T-Minus Space Daily

Satellites haven’t changed much in their basic design since we started launching them in the 1950s. They go into their predetermined orbit, live to a short life expectancy, then burn up in our atmosphere on reentry. But what if there was a different approach that could help resolve limitations especially now that things are getting crowded in LEO? Portal Space Systems say they’re solving the need for mobility in space with their Supernova spacecraft. We find out more from CEO Jeff Thornburg. You can connect with Jeff on LinkedIn, and learn more about Portal Space Systems 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.T-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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 United States Space Force (USSF)’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded a launch service contract to Firefly Aerospace for $21.81 million for VICTUS SOL, the USSF’s newest Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission. K2 Space has raised $110 million in a Series B funding round. The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space to develop Element #2 of the High-throughput Digital and Optical Network (HydRON) project, 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 GuestElysia Segal from NASASpaceflight.com brings us the Space Traffic Report.Selected ReadingSpace Systems Command advances Tactically Responsive Space capabilities to enable faster, more agile response to on-orbit threatsK2 Space announces $110M Series B and first successful in-space demonstrationHydRON moves into next phase with Thales Alenia Space to develop optical LEO multi-orbit extension layer- ESA CSCDXC Helps European Space Agency Launch GenAI AgentsStar Catcher Awarded AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 to Advance Space-to-Space Power BeamingKing Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) & ispace Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration on Lunar Exploration Opportunities and Capability DevelopmentWhite Hat Hackers Expose Iridium Satellite Security FlawsT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

Blue Origin announces layoffs affecting roughly 10% or around 1,400 employees. India expands its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and raises its budget to $2.32 billion. BlackSky has been contracted to develop India’s commercial Earth observation capabilities, 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 GuestOur guest is Paul Cremin, the Commercial Spaceflight Regulation and Policy Lead at the UK’s Department for Transport.You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn and you can read more about the UK Department for Transportation on their website.Selected ReadingBezos' Blue Origin to layoff about 10% across its space, launch business- ReutersIndia raises budget for Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission to $2.32 billion- ReutersBlackSky Wins Multiple, Multi-Year Contracts with a Combined Value of Eight Figures to Accelerate the Development of India’s Commercial Earth Observation CapabilitiesSDA Issues Special Notice Seeking Iron Dome for America Architecture StudiesContracts For Feb. 12, 2025Space Force Issues Draft Solicitation for GEARSS III GPS Sustainment Support - GovCon WireIridium Announces 2024 Results, Issues 2025 OutlookYork Space Systems Expands National Security Offerings with New Commercial Services ProgramBlue Ghost Mission 1: Live UpdatesT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

Redwire to develop the preliminary spacecraft design for an upcoming astrophysics mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). Redwire has been awarded a contract by Orion Space Solutions to deliver a Mako spacecraft to support the US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Tetra-6 mission. Sierra Space has been awarded a $16 million firm-fixed-price contract from AFRL to continue upper stage engine maturation, 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 GuestOur guest today is Richard Turner, CEO at Convergence Data.You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn, and learn more about Convergence Data on their website.Selected ReadingRedwire Awarded Contract to Lead Study for the European Space Agency’s Next Dark Matter MissionRedwire Wins Follow-on Contract to Deliver Third Mako Spacecraft for U.S. Space ForceSierra Space Completes Test Campaign on Next Generation Vortex 35,000 lbf Fuel-Rich LOX LH2 EngineUK ADR Mission Development on Track to De-risk Key Technologies - AstroscaleRocket Lab Delivers Third In-Orbit Manufacturing Spacecraft for Varda Space Industries- Business WireChina builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid- ReutersMomentus Announces Closing of $5 Million Offering Priced At-The-Market Under NASDAQ Rules- Business WireSidus Space Announces LizzieSat™-3 Ready for LaunchSpace Foundation Names SpaceX Starship Mission Team as 2025 Space Achievement Award RecipientNOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR): Celebrating a Decade of Protecting Earth from Space WeatherT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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 selects SpaceX to provide the launch service for the Pandora mission, which will study at least 20 known exoplanets and their host stars. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selects two universities to demonstrate novel tech for building future large structures in space. China launches its first Long March 8A carrying communication satellites for the Guowang constellation, 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 GuestOur guest today is Madison Feehan, Founder and CEO of Space Copy.You can connect with Madison on LinkedIn, and learn more about Space Copy on their website.Selected ReadingNASA Awards Launch Service Task Order for Pandora MissionDARPA demos will test novel tech for building future large structures in spaceFirst launch of Long March 8A sends second group of Guowang megaconstellation satellites into orbit - SpaceNewsGermany Commits Additional €870k to Offshore Launch Facility - European Spaceflight$47.7 million approved by Texas Space Commission for SEARF grant awards Space Norway orders THOR 8 telecom satellite from Thales Alenia SpaceMichael J Sheetz_LI Post International Day of Women and Girls in Science- United NationsT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

MDA Space has been selected by Globalstar as the prime contractor for a next generation low Earth orbit constellation. Rocket Lab launched its 59th Electron mission, deploying five satellites to Low Earth Orbit for French Internet-of-Things constellation operator Kinéis. ICEYE and SATIM are partnering on a new product combining AI and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations to detect and classify vessels, aircraft, and land vehicles from space, 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 GuestOur guest today is Mark Russell, CEO General Hypersonics.You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn, and learn more about General Hypersonics on their website.Selected ReadingMDA Space Signs $1.1b Contract With Globalstar To Build Next Generation LEO ConstellationRocket Lab Launches Next Batch of Satellites for Kinéis ConstellationICEYE and SATIM enter partnership on joint development for new, AI-powered SAR imagery analysis productsSpiderOak to Deliver Secure Control Systems for Space ForceProposal SubmissionAegis Aerospace Partners with Texas A&M University to Create Dedicated Flight Facility on the ISS for University ResearchIndustry Veteran John Scott Joins Rivada Select ServicesESA - Euclid discovers a stunning Einstein ringT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

Space ISAC and the Aerospace Corporation are partnering to open up access to test beds and proving grounds to members of Space ISAC. We caught up with Ron Birk, Principal Director of the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at The Aerospace Corporation, and Erin Miller, Executive Director at Space ISAC at SpaceCom to discuss the partnership. You can find out more about the initiative here.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 Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

Spire Global has been awarded CAD$72 million to design and develop a dedicated satellite constellation to monitor all active wildfires in Canada from space. Commercial space station company Vast has pushed back the launch of its Haven-1 to 2026. Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with India’s NIBE Space to supply high-resolution optical 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 GuestElysia Segal from NASASpaceflight.com brings us the Space Traffic Report.Selected ReadingCanadian Space Agency Assigns Can$72 Million Contract to Spire Global Canada to Design WildFireSat MissionVast Passes Critical Haven-1 Test MilestoneThales Alenia Space and NIBE sign a satellite supply contract for NIBE’s Earth observation constellation projectSatellogic and Telespazio Brasil Announce Multi-Year Contract for Low-Latency Satellite Imagery for the Brazilian Air Force- Business WireMeasat Signs MoU With China’s Spacesail LEO Constellation - Via SatelliteHoneywell Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results; Issues 2025 GuidanceHoneywell Announces Intent To Separate Automation And Aerospace, Enabling The Creation Of Three Industry-Leading CompaniesNASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Releases 2024 Annual ReportRobot Gets a Grip - NASAT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

ATMOS has become the first European company to obtain a re-entry license for its PHOENIX capsule. Spanish defense company Indra agrees to buy 89.7% of satellite operator Hispasat for €725 million. Orbex has signed a new customer agreement with space logistics and transportation company, D-Orbit, 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 GuestOur guest today is Amolak Badesha is the CEO and co-founder of Orbital Composites.You can connect with Amolak on LinkedIn, and learn more about Orbital Composites on their website.Selected ReadingATMOS to Attempt Space Re-Entry with PHOENIX Capsule on SpaceX FlightSpain's defence company Indra buys satellite operator Hispasat | ReutersKremlin replaces Russian space boss after tenure scarred by failed moonshot | ReutersAstrolab's FLIP rover joins Astrobotic's Griffin-1 to the MoonU.S., Japan launch the QZSS-HP in first bilateral national security space cooperation effort- Yokota Air Base Amentum Secures COSMIC Contract to Enhance NASA's Space Infrastructure- Business WireNASA Goes Live: First Twitch Stream from Space StationT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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

Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT confirms that it has contracted Planet Labs to build their low Earth orbit constellation. The US Air Force’s AFWERX has selected a proposal from Momentus to perform an in-space demonstration flight of multispectral sensors for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO). SpaceX launches Maxar’s fifth and sixth WorldView Legion 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 GuestOur guest today is Dr. David Smith, the CEO at Mojave Air and Space Port.You can find out more about Mojave Air and Space Port on LinkedIn, and on their website.Selected ReadingSKY Perfect JSAT and Planet Labs PBCPartner to Build a $230M Low-Earth Orbit Satellite ConstellationMomentus Selected by U.S. Air Force for Space Demonstration of Rendezvous Using Low-Cost Multi-Spectral Sensor Suite- Business WireMaxar Successfully Launches Fifth and Sixth WorldView Legion Satellites- Business WireESA and Finland pave the way towards a supersite for Earth observationCNES to Develop Reusable Upper Stage for Heavy-Lift Rocket - European SpaceflightRocket Lab Signs Multi-Launch Contract with iQPS for Four Electron MissionsFive Eyes Launch Guidance to Improve Edge Device Security - Infosecurity Magazine Space Foundation Names Emily Calandrelli Recipient of 2025 Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach AwardTrue Anomaly Appoints Frank Calvelli, Pentagon's First-Ever Dedicated Service Acquisition Executive in Charge of Military Space Programs, to its Board of DirectorsGrand Canyons Of The MoonT-Minus Crew SurveyWe want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.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