October 7, 2025

Honeywell, Redwire Partner on Quantum-Secure Satellites (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
Honeywell and Redwire have formalized joint development of quantum-secured satellite communications. The agreement leverages Honeywell's expertise in quantum optical payloads and Redwire's capabilities in agile satellite platforms. By combining their technologies, the companies aim to develop a fully integrated satellite system by mid-2026, targeting both civil and defense applications as part of a broader initiative supported by the European Space Agency. (10/7)

Call for Papers: 2025 Sacknoff Prize (Source: Space 3.0)
Awarded since 2011, The Sacknoff Prize for Space History is designed to encourage original research by university students in the field of space history. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to submit their original manuscript for consideration! Winners receive an $850 cash prize; publication in the peer-reviewed history journal, Quest; and an invitation to present their paper at the annual meeting of the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT) by its Aerospace Special Interest Group (Albatross). The due date is 2 December 2025. Click here. (10/7)

Cleveland to Space: How NASA Glenn is Advancing Lunar and Mars Exploration (Source: Cleveland.com)
NASA is looking to explore the moon and Mars in the next few decades, and advanced technologies under development at the NASA Glenn Research Center will help make that possible. NASA Glenn is helping Artemis with several research projects. The agency is spearheading a project to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2030.

A permanent moon base -- used for scientific research, resource extraction, military strategy, and launching missions to Mars -- would need both solar power and nuclear fission. The agency plans to build a 100-kilowatt plant on the moon using nuclear fission, using technology overseen by NASA Glenn. In addition, NASA Glenn is working on the development of the gridded-ion thruster, the propulsion system planned for the orbiting spaceship Gateway. (10/6)

More Layoffs Coming to JPL (Source: Orange County Register)
JPL on Oct. 6 confirmed that a number of layoffs coming this month will once again hit the venerable science hub. NASA did not answer how many employees would be laid off in this next round. However, JPL rebuffed recent online suggestions that they would be in the thousands. Distressed JPL employees have suggested there could be between 3,000 and 4,000 dismissals by Oct. 15.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, called the 3,000 to 4,000 number “vastly incorrect,” adding: “All I know is it is correct that they said layoffs would be in October,” Chu said, citing her source as Caltech lobbyists in Washington D.C. (10/7)

Rocket Test Proves Bacteria Survive Space Launch and Re-entry Unharmed (Source: RMIT)
An Australian-led study has found the spores of Bacilus subtilis, a bacterium essential for human health, can survive rapid acceleration, short-duration microgravity and rapid deceleration. The spores of bacteria were launched high into the sky, then studied once their rocket fell back to earth, in what is believed to be the first study of its kind in real conditions outside the lab. (10/6)

Study with Ties to Florida Tech Could Explain What NASA Telescopes Cannot (Source: Florida Today)
It's the question on the minds of many: are there worlds similar to Earth in our galaxy? A new model, with ties to Florida Tech, may provide clearer answers to a mystery faced by astrophysicts: Why it is that some planets around a certain type of star have not proved promising for life?

TRAPPIST-1b showed hardly any evidence of an atmosphere or water. This left the question: What makes these planets either contain or lack water -- or even the elements needed for potential life? Howard Chen, assistant professor at Florida Tech College of Engineering and Science: Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences, has worked to solve this mystery. (10/7)

What Parts of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Remain Open? (Source: Florida Today)
While Florida will not see NASA’s SLS liftoff until next year, according to a NASA document released before the shutdown, NASA's Artemis moon missions are considered exempt. Kennedy Space Center is marked by NASA as OPEN and there is still activity on the grounds. A total of 1,053 are estimated to be furloughed at Kennedy Space Center. NASA police are still stationed and active near the gates to KSC property. Private companies located within KSC can continue operations on their sites. This includes companies like SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin.

So, for example, SpaceX is able to continue its weekly Starlink satellite launches. As for the Space Force side of the Cape, while nonessential employees have been furloughed, personnel who protect life and property remain on site. This includes the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron, which released a forecast ahead of the upcoming SpaceX rocket launch.

NASA’s next science mission expected to launch is the ESCAPADE mission to Mars, scheduled to launch within the next month atop a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral. Projects which have already seen funding prior to this current shutdown shall continue, unless access to the closed NASA facilities or NASA civil servant involvement is required. (10/6)

SpaceX Launches Tuesday Starlink Mission at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched more Starlink satellites early Tuesday morning. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 2:46 a.m. Eastern, placing 28 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch was the first in more than a week from the Cape, a gap linked to stormy weather in Florida and in the Atlantic. (10/7)

Taylor Swift Not Interested in Spaceflight (Source: BBC)
The life of a showgirl does not include going to space. Asked on a BBC Radio 2 interview if she was interested in going to space, Taylor Swift made it clear she had no desire to do so. “Never! Why would I do that? There’s no reason to do that,” she said. She added space is “cold” and “scary” and that, even if she did go to space, people wouldn’t believe it. Her response was more animated than when the same host posed a similar question earlier this year to Mariah Carey: “I think I’ve done enough.” (10/7)

Rocket Lab Readies Synspective Launch From New Zealand (Source: Rocket Lab)
Rocket Lab’s next launch will be for its biggest customer. The company said Monday its next Electron launch is scheduled for Oct. 14 from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, carrying a StriX radar imaging satellite for Japanese company Synspective. That company signed a contract with Rocket Lab last week for 10 additional Electron launches, bringing its backlog of Electron launches to 21. (10/7)

FCC Plans "Space Month" Regulatory Reforms (Source: Space News)
The FCC is embarking on space-related regulatory reforms in a “Space Month” initiative announced Monday. Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Apex’s new satellite manufacturing facility in southern California, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the commission would overhaul licensing and spectrum rules amid mounting competition from China. One proposal would create an “assembly line” licensing process that will be faster than the current system.

A second proposal would revise siting rules for Earth stations in the upper microwave bands, known as UMFUS, to enable more intensive use of spectrum and simplify approvals for operators. His speech underscored the geopolitical urgency behind the reforms as launches get underway in China for tens of thousands of broadband satellites that would rival U.S.-based Starlink. (10/7)

Cubic Defense Seeks Military Use of Flat-Panel Satcom Terminal (Source: Space News)
Cubic Defense is pursuing military customers for its flat-panel satellite communications terminal. The military technology contractor developed a family of electronically scanned array satellite terminals with support from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate. AFRL recently extended a contract awarded in 2023 to support work on the terminals, designed to work across multiple orbits and networks. The terminals, called Vector, are intended to meet a growing Pentagon demand for “multi-domain” networks linking operations across land, air and space, the company said. (10/7)

Colorado Considers Roadblocks to Space Command Transfer (Source: KOAA)
A Colorado congressman hinted that the state’s congressional delegation might put up “roadblocks” to moving Space Command headquarters to Alabama. In an interview, Rep. Jeff Crank (R-Colo.) said he has been talking with the state’s senators “about ways that we might continue to try and throw some roadblocks in it,” suggesting that delays in the move might make it clear that transferring the command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville is “probably not as practicable as they thought.” Those roadblocks could involve having the senators block confirmations of the administration’s nominees. Crank also said that even if the command does move, Colorado might instead get some military space roles, perhaps as part of Golden Dome. (10/7)

ESA Considers Buying ISS Cargo Mission (Source: European Spaceflight)
The European Space Agency is proposing to buy a cargo mission to the International Space Station. ESA issued a call for proposals last week for a single cargo mission to the ISS that would launch by the fourth quarter of 2028 to meet the agency’s obligations to support station operations. Those requirements have been met through barter arrangements with NASA, and it was not clear why this mission would be needed. ESA said the mission would require delivering 4,900 to 5,000 kilograms of cargo to the station and would be open to American companies, but with a preference for European ones. Those requirements make Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus the leading contender. The Cygnus cargo module, capable of carrying 5,000 kilograms, is built by Thales Alenia Space in Italy. (10/7)

New Research Suggests Red Dwarf Systems are Unlikely to Have Advanced Civilizations (Source: Universe Today)
Thanks to the huge spate of exoplanet discoveries, multiple rocky planets have been found orbiting within the habitable zones (HZs) of red dwarf stars. For decades, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether these systems could be our best bet for finding evidence of life beyond Earth. In a recent study, Professor David Kipping addresses two key facts that could mean humanity is an outlier. Based on the age of the Universe and the relatively rare nature of our Sun, he concludes that astrobiologists examining red dwarf planets may be looking in the wrong place. (10/5)

Agency Shutdown Messaging Draws Hatch Act, Antideficiency Act Challenges (Source: FNN)
The Office of Special Counsel has received multiple complaints about federal agencies sharing political messages during the shutdown, while one nonprofit is alleging the messaging violates the Antideficiency Act. Public Citizen has filed nine complaints with OSC over the first three days of the shutdown. The group alleges agencies are violating the Hatch Act by using “explicitly partisan messaging” blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

HUD’s website now states, “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government.” The Small Business Administration followed suit on Wednesday with a “special message” at the top of the SBA website stating that “Senate Democrats” voted to block a “clean” stopgap funding bill. Other agencies have since posted similar messages on their websites. Editor's Note: NASA's websites thus far have not violated Hatch Act protections against politicization. (10/6)

Satellite Broadband Market to Break $20 Billion by 2030, as Satellite Constellations Disrupt Established Services (Source: Juniper Research)
A new study by global tech strategists Juniper Research has found that global satellite provider revenue from fixed satellite broadband will increase from $10 billion in 2025 to $20 billion in 2030. This revenue growth will be enabled by rapid investment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology, which allows satellite providers to improve the latency they offer, whilst also reducing costs for satellite launches. (10/6)

France Sponsors Studies on Next-Generation Platforms for In-Orbit Refueling (Source: Journal of Space Commerce)
The French space agency CNES has selected three companies for a strategic Research & Technology (R&T) initiative focused on next-generation in-orbit refuelable platforms. Dawn Aerospace, Infinite Orbits and Exotrail will participate in the effort to advance France and Europe’s understanding and development of sustainable, autonomous space operations and in-orbit servicing capabilities. (10/6)

Chinese IoT Constellation Completes First Phase for Global Communications (Source: Space Daily)
A Chinese satellite network dedicated to Internet of Things (IoT) services has achieved global surface coverage, excluding polar regions, with the deployment of its first-phase constellation of 64 satellites. The milestone was reached following the launch of 11 Geely-06 satellites from a sea platform in Shandong province. The deployment marks the culmination of six launches between 2022 and 2025, ensuring both reliability and continuous availability of the network.

Geespace, the satellite division of Geely Holding Group, designed the constellation to support 20 million users worldwide. The system can manage up to 340 million messages per day, serving 5 million high-frequency users and an additional 15 million medium- and low-frequency accounts. Data packets of up to 1,900 bytes can carry text, voice, and images.

The first-phase network will grow to 72 satellites, enhancing resilience and capacity. Longer term, Phase Two envisions 264 satellites capable of direct-to-smartphone communication, while Phase Three projects 5,676 satellites to provide global broadband connectivity. With Phase One operational, Geespace plans to expand commercial IoT services worldwide. (9/26)

Detection of Phosphine in a Brown Dwarf Atmosphere Raises More Questions (Source: Space Daily)
Phosphorus is one of six key elements necessary for life on Earth. When combined with hydrogen, phosphorus forms the molecule phosphine (PH3), an explosive, highly toxic gas. Found in the atmospheres of the gas giant planets Jupiter and Saturn, phosphine has long been recognized as a possible biosignature for anaerobic life.

Now a team of researchers has reported the detection of phosphine in the atmosphere of a cool, ancient brown dwarf named Wolf 1130C. The phosphine was detected using observations obtained with the James Webb Space Telescope. The mystery, however, is not why phosphine was found, but why it's missing in other brown dwarf and gas giant exoplanet atmospheres. (10/6)

Mapping the Universe Made Faster with New Computational Tool (Source: Space Daily)
As cosmology data sets grow larger and increasingly complex, a new tool allows researchers to run advanced analyses with only a laptop in a fraction of the time once required. Dr. Marco Bonici led an international collaboration that developed Effort.jl, an emulator designed to streamline studies using the Effective Field Theory of Large-Scale Structure (EFTofLSS). The system blends advanced numerical methods with preprocessing strategies to achieve rapid, precise results. (10/1)

ESA unveils Pulse Framework to Streamline Mission Management (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency has launched Pulse, a new initiative designed to transform mission monitoring and control across its expanding portfolio of space operations. Developed under ESA's Operations Directorate, Pulse provides a European, royalty-free, multi-mission solution that spans from spacecraft assembly and integration through to operations in low Earth orbit and deep space.

Pulse is conceived as an operational framework rather than a single software tool. By leveraging technologies such as the European Ground Segment - Common Core (EGS-CC), the framework integrates telemetry, event management, information exchange and execution processes. ESA says it will reduce fragmentation between missions, partners and control centers, while improving responsiveness and interoperability. (9/30)

Cosmic Constants May Explain Away Dark Matter and Dark Energy (Source: Space Daily)
For decades, astronomers have assumed that dark matter and dark energy dominate the cosmos. New research challenges that foundation, proposing that these unseen components may be illusions caused by the gradual weakening of nature's fundamental forces as the universe ages. Rajendra Gupta suggests that if the strengths of forces like gravity vary over time and across space, the resulting effects could mimic both dark matter and dark energy. (10/6)

TakeMe2Space and AICRAFT Partner to Deliver Orbital Data Centre Infrastructure (Source: Space Daily)
AICRAFT of Australia and India's TakeMe2Space (TM2S) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate AICRAFT's edge computing systems into the TM2S satellite constellation from 2026. The collaboration will begin with a hosted payload mission in 2026, after which AICRAFT's high-performance, low-power edge devices will become a core part of TM2S' orbiting platform. This alliance will enable users to design, test, and deploy satellite applications almost instantly. As part of this enabling infrastructure, AICRAFT will supply both terrestrial and flight-qualified hardware, including new product lines. (10/1)

Sierra Space Clears Design Milestone for Missile Tracking Satellites in SDA Tranche 2 (Source: Space Daily)
Sierra Space has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, confirming readiness to begin production of missile tracking satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The program will see Sierra Space deliver two orbital planes, totaling 18 satellites, each carrying advanced infrared sensors designed to detect and track ballistic, hypersonic, and emerging threats. (9/30)
 
Opening Lines of Communications for Space Safety (Source: Space Review)
At last week’s International Astronautical Congress, leaders of space agencies talked about their plans even if they weren’t always talking with one another. Jeff Foust reports, though, that there are signs of closer coordination between countries and companies regarding critical space safety issues. Click here. (10/7)
 
How China is Preparing to Dominate the World (Source: Space Review)
China is making rapid advances in space, from lunar exploration to satellite constellations. Claude Lafleur discusses those advances and how they could set up China to be the dominant space power in the near future. Click here. (10/7)
 
Gemini’s Wing and a Prayer: Postscript (Source: Space Review)
Dwayne Day adds a postscript to his historical review of the efforts to develop a parawing for Gemini with a look at the role that an aircraft originally developed for a classified program played in testing of the system. Click here. (10/7)
 
So You Want To Go To Mars: Where Do You Start? (Source: Space Review)
Exploration of the Moon and Mars offers challenges that go beyond the technology needed for such missions. Jonathan Coopersmith reviews a book that offers an extensive review of those issues. Click here. (10/7)