India advances its human spaceflight plans.

India's ISRO aims for its first crewed space mission, Gaganyaan, to possibly launch by the end of this year if testing in October is successful. Stoke Space successfully conducts a VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) developmental test flight, showcasing their innovative hydrogen/oxygen engine and working towards a 100% reusable rocket with 24-hour turnaround. Varda Space struggles with regulatory hurdles, failing to secure support from the Air Force and the FAA for landing its in-space manufacturing vehicle, and more. 

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T-Minus Guest

Our guest today is Tom Marotta, CEO of the Spaceport Company.

You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and learn more about the Spaceport Company on their website.

Selected Reading

India plans crucial test in crewed space mission by October- Reuters

Update on Hopper2: The Hopper Has Landed- Stoke Space

Varda Space puts off orbital factory reentry pending Air Force and FAA green light- Tech Crunch

Ten Satellites Incorporating Terran Orbital Buses Launch As Part Of Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 Mission- PR

​​Bentivegna Succeeds Towberman, ‘Has Big Shoes to Fill’ as as Space Force’s Top Enlisted- Air and Space Forces

One American, two Russians ride Russian capsule to the International Space Station- AP

Major UK methane leak is spotted from space: Satellite discovers plumes of the greenhouse gas coming from a pipeline in Cheltenham - with enough released to power 7,500 homes for a year- the Daily Mail

Simera Sense, CubeSpace, and Sodern Signs MOU on Advancing EO Capabilities- Space in Africa

Space, a new frontier, as govt mulls developing rocket launch site- Free Malaysia Today

Tim Peake backs idea for solar farms in space as costs fall- The Guardian

Balancing Space Superiority And Space Services To Better Sustain The Joint Force- War on the Rocks

Starship's advanced design is said to have NASA officials "sh**ting the bed"- Interesting Engineering

NASA-Developed Spherical Robots to the Rescue

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