January 16, 2025

NASA Teams With Startup to Transform 1980s Aircraft Into Next-Gen Technological Marvel (Source: TCD)
Electric buses are one thing, but surely nothing bigger could run on electricity, right? Aviation startup magniX is pushing the transportation industry to think again. The company, based out of Everett, Washington, has plans to retrofit half an airplane's engines with powerful batteries, making it a hybrid that is expected to burn 40% less planet-warming fuel.

The plane of the hour is a 50-passenger de Havilland Canada DHC-7, or Dash 7. Test flights are scheduled for 2026 after one of the four engines has been electrified. The ability to incrementally phase in electrification is one reason this model was selected for the project. To make this dream come true, magniX partnered with NASA's Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration program, which supports the goal of building a hybrid plane and getting it airborne for regional use. (1/15)

New Glenn Flies From LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Spaceport, Booster Landing Missed (Source: CNBC)
Blue Origin launched its towering New Glenn rocket for the first time on Thursday, in a crucial milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company. New Glenn thundered off the launchpad in the early morning hours in Florida, reaching space and ultimately making it to orbit as a part of a long-awaited debut mission. Blue Origin also attempted to land the rocket’s booster on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean, but the booster was lost during reentry through the atmosphere.

Headquartered in the Seattle suburb of Kent, Washington, Blue Origin has over 10,000 employees there and in half a dozen other major locations around the country, including in industry strongholds of Texas, Florida and Alabama. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp previously told CNBC that Blue Origin has been “in kind of an R&D phase for a long time,” an aspect of the company’s culture he’s trying to change. Blue plans to scale the cadence of New Glenn missions quickly, wanting to perform as many as 10 New Glenn launches this year. Originally targeted for a 2020 debut, the rocket faced years of delays. (1/16)

11 Korean Traditional Poems Headed for Moon on U.S. Lunar Lander (Source: Chosun)
Eleven traditional Korean sijo poems are on their way to the moon, launched on Jan. 15 aboard a private U.S. lunar lander. According to the Sejong Cultural Society, a Korean-American foundation in Chicago, Firefly Aerospace’s lunar lander Blue Ghost was launched from Florida with the poetry collection “Polaris Trilogy,” which includes 11 traditional Korean sijo poems. This collection is part of the Lunar Codex project, which aims to send global art and cultural works to the moon. The project serves as a “time capsule” to preserve humanity’s cultural heritage for future generations. Lunar Codex plans a total of seven launches, with this being the fourth. (1/16)

Stoke Space Raises $260 Million (Source: Stoke)
Stoke Space, the rocket company building the world’s first 100% reusable medium-lift rocket, announced today that it has raised $260 million in new Series C investment to drive continued growth and innovation. This investment more than doubles the company’s total funding, bringing it to $480 million. The funding round involves new and existing investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Glade Brook Capital Partners, Industrious Ventures, Leitmotif, Point72 Ventures, Seven Seven Six, the University of Michigan, Woven Capital, and Y Combinator, among others.

Record-Breaking Investments Push Government Space Budgets to $135 Billion in 2024 (Source: NovaSpace)
Government space budgets reached $135 billion in 2024, marking a 10% year-on-year increase, driven primarily by defense spending. Defense-related space investments totaled $73 billion (54% of the total), reflecting the strategic importance of space as a contested domain. While the U.S. leads global spending at 59% of the total, countries like China and emerging space nations are increasing their contributions.

Human Spaceflight programs dominate civil investments, with nations advancing their capabilities in crewed and uncrewed exploration. Government budgets are expected to stabilize, with an average annual growth rate of 1% through 2030, as nations adopt commercial procurement strategies to enhance efficiency. The space economy is projected to reach $944 billion by 2033. (1/16)

Orbex Appoints Leading UK Space Expert as CTO (Source: Orbex)
UK-based orbital launch services company, Orbex, has today announced the appointment of its new Chief Technology Officer, Andy Bradford. Bradford brings over two decades of experience in the space industry, with specialism in small satellite and launch operations having previously led UK Launch Services Ltd. (UKLSL) as CEO and spent over 10 years in various senior technical and project roles, including Director of Engineering, with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). (1/16)

India Becomes 4th Nation to Complete Unmanned Docking in Space (Source: Space Daily)
The Indian Space Research Organization successfully conducted an unmanned docking in space, making India the fourth country to complete the maneuver. The ISRO announced the demonstration of the maneuver in a statement, calling it "a historic moment." The Space Docking Experiment Mission, known as SpaDex, involved two satellites named Chaser and Target, each weighing about 485 pounds. They were launched into space from Sriharikota launch pad in southern India on Dec. 30. (1/16)

L3Harris Calls for Pentagon Procurement Reform (Source: Reuters)
Space Coast-based L3Harris Technologies CEO Chris Kubasik has urged the Department of Government Efficiency to reform the Pentagon's procurement process to better address threats from China and Iran. In a letter to the panel, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Kubasik highlighted the need for faster acquisition of capabilities, more contracting expertise and limits on contract protests. This comes as the defense industry faces increased demand following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (1/15)

RFA Granted License for Shetland Spaceport Launch (Source: ITV)
The first rocket could launch into space from Shetland Spaceport this year after an aerospace manufacturer received a vertical launch license from regulators - the first of its kind in mainland Europe. The Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), which operates on the site, said it now has all three licenses required for a test flight from Scotland and is focusing on its final technical preparations. The license allows for a launch into space from the SaxaVord Spaceport and paves the way for the first commercial vertical launch from the UK. The approved launch will see a 30-metre RFA ONE rocket launch northwards from the coast of the Shetland Islands. (1/16)

India's Cabinet Approves the Establishment of “Third Launch Pad” (Source: ISRO)
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota,Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO and also to support as standby launchpad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions. The Project is of national importance. (1/16)

K2 Space Names Former Pentagon Official Head of Space Policy (Source: UPI)
California-based aerospace startup K2 Space has named John Plumb, former assistant secretary of defense for space policy, as head of strategy. Founded by Karan Kunjur and Neel Kunjur in 2022, K2 Space develops high-powered, low-cost satellite bus platforms. (1/16)

Moon Makes it to List of At-Risk Sites Amid Space Tourism Concerns (Source: Hindustan Times)
The World Monuments Fund releases a list every year to draw attention to endangered cultural heritage sites—and this year, the Moon has also made it onto the list. The Moon is the only celestial body to appear on the list, which includes 25 sites around the world, including buildings by the Musi River in India, a fabric house in Gaza, a monastery in Portugal, and more. The WMF site explains, “As a new era of space exploration dawns, the physical remnants of early Moon landings are under threat, jeopardizing these enduring symbols of collective human achievement.” (1/16)

Gaia Mission Ends (Source: 1440)
Europe's Gaia space observatory will cease science operations today as its cold gas propellant runs out after over a decade of observations. First launched in 2013, the astrometry telescope precisely cataloged nearly 2 billion objects within our Milky Way galaxy as part of an effort to create a novel three-dimensional galactic map.

The observatory orbits at Lagrange Point 2 (with its neighbor the James Webb telescope) roughly 1 million miles from Earth. Its two telescopes continuously scan the galaxy, while an array of 106 credit card-sized detectors—making the largest focal plane used in space—collects data on the luminosity and motion of stars, quasars, exoplanets, asteroids, and more. Gaia has scanned more than a billion objects over 70 times at a resolution 400,000 times fainter than what the naked eye can detect.

Data from Gaia's observations—released in batches, with the fourth expected in 2026—have led to major discoveries, including starquakes and half a million new stars, as well as revealing the Milky Way merged with another galaxy early in its formation. (1/15)

Mission to Moon Carries Tiny Red Swedish Home to Space (Source: AP)
A Swedish artist is about to have the dream of a lifetime fulfilled: A little red model house he created will be launched into space this week and, if all goes according to plan, put on the surface of the moon. The Moonhouse will hitch a ride to the moon on a lunar lander operated by the Japanese company ispace. It launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday morning.

Artist Mikael Genberg says he has been wanting to put his typically Swedish-looking miniature house on the moon for 25 years. The house is made out of aluminum and daubed with a special, space-certified paint. It’s 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) long, 8 cms (3.1 inches) wide and 10 cms (3.9 inches) tall. Genberg’s signature art project has already traveled the world in recent years, including the ISS as a companion to Sweden’s first astronaut, Christer Fuglesang. (1/15)

Pixxel Kickstarts Firefly Constellation for Climate Action (Source: Space Daily)
Pixxel, a California-based company specializing in advanced space technology, has launched the first three satellites of its Firefly constellation as part of the Transporter-12 rideshare mission by SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. These satellites, integrated with the assistance of Exolaunch, mark the beginning of Pixxel's commercial operations, aimed at providing critical environmental insights and solidifying its role as a leader in Earth Observation.

The Firefly satellites represent a leap in hyperspectral imaging technology, offering an unprecedented 5-meter resolution - six times sharper than the standard 30-meter resolution typical of existing hyperspectral satellites. With the ability to capture data across over 150 spectral bands, these satellites can detect minute changes in chemical compositions, vegetation health, water quality, and atmospheric conditions with unmatched precision. (1/14)

NASA Grant Awarded to Enhance AI-Driven Satellite Weather Forecasting (Source: Space Daily)
A research initiative led by the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has secured a two-year, $1.23 million grant from NASA to enhance atmospheric and oceanic forecasting. The project aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data into existing forecasting systems, potentially transforming how weather predictions are made. (1/14)

NASA, Partners Invite Applications for CubeSat Summer Training Program (Source: Space Daily)
NASA, in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, is now accepting applications for a summer program designed to teach higher education institutions, faculty, and students the skills needed to build small satellites. This initiative also enhances the chances of participating teams being selected for future satellite flight opportunities. "Part of NASA's mission is to inspire the next generation," said Liam Cheney, mission manager at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The University Nanosatellite Program Mission Concept 2025 Summer Series, running from May to August 2025, will provide systems engineering training tailored to develop expertise in small satellite design. The program aims to prepare students for industrial roles while advancing small satellite capabilities at U.S. universities. Participants may also qualify for space flight opportunities through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) and the U.S. Air Force University Nanosatellite Program. (1/14)

H3 Varda's Second Spacecraft W-2 Successfully Launched to Orbit with SpaceX (Source: Space Daily)
Varda Space Industries has confirmed the successful launch of its second orbital processing spacecraft, W-2, aboard SpaceX's Transporter-12 rideshare mission. The spacecraft lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and will orbit Earth for several weeks before re-entering the atmosphere and landing at South Australia's Koonibba Test Range.

This event marks Australia's first commercial spacecraft re-entry, signifying a major milestone in the country's space exploration journey. Southern Launch has managed all Australian approvals and provided comprehensive support for the re-entry and recovery process, ensuring the capsule's retrieval from the Australian desert. (1/15)

Tech Innovation Propels China's Commercial Space Industry Growth (Source: Space Daily)
China's commercial space industry made remarkable progress in 2024, with market projections suggesting it will exceed 2.3 trillion yuan (approximately 314 billion U.S. dollars) in value. Technological advancements in key areas, such as reusable rocket development, smart launch infrastructure, and cutting-edge satellite transmission technologies, have catalyzed rapid industry growth and promise further momentum in the coming years. Click here. (1/13)

Dragonfly Aerospace Partners with LatConnect 60 for Advanced SWIR Imaging Satellites (Source: Space Daily)
Dragonfly Aerospace has announced a partnership with Australian Earth observation company LatConnect 60 to supply three Chameleon SWIR (shortwave infrared) imagers for their SWIRSAT satellites. Supported by the Australian Space Agency and the Western Australian State Government, the SWIRSAT satellite project aims to enhance Earth observation capabilities, with the satellites set for a 2026 launch.

The Chameleon SWIR imagers, manufactured in Stellenbosch, South Africa, will serve as the primary payloads for the SWIRSAT satellites. These imagers will be delivered to LatConnect 60 in Australia, where they will be integrated into the satellite platforms before deployment. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies in advancing Earth observation technology. (1/13)