March 12, 2025

SpaceX Launches SPHEREx and PUNCH for NASA at California Spaceport (Source: Space News)
A Falcon 9 launched two NASA science missions Tuesday night. The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 11:10 p.m. Eastern and placed the SPHEREx infrared space telescope and the four PUNCH smallsats into sun-synchronous orbit. SPHEREx will perform all-sky infrared spectroscopy. Its areas of scientific interest range from studying the early universe to mapping water in the Milky Way.

The PUNCH smallsats will make 3-D maps of the solar corona as it transitions into the solar wind to see how it can affect space weather. The mission was delayed by nearly two weeks because of a variety of issues, primarily with the Falcon 9. The launch was the first for the rocket since a Starlink mission more than a week ago where a booster was lost in a fire after landing. (3/12)

China Launches Megaconstellation Satellites (Source: Space News)
China launched a set of megaconstellation satellites Tuesday. A Long March 8 rocket lifted off at 12:38 p.m. Eastern from the Hainan Commercial Launch Site near Wenchang on the island of Hainan, placing 18 of the Qianfan or "Thousand Sails" satellites into orbit for Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, also known as Spacesail. The launch was the first for Spacesail using the Long March 8. All four previous Thousand Sails missions, totaling 72 satellites, used the Long March 6A rocket. The Long March 8 launch was the inaugural use of the spaceport's launch pad 1, a facility designed specifically for the rocket. (3/12)

Supply Chain Issues Affect Satellite and Launch Business (Source: Space News)
Difficulties acquiring propulsion systems, radiation-hardened components and laser communications systems continue to vex satellite manufacturers. Space companies this week said that they have had to maintain a stockpile of components to mitigate supply chain issues, which requires capital and introduces the risk of acquiring components that won't be used after satellite design changes. Supply chain bottlenecks affect the launch market because companies cannot commit to flying on low-cost SpaceX rideshares unless they are confident their satellites will be completed in time. (3/12)

Momentus Partners with Solstar to Provide Comm Links for Space Tug Customers (Source: Space News)
Momentus announced an agreement Tuesday to provide Vigoride space tug customers with on-demand connectivity through a partnership with Solstar Space. Momentus plans to perform the first on-orbit demonstration in early 2026 of Solstar's Deke Space Communicator, a narrowband data-relay transceiver designed to offer persistent communication links between satellites and payload operators on the ground as well as between spacecraft. DARPA is the anchor customer for the Vigoride flight scheduled to launch in February 2026. (3/12)

Poland Fires Space Agency Chief After Falcon 9 Debris Response (Source: European Spaceflight)
Poland has fired the head of the country's space agency. Grzegorz Wrochna was dismissed as head of the agency, POLSA, after the government concluded he botched the response to Falcon 9 debris that fell in the country last month. While POLSA claimed to have informed other government agencies about the potential reentry, those agencies said they did not receive adequate notice, which resulted in several pieces of debris reaching the ground in western Poland, but without causing damage or injury. POLSA also suffered a cyberattack in early March that caused its computer systems to go offline for several days. (3/12)

More Saturn Moons Discovered (Source: New York Times)
Astronomers have discovered more than 100 moons orbiting Saturn. Astronomers used a telescope in Hawaii to monitor the space around Saturn, finding 128 moons not previously known to orbit the planet. Most are very small objects no more than a few kilometers across. With this discovery, Saturn has 274 known moons, far ahead of Jupiter with 95 moons. (3/12)

Rocket Lab Acquiring Germany's Mynaric (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab is buying German optical communications terminal supplier Mynaric after that company went into restructuring. Rocket Lab said it will buy a majority stake in Mynaric for $75 million in either cash or stock, with an additional $75 million tied to revenue targets. The deal is contingent on Mynaric, which entered restructuring last month following production delays and supply chain issues, completing that restructuring process.

The agreement would give Rocket Lab a foothold in Europe to chase growth opportunities in the region while further vertically integrating the company. Mynaric is already a supplier to Rocket Lab, providing optical terminals for the satellites Rocket Lab is building for the Space Development Agency. (3/12)

Boeing Remains Committed to Space (Source: Space News)
A Boeing executive said the company remains committed to its space business. Michelle Parker, Boeing Space Mission Systems' vice president, said in an interview that "satellite and associated ground work" remained core to the company. Boeing is reportedly considering shedding some of its business lines outside of commercial aviation and defense, but Parker said there was strong demand for Boeing Space Mission Systems' products including commercial and government satellites and the X-37B military spaceplane. (3/12)

Space Force Considers Commercial Orbital Monitoring (Source: Space News)
The Space Force will consider commercial alternatives to military satellites used to monitor geostationary orbit. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, the acting acquisition executive for the Space Force, said Tuesday he has directed program offices to assess how commercially developed satellites and sensors could either replace or augment the military's existing fleet of Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program satellites.

Those satellites, built by Northrop Grumman, operate near GEO where they conduct rendezvous and proximity operations to inspect and monitor satellites. Purdy said there is now an opportunity to see if commercial space firms, buoyed by private investment, can deliver viable alternatives, and the Space Force will analyze the potential trade-offs. (3/12)

Bridenstine Urges Quick Confirmation for Isaacman (Source: Space News)
Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is urging the Senate to quickly confirm Jared Isaacman to lead the agency. Bridenstine, speaking at the Satellite 2025 conference Tuesday, said Isaacman has "all the tools to be what could be the most consequential NASA administrator" in the agency's history, focusing on how to make greater use of commercial capabilities. The Senate Commerce Committee has yet to schedule a confirmation hearing for Isaacman. (3/12)

Viasat and Space42 Consider Shared Spectrum Use (Source: Space News)
Viasat and Space42 are exploring shared multi-orbit infrastructure to enhance and expand their direct-to-device connectivity services worldwide. The companies announced an agreement Tuesday to collaborate on satellites that would pool their L- and S-band spectrum, enabling global roaming among regional mobile network operators for subscribers outside cellular coverage. Karim Sabbagh, CEO of Space42, said the companies are co-funding initial prototyping of future satellites and will decide in the next three months whether they will develop their own satellites or outside the work to a prime contractor. (3/12)

Sidus Space and Japan's Warpspace Plan Joint Venture to Develop Advanced Optical Space Communication (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan's Warpspace to pursue a Joint Venture focused on delivering integrated solutions for next-generation satellite communications and mission operations. “This alliance marks a significant milestone for Sidus Space as we work alongside Warpspace to advance space innovation in technology, AI and optical communication systems,” said Carol Craig. (3/12)

52-Foot-High 'Megaripples' From Asteroid That Killed the Dinosaurs Mapped Deep Beneath Louisiana in 3D (Source: Live Science)
"Megaripples" in the seafloor that were created in the aftermath of the dinosaur-killing asteroid impact extend much farther than scientists originally thought, new research shows. The findings offer a new insight into the extreme forces unleashed by the tsunami that followed the Chicxulub asteroid impact at the end of the Cretaceous period 66 million years ago. (3/10)

Lockheed-Boeing Venture That’s SpaceX Rival Ranked Subpar by Air Force (Source: Bloomberg)
The Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture that competes with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch the most sensitive US national security satellites had subpar performance meeting its goals last year, according to the Air Force’s latest assessment of its best and worst-performing programs. United Launch Alliance ranked among the worst. It “has performed unsatisfactorily” on its National Security Space Launch obligations, according to the Annual Report on the Highest and Lowest Performing Acquisition Programs mandated by Congress. (3/11)

Private Mini Rover Aboard Sideways Athena Moon Lander Was Ready to Roll — But it Couldn't Get Out (Source: Space.com)
Intuitive Machines' Athena mission is already over, but silver linings have emerged from the short-lived lunar south pole landing effort. Athena beamed back images from the surface of the moon despite landing sideways on March 6.

This unhelpful orientation meant, however, that the lander could not generate power due to the position of its solar arrays and saw the mission end just a day after touchdown. Further updates have revealed that another private spacecraft aboard the lander, the tiny Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover, was able to return useful data before the lack of power ended the mission. (3/11)

NOAA Set to Fire 1029 More Personnel (Source: MyFox8)
Staffing levels at the nation’s already hobbled weather, climate and oceans agency could take a further nosedive in the days ahead. NOAA will cut 1,029 more staffers as part of its Trump-mandated reduction in force, said JoAnn Becker, national president of the union that represents national weather service employees. They come after hundreds of other employees were recently fired. The total cuts could be about 15 percent of its staff. (3/11)

Space Perspective's Co-Founder Files for New Business Entity Amid Eviction Proceedings (Source: Orlando Business Journal)
Space Perspective's co-founder has quietly launched a new company in St. Petersburg, even as the space tourism startup grapples with financial troubles. The move comes less than two months after Space Perspective, a space tourism company, furloughed employees and was evicted from its headquarters at Space Coast Regional Airport.

Poynter filed the paperwork for MetaTech Space LLC with the Florida Division of Corporations on Feb. 7, with an address listed  in St. Petersburg. Poynter and Space Perspective co-founder Taber MacCallum have said they both founded MetaTech LLC in Arizona in 2019. New Space Perspective CEO Michael Savage told the court the company was clearing out all remaining items at its airport location with a goal of having the majority of equipment moved by the middle of March.

Savage also said he remains in “close communication to expedite the involvement of liquidators and leaseholders to ensure the remaining relocation process moves forward smoothly.” Space Perspective, founded in 2019, had planned to fly passengers to the edge of space in a luxury lounge carried by an hot air balloon. (3/10)

Tennessee Governor Leads Coalition Urging Swift Confirmation of NASA Administrator (Source: Gov. Bill Lee)
Today Gov. Bill Lee led a coalition of governors in expressing strong support for the swift confirmation of Jared Isaacman as the next Administrator of NASA. Securing America’s competitive edge in space depends on strong, decisive leadership, and Isaacman will bring the vision and expertise needed. Under Gov. Lee’s leadership, governors from the following states signed the letter: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. (3/10)

Race On To Get ‘Pierogi Astronaut’ Voting Rights So He Can Cast Ballot From Space (Source: TVP)
Officials are wracking their brains about how a Polish astronaut could legally cast his vote in a presidential election that will be held when the spaceman is due to be orbiting Earth. Between May and June, astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski will take part in the IGNIS mission, Poland’s first technological and scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS). (3/10)

Swiss Parliament Prohibits Sale of the Company "Beyond Gravity" (Source: Blue News)
On Monday, Switzerland's Council of States voted 28 to 15 in favor of a motion by the National Council's Security Policy Committee, which the upper chamber had adopted in September. The motion will now be passed on to the Federal Council for implementation.

A majority of the National Council and the Council of States are of the opinion that the sale of this company would be a strategic mistake. The Confederation would be divesting itself of the fourth-largest player in the European space industry, thereby relinquishing a lever of industrial influence in connection with security, they said. (3/10)

What’s Behind the Recent String of Failures and Delays at SpaceX? (Source: Ars Technica)
For all of the problems of late, the company's only operational payload loss was its own Starlink satellites in July 2024 due to a second stage issue. Before that, SpaceX had not lost a payload with the Falcon 9 in nearly a decade. So SpaceX has been delivering for its customers in a big way.

SpaceX has achieved a launch cadence with the Falcon 9 rocket that's unmatched by any previous rocket—or even nation—in history. In the United States, SpaceX's historic launch competitor, ULA, has yet to fly a single rocket this year. In fact, the company has not launched in 156 days. During that time, SpaceX has launched 64 Falcon 9 rockets. So yes, SpaceX has had some technical issues. But it is also flying circles around its competition.

Probably the most significant factor is the company's ever-present pressure to accelerate, even while taking on more and more challenging tasks. The company has been attempting to move its talented engineering team off the Falcon 9 and Dragon programs and onto Starship to keep that ambitious program moving forward. To put it succinctly, SpaceX is balancing a lot of spinning plates, and the company's leadership is telling its employees to spin the plates faster and faster. (3/10)

India to Get Two New Launch Pads in Two States (Source: India Today)
The Indian Space Research Organization is set to expand its capabilities with two new launchpads, as confirmed by Chairman V. Narayanan. One will be constructed at Sriharikota and the other at Kulasekarapattinam. These facilities are expected to be operational within two years, supporting ISRO's growing launch profile and enhancing India's space exploration capabilities. (3/11)

Some Trump Cuts Undermine the Space Industry He Often Touts (Source: Courtney Stadd)
When top employees at an office that handles commercial spaceflights lost their jobs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last month, some experts were surprised. President Donald Trump had bolstered that very office during his first term as part of his administration’s focus on space.

While Trump is known for creating the U.S. Space Force during his first term, he boosted other space efforts in NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce. In 2018, he tasked the office with developing a tracking system for satellites in space to help avoid crashes, boosting its resources just as the number of U.S. satellite launches began to climb. The office also began working on reforming regulations for commercial spacecraft. But the administration’s latest cuts to the office could undercut those priorities, experts say. (3/9)

Relativity Space Begins Flight Production of 3D-Printed Terran R Rocket (Source: MyNews13)
Relativity Space has started the flight production of its new medium-to-heavy lift, reusable, 3D-printed Terran R rocket. In March 2023, the company launched Terran 1 on its inaugural flight to test the structural capabilities of a 3D-printed rocket. Although the mission failed to reach orbit due to a second-stage engine issue, Relativity Space deemed the flight a success, demonstrating that the rocket’s 3D-printed materials could withstand the intense atmospheric pressures during launch.

One month after the Terran 1 launch, Relativity Space announced a change in direction, focusing on the design, development, and production of the new Terran R launch vehicle. The Terran R stands 284 feet (86.6 meters) tall with a 17.7-foot diameter payload fairing. Its design serves both commercial and government customers by delivering payloads to LEO, medium-Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO). The rocket’s first stage will be fully reusable, with planned landings on a drone ship positioned downrange from the launch site.

Construction is underway at Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, which includes laying new foundations, installing piles, and pouring concrete for the Terran R launch pad and supporting facilities. The rocket will make its inaugural flight in 2026. (3/10)

NASA Begins Major Workforce Reduction (Source: NASA Watch)
"We are actively working with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to develop a thoughtful approach that aligns with both administration priorities and our mission needs. While this will mean making difficult adjustments, we’re viewing this as an opportunity to reshape our workforce, ensuring we are doing what is statutorily required of us, while also providing American citizens with an efficient and effective agency.

In coordination with OPM, and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, we began implementing a phased reduction in force, or RIF, today. These actions are occurring in advance of the agency’s RIF and reorganization plan as part of the broader governmentwide restructuring effort. We will close NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch in the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, along with reducing their workforce.

Our colleagues impacted by these changes have been valued members of our team. Their hard work has helped shape our successes in recent years, and we are deeply grateful for all they have contributed." (3/10)

Planetary Defense May Get a Boost from Jared Isaacman (Source: Space News)
The person likely to be NASA’s next administrator appears receptive to boosting planetary defense. “There is a lot of taxpayer-funded science that should be reviewed & potentially reduced, but planetary defense against NEO threats seems disproportionately underfunded relative to the likelihood and magnitude of the associated risks & consequences,” Jared Isaacman wrote on social media Feb. 14, near the peak of interest in 2024 YR4.

This was one of the few policy statements he has made publicly since being nominated, suggesting he would be open to increasing spending on planetary defense. (He didn’t explain what other “taxpayer-funded science” should be cut, though, which has alarmed other scientists.)

The challenge is corralling that interest into a coherent program, particularly in an era where norms are being challenged and lines of communication short-circuited. For example, at the height of the mania about 2024 YR4, some in the space industry went public with calls for NASA to start developing a mission to deflect the asteroid even though the impact risk remained small. (3/11)

Something Mysterious Swept Over Our Entire Solar System, Scientists Say (Source: Futurism)
A giant wave of undulating gas and dust appears, per new research, to have engulfed our Solar System millions of years ago. strophysicists have discovered that the Radcliffe wave — a 9,000 light-year-long structure full of stars and the gas and dust needed to form new ones — seems to have swept over our entire Solar System around 14 million years ago. Previous research into this fantastic galactic wave suggested that Earth passed through it some 13 million years ago, plunging our planet into "a festival of supernovae." (3/9)

L3Harris to Enhance Jamming for Space Systems Command (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract from the US Space Systems Command to enhance the Counter Communications System Meadowlands, which is designed to temporarily disrupt enemy satellite communications through electronic warfare jamming. The upgrades will include new capabilities, hardware enhancements and the addition of S- and X-bands to the Large Multiband Antenna. (3/11)

NGA Director Outlines Plan to Enhance AI Capabilities (Source: Defense News)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth has announced plans to accelerate artificial intelligence efforts by creating leadership roles and improving computing infrastructure to better process data from satellites and radars. "We need to ensure that as we get additional models and we run inference on those models that we have the compute needed to do that," Whitworth said. "We need to ensure that as we get additional models and we run inference on those models that we have the compute needed to do that." (3/10)

Top Performers Among Those Fired at DoD in First Round of Layoffs (Source: FNN)
“They are just indiscriminately firing people. There are no rules to the game,” a civilian employee who was laid off last week told Federal News Network. "Those who we need, who are the best and brightest, are going to stay," said SecDef Pete Hegseth to the DoD workforce. "Those who are under performers won’t. We’ll continue to shoot straight with you. We’ve got your back.”

After the first round of Defense Department firings last week, the details of who was laid off — and why — are starting to emerge. “They are just indiscriminately firing people. There are no rules to the game,” said one of the fired probationary workers at the Defense Missile Agency. (3/10)

GSA Offers Voluntary Early Retirements Amid Widespread Layoffs (Source: FNN)
The General Services Administration is offering early retirement to eligible employees, and is seeking approval to offer lump-sum payments as part of the deal. Several agencies are making similar offers to their employees, as the Trump administration pursues widespread cuts to the federal workforce. The agency has already laid off hundreds of employees since last week, as part of an ongoing Reduction in Force (RIF). (3/10)

GSA Could Assume Contracting/Procurement Responsibility for Other Shrinking Agencies [Including NASA?] (Source: FNN)
The General Services Administration is exploring a possible takeover of contracting functions of other federal agencies, as part of a reorganization of its procurement shop. GSA told employees that the Federal Acquisition Service is “looking at the possibility of standing up a new organization to take on civilian agency contracting work.” (3/11)