T-Minus Space Daily

SES has completed the acquisition of Intelsat. Planet Labs has announced a multi-year contract expansion with the Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi (IGAC) in Colombia. Solestial has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1.2 million, 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 Jacob Oakley,   Technical Director at SIXGEN and Space Lead for the DEFCON Aerospace Village.  You can connect with Jacob on LinkedIn, and learn more about the Aerospace Village on their website. Selected Reading SES Completes Acquisition of Intelsat, Creating Global Multi-Orbit Connectivity Powerhouse Planet Expands Multi-Year Contract with Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi (IGAC), Providing Satellite Data and AI-Powered Analytics Feeds Across Colombia Solestial Awarded $1.2M by SpaceWERX for Space Solar Development SpaceX Plans Starship Program for In-Orbit Drug Research - Bloomberg ISS National Lab's Orbital Edge Accelerator Program Selects Six Startups NASA Sees Key Progress on Starlab Commercial Space Station Astronomers capture the birth of planets around a baby sun outside our solar system The handshake in orbit that made the International Space Station possible 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 (UKSA) has awarded new funding to support satellite communications development and boost the nation’s space clusters. Spaceport Cornwall has been selected to join the UK Ministry of Defence’s Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework. Taiwan has approved a project to drive the development of 6G and low-Earth orbit satellite systems by 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. Selected Reading Space’s influence on economy and security grows, as new projects announced in Manchester - GOV.UK Spaceport Cornwall Selected for UK MOD Hypersonic Framework to Advance Britain’s Defence Capabilities ESA - INVICTUS – Europe’s new hypersonic test platform Taiwan Allocates TWD 27 Billion to Accelerate 6G and LEO Satellite Development - Telecom Review Asia BlackSky Wins Multimillion-Dollar Contract with New International Defense Customer for Gen-3 and Gen-2 Assured Services IonQ Completes Acquisition of Capella Space, Advancing Vision for Space-Based Quantum Communications New Study Suggests Link Between Grand Canyon Landslide and Meteor Crater Impact ESA - Φsat-2 begins science phase for AI Earth images ispace LinkedIn Update 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 Axiom-4 crew splashed down off the coast of California in a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Sierra Space has been awarded a contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to deliver key components for spacecraft docking on the ISS. NASA has awarded Astrobotic a SBIR Phase II contract to advance development of its Extra Large Vertical Solar Array Technology, 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 Muzaffar Manghi, Co-founder and Global Business Lead at Farmdar. You can connect with Muzaffar on LinkedIn, and learn more about Farmdar on their website. Selected Reading Axiom Mission 4 Sierra Space Awarded Contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Astrobotic Developing XL Solar Array Tech for Lunar Power Infrastructure Spire Global Awarded $1.2 Million NASA Contract Renewal for Earth Observation Data research opportunities in space and earth sciences (roses) 2025 TraCSS Welcomes SpaceX as 10th Beta User What's inside the 'space package', new spacesuits and fitness gear? - CGTN Space Force selects 823 Guardians for promotion in the master sergeant, technical sergeant and sergeant cycles; lists post July 17 - Air Force's Personnel Center  Engineered for Astronauts: Oakley, Axiom Space Launch Next-Gen Visor System 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 Ax-4 crew has undocked from the International Space Station and started its return to Earth. Firefly Aerospace to propose an initial public offering of shares of its common stock. iLAuNCH Trailblazer, Optus, HEO, Inovor Technologies and the Defence Science and Technology Group to build, launch and operate a sovereign Australian Low Earth Orbit satellite, 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 Ax-4 Undocks from Station Inside Dragon for Earth Return - NASA Firefly Aerospace Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering iLAuNCH Trailblazer to partner with Optus on $50M sovereign LEO satellite project advancing connectivity and space domain awareness Israel enters new space era with first state-owned communications satellite Jerusalem needs national space strategy that balances defense, science Rocket carrying Tianzhou-9 cargo spaceship moved to launch pad - CGTN Billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman donating $15 million for Space Camp programs 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 Karman Project Foundation unites global decision-makers to drive urgent, collaborative action for a sustainable and peaceful future in space. The non-government organization recognises the core role of international cooperation to secure the space sector's prosperity, and Earth's critical reliance on it. They're working with Jaguar Space and the upcoming "Earth Seeds for Space" mission to the ISS. We find out more from Hannah Ashford, the Karman Project co-founder and managing director. You can connect with Hannah on LinkedIn, and learn more about the Karman Project 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 UK plans to invest $191 million in satellite operator Eutelsat. The European Space Agency (ESA) has established its first optical communication link with a spacecraft in deep space. Intuitive Machines is partnering with Space Forge on a new vehicle, 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 We are joined by NASASpaceflight.com with the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading Britain joins France in 1.5 billion euro boost for Starlink rival Eutelsat- Reuters Europe looks to Nordic space race to scale back US dependence- Reuters ESA - Europe's first deep-space optical communication link Intuitive Machines Partners with Space Forge to Enable U.S. Space-Based Semiconductor Manufacturing Colorado ONE Fund Invests in CisLunar Industries, Advancing Critical Power Infrastructure for the Space Industrial Economy China's Chang'e‑6 samples unlock deep insights into moon's far side - CGTN Space Investment Quarterly Reports In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing: Benefits, Challenges, and Policy Options - U.S. GAO Rocket Lab Selects Bollinger Shipyards to Support Modification of Neutron Landing Platform NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Team Installs Observatory’s Solar Panels Ringo Starr sends birthday "Peace and Love" message to the Moon and Back with intuitive machines & goonhilly earth station ltd. 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 has named Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as the Interim Head of NASA. Varda Space has raised $187 million in a Series C Funding round. Australia’s Gilmour Space and Japan’s Space BD partner on rideshare opportunities, 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 Dorit Donoviel, PH.D., Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH)'s Executive Director. You can connect with Dorit on LinkedIn, and learn more about TRISH’s Ax-4 scientific research on their website. Selected Reading Trump Names Sean Duffy as Interim Head of NASA - The New York Times Over 2,000 senior staff set to leave NASA under agency push - POLITICO Varda Announces $187 million in Series C Funding to Make Medicines in Space Gilmour Space and Space BD Partner to Deliver Satellite Launch Services Blog - Northwood Space Advanced Space Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract to Develop Communications Relay and PNT Capabilities for NASA Neo Space Group Completes Acquisition of UP42 from Airbus Defence and Space AWS launches Space Accelerator program across Australia, India, and Japan Lockheed Martin's Plan for Mars Sample Return 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

Selected Reading US Space Force unveils International Partnership Strategy to strengthen space security-  Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs  SLD 30 Change of Command 2025 Vandenberg Space Force Base  Mission Delta 2 Conducts Change Command- Space Operations Command (SpOC) Redwire Expands International Collaboration with Japanese Startup SpaceData for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Engineering Systems Japan's Interstellar and Germany's Exolaunch Sign Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Launch Services in Asia BlackSky Signs Gen-3 Early Access Agreement With Current Gen-2 Customer in Support of Ukraine MDA Space Achieves An Industry First In Satellite Digital Beam Forming With MDA Aurora™ ESA - Closing the loop: new Space Rider drop test China's Tianzhou-8 cargo spaceship re-enters atmosphere - CGTN Planet Signs Partnership with Farmdar to Enhance Global Agricultural AI Analysis Redwire Successfully Completes Integration of Hammerhead Spacecraft for Upcoming European Tech Demonstration Mission China sets up 1st international association on deep-space exploration - CGTN 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

Urgent calls to action coming within the US space industry regarding potential massive budget cuts to key US space programs. China is pushing the frontier of in-space reusability. UK moves to clean up space debris. 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 Dorit Donoviel, PH.D., Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH)'s Executive Director. You can connect with Dorit on LinkedIn, and learn more about TRISH’s Ax-4 scientific research on their website. Selected Reading Space industry urges US Congress not to axe system that prevents satellite collisions (Reuters)  Every living NASA science chief unites in opposition to unprecedented budget cuts (The Planetary Society) China jumps ahead in the race to achieve a new kind of reuse in space (Ars Technica) Maxar Awarded $205 Million In Strategic Contracts to Advance Sovereign Capabilities Across the Middle East and Africa Region (Maxar) UK launches tender for mission to clean up space and safeguard vital services (GOV.UK) Skynopy x SpaceLocker: Two startups team up to make space more accessible, more sustainable… and more connected (SpaceLocker) Planetes Deluxe Edition Book 1 (bookshop.org)  Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)/Senior Agency Information Security Officer (SAISO) (USAJOBS) Can Canada get to orbit? Companies NordSpace and ProtoSpace hope to launch country's 1st space mission (exclusive) (Space.com) T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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

European Launcher Challenge's shortlist announced. Dhruva Space to provide solar panels for Pixxel hyperspectral constellation. US Space Systems Command awards $2.8B in contracts for secure space communications. 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 Aegis Space Law Attorney’s Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton bring you the Aegis Space Law monthly segment. You can connect with Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton on LinkedIn, and send your questions to space@n2k.com. Selected Reading N° 42–2025: European Launcher Challenge: preselected challengers unveiled (European Space Agency)  Dhruva Space set to power up Pixxel’s next constellation with Solis+ Space-grade Solar Panels (Dhruva Space)  Space Systems Command Awards $2.8B Contract to Deliver the First Two Satellites for Modern (US Space Force)  France joins European push for satellite internet on trains (Reuters)  NASA Mission Monitoring Air Quality from Space Extended (NASA) Space auction: Sally Ride memorabilia collection sells for $145,000 (Space.com) China accelerates toward lunar goals as reusability programs gain momentum - NASASpaceFlight.com  OroraTech opens Greek headquarters to accelerate wildfire constellation and boost national innovation (OroraTech) 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