T-Minus Space Daily Starlab Docking, Lunar Power, Global Space Deals.
Sep 29, 2025
Torsten Kriening, a space industry analyst from SpaceWatch.Global, shares insights from World Space Business Week. He discusses Northrop Grumman's successful docking demo with Starlab and the innovative lunar power partnership between Honda and Astrobotic. Also highlighted is the focus on defense spending outpacing commercial investments in space, and the crucial role of international partnerships in the industry. Kriening emphasizes the need for collaboration, especially in addressing security challenges like jamming and signal disruptions.
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Cygnus Ground Demo Advances Commercial Docking
- Northrop Grumman demonstrated autonomous RPO and docking with Starlab as a ground-based proof of concept.
- This moves Cygnus toward cargo delivery for commercial LEO stations and signals commitment to the commercial LEO economy.
Closed-Loop Lunar Power Partnership
- Honda and Astrobotic are studying a closed-loop regenerative fuel cell integrated with vertical solar arrays for continuous lunar power.
- The system stores solar energy as hydrogen by day and converts it to electricity at night while recycling water, enabling sustained south-pole operations.
Australia Seeks Formal International Access
- IAC in Sydney highlights Australia pushing international space collaboration with ESA and US framework talks.
- Formal agreements aim to open Australian industry and researchers to ESA and NASA partnerships.