T-Minus Space Daily

N2K Networks
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Dec 16, 2025 • 27min

Microdebris, maneuvers, and managing the orbital commons.

The US and France held a joint orbital exercise as part of the Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender. EraDrive has raised $5.3M in a seed round to scale the production of their space traffic management system. The US Department of State is seeking qualified individuals to participate as private sector advisors for a discussion group on space situational awareness (SSA), and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Trevor Smith, Co-founder and CEO of Atomic-6. Selected Reading France, US practice up-close satellite maneuvers under joint space war plan EraDrive CEO announcement Solicitation for Federal Register Notice 12609: Seeking Private Sector Participants for a Discussion Group on the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness - United States Department of State Vast Announces Call for Research Proposals Momentus Completes Key Milestone for Next Launch of Spacecraft with Customer Payloads Earth’s atmosphere may help support human life on the moon Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 15, 2025 • 26min

Starfish Space completes an autonomous RPO in LEO.

Starfish Space has successfully completed an autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) mission in low Earth orbit with Impulse Space. Rocket Lab has marked a milestone with the successful deployment of its first dedicated launch for JAXA. Mission Space has announced its intention to launch its second on-orbit payload with Rogue Space Systems, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Patrick O'Neill, Public Affairs and Outreach Lead at the International Space Station US National Laboratory. You can connect with Patrick on LinkedIn, and learn more about the ISS National Lab on their website. Selected Reading Starfish Space Completes Autonomous Rendezvous and Proximity Mission in LEO with Impulse Space Mission Success: Rocket Lab Deploys First Dedicated Launch for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Mission Space and Rogue Space Announce Launch of Mission Space's Second In-Orbit Payload Virgin Galactic Partners with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to Advance High-Altitude Image-Capture Technology Space Force will not partner with NRO for next-generation surveillance satellites 'Fiddler on the Moon' documentary explores how Judaism might adapt as humanity reaches out into space Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 13, 2025 • 23min

Lunar nuclear power and next-generation quantum sensing.

Canadian Space Mining Corporation (CSMC) is focused on lunar nuclear power and next-generation quantum sensing. We spoke to Daniel Sax, founder and CEO of CSMC, about how CSMC evolved from lunar exploration into developing micro-reactors for the Moon and the Arctic, as well as quantum gravity sensors that could transform subsurface mapping for both Earth and planetary science.  You can connect with Daniel on LinkedIn, and learn more about CSMC on their website.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 12, 2025 • 27min

From cyber threats to heavy-lift satellites.

Lawmakers in the US have reintroduced a bipartisan bill to help commercial satellite owners and operators defend against growing cybersecurity threats to satellites. Satellite manufacturer K2 Space has raised  $250 million in Series C funding at a $3 billion valuation. Fortastra has emerged from stealth and has raised over $8 million in seed financing, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading Lawmakers revive satellite cybersecurity bill to shield commercial space systems from rising threats - Industrial Cyber K2 Space Raises $250M at $3B Valuation to Roll Out a New Class of High-Capability Satellites Strength Among the Stars: Fortastra Emerges to Build Maneuverable Spacecraft for National Security New Orders Signed With MBDA For Over 35m€- Avio NASA Selects Two Heliophysics Missions for Continued Development NASA JPL Unveils Rover Operations Center for Moon, Mars Missions Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 11, 2025 • 23min

AI trained in space.

Starcloud has successfully trained and run the first large AI model in space. DARPA has awarded BAE a Phase 2 contract to advance autonomous space-based surveillance. Firefly Aerospace will host Volta Space Technologies’ wireless power receiver on Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 2 lander on the far side of the Moon, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Jerome Hittle, CEO & Founder at AmplifiedSpace. You can connect with Jerome on LinkedIn, and learn more about AmplifiedSpace on their website. Selected Reading ‘Greetings, earthlings’: Nvidia-backed Starcloud trains first AI model in space as orbital data center race heats up BAE Systems to advance autonomous space-based surveillance technology for DARPA Firefly Aerospace Adds Volta’s Wireless Power Receiver to Blue Ghost Mission on Far Side of the Moon HawkEye 360 and International Partner Establish Multi-Year Data Access Agreement ESA - Space-enabled air traffic control takes flight globally Momentus Selected for U.S. Space Force SHIELD Contract Vehicle Bezos and Musk Race to Bring Data Centers to Space NASA Teams Work MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 10, 2025 • 16min

Canada’s MILSATCOM in the Arctic.

MDA Space has signed a partnership agreement with the Government of Canada and Telesat Corporation to develop and deliver military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) capabilities. SpaceX launched the NROL-77 mission on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida yesterday. China set a new record, launching three rockets in less than 19 hours, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading MDA Space Signs Strategic Partnership With The Department Of National Defence And Telesat To Deliver Military Satellite Communications Launches - NROL-77 China breaks record with 3 Long March rocket launches in 19-hour stretch-  Space Chinese astronauts install debris protection aboard space station- Reuters Federal Register Space Modernization for the 21st Century ESA - Artist’s impression of the flaring, windy black hole in NGC 3783 (portrait) Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 9, 2025 • 23min

One small step for Isaacman.

The US Senate Commerce Committee has voted to advance the nomination of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. The Soyuz MS-27 crew has returned to Earth. Muon Space has been awarded a $1.9 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II contract by SpaceWERX, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Dr. Michelle Hailey, Director of Global Affairs at Solamed Solutions. You can connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, and learn more about Solamed on their website. Selected Reading US Senate Committee votes to advance NASA nominee Jared Isaacman- Reuters NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim, Crewmates Return from Space Station Muon Space Secures Direct to Phase II Award Supporting Space Development Agency's Missile Warning and Tracking Mission Space Infrastructure Startup Mantis Space Selects Albuquerque for Headquarters and Manufacturing Hub Balerion Space Ventures Announces Strategic Investments in Three Companies Building the Infrastructure for America's Next Industrial Revolution In First, Wheelchair User Set To Go To Space - Disability Scoop Blue Origin Announces Crew for New Shepard’s 37th Mission Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 8, 2025 • 26min

Europe’s big bet on sovereign space intelligence.

ICEYE has secured €150 million in new funding. NASA has selected two science instruments designed for astronauts to deploy on the surface of the Moon during the Artemis IV mission. Cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov to hand over command of the ISS to four-time space flyer NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Gerry Hudack, VP of Engineering at Rendezvous Robotics. You can connect with Gerry on LinkedIn, and learn more about Rendezvous Robotics on their website. Selected Reading ICEYE and General Catalyst partner to redefine space-based intelligence in Europe NASA Selects 2 Instruments for Artemis IV Lunar Surface Science Crew Swaps Commanders on Sunday as Trio Packs for Departure - NASA ispace and Kurita Water Industries Agree on Strategic Partnership for Lunar Water Resource Development SpaceX tells investors it is targeting late 2026 IPO, the Information reports- Reuters NASA spacecraft were vulnerable to hacking for 3 years and nobody knew. AI found and fixed the flaw in 4 days- Space Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 6, 2025 • 24min

Should we repeal the Wolf Amendment?

Nearly 15 years after its inclusion in a 2011 annual appropriations bill, the Wolf Amendment remains a hotly debated topic reflecting many of the core geopolitical and philosophical issues at the heart of the debate over the U.S.-China relationship on matters of space and more. The Aerospace Corporation has created a series of debates arguing for and against retaining the amendment. We spoke to Brian Weeden from The Aerospace Corp.'s Center for Space Policy and Strategy discussing the takeaways from the debate series. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn, and read the debate arguments on The Aerospace Corporation’s website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 5, 2025 • 21min

Canada Expands RADARSAT.

Canada has announced its intention to contract MDA Space to build, test, and launch an additional radar imaging satellite. HawkEye 360 has been awarded a contract extension from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) to expand its ongoing work. NASA has extended its Cooperative Agreement with CASIS to manage the International Space Station National Laboratory through 2030, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading MDA Space Awarded Initial Contract By Canadian Space Agency For Radarsat Constellation Mission Replenishment Satellite NRO Selects HawkEye 360 to Advance Tactical RF Data and Analytics Capabilities CASIS to Manage the International Space Station National Laboratory Through 2030 Sidus Space Secures Subcontractor Role with MobLobSpace on NASA SBIR Radar Initiative with LizzieSat Hosting Sam Altman Has Explored Deal to Build Competitor to Elon Musk’s SpaceX RTX's Raytheon announces strategic collaboration with AWS to improve services for space customers Castelion Closes $350 Million Series B to Mass Produce U.S. Hypersonic Weapons NASA’s Fly Foundational Robots Demo to Bolster In-Space Infrastructure “Space Sailors” Seeking Download Help from Ham Radio Operators Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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