December 14, 2025

Cracks Are Showing in Air Force Stonewall Over Minuteman ICBM Crews’ Cancer Charges (Source: Washington Spectator)
Over 800 Air Force personnel have independently reported cases of cancer and other serious illnesses due to extended exposure to toxic chemicals while serving at three Minuteman ICBM bases since 2023. These missileers’ revelations come at a critical moment as the Air Force continues with restructuring its exorbitant $140.9 billion plan to decommission 450 Minuteman IIIs and replace them with 634 modernized Sentinel ICBMs at a cost of over $162 million each. (9/29)

Torchlight Initiative Aims to Raise Awareness of ICBM Cancer Risks (Source: Torchlight Initiative)
Torchlight is a non-government organization composed of current and former Air Force ICBM community members addressing the higher rates of cancer and other diseases, illnesses, and disorders amongst those that operated, maintained, supported, or protected ICBM systems. They strive to ensure former and current community members receive education, health monitoring and care, and when appropriate, VA claim service connection. The group exhibited at last week's SpacePower conference in Orlando. (12/15)

Vast Expands to Japan, Appointing Naoko Yamazaki as General Manager of Vast Japan GK (Source: Vast)
Vast announced its official expansion into Japan with its Japanese subsidiary, Vast Japan GK, and its new office in Tokyo. This milestone marks a significant step in Vast’s mission to collaborate with allied nations on space leadership and reinforces its commitment to ensuring a continuous presence in low Earth orbit by America and its allies. Vast Japan GK will be led by Naoko Yamazaki, former JAXA astronaut. (12/11)

New York Expands Veteran Status to Space Force (Source: Mid Hudson News)
Senator James Skoufis and Assemblymember Didi Barrett announced this week that their bill to make all military uniformed service members and veterans equally represented in the state has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The legislation ensures members of the United States Space Force, the nation’s newest service branch, are included in the definition of veterans and uniformed services under state law. (12/14)

Russian Government Approves Roscosmos-NASA Talks on Cross-Flights to ISS (Source: TASS)
The Russian government has approved negotiations between Roscosmos and NASA on a fourth addendum to the agreement on cross-flights to the International Space Station (ISS), according to an order published on the official legal information portal.  (12/14)

Proton-M Launch Delayed to Fix Problems (Source: TASS)
The launch of the Proton‑M launch vehicle has been postponed to eliminate shortcomings, but it will not affect the planned scientific program, Roscosmos said in a statement. "During the planned pre-launch checks of all systems, a local discrepancy was diagnosed in the upper stage of the rocket. The start of the launch vehicle was postponed to eliminate the shortcomings. But the postponement will not affect the planned scientific program and all tasks will be completed," the message says. The launch of Proton-M with the Electro‑L satellite No. 5 was scheduled for 3:20 p.m. Moscow time on December 15. (12/14)

Virgin Galactic Faces Downward Pressure Amid Financial Maneuvers (Source: StocksToTrade)
Virgin Galactic Holdings stocks have been trading down by -8.45 percent following critical mission delays impacting investor sentiment. In response to recent announcements involving capital restructuring, including repurchasing and retiring convertible notes, Morgan Stanley has revised its target price downward from $2.50 to $2.30. Financial maneuvers aimed at easing debt and extending liquidity through 2028 reveal underlying concerns as shares dropped approximately 22% since the strategy was disclosed. (12/13)

13 Incredible Space Museums in the U.S. Every Traveler Should Visit (Source: Travel + Leisure)
Space tourism may be inching closer, but until off-planet travel is within reach for everyone, the best way to dive into all things intergalactic is to visit a space museum. In addition to being a fun way to spend an afternoon, these institutions can help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Click here. (12/13)

Spacecraft from Chinese launch nearly slammed into Starlink Satellite (Source: Space.com)
One of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites just dodged a bullet in orbit. That bullet was one of the nine spacecraft that launched atop a Chinese Kinetica 1 rocket on Tuesday (Dec. 9) from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. It zoomed dangerously close to a Starlink satellite, according to SpaceX, which was none too pleased with the close shave.

"As far as we know, no coordination or deconfliction with existing satellites operating in space was performed, resulting in a 200-meter close approach between one of the deployed satellites and STARLINK-6079 (56120) at 560 km altitude. Most of the risk of operating in space comes from the lack of coordination between satellite operators — this needs to change," said Michael Nicolls of SpaceX. (12/13)

SpaceX Roberts Road a Focal Point for East Coast Starship Preparations (Source: NSF)
SpaceX’s Roberts Road facility, the company’s primary hub for Starship operations on Florida’s Space Coast, is experiencing a surge of activity as the company prepares for a significant increase in Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in 2026 and beyond. A major milestone in 2025 was the return of orbital-class Starship launch hardware fabrication to Roberts Road. In recent months, crews completed construction of a new orbital launch mount intended for Launch Complex 39A. The mount, built under a protective rolling tent, has since been transported to the pad and installed over the flame trench. Click here. (12/12)

Measuring Radio Leaks from 36,000 Kilometers Up (Source: Universe Today)
Radio astronomy has a pollution problem. Satellites thousands of kilometers overhead, designed to broadcast communications or relay data, are increasingly contaminating the frequencies astronomers use to study the universe. While much attention has focused on SpaceX's Starlink and other low Earth orbit constellations, but what about the satellites much farther away?

At 36,000 kilometers altitude, hundreds of satellites orbit in a special zone called geostationary orbit, moving at exactly the same rate as Earth rotating beneath them. From the ground, they appear frozen in one spot of sky. These satellites handle everything from television broadcasts to military communications, and unlike their low orbit cousins that zip across the sky in minutes, geostationary satellites can remain within a telescope's field of view for hours. (12/13)

China Plans 2026 Debut of Rocket for Crewed Lunar Missions (Source: Space News)
China is building towards a debut Long March 10 rocket launch in what will be a major test for the country’s crewed lunar landing plans. A major static fire test of the Long March 10's first stage (with seven engines) was completed in August, and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has hinted at a planned first flight with the Mengzhou next-generation crewed spacecraft in 2026. (12/12)

Space Force Officials Fear Program Delays From Small Business Fund Fight (Source: Breaking Defense)
Senior Space Force acquisition officials are worried about the impact of losing the ability to award Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants as Congress wrestles with reauthorization of Pentagon rights to use the program. “I’m actually very concerned,” Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, acting space acquisition head for the Department of the Air Force, said today.

SBIR grants are widely used by the Space Force to provide seed funds to commercial firms and startups, of which there are many in the space marketplace, he said. Purdy explained that he agrees there are parts of the program that “need to be fixed,” but that SBIR grants, along with the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) programs, “have been very beneficial to the Space Force” because of the “huge industrial base” of innovative commercial companies. (12/12)

SpaceX Files Starlink Mobile Trademark in Possible Carrier Play (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX has submitted a trademark application for Starlink Mobile, suggesting that the Elon Musk-led company may intend to establish a mobile carrier using its fast-growing satellite network. SpaceX filed the trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 16 and is awaiting assignment with an examiner, according to the department’s website. (12/5)

Intuitive Machines, Telespazio and Leonardo to Collaborate on Lunar Satellite Networks (Source: Space News)
Intuitive Machines will work with Telespazio and Leonardo on their planned lunar satellite networks to ensure interoperability and improve performance. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration among the companies to promote and enhance interoperability between their respective infrastructures: the Lunar Communication and Navigation System (LCNS) developed by Telespazio as part of ESA's Moonlight program, and Intuitive Machines’ Space Data Network (SDN) , which is used to manage NASA’s Near Space Network Services (NSNS) program. (12/11)

Avio Selects Virginia for New $500 Million US-Based Production Facility (Source: European Spaceflight)
Italian rocket builder Avio has announced that it has selected the state of Virginia to build its planned US-based production facility. The $500 million project forms part of the company’s expansion of its defense business. Avio founded its wholly owned US subsidiary, Avio USA, in 2022 to capitalize on a market opportunity created by constrained solid rocket motor production capacity relative to surging demand for tactical propulsion solutions. Since then, the company has signed contracts with the US Armed Forces, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin.

In an 11 November announcement, Avio revealed that its planned US-based production facility would be built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The new facility is expected to be 860,000 square feet (approximately 80,000 square meters) and will produce “solid-propellant rocket motors for defense, tactical propulsion, missile systems, and space sectors.” Avio expects to invest approximately $500 million in building the new facility, with the company’s recently announced €400m capital increase supporting its investment. (12/12)

Geospatial Constellation Operator Satellogic Nets $90 Million From Stock Offering (Source: Space Intel Report)
Satellite geospatial imaging constellation operator Satellogic said its mid-October public offering of stock at $3.25 per share netted $90 million in gross proceeds and provides enough cash to run the businesses for at least a year. The sale, which closed Oct. 17, has resolved the cash crisis that gave rise to its accountants’ “going concern” notification, the company said in a Nov. 10 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Kepler’s Optical Network Nears Activation (Source: Payload)
Kepler Communications has proven that optical technology works across multiple domains, including space-to-space, space-to-ground, and now, space-to-air. The new era of space communications is imminent. With Tranche 1 of its optical data relay network set to launch in January 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Kepler is transitioning from technology demonstrations to commercial operations. This ten-satellite tranche will mark the start of the world’s first operational optical network in low Earth orbit, delivering real-time connectivity and advanced onboard compute. (12/12)

Planet Gins Up Prospects for Google’s Suncatcher (Source: Space Intel Report)
Geospatial satellite fleet operator Planet Labs PBC sought to strike a balance between grinning up investor excitement about its Google contract to test data centers in space and acknowledging that the technology is years away from being developed. Planet’s R&D contract with Google “moonshot” program Suncatcher is to build to small demonstration satellites, based on Planet’s new Owl platform but with extended solar arrays, to launch in 2027. The satellites would test the use of Google’s Tensor Processing Units. (12/12)

Space Force Association Unveils Virtual ‘National Spacepower Center’ for Education and Wargaming (Source: Space News)
The Space Force Association, a nonprofit advocacy group, announced plans to create a virtual education and analysis hub aimed at improving how U.S. leaders understand space as a military domain. The initiative, called the National Spacepower Center, is intended to use immersive and simulation technologies to explain the nature of space warfare, the role of space systems in national security, and the policies and strategies that underpin U.S. space power.

The association said the effort is focused on education and concept development rather than operations. SFA said the center is designed to help U.S. and allied policy makers better grasp how space capabilities support modern warfare, from missile warning and satellite communications to navigation and intelligence. While space systems are central to joint operations, many decision-makers have limited exposure to how those systems are threatened or employed in conflict. (12/12)

The European Space Industry’s Big Merger: Lessons for Emerging Space Nations (Source: Space News)
The Oct. 23 announcement that Airbus, Thales and Leonardo will merge their satellite operations was a historic development for the European space industry. The plan aims to establish a new combined entity by 2027. Historically, the European space industry has been a competent but fragmented market in the form of national champions and competing initiatives. However, Intra-European competition is no longer tenable in the face of strong American and Chinese competitors.

Against this backdrop, the merger signals an implicit recognition by European states that scale, specialization and consolidation have become preconditions for both survival and competitiveness in the global space sector. This could offer a case study for emerging space nations that are struggling to take off.  (12/12)

Rocket Lab Launches Japanese Technology-Demonstrating Satellite to Orbit (Source: Space.com)
Rocket Lab launched a Japanese technology-demonstrating satellite on Saturday night. A 59-foot-tall Electron rocket launched the "RAISE and Shine" mission from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site. That was a delay of seven days; Rocket Lab originally targeted the night of Dec. 6 but pushed things back to allow time for additional checkouts. (12/13)

NASA Backs CINEMA Smallsat Fleet to Probe Earth Magnetotail (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has selected Dartmouth College and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, to begin developing a mission that will shed more light on the growing impacts of space weather. The Cross-scale Investigation of Earths Magnetotail and Aurora (CINEMA) mission will unlock the secrets of the energy circulation through Earths magnetotail. The magnetotail is an extension of our planets magnetic field created by solar wind streamed from the Sun, and as energy accumulates, it can release energy explosively and power intense geomagnetic storms and substorms. (12/14)

Ghana Considers Spaceport (Source: Galaxy Aerospace Ghana)
Ghana is close to the equator which makes it easier to launch Rocket into Space. The earth spins faster there which will help Space Rockets get to orbit with ease. There are challenges however. Space agencies like to launch with oceans, seas, or other massive bodies of water or large stretches of uninhabited desert land to the east. Galaxy Aerospace Ghana is exploring future missions from Ghana from the Above. Our company is urging foreign partners to merge for future missions from Ghana. (12/12)

Risks to Mars Mission from a SpaceX IPO (Sources: Payload, Reuters)
There have been several false dawns for a SpaceX public listing, which has long been intertwined with Musk’s Mars obsession.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in 2018 that the company would not go public until it was flying regularly to Mars, a goal that has been repeatedly delayed. Musk also says the company won't go public before sending humans to Mars. (12/10)

UND, Voyager Technologies Sign Agreement to Drive Innovation (Source: UND)
The University of North Dakota (UND) and Voyager Technologies signed a joint investment agreement during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. UND is a leading institution for national security and aerospace education, and its Space Studies Department is the oldest and largest in the nation. The university is the first school to join the U.S. Space Force’s University Partnership Program and is the only university to house a NASA-funded lab for designing and constructing space and planetary surface exploration suits. (12/8)

Sweden: Pioneer ECAPS Gets EIB Financing to Develop Technologies for Space and Defense (Source: EIB)
he European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending Swedish aerospace company ECAPS AB €20 million to accelerate the development of high-performance rocket engines and propulsion capabilities. The financing will also support advances in dual-use technologies, which can be deployed for both civilian and defense purposes. The support by the EIB is through its TechEU initiative and takes the form of venture debt, a type of loan designed for high-growth startups and scaleups that provides additional capital without diluting ownership. (12/10)

U.S. Navy Renews HawkEye 360 Contract to Advance Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (Source: HawkEye 360)
HawkEye 360, the global leader in signals intelligence data and analytics, today announced that the US Navy has renewed its contract with the company for a fourth consecutive year under the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative. The $98.8 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract extends the U.S. Navy’s access to HawkEye 360’s commercial radio frequency (RF) data and analytics for vessel detection and monitoring over key areas of interest throughout the Pacific. (12/9)

Wherobots Introduces RasterFlow Makes Complex Earth Observation Data Simple and AI-Ready (Source: Access Newsire)
Wherobots, the Spatial Intelligence Cloud built by the creators of Apache Sedona, today announced RasterFlow, a new offering that makes productionizing AI models for working with satellite and overhead imagery far easier and more affordable than current solutions on the market. Initial interest indicates RasterFlow will enable innovative applications across aerospace, energy, climate, agriculture, financial services, logistics and delivery, and other industries. (12/10)

Mining Asteroids for Water and Metals Explored (Source: Royal Astronomical Society)
The potential for space mining – including identifying asteroids close to Mars and Jupiter best suited for extracting precious metals and water – has been explored in a new study. Research published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society looked into how viable the idea would be in the future.

A team led by the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC) in Spain analysed meteorites that had fallen to Earth, including from NASA’s Antarctic collection, to determine the chemical composition of the six most common groups of carbonaceous chondrites. Their findings support the idea that these asteroids can serve as crucial material sources and identify their parent bodies, as well as for planning future missions and developing new technologies for resource exploitation. (12/13)

This Company Wants to Build a Cannon to Launch Satellites (Source: Futura)
The American company Longshot is turning science fiction into engineering reality. Its plan? To build a gigantic cannon capable of blasting satellites straight into orbit — no rockets required. Here’s how this wild invention works. Why use a cannon to reach space? According to Longshot, it’s all about cutting costs. Traditional rockets are expensive — around $3,000 per kilogram of payload — while a cannon-based system could do the job for just $10 per kilo. It sounds crazy, but the idea isn’t entirely new. Cannons have hurled projectiles across battlefields for centuries; now, engineers are trying to send them beyond the atmosphere. (12/13)

Did Laura Loomer Just Help Pick the Next Leader of NASA? (Source: The Hill)
There are easily hundreds of experts on our space program and on the national and economic security threats posed to our nation via China. And yet, it is a totally unexpected, often controversial voice that might finally break through the disinterest, ignorance and special-interest clutter to finally point out the growing danger of China forcefully dominating the “final frontier.” Over the course of the last decade or so, I have tried desperately to warn of the largest national and economic security threat to the U.S.: the military-controlled space program of China establishing itself on the Moon.

Even though I worked on space-related issues for the Pentagon, for NASA, for the Space Shuttle team and in the private sector, most of my warnings have fallen on deaf ears. Laura Loomer’s warnings, however, may reach the only ears that matter — those of President Trump. To be sure, many people do consider the far-right activist to be a “controversial” voice. That acknowledged, it does not mean she can’t be correct in her assessments much or even most of the time.

People may pretend otherwise, but Loomer does have the president’s ear. How often her messages reach him or are acted upon is purely conjecture, but with regard to NASA and the now pending naming of Jared Isaacman as the next administrator, one could make an educated guess that Loomer’s words did reach the Oval Office. (12/12)