T-Minus Space Daily

The Trump Administration seeks to cut air quality and ocean monitoring instruments from the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite constellation and reduce the number of satellites. NASA has released a Request for Information (RFI) to look for alternatives to the Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) mission. Japan’s Space Agency (JAXA) has selected Mitsubishi Electric to develop solar technology for satellites, 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. Emma Louden, President of Slooh. You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, and find out more about Slooh on their website. Selected Reading Trump admin strips ocean and air pollution monitoring from next-gen weather satellites- CNN Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) Mission Alternatives Assessment Team (MAAT): Request for Information (RFI) Mitsubishi Electric Selected as Representative Organization for JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund to Develop Solar Cells and Related Components for Satellites Solar System Internet Successfully Conducted Pioneering Delay Tolerant Network Edge Processing Test on Lonestar Data Holding's February Lunar Test Flight LunaGrid-Lite Completes Critical Design Review, Flight Model Underway Meet Wukong, the AI Chatbot China Has Installed on Its Space Station | WIRED ALL.SPACE and Telesat Government Solutions begin terminal collaboration for Telesat Lightspeed US Space Force scheduled to launch eighth X-37B mission Opinion- Nuclear-powered rockets will win the new space race SpaceX’s Expensive Starship Explosions Are Starting to Add Up TOMEX+ Launch Update – Aug. 20 - NASA This Chappell Roan song boosted interest in a Canadian dark sky preserve by 1,800%- Space T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

The UK Space Agency is set to integrate into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, streamlining regulations for growth. BlackSky has secured a significant contract for automated imaging services, enhancing defense and intelligence operations. A strategic investment in Ursa Space Systems signals robust industry support. Meanwhile, an exciting discovery made by the James Webb Space Telescope unveiled a tiny moon around Uranus, sparking intrigue about its origins and role in the system.

SpinLaunch has raised $30 million in funding to accelerate the development and commercialization of Meridian Space. Space Kinetic Corp. has received an undisclosed amount of funding from CerraCap Ventures. X-Bow Systems and the US Army have announced a $13.9 million joint investment to strengthen the solid rocket motor supply chain for defense needs, 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 Richard Cooper, Vice President, Strategic Communications & Space Awareness at the Space Foundation. You can connect with Rich on LinkedIn, and find out more about the Space Technology Hall of Fame on the Space Foundation’s website. Selected Reading SpinLaunch Announces Closing of $30M in Funding to Accelerate the Development of the Meridian Space Constellation CerraCap Ventures Invests in Space Kinetic, Driving Breakthrough - Space Superiority and Missile Defense Innovation X-Bow Systems and U.S. Army Announce $13.9 Million Joint Investment for Next-Generation GMLRS Rocket Motor Construction Begins at NordSpace's Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) in Canada, Ahead of First Commercial Rocket Launch China launches seven satellites with Lijian-1 rocket Polish Consortium Selects Payloads for State-Sponsored Suborbital Rocket Launch  TOMEX+ Launch Update – Aug. 18 - NASA Shubhanshu Shukla gifts PM Modi National Flag flown in Space - News9live Higher Orbits to Launch Four Student Research Experiments to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX CRS-33 T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

SpaceX's eyebrow-raising tax situation raises questions about its government support. NASA and Google are testing a groundbreaking AI medical assistant for astronauts, aiming to enhance long missions. Industry experts discuss the rise of spaceports, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and strategic planning for their future. Meanwhile, advancements like FAA approvals for test flights and innovative projects from Voyager and Latent AI showcase the rapid evolution of the space industry.

Sift is focused on solving the hardware/software problem in aerospace. Their mission and vision argue that hardware has been left behind. Sift argues that the industry still lacks the runtime observability tools to debug systems in real-time. Sift is filling that gap by providing a full-stack AI SaaS solution to hardware observability. We speak to Sift’s CEO Karthik Gollapudi. You can connect with Karthik Gollapudi on LinkedIn and learn more about Sift 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. 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

The California Coastal Commission has voted against a plan to nearly double the number of Falcon 9 rocket launches SpaceX is permitted to conduct each year from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Air and Space Forces says that there are calls for nearly $2.3 billion in spending cuts hidden in the 2026 fiscal year budget. NASA has released a call for industry input for developing efficient power supply on the lunar surface, 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 California rejects Elon Musk’s rocket-launch proposal - POLITICO Here's All the DOGE-Linked Cuts in the Air, Space Force Budget NASA Seeks Industry Feedback on Fission Surface Power Sidus Space Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Update China's Shenzhou-20 crew to conduct 3rd spacewalk with new spacesuits - CGTN Colorado space company hopes to land contract for President Trump's Golden Dome project ESA - No Earth-like atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 d T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

US President Donald Trump signed the “Enabling Competition In The Commercial Space Industry” Executive Order (EO). Gilat Satellite Networks has been awarded a multimillion dollar contract by Israel’s Ministry of Defense for the delivery and integration of satellite communication systems (SATCOM) and services. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) has signed an agreement with SpaceX for an uncrewed mission to Mars aboard a future Starship mission, 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 Luis Torres, founder of Torres Orbital Mining (TOM).  You can connect with Luis on LinkedIn, and find out more about TOM on their website. Selected Reading Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry – The White House Gilat receives a multimillion contract from Israel’s Ministry of Defense for advanced strategic defense SATCOM project Agenzia Spaziale ITA (@ASI_spazio) / X Spire Global Announces Preliminary Second Quarter 2025 Revenue and Provides Business Update KBR and Axiom Space Successfully Complete Initial Crewed Spacesuit Tests in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab Space Kinetic Corp. LinkedIn This real 'Eye of Sauron' spits out ghost particles in space. Here's what it looks like T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

A United Launch Alliance’s (ULA’s) Vulcan rocket launched from Cape Canaveral carrying the USSF-106 mission for the United States Space Force's (USSF’s) Space Systems Command (SSC). Arianespace’s Ariane 6 liftoff from the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) spaceport in French Guiana carrying EUMETSAT's Metop-SGA1 satellite. The Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) has obtained its license to operate a Spaceport in Santa Maria, Azores, 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 Vulcan Rocket Ushers in New Era of National Security Space Launch Space Systems Command Prepares to Launch first Operational Vulcan Mission for the U.S. Space Force- Space Systems Command  With Ariane 6, Arianespace successfully launches Metop-SGA1 satellite Successful Launch of Metop-SGA1 to Take Weather Forecasting to New Heights ASC secures Spaceport Licence NASA Awards Second Human Health, Performance Contract Momentus Secures NASA Contract to Study the Launch of Robotic Technologies for Future Space Exploration SaxaVord Spaceport Statement Exclusive: Pentagon Golden Dome to have 4-layer defense system, slides show- Reuters Ukraine successfully tests Starlink's direct-to-cell technology- Reuters Space Rock That Punched Through Roof Almost Struck Resident T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

Rocket Lab has completed the acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), has selected a consortium led by PixxelSpace to build a commercial sovereign constellation of Earth observation satellites. The European Space Agency (ESA) is deliberating moves to become less dependent on NASA programs, 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 is Bryce Kennedy, Space Connectivity Senior Officer, International Telecommunication Union (ITU). You can connect with Bryce on LinkedIn, and learn more about the ITU on their website. Selected Reading Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition of Geost, Expanding Its National Security Capabilities with Launch, Spacecraft, and Now Payloads India's space regulator picks Google-backed PixxelSpace for home-grown satellite constellation- Reuters Europe’s space ambitions at risk over dependence on Nasa, agency warns  NASA Explores Industry Possibilities to Raise Swift Mission’s Orbit European VV27 victory. LeoLabs and NASA Enter Space Act Agreement for Flight Safety Data Integration & Coordination Road to Space - Arianespace ULA Vulcan to launch USSF-106 national security mission Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida AST SpaceMobile Provides Business Update and Second Quarter 2025 Results BlackSky Secures Two-Year Gen-3 Early Access Agreement with New International Gen-2 On-Demand Customer Six Months from Initial Contract Redwire Announces Major Release of Acorn 2.0 Software Product, Expanding its AI-Powered Digital Engineering Tools for Aerospace and Defense Customers Is astronomy safe from organized scientific fraud?- Space The entities enabling scientific fraud at scale are large, resilient, and growing rapidly- PNAS T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

NASA’s SpaceX Crew 10 returns to Earth in a splash down off the coast of California. A Jielong-3 carrier rocket launched the Geely Constellation Group 04 satellites from the coastal waters off Shandong, China. ISRO announces that it will be launching another American satellite in the coming months, 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 NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Returns, Splashes Down Off California Zoomlion's Corporate-Named Satellite Enters Orbit, Marking a New Era in Engineering Machinery with Digital, Intelligent, Green, and Global Vision India's giant space leap: After NISAR mission, Isro to launch 6,500-kg US satellite DGX closes a €2.3M funding round to boost onboard AI compute for satellites Blue Origin Spaceflights Aboard New Shepard Can Now Be Purchased With Crypto and Stablecoins Through Shift4 Space log: Spacesuit unpacking, research and more for Shenzhou-20 crew - CGTN Safran DSI to Supply Electric Propulsion Systems for AstroForge's Upcoming Vestri Asteroid Mission Acting NASA Administrator Reflects on Legacy of Astronaut Jim Lovell T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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