November 3, 2025

Sea Launch Is Happening in Mississippi (Source: The Spaceport Company)
America’s only operational sea launch ship is homeported in Mississippi. The Spaceport Company has conducted five launches to date in the Gulf and will conduct two more within six months. The outstanding support of the Mississippi aerospace community and the visionary leadership of the Mississippi government delegation (Federal, State, and local) helps make this possible.

MS has world-class ports, is an extremely business-friendly environment, and hosts an outstanding workforce who knows how to get things done, especially when building tangible, challenging products like sea launch. It’s for these reasons that increasing numbers of space businesses are setting up shop there: the “Mississippi Momentum” is real and it’s helping TSC succeed. (11/3)

Muscle Tissue From a 3D Printer Produced in Microgravity (Source: ETH Zurich)
On their way into space, astronauts' bodies deteriorate dramatically in zero gravity. To address this problem and protect our pioneers in space, researchers are looking for realistic test models. This is precisely where the research of a team at ETH Zurich comes in.

To produce muscle tissue under the most precise conditions possible, the research team led by Parth Chansoria used parabolic flights to simulate the microgravity of space for a short period of time. This technical feat brings the researchers closer to their long-term goal: growing human tissue in orbit to study diseases and develop new therapies. (10/29)

Ambition Meets Execution: The Musk & Shotwell Story (Source: Russel Sarder)
Elon Musk dreams of Mars. Gwynne Shotwell makes sure the rockets actually fly — on time, on budget, and through every explosion that nearly ended the dream. When she joined SpaceX in 2002, the company had vision but little credibility. The first launches failed, cash was tight, and NASA doubted a startup could reach orbit. At dawn, Shotwell walked the factory floor in Hawthorne, the smell of burnt propellant in the air and engineers still debugging code from the night before.

She secured NASA and DoD contracts, built a multi-billion-dollar launch manifest, and created the operating cadence that kept engineering, finance, and customers in sync. Her discipline turned contracts into cash flow and ambition into altitude. That rhythm meant launches happened faster, costs dropped, and reliability climbed — the operational flywheel that funded innovation. Shotwell’s calm under pressure became cultural code; when rockets failed, she focused on the fix, not the blame. (11/2)

Queensland Startup Gains Backing for Hypersonic Program (Source: Defence Blog)
Australia’s Hypersonix Launch Systems has secured $30 million in new funding to advance its hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft and engines. Hypersonix is developing 3D-printed, hydrogen-powered hypersonic platforms capable of flying more than six times the speed of sound. Its SPARTAN scramjet engine has already secured major development contracts from the United States, positioning the company as a key player in next-generation defense propulsion. (11/2)

Varda and United Semiconductors Announce Joint Development Agreement (Source: Varda)
Varda Space Industries and United Semiconductors are pleased to announce a multi-flight joint development agreement to produce semiconductors in orbit for use on Earth. Varda designs and builds autonomous reentry-capable satellites for material processing in microgravity. Varda has successfully completed three missions, and the fourth, W-4, is currently in orbit. A fifth mission will launch in the coming weeks and four more are expected to launch and return in 2026. (10/31)

Integrating Space and Air: Why We Need a Unified Air Traffic Policy for the Commercial Space Era (Source: Tony LaRosa)
Debris from rockets, defunct satellites, and upper stages continues to accumulate in low Earth orbit [ultimately falling to Earth and its aviation corridors]. What was once an abstract risk confined to spacecraft operators is now creeping closer to the commercial aviation domain. Right now, the U.S. has two highly sophisticated but largely separate systems: the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) manages aircraft within controlled airspace; and its Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) manages launches, reentries, and associated airspace closures.

These systems coordinate on a mission-by-mission basis, but what we need is a permanent, integrated framework—a joint air and space traffic management architecture that accounts for: real-time tracking of suborbital and orbital vehicles; predictive modeling of debris and reentry risk; and shared communication protocols between controllers and space operators. It’s time to modernize our air traffic policies to include the next frontier—space. (10/21)

ArkEdge Space Establishes New Ground Station in Multi-Site Ground Network Across Japan (Source: ArkEdge)
ArkEdge Space, a Japanese space startup based in Tokyo that provides comprehensive solutions from planning and design to mass production and operation of micro-satellite constellations, has established a new satellite ground station in Taiki, Hokkaido (Hiroo District). This facility marks the company’s second proprietary ground station, following its first site in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture. (10/29)

Leaf Space and Infostellar Sign Strategic MOU for Japan Market (Source: Leaf Space)
Leaf Space and Infostellar formalized a strategic partnership whereby Infostellar will become the exclusive representative of Leaf Space in the Japanese market, responsible for marketing, business development, and channel engagement with satellite operators. (10/29)

Pramatra Space and Infostellar Sign MoU for QKD Ground Station Services (Source: Infostellar)
Pramatra Space and Infostellar, Japan’s pioneering Ground Segment-as-a-Service (GSaaS) company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish and conduct joint development for networks to link Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) ground stations that offer secure space communications. (10/30)

Spanish Air and Space Force Receives Space Surveillance System Developed by GMV (Source: GMV)
The Spanish Air and Space Force and Spanish Directorate General of Weapons and Material have formally accepted delivery of the CCSE system developed by GMV, which will be used to strengthen the country’s space surveillance and control operations. The new system is being integrated into the Space Operations and Surveillance Center (COVE), and it will expand the country’s capabilities related to space security and situational awareness. (10/31)

ISS Research Paves Way for Space Internet (Source: CASIS)
For future missions on commercial space stations, the Moon, and Mars, the ability to send data and communications across the solar system will be crucial. But developing an interplanetary Internet is challenging. The long distances data must travel cause delays, and the movement of planets and spacecraft leads to signal disruptions.

To address these challenges, Spatiam Corporation developed a commercial platform for space communications based on Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN). The platform stores data bundles at intermediate nodes in the network until a path to the next node or final destination is available. Spatiam needed to confirm its platform worked in space, and the International Space Station (ISS National Laboratory provided the optimal test bed. (10/30)

Sweden's Ovzon Sees Revenue Rise (Source: Space Intel Report)
Fixed and mobile satellite operator and terminal manufacturer Ovzon of Sweden doubled its revenue in the nine months ending Sept. 30 and reported both EBITDA and EBIT profit after losses last year. The company said its backlog at Sept 30 was four times larger than a year ago, at 1.02 billion Swedish krona ($107.7 million). (11/3)

China Launches New Remote Sensing Satellite (Source: Xinhua)
China launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Wenchang spaceport. The Yaogan-46 satellite was launched aboard a modified Long March-7 rocket. It will be primarily used in disaster prevention and relief, land resource surveys, hydrology, meteorology, and other related fields. (11/3)

What's Happening on the ISS While the Government is Shut Down? (Source: Space.com)
Although the U.S. government is shut down, NASA's astronauts in space are still expected to show up for work every day. Thankfully for the NASA astronauts aboard the ISS, their wellbeing falls into the category of "protection of life and safety," which NASA is tasked with maintaining while the government's doors are closed.

Like all federal agencies, NASA has had to severely cut back on its day-to-day activities, as more than 15,000 NASA civil servants have been furloughed since Oct. 1. Only essential personnel deemed "necessary to protect life and property" are granted "excepted" status, according to NASA's shutdown guidance. This includes astronauts in space and the technicians in mission control on the ground who support them. (11/2)

Germany's OHB to Acquire TechniSat Plant to Expand Production Capacity (Source: European Spaceflight)
German satellite manufacturer OHB has committed to purchasing the TechniSat plant in Schöneck, which was slated to close by the end of the year. The company plans to utilize the facility for the mass production of electronic components for space applications. The TechniSat facility in Schöneck was established in June 1992 and currently employs around 70 people. (11/3)

Turkey's Fergani Sends Another Homegrown Satellite Into Space (Source: TRT World)
Türkiye’s Fergani Space Technologies, founded by Selçuk Bayraktar, chairman and chief technology officer of Turkish defence company Baykar, has successfully launched its second domestically developed satellite, FGN-100-d2, marking another milestone in the company’s constellation project. The FGN-100-d2 satellite was launched on Saturday from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The 104-kilogram satellite, Türkiye’s largest private-sector satellite to date, was carried into orbit as part of SpaceX’s Bandwagon-4 mission. (11/3)

‘I Hate Launch Day’: Rocket Lab Boss Sir Peter Beck Will Lose Sleep This Week (Source: Newstalk ZB)
In the lead-up to Rocket Lab’s 76th launch this week, Sir Peter Beck has opened up about the nerves and sleepless nights he suffers before every single mission. The latest mission – dubbed ‘The Nation God Navigates’ - is set for take-off this Thursday from Mahia on the east coast of the North Island. Beck - who is the founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab - told the Herald that the night before, and morning of, launches tend to be anything but smooth for him - he endures “terrible sleep” every time. (11/3)

Vast Completes Haven Structural Testing (Source: NSF)
Vast’s Haven Demo will test out key capabilities, such as Reaction Control Systems (RCS), power systems, and propulsion, in preparation for Haven-1. The satellite masses 515 kg and is expected to last for six months in orbit. With its solar array now deployed, the pathfinder will begin gathering crucial data for the station. The Flight Qualification Article has completed testing at the facility purchased from Virgin Orbit in 2023. These include structural load dynamic testing and pressure and leak qualification. The Flight Qualification Article is necessary to demonstrate that the station will be able to withstand the conditions required for it to remain in orbit for three years. (11/3)

Orion Meets SLS: L3Harris Technology Ready to go to the Moon (Source: L3Harris)
L3Harris plays a critical role in Orion’s capabilities, providing 22 engines and motors that enable precise maneuvers in space; the audio system that connects astronauts to each other, mission control and the world; as well as composite overwrapped pressure vessels that support the operation of the spacecraft during its journey. These technologies are essential to Orion’s ability to carry astronauts farther into space for longer periods of time. (10/21)

China's Shenzhou-21 a Symbol of a Nation That Pursues Balance, Reason and Cooperation (Source: People's Daily)
China's Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, equipped with advanced autonomous docking technology, was successfully launched and completed an autonomous docking with the Tiangong Space Station in just 3.5 hours, setting a new record in the history of China's crewed space missions. The significance of Shenzhou-21 goes far beyond being another technical milestone; it sends a clear message to the world: China is steadily and peacefully establishing its long-term role in space exploration.

From the Chang'e lunar missions to the Tiangong Space Station, from the Beidou navigation network to the International Lunar Research Station initiative, every major project China has launched has been characterized by openness, cooperation and shared scientific progress. China firmly believes that space belongs to all humanity, not to any single nation or military bloc. The purpose of space exploration is to advance knowledge and technology, not to create new grounds for confrontation. (11/3)

Japan's ispace Announces US Leadership Update (Source: ispace)
ispace, a global lunar exploration company announced that Ron Garan, Chairman of the U.S. Board and former CEO, has concluded his tenure as Chairman. The company will continue to be led by current CEO Elizabeth Kryst, who was appointed to the position in January 2025. Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, will assume Chairman responsibilities. (10/31)

Furloughs at NASA Extended to Late November (Source: FNN)
Agencies are starting to tell the more than 700,000 federal employees who are furloughed during this now 31-day partial government shutdown that their time away will be extended another 30 days. The Departments of Commerce, Justice and Homeland Security, as well as NASA and the General Services Administration, at the very least, have sent out emails to employees detailing the extension.

“Because your services are no longer needed for orderly suspension of operations and you are not engaged in one of the excepted functions, you are being placed in a furlough status effective Oct. 31, 2025,” the Commerce Department wrote in its furlough notice. “This furlough, i.e., non-duty, non-pay status, is not expected to exceed 30 days. Therefore, this furlough notice expires on Nov. 29, 2025. (10/31)

Goddard Union Pushes Back (Source: NASA Watch)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is the largest group of scientists, technicians and engineers in the US and world who develop Earth and space science flight missions. NASA is closing 13 GSFC campus buildings (including ~100 laboratories) with extreme haste and with no transparent strategy or benefit to NASA or the nation.

Tens or hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer-funded NASA property and laboratories are at risk of either being discarded, mishandled, or out-of-commission. Unique and critical US and NASA capabilities are being abandoned without consultation with Congress or other key stakeholders. Closure activities are proceeding during the government shutdown, which may be illegal under the Antideficiency Act. The closures are being justified as cost-saving but no details are being provided.

Short-term savings are unlikely to offset a full account of moving costs and the reduced ability to complete NASA missions. Goddard management had previously agreed during union bargaining to halt moves until adequate laboratory space had been identified but they are reneging on those agreements. (11/2)

Isaacman and Duffy are Playing a ‘Game of Thrones’ for Control of NASA (Source: The Hill)
A weeks-long “Game of Thrones” struggle for control of NASA is still ongoing. In one corner is Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. In the other corner is billionaire private space traveler Jared Isaacman. It all started when President Trump abruptly withdrew the nomination of Isaacman to be NASA administrator. A month or so later, Trump appointed Duffy, the secretary of Transportation, to be acting NASA administrator pending the selection of a permanent space agency chief.

Curiously, White House insiders began to turn on Duffy, blaming him for starting a fight with an on-again-off-again Trump ally whose deep pockets would be needed during the 2026 midterms. The rift that occurred in the late spring between Trump and Musk has largely been healed. Duffy stirred the pot further by proposing that NASA be folded into the Department of Transportation. The move would allow him to continue determining broad space policy. But it was considered by many a dumb idea.

The argument for choosing Isaacman, the sooner the better, is overwhelming. Having built two multibillion-dollar companies and privately financed two space flights, he has a proven record of making the near impossible happen. As he explained to Ars Technica’s Eric Berger back in June, Isaacman has a vision for NASA and the Artemis program that is at once awesome and doable. Trump’s withdrawal of Isaacman’s nomination was a serious mistake. (11/2)

SpaceX Launches Private Space Station Pathfinder 'Haven Demo' (Source: Space.com)
SpaceX just launched a satellite that could help pave the way for a private space station in the very near future. Among the 18 payloads on board the Falcon-9 "Bandwagon" mission is Haven Demo, a pathfinder for Haven-1, the private space station that California company Vast Space plans to launch to Earth orbit next year.

"The first step in our iterative approach towards building next-generation space stations, Haven Demo will test critical systems for Haven-1, including propulsion, flight computers and navigation software," Vast wrote. (11/2)

Starship Block 3 and HLS: The Path to Get Back to the Moon (Source: NSF)
Amid numerous questions about whether SpaceX can have the Human Landing System (HLS) variant of Starship ready in time for Artemis 3, the company released a significant amount of information on its progress with HLS and Starship in relation to the Artemis Program. Click here. (11/1)

Virginia Spaceport Authority COO Receives Top AAS Honor (Source: VSA)
The American Astronautical Society (AAS) has selected Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Deputy Executive Director Sean Mulligan as the 2024 recipient of the Space Flight Award, the organization’s top honor.

The award, presented at the AAS von Braun Space Exploration Symposium in Huntsville, is given annually to the person whose efforts have contributed most significantly to the advancement of space flight and space exploration. AAS praised Mulligan for his extraordinary contribution to space launch capacities and transforming the launch industry in Virginia. (10/28)

Palmdale Incentive Supports AS Aerospace Expansion (Source: Aerotech News)
AS Aerospace broke ground on a new, two-phase, 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Palmdale, marking the first project delivered under the City’s Palmdale Aerospace Incentive Program (PAIP). As the inaugural PAIP project, the investment is expected to create 150 quality jobs and expand the City’s role as a hub for aerospace innovation.

Approved by the City Council in 2023, PAIP leverages Measure AV funds to attract and retain aerospace businesses in Palmdale. The program provides up to $250,000 per project in financial incentives tied to job creation and capital investment. PAIP supports companies seeking to grow beyond the Los Angeles basin by offering proximity to Air Force Plant 42, available land and a skilled workforce. (10/23)

Meet Point Nemo, Where the ISS Will Die in 2030 (Source: Space.com)
The ISS is in its home stretch. NASA and its partners plan to deorbit the aging outpost toward the end of 2030, using a modified, extra-burly version of SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule to bring it down over an uninhabited stretch of ocean. And not just any stretch — the "spacecraft cemetery," a patch of the Pacific centered on Point Nemo. "This remote oceanic location is located at coordinates 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, about 2,688 kilometers [1,670 miles] from the nearest land. (11/2)

Can the Global South Trust Starlink? (Source: NPR)
Starlink is the dominating power in providing satellite Internet services globally. Its competitors don't even come close. And Musk is expanding Starlink to countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean that have historically suffered from infrastructure issues. What are the pros and cons of this for the Global South?

It comes down to a couple key issues. On the one hand, many countries would really benefit from having greater connectivity for their populations. And there's been a lot of problems that countries have had when it comes to going the last mile and being able to provide connectivity to their citizens, especially in rural, hard-to-reach areas. And so Starlink provides a very easy solution to get around that problem.

But on the flip side, as Bolivia has articulated - and other countries as well - there's concerns that relying on a single provider, particularly one that is as politically oriented as the owner of Starlink, Elon Musk, can be really dangerous from a country's sovereignty perspective. (11/1)

Bezos Wants to Send People to Live in Space — Here’s What it Would Look Like (Source: New York Post)
The Amazon founder is dead set on making his ultimate science fiction dreams come true, by having a thriving population of humans circulating in space. “In the next couple of decades, I believe there will be millions of people living in space. That’s how fast this is going to accelerate,” he recently said. “We believe that, in order to preserve Earth, our home, for our grandchildren’s grandchildren, we must go to space to tap its unlimited resources and energy.”

“He’s got this vision where the space stations are so big, humanity can spread out into the solar system to live there and have all the heavy industry happen in space. Then Earth is preserved as a huge park.” Christian Davenport admits the full-blown version may be centuries rather than decades away, but Bezos already has an initial proof-of-concept project in the works.

Bezos’ plan for the space colonies, sized at more than a mile wide, would include frozen water retrieved from the moon, according to CNN. Astronomy magazine says plant-based foods will come from huge greenhouses built in the colonies. “I think some of the things that Bezos says are not well based; he talks about moving heavy industry into space to save the Earth’s environment; that’s preposterous,” says Robert Zubrin. (11/2)