September 30, 2025

Is the Future of Space Travel Only for the Super Rich? (Source: ABC.net)
When we think about space exploration, we often go back to the race to the moon between the US and Russia. Decades later, Australia plays a big part. We’ve seen billionaires battle it out in this 21st century space race, and  some of the world’s sharpest minds are in Sydney, to discuss the future of space research as part of the International Astronautical Congress… one of them being Dr John Horack, the Neil Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy at The Ohio State University, who spoke with James O'Loghlin. Click here. (9/29)

IonQ Appoints General John W. “Jay” Raymond to Board of Directors (Source: IonQ)
IonQ announced the appointment of General John W. “Jay” Raymond to its Board of Directors. A globally recognized leader in space and national security operations, General Raymond most recently served as the first Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force. (9/29)

NASA’s Webb Telescope Studies Moon-Forming Disk Around Massive Planet (Source: NASA)
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first direct measurements of the chemical and physical properties of a potential moon-forming disk encircling a large exoplanet. The carbon-rich disk surrounding the world called CT Cha b, which is located 625 light-years away from Earth, is a possible construction yard for moons, although no moons are detected in the Webb data. (9/29)

Agency Watchdog Will See if DOGE-Led Projects Improved Efficiency (Source: FNN)
An agency watchdog is taking a closer look at some of the initiatives led by the Department of Government Efficiency and whether those projects are meeting their intended goals. The inspector general’s office for the General Services Administration, in a list of priority audits for fiscal 2026 released Thursday, said it will look at the impact of several DOGE-backed projects, including its mass termination of government leases. (9/25)

Northrop Grumman Hypersonic Navigation System Exceeds Rocket Test Milestones (Source: Space Daily)
Northrop Grumman's Advanced Hypersonic Technology Inertial Measurement Unit (AHT IMU) has surpassed expectations in its third major test, this time onboard a sounding rocket. The trial confirmed the unit's ability to withstand extreme g-forces, altitudes, and velocities beyond projected limits. The navigation system demonstrated reliable operation in GPS-denied environments, validating its role in enabling precision targeting at hypersonic speeds. The ruggedized IMU maintained functionality while capturing high-value inertial data in conditions typical of hypersonic and spaceflight. (9/29)

Teledyne Labtech and Bangor University Advance Welsh Space Cooling Technology (Source: Space Daily)
Teledyne Labtech is leading a Welsh effort to rethink thermal management for spacecraft electronics through the Advanced Thermal Management for Space Electronics project, developed with Bangor University and supported by Airbus Endeavr, a joint initiative between Airbus and the Welsh Government. The collaboration targets one of space engineering's hardest problems: moving heat in vacuum. The team is developing scalable, lightweight printed circuit board technology that uses synthetic graphite to conduct heat away from components while improving their ability to radiate energy into space. (9/29)

NASA Seeks Student Solutions for Lunar Lander Life Support Technologies (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has launched the 2026 Human Lander Challenge, inviting U.S.-based university students to propose fresh concepts for life support and environmental systems vital to long-duration spaceflight. The program, part of the Artemis campaign, focuses on advancing Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) technologies needed to sustain astronauts on the Moon and future missions to Mars.

The challenge seeks undergraduate and graduate teams to design systems-level solutions across four subtopics: noise control, sensor reduction in health monitoring hardware, potable water dispensing, and fluid transfer between lunar or Martian surface assets. Proposals must improve ECLSS reliability in areas such as air, water, and waste management. (9/29)

Wind Driven Rovers Show Promise for Low Cost Mars Missions (Source: Space Daily)
Recent tests suggest that swarms of spherical tumbleweed rovers could offer an affordable and efficient way to explore Mars. Experiments conducted in a wind tunnel and on natural terrain show that the wind powered design can move across a range of surfaces under Mars like conditions.

The five meter wide rovers are designed to roll with Martian winds, dispersing across the surface to collect simultaneous data on the planet's atmosphere and terrain. In their final phase, the robots would collapse into stationary research posts, supporting both long term science and future mission infrastructure. (9/26)

New Floating Launch Pad Tested at Sea (Source: The Spaceport Company)
The Spaceport Company (TSC) built and tested an entirely new type of floating launch pad. The “Tri-Sub” is a three-column, stabilized, semi-submersible vessel designed to enhance offshore operations for the aerospace and UAV industries. Named for its triangular column configuration, the Tri-Sub combines mobility, versatility, and cost-efficiency to address industry's desire for scalable and modular offshore autonomous vessels.

We built Tri-Sub in response to industry’s requests for a cheaper way to deploy telemetry stations at sea to enable signal reception downrange during orbital launch. It can also provide a charging / landing pad for drones, a ground receiver station for satellites, or a rocket launcher for national defense purposes. Or maybe something we haven’t thought of yet? (9//28)