T-Minus Space Daily

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

Audrey Schaffer, VP of Strategy and Policy at Slingshot Aerospace, dives into the critical need for a federal Traffic Coordination System for Space. She explains how the growing number of commercial space companies is rallying for government-supported initiatives to ensure safe operations. Discussions include the implications of budget cuts on US leadership in space and innovative AI solutions like Talos, which aim to revolutionize satellite training for national security. The collaboration between commercial and federal entities is highlighted as essential for effective space traffic management.

Alicia Siegel, a contributor for NASASpaceflight.com, dives into alarming cybersecurity vulnerabilities in satellite systems, shedding light on the ease of exploitation demonstrated at the Black Hat conference. She also discusses China's first lunar lander test aimed at human missions to the Moon, Rocket Lab's significant advancements for the U.S. Space Force, and exciting recent discoveries in astronomy, including an interstellar comet. The conversation is packed with thrilling developments in space technology and exploration.

Firefly Aerospace announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering (IPO), while MDA Space, BlackSky and Redwire reported Q2 financial updates. Intuitive Machines has signed a definitive agreement to acquire KinetX, Inc. NASA has selected six companies to produce studies focused on lower-cost ways to launch and deliver spacecraft of various sizes and forms to multiple, difficult-to-reach orbits, 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 Frank Chimenti, Director of Mechanical Satellite Solutions at Beyond Gravity.  You can connect with Frank on LinkedIn, and learn more about Beyond Gravity on their website. Selected Reading Firefly Aerospace Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering MDA Space Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results BlackSky Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results Redwire Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Intuitive Machines Expands Deep Space Navigation Services with Agreement to Acquire KinetX, Positioning Itself for Constellation Management and Moon-to-Mars Data Relay NASA Selects Six Companies to Provide Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies Raft and SAIC Selected to Operationalize National Space-Based Intelligence for the U.S. Air Force through TENCAP HOPE 2.0 Saudi Arabia Launches National Earth Observation Data Platform Operated by UP42 - SpaceTech in Gulf Region NASA to Provide Live Coverage of Crew-10 Return, Splashdown SpaceX - KF-02 Mission A Small Uniform Tweak Reveals a Shift in Space Force Culture China and Pakistan expand tech collaboration to nuclear power, space and AI NASA Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore Retires 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

AST SpaceMobile plans to acquire global S-Band spectrum priority rights held under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Scout Space has completed its first suborbital Space Domain Awareness (SDA) test flight on Dawn Aerospace’s Aurora spaceplane. An Interlune payload will fly on Astrolab’s FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover on its upcoming mission to 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. Selected Reading AST SpaceMobile Announces Agreement to Acquire Global S-Band Spectrum Priority Rights Held under the International Telecommunication Union  Scout Space and Dawn Aerospace Complete First Suborbital Spaceplane Surveillance Test Flight Interlune to Fly Multispectral Camera on Astrolab FLIP Rover to Measure Helium-3 on the Moon Parsons and Globalstar Pave Way for Commercial Satellite Solutions after Completing Successful Proof of Concept Project Kuiper partners with NBN Co to bring low Earth orbit satellite broadband to rural Australia Voyager Selects VISTA Team Amentum Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results and Raises Full Year Organic Guidance Pentagon keeps a lid on Golden Dome - POLITICO Is the Dream Chaser space plane ever going to launch into orbit? - Ars Technica NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Moon Mission Ends NICER Status Updates - NASA NASA Works to Contact Scalable Small Satellite Marking 13 Years on Mars, NASA’s Curiosity Picks Up New Skills 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 Acting Administrator Sean Duffy is expected to expedite plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc. (iRocket) has entered into a $640 million multi-launch agreement with SpaceBelt KSA. SES Space & Defense has been awarded $89.6 Million to provide the US Army with Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM), 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 Lesley Conn, Director of Research & Analysis at the Space Foundation. You can read the Q2 Space Report here. Selected Reading Duffy to announce nuclear reactor on the moon - POLITICO iRocket Announces $640 Million Multi-Year Launch Agreement with SpaceBelt KSA to Deliver Secure and Autonomous Satellite Infrastructure for Saudi Arabia and Beyond Redwire Launches New Venture Company, SpaceMD, to Commercialize Pharmaceutical Development in Space; Signs Trailblazing Royalty Agreement with ExesaLibero Pharma Satellite firm SES wins $90 million contract to support U.S. Army- Reuters Skyrora Secures First UK Launch Licence Rocket Lab Voyager Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Firefly Aerospace lifts IPO price range, targets $6 billion valuation amid space investment boom- Reuters Why a NASA satellite that scientists and farmers rely on may be destroyed on purpose Space Force preps infrastructure, operators for target-tracking mission From Mascot to Mission Specialist: Rupert the Space Armadillo Prepares for Liftoff - Space Launch Delta 45  Preserving space history at Cape Canaveral. 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