a day. Combined with improvements to FAA licensing (and associated safety reviews), today's range technologies now allow launches to be added with only days' notice.

The Eastern Range is expected to support over 100 launches this year. It has the capacity for more, probably more than three per week, for vehicles like Falcon-9 with well-understood performance characteristics. Newer rockets like Vulcan, New Glenn, SLS and Starship, and never-flown ones planned by Relativity, Stoke, Phantom Space, Firefly, Vaya, ABL, and Starfighters, will take some time to build up their processing flows and performance histories, so won't be reaching Falcon-9 cadences for years. (8/7)

NASA Selects Blue Origin of Merritt Island Among Six Companies to Provide Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies (Source: Space Coast Daily)
NASA has selected six companies, including Blue Origin of Merritt Island, to produce studies focused on lower-cost ways to launch and deliver spacecraft of various sizes and forms to multiple, difficult-to-reach orbits. Blue Origin will produce two studies, including one for Blue Ring, a large, high-mobility space platform providing full-service payload delivery, on-board edge computing, hosting, and end-to-end mission operations.

It uses hybrid solar-electric and chemical propulsion capability to reach geostationary, cislunar, Mars, and interplanetary destinations. The second is a New Glenn upper stage study. (8/7)

Comet or Something Else. 31/ATLAS Data Sparks Questions (Source: Futurism)
As evidence continues to mount that the mysterious object with interstellar origins currently speeding toward the inner solar system at a breakneck speed is a comet, not everybody's convinced quite yet. Harvard astronomer and alien hunter Avi Loeb raised the far-fetched, yet tantalizing possibility that the object, which was first spotted by astronomers earlier this year, could have been sent by an extraterrestrial civilization.

While he admitted it's most likely that "3I/ATLAS is a completely natural interstellar object, probably a comet," Loeb  is questioning that conclusion once more. At the heart of the conundrum is the purported comet's tail. The glowing globs of icy particulates conventionally leave a trail of gas and dust in a comet's wake, but 3I/ATLAS "exhibits increasing dust activity and reddening colors during the observation period, with no visible tail detected." (8/6)

‘People Moved On’: Starlink Falters in Key African Market (Source: Tech Central)
Some Kenyans turned to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications service after the government tried to restrict access to the internet during last year’s protests that left more than 60 dead. Anti-government demonstrations returned in June. This time, though, Starlink’s appeal has faded.

Those who purchased the service may have thought it could help bypass government control over internet access because satellite internet is less susceptible to terrestrial infrastructure disruptions like cable cuts. However, Starlink’s high costs and slow speeds have deterred many users, said Chris Orwa, a Nairobi-based data analyst who purchased the service after the shutdown. “People made an emotional purchase,” he said. “If they had sat down and compared it with other options, it would have been the worst option.” (8/7)

Reforming NASA: A Path to Mars and Beyond (Source: The Hill)
Every president for the past 35 years has called for a return to the Moon and a path to Mars. More than $100 billion has been spent, yet the return path remains distant and uncertain. Major programs are over budget, behind schedule and often canceled. This wastes opportunities for science and discovery and undermines public confidence in NASA.

Similarly, we have maintained a continuous presence in low Earth orbit (which is a great accomplishment). But we still haven’t cracked the code on creating the commercial orbital economy. If we don’t, humankind’s future in space will forever be tethered to taxpayer funding and inefficient government spending. The federal government is entering a challenging budgetary environment. The national debt is exploding, and we can’t spend our way out of it. NASA can and must do more with less.

One of leadership’s current solutions to budget pressures is to reduce astronaut crew sizes and mission frequency. Meanwhile, bureaucratic positions proliferate. This is unacceptable. Astronauts — not bureaucrats — are the human identity of the agency. There are too many managers, deputies, assistants and review boards — and not enough doers. Bureaucracy is stifling innovation. (8/7)

China and Pakistan Expand Tech Collaboration to Nuclear Power, Space and AI (Source: SCMP)
Pakistan is deepening technological cooperation with China, expanding beyond aircraft and missiles to advanced sectors such as space exploration and nuclear technology, according to the country’s planning minister. (8/7)

Spaceport PABs Ready for Takeoff (Source: Bond Buyer)
Tax-exempt private activity bonds (PABs) can now boldly go where no such bonds have gone before thanks to a One Big Beautiful Bill provision allowing their use for spaceport projects, but it's unclear at this stage whether spaceport PABs will take off as a financing vehicle. Like airport PABs, spaceport PABs are subject to a governmental ownership requirement... "as with airport PABs, the federal government doesn't satisfy the requirement—it must be a state or local government."

However, the safe harbor rules that permit limited leases of property financed with airport PABs apply also to spaceport property. That means a private operator could lease a facility financed with spaceport PABs provided the operator agrees not to claim federal depreciation deductions or tax credits for the property, the lease term isn't more than 80% of the property's reasonably expected economic life and the private operator doesn't have an option to buy the property "other than at fair market value determined on the exercise date."

Tax-exempt PABs would likely offer lower-cost financing for spaceport projects than either taxable debt or equity, Hutchinson said  when asked about the potential pros and cons of using spaceport PABs. "The trade-off is that tax-exempt PAB financing for spaceports is probably cheaper, but you have to give up other economic and tax benefits to use it," he said. "Equity financing is probably more expensive, but the private operator gets to keep the economic and tax 'upside' on the project." (8/6)

Hawaii Scientist Will Help Trick Out a Vehicle for NASA to Take to the Moon (Source: HPR)
Shoot for the stars, and just maybe you’ll end up on the moon. University of Hawaii scientists were recently awarded a contract to build a scientific instrument that will travel to the moon. The NASA Lunar Terrain Vehicle will launch later this decade — and it will be outfitted with a detector to look for ice. (8/6)

Army Crafting a New Space Policy, Moving Out on Counterspace (Source: Breaking Defense)
The US Army is working on a new space policy to serve as the “umbrella” for a new Army space strategy and doctrine, as well as the foundation for future requirements and acquisitions, according to a senior service official. The rewrite of what is known as Army Regulation 900.1[PDF] is necessary in the face of the changed operational environment in space stemming from advancing adversary threats, said Brig. Gen. Donald Brooks, deputy commanding general for operations at Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC). (8/6)

China Completes First Landing, Takeoff Test of Manned Lunar Lander (Source: Xinhua)
China on Thursday announced that it has successfully completed a comprehensive test for the landing and takeoff of its manned lunar lander at a test site in Huailai County, Hebei Province. The test completed on Wednesday represents a key step in the development of China's manned lunar exploration program, and it also marks the first time that China has carried out a test for extraterrestrial landing and takeoff of a manned spacecraft, said the China Manned Space Agency. (8/7)

DLR Completes Key Component for the Callisto Demonstrator’s Landing Legs (Source: European Spaceflight)
The German aerospace agency DLR has completed the manufacturing of a key component of the thermal protection system for the landing legs of its Callisto reusable booster demonstrator. The Callisto project is a trilateral initiative between DLR, the French space agency CNES, and the Japanese space agency JAXA. The primary aim of the project is to mature key technologies for the development of future reusable rocket boosters.

On 30 July, the DLR Institute for Frontier Materials on Earth and in Space announced the completion of the first reusable clip-on Thermal Protection System (TPS) for the Callisto demonstrator’s landing legs. (8/6)

ISRO Targets 2029 to Ready the Third Launch Pad for India's Next-Gen Rockets (Source: India Today)
India's space capabilities are set to receive a significant boost with the ongoing development of Isro's Third Satellite Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Center. The development is moving smoothly as the government is awaiting bidding on tenders for multiple developmental works in and around the launch pad. The project received financial sanction in March 2025, marking a critical step towards expanding the country’s launch infrastructure to support next-generation launch vehicles. (8/6)

Indian Rockets are in ‘Great Demand’ Globally, But We are Short of Manufacturing Capacity, Says Ex-ISRO Chief (Source: Startuppedia)
India’s rockets are in ‘great demand’ globally, and the country is falling short of manufacturing capacity to meet the demand, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), S Somanath said. “Indian rockets are in great demand. But the problem is availability, it’s controlled by our ability to manufacture in numbers,” Somanath said, highlighting a critical gap between India’s technological capability and its industrial readiness.

India has made significant strides in space technology with missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan, along with commercial launches for foreign satellites. Somanath said production remains heavily centralized and mission-specific, rather than geared toward volume manufacturing. (8/6)

North Korea Capitalizes on Russia’s Help by Expanding Satellite Launching Facility (Source: Wall Street Journal)
North Korea has accelerated construction of a launch site for spy satellites in recent months, including the addition of a seaport that could facilitate deliveries of new components from Russia. The expansion at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, located on the country’s west coast, would allow the regime of dictator Kim Jong Un to more quickly receive larger rocket components by sea than the current delivery method via railroad lines, security experts say. (8/7)

August 7, 2025

SES Secures 5 Year Army Contract for Global Tactical Satellite Communications (Source: Space Daily)
SES Space and Defense has been awarded a five-year, $89.6 million Sustainment Tactical Network (STN) contract to deliver commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) services to the U.S. Army. The contract will enable long-haul network transport and communications infrastructure for Combat Service Support units, Department of Defense programs, and other federal agencies. SES will provide commercial Ku-band geostationary satellite services, backed by the Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO), to ensure consistent global connectivity. (8/6)

Embry-Riddle Researchers Launch Rockets for a Deeper Look at Ionized Clouds That Disrupt Communications (Source: Space Daily)
Embry-Riddle researchers recently shot two 46-foot-tall rockets into clouds high in the Earth's atmosphere to learn more about the complex dynamics that affect critical communications and radar operations. The NASA-sponsored mission, led by Dr. Aroh Barjatya, professor of Engineering Physics, lifted off in late June from the remote Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of Marshall Islands in the Pacific. (8/6)

Sidus Space Commissions Autonomous SpacePilot System and Activates LizzieSat-3 ADCS (Source: Space Daily)
Sidus Space successfully activated its proprietary SpacePilot software on the LizzieSat-3 satellite, enabling advanced autonomous guidance, navigation, and control capabilities. The company also confirmed the commissioning of the satellite's Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), a critical component in satellite orientation and stability. The integrated SpacePilot and ADCS systems allow LizzieSat-3 to operate with minimal ground intervention while optimizing mission performance. (8/7)

Training Robots for Planetary Missions From Earth Orbit (Source: Space Daily)
This summer, astronauts aboard the International Space Station directed a team of advanced robots through a simulated martian terrain in Germany, concluding the fourth and final session of ESA and DLR's Surface Avatar experiment. The collaborative initiative between the European Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center aims to develop robotic control techniques for future lunar and Martian exploration.

The latest session featured unprecedented levels of complexity and robot autonomy. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim simultaneously operated two robots: ESA's quadruped Spot and DLR's humanoid Rollin' Justin. Spot traversed the rocky test environment autonomously, while Justin was maneuvered using a blend of direct teleoperation and pre-programmed commands. This setup enabled Jonny to prioritize strategic decision-making while allowing the robots to handle lower-level tasks independently.

A second mission scenario showcased ESA's Interact rover transporting DLR's robot dog Bert to a cave simulation. After clearing an entry path, Jonny deployed Bert, which then feigned a leg malfunction. In response, he retrained the robot's walking algorithm in real time, allowing it to resume its exploration and identify indications of frozen water. The trial evaluated real-time problem-solving and adaptive robotic behavior during unexpected mission challenges. (8/6)

Parsons and Globalstar Advance Satellite Communications with Successful European Test (Source: Space Daily)
Parsons Corporation and Globalstar have reached a key milestone in the development of a joint commercial satellite solution, announcing the successful completion of a proof of concept across three European ground stations. The demonstration integrated Globalstar's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network with Parsons' software-defined communication technology and confirmed operational readiness for real-world deployment.

The trial marks a significant progression in the partnership, transitioning the integrated solution into the commercial phase. The companies highlighted the platform's ability to deliver fast, reliable communications - particularly critical in regions with degraded or non-existent infrastructure. (8/6)

China Finds Graphene in Lunar Samples (Source: Earth.com)
Chinese researchers found something surprising in the dust brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission: thin layers of carbon called graphene. The spectral fingerprint matched multilayer graphene, a carbon lattice stacked two to ten atoms thick. The lead researcher says the find could reshape ideas about lunar birth and guide resource plans for future crews. The study marks the first confirmation of natural few-layer graphene in lunar material, opening new questions about how carbon behaves on airless planetary surfaces. (8/6)

Golden Dome Triggers Massive Shifts in DoD Policy and Spending (Source: Space News)
The Golden Dome missile defense program marks a turning point for U.S. space policy and spending priorities, a new report argues. The study by the Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy concluded that Golden Dome is the most important development in military space spending since the creation of the Space Force. Golden Dome received $24.4 billion in the budget reconciliation bill passed last month, and the program represents a significant expansion of resources and responsibilities for the Space Force. Golden Dome could also allow the Space Force to secure funding for other priorities, such as missile warning satellites that were already in development before the program was announced. (8/7)

Telesat Wants Golden Dome Role (Source: Space News)
Telesat is among the companies eyeing opportunities to participate in Golden Dome. The Canadian satellite operator said Wednesday that while Pentagon officials are still defining Golden Dome, the company is looking at how its Lightspeed broadband constellation could make “valuable contributions” to the program. Telesat is emphasizing Lightspeed as demand for its existing GEO satellites declines. The company said it has a backlog of $1 billion Canadian for Lightspeed, $100 million more than for its GEO satellites. Telesat reported a 30% year-over-year revenue drop to $106 million Canadian in the quarter ending June 30 because of declining satellite TV business. (8/7)

Voyager Wants Golden Dome Role (Source: Space News)
Voyager Technologies is looking at near-term opportunities in missile defense as it works on long-term plans for a commercial space station. The company, which went public in June, held its first earnings call this week, reporting $46 million in revenue and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $9.1 million. Most of the revenue came from its defense and national security business unit, which reported strong demand for propulsion technologies for use on the Next Generation Interceptor and potentially other missile defense programs. Voyager is also leading work on the Starlab commercial space station, which the company believes will be a major revenue source for the long term. (8/7)

DoD Officials: Don't Ask Us About Golden Dome (Source: Space News)
Defense Department officials don’t want to talk about the Golden Dome missile defense system — at a missile defense conference. Government officials were instructed not to mention the program by name during the Space & Missile Defense Symposium this week, instead referring to concepts like “advanced capabilities.” The carefully choreographed language reflects sensitivity around the program. The Defense Department said in a statement that it would be “imprudent” to discuss details about it while in its earliest stages of development. (8/7)

Beware the Golden Dome Boondoggle (Source: SPACErePORT)
Officials caution that integrating existing technologies into a cohesive, layered system—especially with space-based interceptors—is exceptionally complex. Critical elements, like boost-phase interception, require new, unproven technologies, with no evidence yet of a scalable, cost-effective capability.

The challenge of orchestrating a system of systems—overlaying ground, sea, air, and space assets with seamless data fusion and command—will require organizational and cultural complexity that may be as daunting as the technical hurdles. Then there's the cost. While the initial projected cost is $175 billion, authoritative estimates suggest actual costs might range from $500 billion to over $800 billion over the next two decades.

Contractors are salivating for a piece of this spending, claiming capabilities that lend an aura of achievability to the Golden Dome endeavor. But bankrupting the DoD to (questionably) counter a threat that can easily shift to a different method of delivery is not wise for the nation or its defense industrial complex. (8/7)

Army Recruiting for Dedicated Space Specialty (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Army will begin recruiting soldiers for its first dedicated enlisted specialty in space operations. The Army said this week the 40 Delta (40D) Space Operations Specialist military occupational specialty is moving from planning to implementation, with full operations by next October. Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, head of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command, said the specialty will create long-term institutional knowledge about space operations in the service. The Army is also developing what it calls a “space branch,” a professional category similar to existing branches such as Infantry, Armor and Artillery with about 1,000 enlisted soldiers and officers. It would allow space professionals to advocate for programs and resources. (8/7)

Hubble Network to Rely on Muon Space for Direct-to-Device Satellites (Source: Space News)
Hubble Network is the anchor customer for a new large satellite platform developed by Muon Space. Seattle-based Hubble ordered two MuSat XL satellites that are slated to launch in 2027 as part of an initial contract with the California manufacturer, the companies announced Thursday. The satellites, weighing 500 kilograms, will enable Hubble to expand its network providing direct-to-device Bluetooth connections. Muon has previously developed 200-kilogram satellites for customers such as FireSat, Hydrosat and Sierra Nevada Corporation, and the company said the larger platform will accommodate more powerful payloads. (8/7)

NASA’s Proposed Budget Eyes Human Exploration of Mars (Source: Space News)
NASA’s budget proposal includes new investments in Mars exploration, but with few details. The Trump FY-2026 budget request specifies $1.13 billion to be used on various programs supporting human missions to Mars, mostly in exploration but also including commercial Mars payload deliveries and space technology development [probably a remnant of Elon Musk's influence on space policy, leaving lunar dominance for other nations].

The request, though, gives few details about how those funds would be spent. NASA officials, in limited comments since the budget’s release, have said the focus is on how to accelerate timelines for human missions to Mars. It’s also unclear if the budget will address some “long poles” in Mars exploration, such as propulsion and human factors. (8/7)

Virgin Galactic Pushes Delta-Class Flights to Fall of Next Year (Source: Space News)
Virgin Galactic is pushing back slightly its schedule for commercial suborbital spaceflights using its new Delta-class spaceplane. The company said Wednesday that flights with research payloads, previously set to begin next summer, will start in the fall, with private astronaut missions starting later in the year. Virgin said the change was because of problems producing part of the spaceplane’s fuselage. Virgin also said it is continuing design work on a new aircraft called LV-X that will carry the spaceship. The plane will be similar in design to its existing VMS Eve plane but the company is working on a study with Lawrence Livermore National Lab to examine potential other uses of the aircraft. (8/7)

Impulse Space Upgrades Mira OTV (Source: Space News)
Impulse Space has completed an upgraded version of its Mira orbital transfer vehicle designed to allow it to operate in higher orbits. The upgrades to Mira include increased power and propulsion as well as components designed to operate in the higher radiation environments of medium Earth orbit and GEO. The first upgraded Mira is complete and will launch later this year on the LEO Express 3 mission, and will also be used on upcoming Space Force Tactically Responsive Space missions. (8/7)

Voyager Signs with Switzerland and Liechtenstein for In-Space Science (Source: CSA)
We’re proud to announce that Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA) and the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich (IPZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Voyager Technologies Institute for Space, Technology and Advancement (VISTA) to deepen cooperation between the U.S. and Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the space economy. This MoU marks another key step in connecting Switzerland and Liechtenstein to a growing global network of in-space science parks. (8/7)

AST SpaceMobile to Acquire Global S-Band Spectrum Priority Rights (Source: AST)
AST SpaceMobile announced an agreement to acquire global S-Band spectrum priority rights held under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). “Alongside our existing global 3GPP spectrum strategy and planned L-Band spectrum strategy in the U.S. and Canada, we would be capable of expanding subscriber capacity by offering the vast majority of countries around the world the full AST SpaceMobile network capabilities." (8/6)

Rogue Planets Can Spawn Their Own Planetary Systems (Source: Universe Today)
A team of astronomers examined eight rogue planets with masses between five and ten Jupiter masses. Six of the eight planets are surrounded by dusty disks. This could be a sign that other worlds can form around these drifting planets, compromising a small-scale planetary system. (8/5)

NASA Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore Retires (Source: NASA)
After 25 years at NASA, flying in four different spacecraft, accumulating 464 days in space, astronaut and test pilot Butch Wilmore has retired from NASA. During his time at NASA, Wilmore completed three missions launching aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, Roscosmos Soyuz, and Boeing Starliner to the ISS. Wilmore also returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Additionally, he conducted five spacewalks, totaling 32 hours outside the orbital laboratory. (8/6)

How Russian Money Slipped into SpaceX’s Orbit (Source: MuskWatch)
For years, Russian investors have acquired stakes in Elon Musk’s SpaceX, often through opaque investment vehicles, according to an analysis of marketing materials, interviews, and documents shared by Russian firms. One Russian firm, which currently offers SpaceX stakes on the open market, has been invested in the company since 2015, when SpaceX was valued at $12 billion. Today, SpaceX is valued at $350 billion.

Another firm promises to provide wealthy Russian investors a chance to invest in SpaceX. The offering, which requires a minimum investment of $10,000, currently has a waiting list. A third U.S.-based firm that manages Russian investments in SpaceX is 90% owned by foreign nationals. The chief financial officer of SpaceX testified in Delaware last year that the company has an unofficial policy of avoiding "Russian, Chinese, Iranian, [and] North Korean" investors because they would complicate its ability to win U.S. government contracts.

In May, a number of top House Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers about SpaceX's foreign investors. "Because SpaceX performs significant work for the federal government across the national security and civil space architectures, even the perception of a conflict of interest is very troubling," the lawmakers wrote. However, a major SpaceX investor testified that the company deems it "acceptable" for Chinese investors to indirectly buy shares as long as they use opaque investment vehicles. Investment funds with Russian clients have used similar schemes to sell stakes in SpaceX. (8/6)

Loss of ISS Harms US Leadership in Space (Source: CASIS)
After more than 50 years in the space industry, I’ve learned this: America’s leadership in space doesn’t come guaranteed—it’s earned. Never in my lifetime did I consider that we, as a nation, would cede our preeminence in space to a foreign adversary. Yet today, I feel that is a very real possibility. Since the start of this fiscal year, I’ve grown increasingly uneasy about our position as the world’s leader in the peaceful exploration of space. As someone who grew up watching our nation’s most celebrated space achievements, I’ve always believed our dominance in space is essential to our national security, both economic and physical. But now, I fear we’re on the verge of surrendering that dominance.

A significant threat looms: retiring the ISS in 2030 without an agreed-upon replacement. NASA has spent years planning for one or more commercial ISS successors, but a change in administration and its proposed deep budget cuts for NASA have stalled progress. This threatens not only our microgravity research capabilities but also our 25 years of continuous human presence in space, just as we begin to unlock the economic potential of space-based R&D. (8/6)

Argo and ThinkOrbital to Launch First Orbital Mission Using Long-Range X-Ray Imaging (Source: Space Daily)
Argo Space Corp. and ThinkOrbital have announced a strategic partnership to launch the first-ever space mission featuring long-range, high-voltage X-ray imaging for space domain awareness (SDA). The mission, scheduled for 2026, will deploy ThinkOrbital's proprietary ThinkX imaging system aboard Argo's agile spacecraft platform.

The initiative combines Argo's maneuverable, refuellable spacecraft with ThinkOrbital's novel X-ray phenomenology, aiming to revolutionize SDA capabilities by enabling the detection and material characterization of distant space objects. According to Argo CEO Robert Carlisle, the mission exemplifies how pairing advanced sensors with dynamic spacecraft opens new possibilities in both commercial and defense space operations. (8/5)

Intuitive Machines Wins Funding to Advance Orbital Logistics Vehicle (Source: Space Daily)
Intuitive Machines has secured a $9.8 million government contract to progress its Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) through Critical Design Review, the final engineering phase before manufacturing begins. This Phase Two award expands the company's government work beyond lunar surface delivery and strengthens its role in the growing market for orbital mobility solutions.

The award is not affiliated with NASA, marking a strategic step by Intuitive Machines to broaden its customer base across commercial, civil, and national security space sectors. The OTV is based on the company's flight-proven Nova-C lunar lander, which demonstrated key capabilities such as main engine firings and lunar orbit maneuvers during two previous missions. (8/5)

Rocket Lab Expands iQPS Satellite Network with Successful Electron Launch (Source: Space Daily)
Rocket Lab completed its 69th Electron mission, successfully deploying another satellite for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). The launch marks the fifth dedicated mission for iQPS under a multi-launch agreement supporting the expansion of their synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. (8/6)

World's First Open RAN D2D LEO Network to Be Built by MDA Space for EchoStar (Source: Space Daily)
EchoStar has chosen MDA Space as the prime contractor to develop the world's first 3GPP 5G-compliant low Earth orbit (LEO) direct-to-device (D2D) satellite constellation built on Open RAN architecture. The contract launches MDA Space into full-scale production of its software-defined MDA AURORA D2D satellites for a non-terrestrial network (NTN) expected to redefine global mobile connectivity.

The initial deal, worth approximately $1.3 billion, covers the design, manufacture, and testing of more than 100 LEO satellites. With contract options potentially expanding the constellation to over 200 spacecraft, total value could reach $2.5 billion. EchoStar anticipates eventually scaling the network into the thousands to support seamless talk, text, and broadband services directly to unmodified 5G devices worldwide. (8/5)

China Allocates Fresh Batch of Lunar Samples to Domestic Research Institutions (Source: Space Daily)
China has approved the ninth round of lunar sample lending applications, distributing over 30 grams of moon material to 32 research teams across 25 institutions. These samples, retrieved by the Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6 missions, will support a broad spectrum of scientific studies.

30,881.8 milligrams of lunar samples will be shared with selected researchers. Among the recipients are Macao University of Science and Technology, Chengdu University of Technology, Donghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, the University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Several Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences affiliates are also on the approval list. (8/5)

August 6, 2025

NASA Picks Six Companies for Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies (Source: NASA)
NASA awarded study contracts to six companies regarding orbital transfer vehicles. The agency said Tuesday it awarded a total of nine contracts with a maximum value of $1.4 million to Arrow Science and Technology, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Impulse Space, Rocket Lab and ULA for concepts to enable “multi-spacecraft and multi-orbit delivery” to different orbits. The companies are exploring concepts that range from dedicated space tugs to modified upper stages. The studies are due by mid-September and will inform NASA planning for future missions though its Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare Launch Services contract. (8/6)

Elon Musk Is Working His Hardest to Make a Chinese Century (Source: Liberal Currents)
The flow of research, ideas, money, and highly trained personnel between academia, industry, and government has powered a century of American technological dominance. In an age of renewed great power competition, national security depends on remaining at the cutting edge of bioscience, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Taking a hacksaw to the funding for these institutions will have predictable consequences.

In many ways Elon Musk is the right man to play this role in our national suicide. He more than perhaps anyone now alive has benefitted from the mythology of the entrepreneur, the Randian myth of the one man who keeps society innovative and dynamic through his individual brilliance and gumption. (2/9)

State Incentives Bring 3D-Printing Aerospace Company HQ to Colorado (Source: Denver Gazette)
Raven Space Systems, a 3D-printing company that makes parts for the aerospace industry, picked Colorado for its new headquarters and manufacturing facility, the governor’s office announced. It’ll be based in Broomfield, the city located centrally between Boulder and Denver. The company chose the location for its talent pool and nearness to other aerospace companies, the announcement said. Raven was also considering Kansas and Missouri for its expansion.

Raven is a startup with four employees currently headquartered in Kansas City, MO. The headquarters and manufacturing facility is expected to bring 392 jobs to the state. The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved more than $5.8 million in job growth tax incentives to Raven in March. (8/4)

Space Force to Launch Ground Target-Tracking Satellites in 2028 (Source: Defense One)
The Space Force plans to launch satellites that can track vehicles and ships in 2028 and eventually use that work to figure out how to track airborne targets from orbit. The ground moving target indicator mission, known as GMTI, is a joint effort between the Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office to help the military track targets on the ground from space—a mission handled until 2023 by the aging, airborne E-8 JSTARS fleet. (8/4)

AST SpaceMobile's Prototype Satellite Faces Potential Delay (Source: PC Mag)
As AST SpaceMobile tries to compete with SpaceX's cellular Starlink system, the company is facing a possible delay with a crucial prototype satellite. The FM1 prototype was supposed to launch this month via India’s space agency, ISRO, marking an important step in helping AST SpaceMobile deliver satellite connectivity to phones.

But last week, the ISRO's chairman indicated that FM1 won't take off on time, according to local media. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan was recorded twice saying that the satellite launch will occur within three or even four months, presumably pushing the FM1’s deployment to late Q4. (8/4)

As Launches Increase, Third Cargo Crane Arrives in Port Canaveral (Source: Florida Today)
It's been a busy year on the Space Coast and with multiple rocket launches every week, Port Canaveral is adding a third mobile harbor crane to support Port Canaveral cargo and rocket boosters coming in from the ocean on landing platforms. "The third mobile harbor crane, like the first two, is a versatile multipurpose crane designed to handle a wide range of heavy cargo, including space hardware," said Steven Linden.

"There's another space operator that's contemplating maritime recovery," said Murray during the February meeting, "Our cranes aren't large enough to handle that booster, so we modified the crane prior to its delivery." Blue Origin is one of those companies, as it plans to land the first-stage of its New Glenn rocket on its landing platform known as Jacklyn in the Atlantic Ocean. However, Blue Origin already has a crane established for New Glenn.

Another launch provider working toward launching reusable rockets from Cape Canaveral is Stoke Space. The company plans a fully reusable rocket, known as Nova, but it has not revealed many details on recovery efforts. Stoke Space has mentioned in the past that Nova will land back at the launch site − Launch Complex 14 − similar to SpaceX's Starship. (8/5)

Lockheed Martin Sued Over Billions in Reported Losses (Source: Fort Worth Report)
A lawsuit against defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. alleges that the company misled investors by downplaying risks in its government contracts and overstating its ability to deliver on time. Investor Muhammad Khan filed the suit July 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging the company made false or misleading statements that led to significant losses for investors between Jan. 23, 2024, and July 21, 2025. (8/4)

CEO of U.S. Space and Rocket Center Announces Retirement (Source: WHNT)
The CEO of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville has announced her retirement following a leave of absence from her position in June. According to a spokesperson from the USSRC, Dr. Kimberly Robinson became CEO in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed a threat of potential bankruptcy and permanent closure.

The Space and Rocket Center said that one of the hallmarks of her time as CEO was the successful launch of a $65 million capital campaign. It enabled transformative investments, including the completion of the Space Camp Operations Center and the I4 Skills Training Complex, which will be completed by the end of 2025. (8/5)

A Small Uniform Tweak Reveals a Shift in Space Force Culture (Source: Air and Space Forces)
Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman’s official portrait got a slight update in June that largely went unnoticed: His silver Space Operations Badge with its distinctive orbital rings and Space Force delta, vanished. Now we know why. This week Lt. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt, the Space Force’s chief operations officer, revealed that the removal signals shift in Space Force culture and training.

With the introduction of the new Space Force Officer Training Course last fall, however, every newly commissioned officer must complete a 12-month program where officers will be immersed in all the core knowledge Guardian leaders will need. That includes understanding space operations, cyber, and intelligence, the service’s three core career fields. New graduates will be given a badge, still to be determined, that signifies their completion of the course. (8/5)

The Spaceport Company Wins DoD Contract for Sea-Based Suborbital Launch (Source: TSC)
TSC signed a contract to launch a sounding rocket to space (above the Karman Line) from the ocean for a DoD customer. This will be America’s first launch to space from the ocean since 2014. TSC will be the only commercial company capable of delivering payloads to space from the sea outside of China. The mission is on schedule to launch in 2026. The company was awarded a third DoD contract last month, and is in due diligence for our fourth active DoD contract. Revenue growth is on track. (8/6)

Mississippi Port is Strategic location for Spaceport Company (Source: Mississippi Business Journal)
A company located at Hancock County’s Port Bienville is changing the way rockets are launched and reenter the earth. The Spaceport Company, based in Virginia, produces vessels designed to launch rockets from sea and to serve as reentry sites. A contract with the Department of Defense was signed to demonstrate sea-based launch facilities.

Things are going well, according to Port Bienville on-site Operations Coordinator Jenna Ringer. “In 2023, we completed four successful rocket launches from a floating platform in the Gulf of Mexico in partnership with Evolution Space,” she said. “This proof-of-concept campaign demonstrated the viability of sea-based launch operations within U.S. territorial waters, laying the foundation for future offshore orbital-class spaceports.” (7/31)

ULA Schedules Inaugural Vulcan National Security Launch (Source: WHNT)
United Launch Alliance has confirmed an Aug. 12 Vulcan rocket launch for the US Space Force's Space Systems Command, marking the first national security space mission for Vulcan. The mission, USSF-106, will deploy a payload to geosynchronous orbit from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. ULA emphasized its continued partnership with the Space Force in supporting critical national defense missions. (8/5)

Space Scotland Gets New CEO Ahead of First UK Orbital Launch (Source: Space Scotland)
Space Scotland has appointed Dr. Natasha Nicholson as its new Chief Executive Officer, a strategic leadership move at a pivotal time for Scotland’s rapidly growing space sector, and ahead of the UK’s first-ever commercial orbital launch from Shetland.
Dr. Nicholson played a key role in Space Scotland’s early development as its original Cluster Manager and now returns to lead its next phase.

She holds a PhD in astrobiology and brings deep scientific and strategic expertise, having served as Cross-Cluster Liaison Manager for the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at Harwell Campus. Her appointment comes amid a surge in international engagement and commercial activity across Scotland’s space ecosystem, with the first orbital launch from Europe anticipated to occur from SaxaVord within months.

The country now hosts more than 180 space organizations and leads Europe in small satellite production, with companies like Spire Global, AAC Clyde Space, and Alba Orbital based in Glasgow. With backing from Scottish Enterprise, the UK Space Agency, and private sponsors including Intel and Burges Salmon, Space Scotland has become a trusted voice in UK and international space policy, uniting academia, industry, and government. (8/6)

NASA Shifts Plans for Commercial Space Stations (Source: Space News)
NASA is changing course on its plans to support development of commercial space stations. In a memo signed by NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy last week, but not yet publicly released, the agency said it would change its plans for the next phase of the Commercial LEO Development program that supports commercial successors to the ISS. Instead of awarding a fixed-price contract for certification of stations and initial services, NASA will instead award funded "Space Act Agreements" to companies for continued development, including crewed flight demonstrations involving non-NASA astronauts.

The move is intended, the memo states, to keep the program on schedule and address a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. However, NASA said it will no longer require a “Full Operational Capability” that involved a permanent presence of NASA astronauts on those stations, opting instead to a minimum capability of four-person crews spending a month on those stations. NASA said it no longer considers binding the LEO Microgravity Strategy it published last December that called for a continuous human presence in LEO. (8/6)

Space Command Endorses In-Space Refueling (Source: Space News)
The head of U.S. Space Command is endorsing the use of in-space refueling of satellites. Speaking Tuesday at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium, Gen. Stephen Whiting endorsed a vision for space operations that moves beyond the traditional “one-and-done” approach to satellite deployment. He said space needs to adopt the same comprehensive logistics frameworks used in other domains so that spacecraft can “maneuver for advantage to achieve space superiority.” His remarks come at a critical juncture, as the U.S. Space Force grapples with whether to invest in orbital infrastructure or continue treating satellites as expendable assets and as China demonstrates its own satellite refueling capabilities. (8/6)

Northrop Grumman Investments in Solid Rocket Motors Position The Company for Golden Dome (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman says investments in increased solid rocket motor production will help it win contracts for the Golden Dome missile defense program. Company officials said at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium that they are in a strong position to capitalize on the demand likely to be generated by Golden Dome. The company is now producing large solid rocket motors in Utah and West Virginia, and smaller tactical motors in Maryland. Northrop said $1 billion in investments made in those facilities after acquiring Orbital ATK in 2018 will allow the company to meet projected demand from Golden Dome. (8/6)

NASA Picks Space Shuttle for Transfer to Houston (Source: Space News)
NASA has selected a shuttle orbiter to transfer to Houston under a provision of the budget reconciliation bill. That bill included $85 million for a “space vehicle transfer” to a facility affiliated with a NASA center, directing the NASA administrator to identify the vehicle within 30 days of the bill’s July 4 enactment. NASA said late Tuesday that Acting Administrator Sean Duffy made that identification, but did not disclose the vehicle or its destination.

However, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said late Tuesday that NASA selected a shuttle orbiter to be moved to Space Center Houston, next to the Johnson Space Center. The statement didn’t identify the vehicle but noted “congressional intent” of the bill was for Discovery to go from the National Air and Space Museum to Houston. Such a move, though, faces various legal, logistical and fiscal challenges. (8/6)

TRACERS Satellite Glitching (Source: NASA)
NASA is still studying a problem with a new space science satellite. NASA said Tuesday that one of two satellites on the TRACERS mission launched last month is having problems with its power system, limiting the time it can operate to when it gets “adequate power” from its solar panels. The next opportunity to try to recover the satellite will be later this month when the spacecraft’s orientation will allow more sunlight onto the solar arrays. NASA separately said Tuesday it has yet to hear from another satellite on the same launch, Athena EPIC. The satellite, built by NovaWurks, is intended to demonstrate a modular satellite design and test an Earth science sensor. [NASA]

The California Coastal Commission’s Fight with SpaceX is Back On (Source: Politico)
A California agency is preparing for another fight with SpaceX over launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The California Coastal Commission will take up next week a proposal to allow SpaceX to increase the number of launches at Vandenberg from 50 to 95 per year. The commission’s staff recommended that it reject the proposal because the launches are primarily commercial.

The commission last October voted against a proposal to increase launches from 35 to 50 per year, with some commissioners citing SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s politics in the process. That resulted in a lawsuit from SpaceX. The earlier vote had no effect on launches, with the Space Force citing national security considerations for allowing an increased launch rate. (8/6)

Breakthrough Discovery Reveals Potentially Habitable Super-Earth (Source: SciTech Daily)
In their search for Earth-like worlds, an international team led by the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with other institutions, made a significant breakthrough using a method called Transit Timing Variation (TTV).

For the first time, TTV enabled the detection of a super-Earth named Kepler-725c, which is about 10 times the mass of Earth and orbits within the habitable zone of a Sun-like star, Kepler-725. The findings were published in Nature Astronomy.

Traditionally, astronomers have used the transit method and radial velocity (RV) measurements to detect low-mass planets (10 Earth masses or less) within the habitable zones of Sun-like stars. However, these smaller planets usually follow long orbits and produce weak RV signals, making them difficult to detect. The RV technique, in particular, demands extremely precise measurements, which limits its practicality for identifying such faint, distant planets. (8/5)

Eutelsat Set for Another Year of Shrinking Margins Despite Booming Demand for OneWeb (Source: Financial Times)
Eutelsat has told investors to expect another year of declining margins even as the French satellite group reported a jump in revenues from its OneWeb broadband service, Europe’s answer to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Eutelsat on Tuesday reported a €1.1bn annual net loss, compared with a €310mn loss the previous year, largely due to a previously announced €535mn write-off on a business acquired in 2014.

Chief executive Jean-François Fallacher, who took over in June, said the company was expecting margins to fall in the current financial year, but promised that OneWeb would be driving higher returns within two years from a rapidly growing customer base. He added that OneWeb was the “growth engine that is going fast, where there is huge demand”. (8/5)

Federal Agencies are Starting to Admit That DOGE’s Policies Were Trash (Source: The New Republic)
The White House has apparently decided that some of the administration’s DOGE-directed firings were a mistake. The National Weather Service / NOAA has received permission to hire hundreds of employees, CNN reported Tuesday. That includes 450 meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians to replace the ones that were let go from the agency at the behest of former DOGE chief Elon Musk.

Exhausted staffers who had been tasked with working additional hours with added responsibilities due to the abrupt layoffs are reportedly irate at the realization that their peers’ job loss was pointless. “How much time/money is it going to cost to train a bunch of new people when we had already-trained people in place?” an unidentified NOAA official told CNN. (8/5)

No More Snacks, Exercise, Or Visitors at Goddard And Wallops (Source: NASA Watch)
There is already a plan to more or less abandon half of Goddard’s buildings. Proposals are due by 1 September on the plan to shut down (maybe commercialize) all of the GSFC buildings West of Goddard Road – which includes Bldg 1 (where the cafeteria/exchange is).  Now NASA is closing the place where people eat lunch and putting a halt to the public’s ability to visit GSFC and WFF. This is really starting to get petty, Sean. People are already demoralized. (8/4)

Huntsville’s New $20 Million Rocket Motor Plant is the Size of Six Football Fields (Source: AL.com)
L3Harris Technologies unveiled its new $20 million rocket motor plant in west Huntsville on Monday. The 379,000 square-foot facility is the size of six football fields and could play an important role in President Donald Trump’s proposed Golden Dome defense, L3Harris officials said. (8/4)

Space Force Preps Infrastructure, Operators for Target-Tracking Mission (Source: Defense News)
The Space Force expects to launch its first ground moving target indicator satellites in the next year — but until then, it’s working to craft operational concepts and experiment with enabling technologies that will shape the future constellation. The service has been working closely with the intelligence community to develop a framework for managing a layered moving target indicator capability that pulls data from space sensors and other sources and feeds it to operators to better track threats on the ground — a mission that’s typically been conducted by aircraft. (8/4)

Space Force Appoints Laughlin as Deputy Chief for Cyber (Source: Defense Scoop)
Charleen Laughlin has been appointed as deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data at the US Space Force, transitioning from the Joint Staff. This move comes as the Space Force splits the cyber function from Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt's role to create a standalone position. Laughlin's extensive experience in digital and AI roles at the Department of Defense is expected to drive the Space Force's digital modernization efforts. (8/4)

Panel to Study Creation of US Cyber Force (Source: Breaking Defense)
A commission has been established to study how to implement a Cyber Force if the Trump administration decides to create one. The Commission on Cyber Force Generation, a joint effort between the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0, includes former military leaders and industry executives. The commission's work will include planning for the organizational structure, core responsibilities and necessary authorities for a separate Cyber Force.

Editor's Note: The Space Force currently supports cyberspace operations through Space Delta 6, headquartered in Colorado. While the Space Force oversees cyber defense for its own space systems and is building organic cyber defense teams, overall DoD cyber warfare efforts are the responsibility of U.S. Cyber Command, headquartered in Maryland. (8/4)

Space Force Set to Launch Dedicated GMTI Satellites (Source: Defense One)
The US Space Force is set to launch satellites capable of tracking ground vehicles and maritime assets within the next year as part of the Ground Moving Target Indicator mission, in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office. The initiative aims to replace the aging E-8 JSTARS fleet, with initial satellites already in orbit. Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt says the satellites' data will be processed at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. (8/4)

Is NASA Wallops Going GOCO? (Source: NASA Watch)
Multiple sources have mentioned ongoing discussion at NASA HQ, NASA Goddard, and NASA Wallops that consider the option of moving toward a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) model for the future of Wallops.

Editor's Note: The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority operates the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) as a NASA tenant on the Wallops Flight Facility. MARS supports launch vehicle programs of Northrop Grumman, Firefly Aerospace, and Rocket Lab. The US Navy, US Coast Guard, and NOAA also operate at Wallops. A GOCO arrangement at Wallops could see an elevated role for the State of Virginia, and demonstrate how NASA and the Space Force could transition to tenants at a state-operated Cape Canaveral Spaceport. (8/5)

Vaya Space Selected for $1.2 Million AFWERX Phase II Contract to Advance Hypersonic Propulsion (Source: SatNews)
Space Coast-based Vaya Space has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II in the amount of $1,236,406 focused on the development of the Hybrid-Fueled Ramjet, a throttleable and restartable hypersonic missile propulsion system, to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
(8/4)

Eutelsat LEO Revenue Rockets 84% as Governments Cool on Starlink (Source: The Register)
Paris-based Eutelsat is reporting rocketing revenues in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services, driven partly by an uptick in interest from governments seeking to reduce reliance on US providers. Increasingly shaky relations with the US have led allied governments to consider alternatives to American vendors. Notably, Elon Musk's Starlink satellite broadband service has come under scrutiny.

Starlink has proven invaluable following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, allowing connectivity to be maintained even while communication networks have been disrupted. However, recent mixed messaging from US President Donald Trump's administration has led governments and commercial organizations to consider alternatives, such as Eutelsat. According to its financial results for fiscal 2025 ended June 30, Eutelsat posted total revenue of €1.244 billion, up 1.6 percent year-on-year. Within this, video revenue fell 6.5 percent to €608 million, but LEO revenue was up 84.1 percent to €186.8 million, and Government Services jumped 24.1 percent to €211 million. (8/5)

Dark Mirror of Our Own Universe Could Explain Quirks in Gravity (Source: Science Alert)
Since conventional explanations have failed to pony up dark matter, one physicist is looking towards the unconventional. In a series of two papers, physicist Stefano Profumo of the University of California, Santa Cruz has proposed two strange, but not impossible, origins for the mystery material responsible for the excess gravitational effects we see out there in the Universe.

In the first, published in May 2025, he proposes that dark matter could have been born in a dark matter 'mirror' of our own Universe, where matter is made of dark versions of particles akin to our protons and neutrons. In the other, published in early July, Profumo proposes that dark matter particles could have formed at the boundary of the cosmic horizon – the edge of the observable Universe – during the rapid expansion following the Big Bang. (8/5)

Could Amazon buy into AST SpaceMobile? (Source: SatNews)
An intriguing idea been floated around by Defence news expert Larry Ramer, suggesting that Amazon should buy — or make a considerable investment — in AST SpaceMobile. Ramer explained: “In light of the tremendous potential of AST’s technology, I also would not be surprised if AMZN eventually decides to buy AST for as much as $80 billion in a combination of cash and stock.”

An Amazon investment/acquisition would allow their Project Kuiper satellite broadband to leapfrog their own deployment of Kuiper satellites with — arguably — AST’s superior craft. Moreover, AST has some extremely valuable contracts in hand, not least the Vodafone agreement and in particular the deal with Vodafone Idea (in India) as well as partnerships in place with AT&T and Verizon in the US. (7/7)

Interlune to Fly Multispectral Camera on Astrolab FLIP Rover to Measure Helium-3 on the Moon (Source: Interlune)
Interlune and Astrolab announced that an Interlune payload will fly on Astrolab’s FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover on its upcoming mission to the Moon. The Interlune payload is a multispectral camera built, tested, and developed in partnership with NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, whose images will be used to estimate helium-3 quantities and concentration in Moon dirt, or regolith. (8/5)

August 5, 2025

Australia's NBN Picks Kuiper for Broadband Service (Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
An Australian state-owned company has selected Amazon to provide broadband services for rural customers. NBN Co. announced Tuesday it picked Amazon’s Project Kuiper LEO constellation to replace its existing Sky Muster GEO satellites that offer broadband services to 300,000 customers out of range of terrestrial networks. The Sky Muster satellites will be phased out in the early 2030s, although NBN will start using Kuiper as soon as mid-2026. NBN did not disclose financial terms of the contract or why it selected Kuiper over Starlink, which has more than 200,000 customers in Australia. (8/5)

Kazakh Cosmonaut Passes (Source: Collect Space)
A Kazakh cosmonaut who flew to the International Space Station with the first commercial space tourist has died. Talgat Musabayev died at the age of 74, the president of Kazakhstan announced Monday. Musabayev, selected as a cosmonaut by the former Soviet Union in 1990, flew to the Mir space station in 1994 and 1998. He went to the ISS in 2001 on a short-duration mission that included space tourist Dennis Tito. Musabayev went on to lead the Kazakh space agency, Kascosmos, from 2007 until his death. (8/5)

Where is the Dream? (Source: Space Review)
Space is typically portrayed negatively in movies and TV shows. Dwayne Day explores how depictions of space have evolved and what it means for public support for spaceflight. Click here. (8/5)
 
“God is in Control”: A Field Report From the Ark Encounter’s “Astronaut Encounter” (Source: Space Review)
Last month, three current and former NASA astronauts spoke at an event at a Young Earth Creationist theme park in Kentucky. Deana Weibel describes the event and its implications for science and subjectivity. Click here. (8/5)
 
A NASA-ISRO Joint Radar Satellite Finally Launches (Source: Space Review)
India launched last week an Earth science mission jointly developed with NASA. Ajey Lele discusses the importance of the NISAR mission to Earth science and international cooperation. Click here. (8/5)
 
Why Science at NASA? (Source: Space Review)
NASA is facing significant budget cuts to its science programs in the administration’s 2026 budget proposal. Ajay Kothari argues NASA science needs funding to help answer what may be humanity’s biggest question: are we alone? Click here. (8/5)
 
Commercial Space at the National Air and Space Museum (Source: Space Review)
The National Air and Space Museum recently opened a renovated section that includes its Milestones of Flight Hall. Jeff Foust pays a visit to that hall and another gallery that features a mix of commercial space and other artifacts. Click here. (8/5)

Lockheed Martin Plans Missile Intercept Demo in 2028 (Source: Space News)
Lockheed Martin said it is preparing to demonstrate a space-based missile interceptor in 2028. The company said Monday it plans to conduct an orbital demonstration of space-based interceptors by 2028, aligning with President Trump’s timeline for establishing initial Golden Dome capabilities. The company declined to say if its space-based interceptor concept would rely on kinetic “hit-to-kill” technology or directed-energy systems using high-powered lasers, wanting to wait for the government to first disclose its architectural requirements for Golden Dome. The appeal of space-based interceptors lies in their potential to engage missile threats during the critical boost phase, immediately after launch. (8/5)

Call to Normalize Space for Warfighters, and Speed Threat Identification (Source: Space News)
Military space operators worldwide need to more quickly identify aggressive actions on orbit and more closely integrate with other domains to deter threats. That was the message from a conference last month, where military leaders from several nations discussed the growing importance of space capabilities. They argued that space needs to be “demystified and normalized” by using similar terminology as air, land and sea domains, as well as develop a doctrine for space and training exercises. A U.K. Strategic Defense Review has called out space as a separate domain with air, land, sea and cyber for the first time. (8/5)

Skyrota Gains UK Launch License (Source: Space News)
Skyrora has secured a launch license from British regulators for a suborbital rocket, but may not be able to launch until next year. The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority issued  a license to Skyrora Monday for its Skylark L suborbital rocket, allowing the company to perform launches from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. Skyrora launched Skylark L once in 2022 from Iceland, but the rocket malfunctioned moments after liftoff. Skyrora hoped to launch Skylark L this year from SaxaVord but has been told none of the pads there are available currently, likely pushing the launch into next year. Skylark L is intended to test technologies for the Skylark XL small orbital launch vehicle. (8/5)

Rocket Lab Launches Japanese Radar Satellite (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab launched a satellite early Tuesday for Japanese radar imaging company iQPS. An Electron lifted off from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 12:10 a.m. Eastern, deploying the QPS-SAR-12 into low Earth orbit nearly an hour later. The launch was the fifth by Rocket Lab overall for iQPS and the fourth this year, with four more iQPS launches scheduled through the rest of this year and into 2026. Rocket Lab has conducted 11 Electron launches  this year and has plans to perform more than 20 launches in 2025. (8/5)

Sphere Corp.’s Stock Soars on $1 Billion Contract with SpaceX (Source: Business Korea)
Sphere Corp. saw a surge in its stock price following news of a 10-year long-term supply contract with SpaceX, the U.S. private space launch company led by Elon Musk. Securities analysts note that Sphere's supplied products are also exempt from tariff impacts, making them even more noteworthy. Sphere has signed a contract to supply special alloys such as nickel and superalloys to SpaceX for 10 years until 2036. The contract can be extended for up to three years upon SpaceX’s request after the contract period expires. (8/4)

Dhurva to Launch Satellite on SpaceX Rocket (Source: Times of India)
Indian spacetech firm Dhruva Space is set to launch its first commercial satellite mission, LEAP-1, in the third quarter of 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission brings together payloads from Australian firms Akula Tech and Esper Satellites, hosted on Dhruva's indigenously developed P-30 satellite platform. (8/4)

Media Council Upholds Complaint Against RNZ Over Inaccurate Rocket Lab Report (Source: Business Scoop)
The NZ Media Council has upheld a complaint by Rocket Lab Ltd against Radio New Zealand (RNZ), ruling that a May 2025 article inaccurately linked the aerospace company to Ukraine’s war effort, breaching journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and balance.

The article, titled “Rocket Lab-launched satellites to help Ukraine in war against Russia,” claimed that satellites launched by Rocket Lab for Japanese company iQPS would be used to support Ukraine’s military intelligence. Rocket Lab strongly refuted this, stating the claim was false and damaging, and that neither they nor iQPS had any involvement in supplying military capabilities to Ukraine. (8/4)

Duffy to Announce Nuclear Reactor on the Moon (Source: Politico)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will announce expedited plans this week to build a nuclear reactor on the moon, the first major action by the former Fox News host as the interim NASA administrator. NASA has discussed building a reactor on the lunar surface, but this would set a more definitive timeline — according to documents obtained by POLITICO — and come just as the agency faces a massive budget cut. The move also underscores how Duffy, who faced pushback from lawmakers about handling two jobs, wants to play a role in NASA policymaking. (8/4)

NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Moon Mission Ends (Source: NASA)
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer ended its mission to the Moon on July 31. Despite extensive efforts, mission operators were unable to establish two-way communications after losing contact with the spacecraft the day following its Feb. 26 launch.

The mission aimed to produce high-resolution maps of water on the Moon’s surface and determine what form the water is in, how much is there, and how it changes over time. The maps would have supported future robotic and human exploration of the Moon as well as commercial interests while also contributing to the understanding of water cycles on airless bodies throughout the solar system. (8/4)

Eoptic and Starris Establish Strategic Partnership to Develop Multispectral Satellite Imaging Payloads (Source: Space News)
Eoptic Inc. and Starris: Optimax Space Systems announce a partnering agreement to build end-to-end satellite imaging payloads that leverage the knowledge and space heritage of both companies — Eoptic’s expertise in imaging science and advanced onboard processing and Starris’s leadership in precision optics and scalable manufacturing for responsive space. (8/4)

Poland’s SpaceForest Completes Qualification of PERUN Rocket Engine (Source: European Spaceflight)
Polish rocket builder SpaceForest has completed the final hot fire test of its SF-1000 rocket engine. The company is now preparing for the next test flight of its 11.5-metre suborbital PERUN rocket, which will be powered by the newly qualified engine. The launch is expected before the end of 2025.

SpaceForest completed an initial hot fire test of its redesigned SF-1000 rocket engine at the end of 2024, followed by the first full-duration test in February 2025. However, the most recent test appeared to feature a component not present in the earlier campaigns, with the company deliberately obscuring the engine nozzle in the released video, something it had not done with footage from previous tests. (8/4)

Long March 12 Launches first Guowang Satellites Developed by Private Firm (Source: Space News)
China launched its third batch of Guowang megaconstellation satellites in eight days on Monday, marking a significant milestone as it was the first time a commercial satellite manufacturer was involved in the mission. The launch, using a Long March 12 rocket, is part of a broader effort to establish a sovereign space internet and expand China's satellite broadband network. (8/4)

Proba-3 Demonstrates Formation Flying for Future Missions (Source: The Conversation)
The brightest part of the Sun is so bright that it blocks the faint light from the corona, so it is invisible to most of the instruments astronomers use. The exception is when the Moon blocks the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth during an eclipse. But as an astronomer, I know eclipses are rare, they last only a few minutes, and they are visible only on narrow paths across the Earth. So, researchers have to work hard to get their equipment to the right place to capture these short, infrequent events.

Scientists at the European Space Agency have built and launched a new probe designed specifically to create artificial eclipses. This probe, called Proba-3, works just like a real solar eclipse. One spacecraft, which is roughly circular when viewed from the front, orbits closer to the Sun, and its job is to block the bright parts of the Sun, acting as the Moon would in a real eclipse. It casts a shadow on a second probe that has a camera capable of photographing the resulting artificial eclipse.

Having two separate spacecraft flying independently but in such a way that one casts a shadow on the other is a challenging task. But future missions depend on scientists figuring out how to make this precision choreography technology work, and so Proba-3 is a test. This technology is helping to pave the way for future missions that could include satellites that dock with and deorbit dead satellites or powerful telescopes with instruments located far from their main mirrors. (8/4)

Is the Dream Chaser Spaceplane Ever Going to Launch into Orbit? (Source: Ars Technica)
When will Sierra Space's winged vehicle, Dream Chaser, finally take flight? Unfortunately, it's still not clear. Almost certainly, however, it won't be this year. The Dream Chaser space plane has now been under development for more than two decades, and it has a huge cult following because its winged shape mimics the iconic Space Shuttle. However, during a recent news briefing, a senior NASA official would only say this about a launch date: "We will be ready for them when they're ready to fly."

The comments came from Dana Weigel, who is the program manager for the International Space Station. Sierra Space has a contract with NASA to deliver cargo to the space station, and its first flight is intended to visit the space station. Weigel was asked about Dream Chaser at a news briefing Friday, following the successful launch of the Crew-11 mission.

"They're in final assembly," she said of Sierra Space. "They're doing a lot of tests, and they're doing what I call final certification work. Some of the big key areas that they're focused on is the software certification. You've got to test end-to-end all the different software functions. So that's a big focus area for them. And then they're still working on certification in the prop system." (8/4)

Solar Power Plant Repurposed to Hunt Asteroids at Night (Source: New Atlas)
What if there was a way to get some useful work out of a solar plant when the stars are out? That was the question Sandusky wanted to answer when he began his tests at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The only research plant of its kind in the United States, it consists of a 200-foot-high (61-m) concrete tower flanked by 218 mirrors mounted on heliostats that automatically track the sun and concentrate its rays on the tower target. Those heliostats can do more than track the sun. They can also be programmed to track other objects and that means that Sandusky could make them do something clever.

Sandusky took one of the heliostats and had it track the night sky like a telescope and projected the reflected energy onto optical instruments on the tower. This energy amounted to only a femtowatt of power, but by oscillating the heliostat back and forth over a one-minute cycle, he created conditions suitable for asteroid detection. (8/3)

Scientists Just Recreated the Universe's First Ever Molecules (Source: Live Science)
For the first time, researchers have recreated the universe's first ever molecules by mimicking the conditions of the early universe. Just after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, the universe was subject to extremely high temperatures. A few seconds later, though, temperatures decreased enough for hydrogen and helium to form as the first ever elements. Hundreds of thousands of years after those elements formed, temperatures became cool enough for their atoms to combine with electrons in a variety of different configurations, forging molecules.

According to the researchers, a helium hydride ion — or HeH+ — became the first ever molecule. The ion is needed to form molecular hydrogen, now the most abundant molecule in the universe. Both helium hydride ions and molecular hydrogen were critical to the development of the first stars hundreds of millions of years later, the researchers said. (8/4)

Harvard Scientist Suggests What Looks Like a Comet Might be Alien Technology (Source: Herald Mail)
A trio of researchers led by Avi Loeb, a controversial astrophysicist from Harvard University, are positing a very different theory: What if 3I/ATLAS isn't just some random space rock that arrived in our solar system by happenstance but an intelligently controlled alien spacecraft? Even the authors of the research paper positing the wild idea aren't fully sold on it, but – hey – extraterrestrial visitors are always fun to think about. (8/3)

New AI Approach Could Pin Down Binary Star System Properties Quickly (Source: Space.com)
Binaries are systems of two stars revolving around a mutual center of mass. Their motion is governed by Kepler’s harmonic law, which connects three important quantities: the sizes of each orbit, the time it takes for them to orbit, called the orbital period, and the total mass of the system.

The more massive the star in a binary pair, the closer to the center it is and the slower it revolves about the center. Even with eclipsing binaries, measuring the properties of stars is no easy task. Stars are deformed as they rotate and pull on each other in a binary system. They interact, they irradiate one another, they can have spots and magnetic fields, and they can be tilted this way or that.

To study them, astronomers use complex models that have many knobs and switches. As an input, the models take parameters – for example, a star’s shape and size, its orbital properties, or how much light it emits – to predict how an observer would see such an eclipsing binary system. (8/4)

NASA’s New Radar Just Pulled Off Something Impossible on Earth (Source: SciTech Daily)
During a close Mars flyby, NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft tested its radar system, REASON, for the first time in space. The radar’s flawless performance thrilled scientists, as it successfully bounced signals off the Martian surface—proving it’s ready to scan Europa’s ice shell for signs of a hidden ocean. The 60GB of data gathered not only confirmed the hardware’s reliability but also gave researchers an early opportunity to fine-tune their analytical tools before Clipper reaches Jupiter’s icy moon in 2030. (8/4)

Huntsville and Orlando to Share Work on $9.5 Billion Cruise Missile Production (Source: AL.com)
Lockheed Martin facilities in Alabama and Florida are taking part in a mammoth $9.5 billion contract to increase production of two of the U.S. military’s most capable cruise missiles. The Pentagon last month announced the contract to increase delivery of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). Work will be performed at Troy AL and Orlando FL, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2033. The contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to Poland, Netherlands, Japan, and Finland, according to the Pentagon. (8/4)

The Search for Biosignatures in the Milky Way (Source: Astronomy)
To find gases that might indicate life on exoplanets, researchers are interested in rocky, Earth-sized exoplanets that lie in their host stars’ habitable zones. Though no such planets have yet been detected around Sun-like stars, some have been found orbiting less luminous stars called M dwarfs.

These planets have several observational advantages. They orbit very close to their stars, in some cases completing one round trip in one or two days, allowing for more frequent observations to search for atmospheres. And because their stars are smaller and cooler, any life-indicating gases will absorb a higher fraction of their star’s light and have a better chance of showing up in JWST’s infrared spectra. (8/1)

JWST Reveals Four Distinct CO₂ Types on Saturn’s Moons (Source: Universe Today)
Researchers identified four types of trapped CO₂ on the moons, with CO₂ on Dione and Rhea being supplied from Saturn’s E-ring. Moving outward, the researchers concluded that CO₂ is produced from organics on Phoebe, which then transfers to the dark regions of Iapetus and Hyperion. Finally, the researchers discovered trapped CO₂ within water ice on Iapetus and Hyperion. To complement these intriguing findings, the researchers note how they could extend to the Galilean moons of Jupiter. (7/29)

Burloak and MDA Advance Additive Manufacturing for Space (Source: Space News)
The transition from experimental additive manufacture (AM) parts to full-scale production has required significant investment in process validation. Companies like Burloak Technologies, Canada’s largest metal additive contract manufacturer, work extensively with space companies to prove that printed metal parts can meet the stringent requirements of spaceflight.

As demand for satellite constellations surges, MDA Space is ramping up production to have the capacity to deliver two MDA AURORA satellites per day. This expansion, fueled by major contracts like Telesat Lightspeed and Globalstar’s next-gen LEO constellation, is pushing Burloak to scale its vertically integrated AM and post-processing capabilities to unprecedented levels to remain in-step with its partner. (8/4)

Firefly Aerospace Lifts IPO Range That Would Value Company at More Than $6 Billion (Source: CNBC)
Firefly Aerospace has lifted the share price range for its upcoming initial public offering in a move that would value the space technology company at more than $6 billion. The lunar lander and rocket maker said in a filing Monday that it expects to price shares in its upcoming IPO between $41 and $43 apiece. (8/4)

SpaceX's Cellular Starlink Expands to Support IoT Devices (Source: PC Mag)
SpaceX’s cellular Starlink system isn’t just for phones in cellular dead zones. In New Zealand, the satellite technology now covers IoT devices, starting with equipment to monitor beehives. In December, New Zealand mobile carrier One NZ was the first to start offering cellular Starlink service to consumers, about a month before T-Mobile kicked off its own beta in the US. 

On Tuesday, SpaceX and One NZ notified the US Federal Communications Commission about their plan to use more radio spectrum to increase capacity for satellite connectivity. Specifically, One NZ plans on using the 2500 to 2515MHz and 2620 to 2635MHz radio bands in New Zealand. The carrier had only been tapping the 1780 to 1785MHz and 1875 to 1880MHz spectrum to send and receive data from orbiting Starlink satellites. (7/30)

Space Hurricanes are Real (Source: Space.com)
Behold, the space hurricane. Just like its terrestrial namesake, it spins in vast spirals and has a calm, eye-like center. But instead of clouds and rain, these electromagnetic tempests are made of plasma, charged particles whipped into motion by Earth's magnetic field. Now, a new study reveals that space hurricanes can mimic the effects of a geomagnetic storm, shaking Earth's magnetic field and scrambling GPS signals even when space weather appears calm. (8/4)

August 4, 2025

Europe's Big Three Continue Merger Talks (Source: Space News)
Three European companies are continuing to study a merger of their space businesses, having missed a deadline for a “go/no-go” decision. Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, said at the Paris Air Show in June that he expected to make a decision in July on whether to proceed with a combination of his company’s space business with those of Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. But in an earnings call last week, he said the companies were still studying the proposed combination. The CEOs of Airbus and Thales offered similar views in their own companies’ recent earnings calls, saying they were making progress on how to stand up the joint venture but not disclosing a schedule for doing so. (8/4)

Starlink Mission Launched on Monday (Source: Spaceflight Now)
A Falcon 9 launched a set of Starlink satellites Monday morning. The Falcon 9 lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport, putting 28 satellites into orbit. The launch featured the 450th flight of a reused Falcon booster, with this particular booster making its 21st flight. (8/4)

FBI Relocation Controversy Pushes NASA Out of Senate Spending Bill (Source: Politico)
An appropriations bill for NASA and NOAA was not included in spending packages passed by the Senate Friday. Senators passed one bill covering the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture and a separate bill for funding Congress. Senators had planned to include the Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) bill, which included NASA and NOAA, in that package, but dropped the CJS bill because of opposition from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) about funding for the new FBI headquarters.

The plan for that building to be built in Maryland but the Trump administration now plans to relocate. The Senate has now joined the House in August recess, and will return after Labor Day with limited time to either pass spending bills or a stopgap continuing resolution to fund the government after the 2026 fiscal year begins Oct. 1. (8/4)

LEGO Releases New Lunar Rover (Source: CollectSpace)
A lunar rover developer has partnered with LEGO on a new rover model. The Lunar Outpost Moon Rover Space Vehicle set was released by LEGO last week in cooperation with Lunar Outpost, a company that develops small lunar rovers and has a NASA award to design a larger rover for use by Artemis astronauts. While LEGO has worked with NASA on past sets, this is the first time it has collaborated with a commercial space venture on a model. (8/4)

Support for NASA Returning to the Moon and Going to Mars is Surging (Source: The Hill/0
A recent poll conducted by CBS News provides an encouraging look into public support for the Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon and eventually send humans to Mars. Sixty-seven percent of respondents favor a return to the moon and just 33 percent oppose one. On Mars, sixty-five percent favor sending astronauts to the red planet with 35 percent in opposition. (8/3)

A NASA Satellite That Scientists and Farmers Rely On May Be Destroyed on Purpose (Source: NPR)
It is unclear why the Trump administration seeks to end the missions. The equipment in space is state of the art and is expected to function for many more years, according to scientists who worked on the missions. An official review by NASA in 2023 found that "the data are of exceptionally high quality" and recommended continuing the mission for at least three years.

Both missions, known as the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, measure carbon dioxide and plant growth around the globe. They use identical measurement devices, but one device is attached to a stand-alone satellite while the other is attached to the International Space Station. The standalone satellite would burn up in the atmosphere if NASA pursued plans to terminate the mission. (8/4)

Cosmic Shield Breakthrough Could Extend Life of Space Solar Cells (Source: Space Daily)
A new radiation-resistant coating developed at the University of Surrey could significantly improve the durability of next-generation perovskite solar cells in space. The innovation promises to make satellite solar panels lighter, more efficient, and less costly than traditional alternatives. Engineers have created a protective layer using propane-1,3-diammonium iodide (PDAI2). This thin film shields perovskite solar cells from degradation in the space environment. (8/1)

Cascade Space Raises $5.9 Million (Source: Cascade Space)
Cascade Space, a Y Combinator-backed startup building an end-to-end platform for space communication system design, testing, and operations, has raised $5.9 million in seed funding. Cascade is tackling one of the most overlooked bottlenecks in space: communications infrastructure. Its core offering includes: Cascade Portal, an online platform to design and test RF systems and generate test plans, cutting weeks of iteration into hours; and Cascade Network, a purpose-built ground station network focused on supporting high-demand deep space and lunar missions. (8/1)

Worldship Design Winners Announced (Source: Universe Today)
On July 23, Project Hyperion announced the top three competition winners of their design competition for crewed interstellar travel. With a prize purse of $10,000, competitors were tasked with producing concepts for a Generation Ship (aka. Worldships) using current technologies and those that could be realized in the near future.

Winners were selected from hundreds of ideas submitted by teams worldwide. The winning entries were selected based on how they met all the competition criteria, provided a depth of detail, and integrated the design aspects of architecture, engineering, and social sciences. In short, the top three prizes were awarded to proposals that would allow a society to sustain itself and flourish in a highly resource-constrained environment as they made a centuries-long journey to another habitable planet.

First place went to the Italian 'Chrysalis' team. Their ship design consisted of a modular cylindrical structure that minimizes the front section, thereby reducing the threat of Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) collisions and reducing structural stresses during the acceleration and deceleration phases. Second place went to WFP Extreme of Poland. Third place went to Syztema Stellare Proximum. Click here. (8/3)

Core Systems Joins Lockheed Martin Golden Dome Team (Source: Defense Post)
Core Systems is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to support its bid for the Golden Dome missile project, an ambitious US initiative aimed at countering advanced aerial threats. As part of the partnership, the California-based firm will supply ruggedized rack infrastructure for the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), a core component of the proposed Golden Dome system. (7/31)

Dune Patterns in California Desert Hold Clues That Help Researchers Map Mars’ Shifting Sands (Source: Space.com)
Scientists already know about Earth’s weather patterns, sand grain size and wind data. By measuring different parts of bedforms on both planets – such as their height, shape and spacing – I can compare the similarities and differences of the bedforms to find clues to the wind patterns, grains and atmosphere on Mars.

Developing this database is essential to the proposed human mission to Mars. Dust storms are frequent, and some can encircle the entire planet. Understanding aeolian bedforms will help scientists know where to put bases so they don’t get buried by moving sand. (7/28)

China-Built Satellite Station a ‘Shining’ Example of Support for Namibian Space Program (Source: SCMP)
On the outskirts of the Namibian capital Windhoek, a Chinese-funded and built satellite data receiving ground station symbolizes China’s growing cooperation in Africa’s nascent space industry. The station was described by the Chinese embassy as “a shining example of China-Namibia cooperation” as they celebrated the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations. (8/2)

NASA’s Webb Traces Details of Complex Planetary Nebula (Source: NASA)
Since their discovery in the late 1700s, astronomers have learned that planetary nebulae, or the expanding shell of glowing gas expelled by a low-intermediate mass star late in its life, can come in all shapes and sizes. Most planetary nebula present as circular, elliptical, or bi-polar, but some stray from the norm, as seen in new high-resolution images of planetary nebulae by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

Webb’s newest look at planetary nebula NGC 6072 in the near- and mid-infrared shows what may appear as a very messy scene resembling splattered paint. However, the unusual, asymmetrical appearance hints at more complicated mechanisms underway, as the star central to the scene approaches the very final stages of its life and expels shells of material, losing up to 80 percent of its mass. (7/30)

Skyscraper-Size Spikes of Methane Ice May Surround Pluto's Equator (Source: Live Science)
Skyscraper-size spires of methane ice may cover around 60% of Pluto's equatorial region — a larger area than scientists previously estimated, new research finds. The study was based on data collected by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which captured the first close-up images of the tiny world a decade ago. During that flyby, the spacecraft spotted spires of methane ice, each about 1,000 feet (300 meters) tall — about as tall as the Eiffel Tower. (8/2)

EchoStar Preps $5B Satellite Network for Phones to Do Battle With Cellular Starlink (Source: PC Mag)
Despite facing an FCC investigation, Boost Mobile’s parent company, EchoStar, is gearing up to develop its own satellite system to compete with SpaceX’s cellular Starlink service. On Friday, the company announced it had selected Canadian satellite developer MDA Space as the main contractor to build a low-Earth orbit constellation to power the satellite-to-phone service. Although the initial contract is valued at about $1.3 billion to manufacture over 100 MDA Aurora satellites, EchoStar expects the constellation to expand over time. (8/1)

Strong Support for NASA and Project Artemis Will Advance the U.S. (Source: Scientific American)
During President Trump’s first term in office, he signed Space Policy Directive 1, signaling the administration’s desire to bring American astronauts back to the moon. This directive, and similar ones, later became Project Artemis, the lunar campaign with broader ambition to get the U.S. on Mars. But will we get to the moon, not to mention Mars?

The dizzying back and forth regarding America’s moonshot project suggests a question: Are we committed to Artemis and the broader goal of understanding space? Or to put it another way: Do we want to win this new race to the moon? The current administration owes us an answer. There’s more than just a soft-power victory over China’s taikonauts at stake. This endeavor is about cementing the U.S. as a technological superpower, a center for understanding space and our solar system, and in due course, setting us up to be the first to live and work on the moon. (8/2)

NASA Astrophysicist: ‘If Scientists Can’t Speak the Truth, Society Really Isn’t in a Very Good Place’ (Source: El Pais)
Trump hasn’t just attacked NASA. He has also targeted the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — the world’s largest biomedical research organization — the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as some of the nation’s top universities. Hundreds of layoffs and budget cuts are expected, jeopardizing American dominance in global science.

According to a recent study, these cuts will ultimately lead to a decline in the nation’s wealth similar to that of the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Employees of the aforementioned organizations have also rebelled against these policies, signing open letters. Many of them, however, don’t dare to add their names or speak up publicly.

"[Our country] benefits tremendously from international participants who come to the U.S., get their graduate degrees and then stay on, becoming faculty members at our major universities. The number of [American] Nobel Prize winners who were born outside of the U.S. is very large. But now, [among our] postdoctoral scientists who are very promising, [many] are going back to Europe to pursue their careers because of the uncertainty." (8/3)

Starlink ‘Not Up to Task’ of Delivering Broadband (Source: The Observer)
Starlink aims to offer reliable and high-speed internet in locations traditional broadband struggles to reach, or where laying fibre-optic cable is not financially viable. It is in use in international shipping and in remoter reaches of the Amazon as well as being used extensively by Ukraine near the Russian frontline.

It is now set to get significant US government funding – money initially allocated by Joe Biden’s White House – to help rural communities link to broadband services. But analysis published last month by not-for-profit research institute X-Lab suggests the technology is not up to the task.

Its research suggests that at normal usage levels, the satellite service would become overloaded with as few as six or seven subscribers per square mile, and this would push its speeds well below the US legal minimum for broadband. This has raised broader questions about the viability of the technology. Even rural areas of the US are home on average to more than 20 people per square mile. (8/3)

Sen. Schiff, Colleagues Demand End to Illegal Cuts at NASA, Reassert Congress’ Sole Power to Authorize Science Funding (Source: Sen. Adam Schiff)
U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and other Senators representing space and science innovation hubs across the nation demanded that the Trump administration halt any preemptive and illegal cuts to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science programs, justify impoundments of NASA funding from the past six months, and abide by Congress’ set funding levels for the current and future fiscal years to prevent irrevocable harm to America’s space innovation and scientific workforce.

“We cannot afford to prematurely gut funding for scientific excellence and technological innovation, which NASA has worked for decades to cultivate – especially when doing so would harm American jobs and progress,” the Senators wrote. (8/1)

Joint NASA-ESA Sea Level Mission Will Help Hurricane Forecasts (Source: NASA)
NASA has a long record of monitoring Earth’s sea surface height, information critical not only for tracking how the ocean changes over time but also for hurricane forecasting. These extreme storms can cost the United States billions of dollars each year, wreaking havoc on lives and property. Meteorologists have worked to improve forecasts for a hurricane’s path, or track, as well as its intensity, measured as surface wind speed. Sentinel-6B, the U.S.-European satellite launching later this year, will help in that effort. (8/1)

ispace and Bridgestone Sign Agreement to Develop Tires for Small-to-Medium-Sized Lunar Rovers (Source: ispace)
ispace has entered into an agreement with Bridgestone Corporation, which is  researching development of tires for lunar rovers, to advance the practical application of the tires.

Based on this agreement, ispace will collaborate with Bridgestone to enhance the performance of its small and medium-sized lunar rovers by equipping them with Bridgestone’s tires. ispace is currently developing prototypes of the rovers, featuring lunar surface exploration capabilities including high-resolution video and data-capture functions, as well as a design that prioritizes functionality, despite their compact size, for use in lunar water resource utilization. (7/31)

Scientists Just Launched the First Quantum Computer Into Space (Source: Futurism)
A tiny quantum computer housed in a satellite is now in orbit around Earth, residing some 330 miles above our planet after being launched aboard a SpaceX rocket last month. It's a trailblazing experiment intended to test how well these delicate devices can survive the extreme conditions of space, where they could allow satellites to quickly and efficiently perform intense calculations on their own. (8/1)