April 7, 2025

Space Has a Communications Problem (Source: Space News)
It is rather puzzling that space has such a problem communicating its value to the world. In fact it is ironic, given space is the only reason that you, reader, can share last year’s memes with your friends halfway round the planet. We encountered our most recent example of this last month, when the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the Space Development Agency (SDA) had yet to prove its on-orbit laser communications system was up to scratch. The GAO complained in its report that the SDA had said next to nothing of its progress and failed over and again to explain why it was taking so long. Unsurprisingly, the GAO lost confidence.

But this problem is not the preserve of governments and agencies. It is far more common in the private sector, where founders, however brilliant, are quite often unable to get that brilliance across. In point of fact, when founders talk about their work, it is more often than not woefully unclear what exactly is being built, why we should care and who on Earth it is for. They are fluent in engineer or physicist, but their human is — well, rusty. (4/7)

Musk vs Navarro Tariff Food Fight (Source: NASA Watch)
Trumpworld's internal tariff spat touches NASA rather directly. First there is “Musk lashes out at architect of Trump’s tariffs" – then there’s “Musk 'doesn’t understand' trade cheating, Navarro says“. Peter Navarro’s frequent co-author Greg Autry has been nominated to become the next NASA CFO and (former) SpaceX guy Michael Altenhofen is a senior advisor to NASA where two time SpaceX customer Jared Isaacman will soon work. Hopefully NASA can put up a firewall against this internecine bickering. (4/6)

NOAA’s GOES-19 Satellite Now Operational (Source: NOAA)
NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite, the latest and final satellite in NOAA’s GOES-R Series, officially began operations as GOES East today. This milestone comes after its June 25, 2024 launch, and subsequent post-launch testing of its instruments, systems and data. GOES-19 replaces GOES-16 as GOES East, positioned 22,236 miles above the equator at 75.2 degrees west longitude. GOES-16 will now become a backup for NOAA’s operational geostationary constellation, maintaining its operational readiness for future use, if needed. (4/7)

LeoLabs to Deploy Expeditionary Scout Radar to Indo-Pacific This Year (Source: Defense News)
Space intelligence firm LeoLabs announced its next-generation mobile radar, Scout (designed to provide flexible coverage of on-orbit activity from various locations around the world) will be deployed to the Indo-Pacific later this year. The company is in conversations with several potential customers about further ramping up production in the coming years. (4/7)

Space Force Eyes Late May Launch of Next GPS III Satellite (Source: Defense News)
The Space Force plans to launch the next GPS III satellite in late May as part of a rapid launch mission to demonstrate the ability to prepare and launch a satellite on truncated timelines. The upcoming mission will incorporate lessons learned from the Space Force’s first Rapid Response Trailblazer effort in December 2024. For that mission, launched by a SpaceX Flacon 9 rocket, the service quickly planned and launched a GPS III satellite in months — a process that typically takes as long as two years. (4/7)

Aetherflux Raises $50 Million for Space-Based Solar Power (Source: Space News)
A startup pursuing space-based solar power has raised $50 million. Aetherflux announced the Series A round last week led by Index Ventures and Interlagos. Several other funds and individuals also participated. Aetherflux announced plans last year to pursue an alternative approach to space-based solar power, involving a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit that use lasers to transmit power to the ground. The company said the funding will support work on a demonstration mission in 2026, adding that it has received interest from the Defense Department in its concept. (4/7)

Astra Raises $80 Million for Larger Rocket (Source: Core Memory)
Astra has reportedly raised $80 million since going private last year. Company CEO Chris Kemp said the company raised the money from undisclosed investors to buy out shareholders and cover legal and other expenses, as well as refinance the company. Astra went public in 2021 during the SPAC boom, but suffered failures of its Rocket 3 vehicle. The company, teetering on bankruptcy, went private last year. Kemp said the funding will support work on Astra's larger Rocket 4 vehicle, adding that it also has a "profitable" business producing electric propulsion systems for satellites. (4/7)

Aging Ozone Satellites Concern Scientists (Source: Science News)
The expected end of two aging satellites could make it difficult for scientists to monitor the ozone layer. Scientists have relied on data from NASA's Aura spacecraft and Canada's SCISAT, but both satellites are nearing the end of their lives. While other satellites are able to monitor the ozone layer in the stratosphere, the loss of data from Aura and SCISAT will impair the ability to scan for substances that can damage the ozone layer. "We will know what is happening to the ozone. What we'll lack is why," said one researcher. (4/7)

Australian Company Plans Air-Launch System with NASA's Help (Source: Australian Financial Review)
An Australian company chaired by a former prime minister says it has an agreement with NASA on an air-launch system. Space Center Australia said it plans to spend $5 million though an agreement with the agency to access NASA expertise at the Wallops Flight Facility for a project called Karman Line, which would use a C-130 cargo aircraft for an air launch system. The venture's chairman, former prime minister Scott Morrison, said the company is working to raise $250 million to fund the project and claims to have interest from prospective, unidentified customers. Air-launch systems have struggled in the market given cheaper alternatives, as demonstrated by the failure of Virgin Orbit in 2023. (4/7)

International Astronauts Could Helm Private Missions to ISS (Source: Space News)
NASA is opening the door for private astronaut missions to the ISS to be commanded by foreign astronauts. NASA issued a request for proposals for two private astronaut missions, or PAMs, to the ISS, one in mid-2026 and the other in 2027. NASA has required those missions be commanded by a former NASA astronaut with flight experience, a requirement that remains in place in the new solicitation. However, companies can also propose an "alternate" commander who is a former Canadian, European or Japanese astronaut who could then fly the mission if the agency changes its policy. Axiom Space has won all four previous PAMs, but is expected to face competition in this round from Vast. (4/7)

Trade War Tariffs Could Hit Space Industry (Source: Space News)
A new trade war triggered by major tariffs could impact the space industry. The tariffs announced last week by the Trump administration led to major declines in the stock market, including for space companies. The tariffs will clog supply chains, industry officials said, hiking the costs of semiconductors, electronic components, steel, plastics, resins and specialized fuel. U.S. space executives are eager to find ways to mitigate supply chain disruption and rising costs as they bolster domestic production, but also point to longer-term benefits from bringing more capabilities to the United States, including an accelerated shift toward automation. (4/7)

MDA Looks Outside the Box for Golden Dome Contractors (Source: Space News)
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is looking beyond traditional defense contractors for roles in the Golden Dome missile defense system. MDA and U.S. Space Force announced plans to host a conference later this month specifically encouraging participation from commercial firms outside the traditional defense industry to explore space-interception concepts. MDA has a particular interest in ways to destroy missiles in their boost phase. The administration's outreach to non-traditional contractors signals recognition that breakthrough approaches may be necessary to make such a system feasible, both technologically and economically. (4/7)

Climate Crisis on Track to Destroy Capitalism, Warns Top Insurer (Source: The Guardian)
The climate crisis is on track to destroy capitalism, a top insurer has warned, with the vast cost of extreme weather impacts leaving the financial sector unable to operate. The world is fast approaching temperature levels where insurers will no longer be able to offer cover for many climate risks, said Günther Thallinger, on the board of Allianz SE, one of the world’s biggest insurance companies. (4/3)

NOAA Cuts Satellite Maintenance Amid Budget Reductions (Source: E&E News)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has started to limit maintenance on two polar weather satellites in the Joint Polar Satellite System. The move is attributed to anticipated reduced flight engineering support amid budget cuts by the Trump administration. Former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad warns of potential long-term consequences, including system failures and increased costs. (4/7)

Earth Science Missions on the Chopping Block with Budget Cuts (Source: Space News)
NASA is reportedly preparing to end some Earth science missions in response to potential severe budget cuts. Speaking at a congressional roundtable Sunday at the Space Symposium, Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA) said he learned NASA has instructed Earth science missions either in formulation or in extended operations to prepare termination plans for fiscal year 2026. He added that the agency has not decided yet to terminate any of those missions. It comes amid reports the White House's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal could seek to cut NASA science by as much as 50%. Agency officials said at the National Academies' Space Science Week event last week they did not have details about those budgets, but acknowledged "peak uncertainty" about future budgets. (4/7)

Ukraine is Stuck with Musk’s Starlink For Now (Source: Politico)
Ukrainians will have to live with the specter of Elon Musk cutting off satellite communications keeping their hospitals, military bases and troops online, as there are no short-term alternatives that can match the tech mogul's Starlink system. Starlink has become vital to Ukrainian forces fighting Russia but leaves Kyiv at the mercy of the entrepreneur, now a top advisor to Donald Trump. Musk in March warned that the "entire front line would collapse if I turned it off."

To cope with that risk, the European Union is on the lookout for backup options for Ukraine. One of those is Franco-British operator Eutelsat, which is pitching itself as a way for Kyiv to get out from under Musk’s thumb. "If we were to take over the entire connectivity capacity for Ukraine and all the citizens, we wouldn't be able to do that. Let's just be very honest," Eva Berneke said. "But I do think we can provide capacity for some of the critical use cases of government." (4/7)

Lost Cities, Hidden Moons, Lunar Ice – Unearthed in NASA’s Data Vault (Source: SciTech Daily)
NASA’s vast archive of science data, over 100 petabytes and counting, is proving to be a timeless treasure trove for new discoveries. From uncovering hidden moons around Uranus decades after the data was captured, to finding water ice on the Moon and even lost Mayan cities on Earth, archived NASA data continues to fuel breakthroughs. Now, with artificial intelligence tools trained on this legacy, scientists are accelerating insights in fields like space weather, climate monitoring, and lunar exploration. (4/6)

NASA’s Worst Fear? Martian Dust Is Way Deadlier Than You Think (Source: Daily Galaxy)
With ambitions for human missions to Mars gaining momentum, scientists are raising red flags over a stealthy and potentially dangerous adversary: Martian dust. Recent research reveals that the planet’s fine, toxic particles could cause long-term damage to the lungs, thyroid, and other vital organs of astronauts exposed during extended surface missions. (4/6)

Existing Laws Offer Pathway to Prevent Warfare in Space (Source: Space Daily)
World governments should look to current international legal frameworks to curb the growing militarization of space, according to a new study that emphasizes the urgent need to prevent conflict in orbit. Outer space is increasingly viewed as a potential battlefield, prompting concerns over the absence of enforceable limitations on military activity beyond Earth. This issue is amplified by recent tests of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, which create hazardous debris that endangers satellites vital to daily life and global infrastructure.

The possibility of conflict in space holds serious consequences for both civilian populations and national interests, highlighting the critical need for effective regulation. Despite repeated calls for multilateral agreements to limit military expansion into space, international efforts have so far failed to produce binding results.

A new legal analysis by Dr. Chris O'Meara of the University of Exeter Law School argues that existing international laws, including the UN Charter and customary legal principles, already provide a basis to uphold peace and security in space. These legal tools can be leveraged to constrain the use of ASAT weapons and to define lawful conduct in cases of self-defence. (4/3)

AFWERX Backs Slingshot AI Tech to Monitor Suspicious Satellite Activity (Source: Space Daily)
Slingshot Aerospace has been selected by AFWERX to support the U.S. Department of Defense with advanced machine learning tools under its Rapid Analysis of Photometric Tracks for space Object identification and behavior Recognition (RAPTOR) initiative. This program aims to enhance situational awareness in low Earth orbit by analyzing the behavior of satellites and other spaceborne objects.

Through RAPTOR, Slingshot will deliver real-time insights into satellite maneuvers and other activity of interest to U.S. Space Command. These capabilities are expected to bolster the ability of defense personnel to detect covert mission shifts and prepare timely responses. (4/3)

NASA Makes Progress on Advanced Drone Safety Management System (Source: Space Daily)
From agriculture and law enforcement to entertainment and disaster response, industries are increasingly turning to drones for help, but the growing volume of these aircraft will require trusted safety management systems to maintain safe operations.

NASA is testing a new software system to create an improved warning system - one that can predict hazards to drones before they occur. The In-Time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) will monitor, assess, and mitigate airborne risks in real time. But making sure that it can do all that requires extensive experimentation to see how its elements work together, including simulations and drone flight tests. (4/4)

Honda to Test Renewable Tech in Space Soon (Source: Space Daily)
Honda will partner with US companies to test in orbit a renewable energy technology it hopes to one day deploy on the Moon's surface, the Japanese carmaker announced Friday. The auto giant is developing a mechanism capable of generating electricity and oxygen continuously -- enabling astronauts to breathe -- thanks to solar energy and water known to be present in some lunar soils. Now it plans to test this technology aboard the International Space Station, it said in a release, without giving a date. (4/4)

Karman Expands Spacecraft Production with Advanced Clean Room Facility (Source: Space Daily)
Karman Space and Defense has unveiled a new ISO 8 clean room facility at its Washington site. This state-of-the-art space is purpose-built to handle the assembly and integration of next-generation space hardware, including lunar landers, satellite platforms, and habitat modules. The expansion reinforces Karman's capacity to deliver complete solutions for space vehicle production and testing, keeping pace with rising industry demands. (4/3)

Wearable Tech and Fitness Foutines Guide Health Strategies for Astronauts (Source: Space Daily)
Expedition 72 astronauts kicked off the week by strapping on wearable sensors and engaging in workout regimens designed to help researchers understand how the human body adjusts to spaceflight. These investigations not only monitor health but also shape future countermeasures for long-duration missions in microgravity.

NASA Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers wore a biometric vest and headband outfitted with sensors for a continuous 48-hour cardiovascular health study. The real-time data, captured on a tablet, is part of the Space Health experiment aimed at enhancing remote medical support for space crews far from Earth.

Meanwhile, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi took part in a biomechanics study known as ARED Kinematics. Wearing reflective markers on his legs, Onishi exercised on the advanced resistive exercise device (ARED), which simulates free weights. The study helps physicians analyze how space-based workouts influence musculoskeletal health. (4/2)