January 28, 2025

BlackSky Prepares for Milestone February Launch with New Gen-3 Satellite (Source: Space Daily)
BlackSky Technology has shipped its first Gen-3 satellite to Rocket Lab for an anticipated February launch. The satellite is scheduled to lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. This next-generation addition to BlackSky's constellation is designed to deliver advanced capabilities, including high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enhanced analytics at unprecedented speed and scale. (1/24)

Space Force Zeroed Out Funding for In-Space Mobility in FY26 Budget Request (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Space Force this year decided against including any new money in its initial fiscal 2026 budget request for in-space servicing mobility and logistics, according to two former senior government officials who had been involved in the process, despite strong support for such an investment from lawmakers and officials then serving in the Biden administration. Both the National Space Council and the Office of Management and Budget had been pushing the service to reinstate some funds for those efforts as the Biden administration wound down, according to those sources, but the Space Force declined to do so. (1/27)

Eutelsat and NIGCOMSAT Forge Partnership to Expand Satellite Services in Nigeria (Source: Space Daily)
Eutelsat and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have announced a major multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership aimed at introducing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services in Nigeria. This pivotal agreement designates NIGCOMSAT as the primary satellite service provider in Nigeria, leveraging the OneWeb LEO satellite network to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity. The collaboration will support diverse sectors, including government operations, enterprises, and underserved rural communities, facilitating critical applications such as remote communications, mobile connectivity, and offshore activities. (1/24)

NASA's Artemis II Rocket Booster Stacking Process Reaches New Milestone (Source: Space Daily)
Assembly of the Artemis II moon rocket has reached its latest milestone with the stacking of the twin boosters' right forward center segment, NASA announced. The most recent addition is the sixth of the 10 motor segments in the Artemis II Space Launch System rocket to be integrated onto mobile launcher 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, according to an update from the space agency's Exploration Ground Systems Program.

Next to be installed will be the left center segment, which is adorned with the NASA "worm" insignia, they said. Both assemblies were transported to the VAB from the spaceport's Booster Fabrication Facility on Jan. 14. The forward assemblies will be the last segments needed to complete the booster configuration, with assembly of the core stage to follow. The 177-foot-tall twin solid rocket boosters provide more than 75% of the total SLS thrust during liftoff, the agency says. (1/24)

UK Government Invests in Orbex (Source: Gov.UK)
The UK Government has invested £20 million and become a shareholder in spaceflight company Orbex. UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced the investment, which comes as the UK government vows to develop Britain’s mission to regularly launch into orbit from its shores using UK-manufactured rockets. Initial launch operations will take place from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. (1/29)

With Successful New Glenn Flight, Blue Origin May Finally be Turning the Corner (Source: Ars Technica)
If one were to observe that I have written critically about Blue Origin over the last half-decade, they would not be wrong. The reality is that the space company founded by Jeff Bezos has underperformed. Its chief executive for most of this time, Bob Smith, was poorly regarded by his employees. He brought the worst of "old space" tendencies to Blue Origin from Honeywell. And under Smith's leadership, Blue was litigious, slow, and unproductive.

Frankly, it was a bad look for Bezos. He was pumping something on the order of $2 billion a year into Blue Origin for what, exactly? Lawsuits against NASA? Jokes about BE-4 rocket engine delays? Finally, about 18 months ago, Bezos moved on from Bob Smith. He installed a long-time lieutenant from Amazon, Dave Limp, to get Blue Origin moving forward. Although there were concerns about Limp's background, which included little aerospace experience, it now seems clear that he has taken a strong hand at Blue since he took over the reins in December 2023.

In the time I have spent with him, Limp seems energetic, enthused, and committed to turning the ship around at Blue Origin. He has made it clear that the mandate he received from Bezos is to execute on the company's programs—and to do so with urgency. This competition will play out over the coming years as Blue Origin seeks to ramp up its launch cadence. Blue Origin has not disclosed its internal costs to produce New Glenn, but with seven main engines on the booster stage, it's likely not cheap. From talking to Bezos and Limp, it's clear they want to drive down those costs. Click here. (1/27)

Sidus Space Receives FCC Approval for Direct-to-Device Transmit and Receive Capability for LizzieSat (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced the FCC's approval of integration of a direct-to-device module for the Sidus Space LizzieSat constellation. Obtaining this FCC license marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to enhance global connectivity and space data transfer and expands the operational capabilities of its LizzieSat fleet. By incorporating this advanced technology, Sidus Space is set to provide rapid-delivery data services across remote locations. (1/28)

US Space Force Breaks Ground on Space Campus at Al Udeid Air Base (Source: Space Daily)
In a pivotal development for the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Forces - Central officially commenced construction on the Space Campus at Al Udeid Air Base on January 14. The groundbreaking ceremony, which involved key personnel and stakeholders, marked the start of a transformative phase in space capabilities for the region.

The Space Campus is a key project aimed at strengthening the base's space operations and supporting its growing role in space activities. The new facility will provide an advanced workspace for personnel to collaborate and push the mission forward, addressing the increasing demands of space-related functions. (1/26)

Estonia to Host Europe's Premier Space Cybersecurity Hub (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with the Estonian Space Office to establish a state-of-the-art space cyber range designed to bolster the security and accessibility of Europe's space technologies. Following an industry-wide call for proposals last year, a contract has been awarded to a consortium led by Spaceit to spearhead the development of this cutting-edge facility.

The space cyber range will provide a controlled and cost-efficient platform for space companies to test, validate, and enhance secure satellite technologies. It will also facilitate cyber training and exercises. This environment, akin to a highly advanced simulator, allows companies to create digital replicas of their satellites and systems. These replicas enable the identification of vulnerabilities and the simulation of responses to cyber threats before deploying hardware into orbit. (1/27)

Researchers Create AI Tool for Realistic Satellite Images of Climate Impacts (Source: Space Daily)
Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) have unveiled a major advancement in using artificial intelligence to generate realistic satellite images depicting the impacts of climate change. This innovation holds promise for better communicating the consequences of environmental shifts, such as flooding and reforestation, to policymakers and the public.

The project, spearheaded by Natalia Diaz of the Andalusian Inter-University Institute for Data Science and Computational Intelligence (DaSCI), involved collaboration with experts from institutions in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, including MIT. The team demonstrated how deep generative vision models could synthesize satellite images that depict future climate-related events with striking realism. (1/22)

General Atomics Tests Advanced Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Fuel at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Source: Space Daily)
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced a major step forward in nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) technology with successful testing of its reactor fuel at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). This progress supports the development of rapid and flexible cislunar transportation and deep space missions, including human exploration of Mars. The collaborative effort with NASA aims to validate GA-EMS's unique nuclear fuel design under conditions expected in space. (1/21)

Top Beijing Official Urges Musk to Deepen Ties with China (Source: Space Daily)
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with tech tycoon Elon Musk and urged US firms to "seize the opportunity" to deepen economic ties with China, Beijing's state media said Monday. Han -- who is set to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump later on Monday -- met with Musk and other American business representatives on Sunday, Xinhua said.

The world's richest person, Tesla and SpaceX CEO and majority owner of X has become one of Trump's closest allies, sharing his hard-right politics and putting millions of dollars into supporting his presidential campaign. Musk also enjoys a cult following in China, a major market for Tesla, where the company has one of its so-called gigafactories and is trying to compete with fast-growing home-grown manufacturers. (1/20)

Trump Orders Development of American 'Iron Dome' for Missile Defense (Source: Space News)
President Trump has ordered the development of a missile defense system for the United States that would include space-based interceptors. Trump signed an executive order Monday for the development of "Iron Dome for America," which invokes Israel's successful rocket defense system. It directs the Pentagon to accelerate development of defenses against hypersonic weapons and other advanced aerial threats. Unlike traditional ground- or sea-based missile defense systems, the envisioned architecture leans on space-based solutions, which have long been controversial. The Pentagon must submit within 60 days a proposed architecture for the system, including efforts to accelerate ongoing missile-tracking satellite programs. (1/28)

Raytheon Teams with Array Labs and Umbra to Develop Earth Observing Tech (Source: Space News)
Defense contractor Raytheon is partnering with satellite imaging startups Array Labs and Umbra Space to develop 3-D Earth observation technologies. The companies announced Monday that they will jointly offer a new product called Site3D, combining synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology with specialized mapping algorithms to create detailed 3-D models of the Earth's surface. Umbra currently operates a fleet of SAR satellites while Array Labs is working on clusters of small radar satellites designed to work in formation to capture multiple angles of the same location simultaneously. The partnership leverages Raytheon's experience in imagery processing. (1/28)

Chinese Launch Startup Raises Millions for Reusable Launcher (Source: Space News)
A Chinese launch startup has raised a seed round of funding to develop a reusable launcher. Nayuta Space secured "tens of millions of yuan," or several million dollars, in pre-A round funding last week. Nayuta Space is developing a series of stainless steel rockets named Black Bird, referring to a creature from Chinese mythology rather than the common blackbird. The company aims, eventually, to achieve reusability of both stages, including a Starship chopstick-style catch of the first stage, called an "eagle grab." (1/28)

Firefly Plans Alpha Launches From Virginia and Sweden in 2026 (Source: Space News)
Firefly Aerospace says it remains on track to launch its Alpha rocket from Virginia and Sweden as soon as next year. At a spaceport conference Monday, a Firefly executive said the company expected to conduct the first Alpha launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, in early 2026, with the first launch from Esrange Space Center in Sweden in late 2026 or early 2027. The company, which has launched Alpha to date only from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, says it is diversifying its launch sites to avoid traffic jams at Vandenberg and in Florida. The company is planning five Alpha launches in 2025, all from Vandenberg. (1/28)

GITAI Develops 16U Cubesat (Source: Space News)
Space technology company GITAI has developed its first satellite. The company, best known for work on space robotics, launched a 16U cubesat on a SpaceX rideshare mission in December. That 20-kilogram spacecraft completed all its goals, including capturing and transmitting image and video data. GITAI has plans for spacecraft as large as 500 kilograms that would be equipped with robotic arms for a rendezvous and docking demonstration. The company wants to differentiate itself from other satellite manufacturers through greater vertical integration. (1/28)

Commercial Weather Startups Forecast Increased Funding Under Trump (Source: Space News)
Companies see new opportunities for commercial weather data in the Trump administration. Operators for satellites providing weather data to NOAA expect the second Trump administration to reshape the market for their data and push tens of millions of dollars in new money toward their businesses. NOAA's spending on commercial weather data has grown from $5 million in 2017 to $27.5 million in 2024, but companies and other advocates for commercial weather data note it is only about 1.5% of the budget of NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, which focuses on traditional weather satellites. (1/28)

SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: SpaceFlight Now)
SpaceX launched a set of Starlink satellites Monday. A Falcon 9 lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport and placed 23 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch was the 12th this month by SpaceX, with two more launches on the manifest through the end of the month. (1/28)

Sen Unveils 4K Livestream of Earth and Space Station Docking Port (Source: Space News)
UK-based Sen has started a high-definition livestream of the Earth as seen from the International Space Station. The London-based company formally started a 4K livestream from the ISS Monday after several months of tests, using a camera mounted on the Bartolomeo platform outside the Columbus module. Sen plans to make money through advertising, sponsorships and subscriptions. (1/28)

SpaceX Fights Affirmative Action Policy in South Africa (Source: TechCentral)
SpaceX is seeking changes to South African policies before offering Starlink services there. The company informed South African regulators that it opposed rules that require "historically disadvantaged" groups to hold a 30% stake in the local venture managing the service. The company said such policies run afoul of "global policies" against local shareholding. SpaceX is scheduled to participate in hearings next month about its license application to operate in the country. (1/28)

Israeli Female Astronaut to Fly to Space with NASA (Source: JNS)
An Israeli government minister says that NASA has agreed to fly the country's first female astronaut. Speaking at the Ilan Ramon International Space Conference on Monday, Gila Gamliel, Israel's science and technology minister, said that she "received a confirmation from NASA to send the first Israeli woman astronaut into space" and that the government was starting the process to select that astronaut. She did not disclose when and how that astronaut would fly, and NASA has not commented on the report. (1/28)

A Tumultuous Start to a New Administration at NASA (Source: Space Review)
Many people expected the Trump Administration to shake up NASA. Jeff Foust reports that while the space agency saw changes in the first week of the new administration, those had little to do with space policy. Click here. (1/27)
 
The Satellite Eavesdropping Stations of Russia’s Intelligence Services (Source: Space Review)
In the second part of his examination of Russian eavesdropping stations, Bart Hendrickx reviews antennas at those sites and potential satellite targets of those stations. Click here. (1/27)
 
Titan’s Spinners: the FARRAH Satellites (Source: Space Review)
Through the Cold War, the US launched a series of signals intelligence satellites, initially as hitchhikers on other launches.  Dwayne Day links the later history of that program with an unusual object found at a California airport. Click here. (1/27)
 
Phasing Out the SLS and Orion Programs and Embracing Starship (Source: Space Review)
The new Trump Administration is reportedly considering major changes to NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration effort. Gerald Black argues one such change is to replace the Space Launch System and Orion with a version of Starship. Click here. (1/27)

Zenno Expands Superconducting Space Technologies in Japan (Source: Space Daily)
New Zealand-based Zenno Astronautics (Zenno) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ANA Trading to introduce Zenno's superconducting space technologies to the Japanese market. ANA Trading, a division of Japan's premier airline conglomerate ANA Group, is leveraging its aerospace expertise under the group's strategic initiative, "Next Stop, Space," to explore space-focused opportunities. As part of this collaboration, ANA Trading will facilitate the adoption of Zenno's Z01 superconducting magnetic torquers, which are designed for precise satellite positioning, across Japan's growing space sector. (1/24)

Satellite Technology Paves Way for Space Traffic Management (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency's Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Test Facilities at the ESTEC technical centre in the Netherlands have been pivotal in supporting Lithuanian company Blackswan Space in testing their autonomous satellite navigation technology. The collaboration focused on the use of the GRALS (Guidance, Navigation, and Control Rendezvous, Approach, and Landing Simulator), which is designed to simulate real-world space conditions.

Blackswan's Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) system, powered by AI, enables satellites to autonomously identify, approach, or avoid objects in space. This system functions similarly to self-driving cars on Earth, significantly enhancing space traffic management and satellite servicing capabilities. (1/26)