T-Minus Space Daily

Japan’s ispace and ElevationSpace plan to pursue a private mission that will return a lunar sample to Earth. NASA has awarded Katalyst Space Technologies a $30 million contract to raise a spacecraft’s orbit. Redwire has been awarded a contract from Axiom Space to develop and deliver roll-out solar array (ROSA) wings for Axiom Station’s Payload Power Thermal Module, 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 Joseph (Dan) Trujillo, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL’s) Space Vehicle Directorate’s Space Cyber Resiliency Technical Lead.  You can connect with Dan on LinkedIn, and find out more about the AFRL Space Cyber Summit here. Selected Reading ispace and ElevationSpace Sign Agreement to Undertake Japan’s First Private Lunar Sample Return Mission NASA Awards Company to Attempt Swift Spacecraft Orbit Boost Redwire Awarded Contract to Provide Roll-Out Solar Arrays for Axiom Space’s First Space Station Module Zeno Power and Orano Unlock Americium-241 Supply Through Strategic Agreement to Fuel Space Nuclear Batteries Planet to Open New Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Berlin Isar Aerospace and R-Space Sign Launch Agreement Advance Space Domain Awareness Space Force Renames ‘Front Door’ to Reflect Broader Impact on Industry Collaboration Kuiper mission updates: Kuiper constellation grows to more than 100 satellites Space Dynamics Lab Shares Open-Source Software to Detect Potentially Dangerous Meteors 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

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) and its two rideshare missions: NASA’s Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, and NOAA’s Space Weather Follow-On Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) spacecraft, launched this morning. NATO is reportedly investing $728 million in common funding to develop the alliance’s Space Operations Center. Russian biological research spacecraft Bion-M No. 2 has landed back on Earth after 30 days in 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. Selected Reading Liftoff! Three New Space Weather Spacecraft Soar into Florida Sky - NASA Science NATO investing $728M in new space capabilities, including a new 'data lake' - Breaking Defense Russian 'Noah's Ark' probe carrying 75 mice and 1,500 flies lands back on Earth -Space Starlab Selects Vivace to Manufacture Primary Structure for Commercial Space Station Boeing Defense, Space & Security Partners with Palantir to Accelerate AI Adoption Across Defense, Classified Programs Remcom Receives NASA SBIR for Simulation of Wireless Channels for Artemis Spacesuits and Lunar Rovers Firehawk Aerospace Secures $4M to Push the Boundaries of 3D Printed Propellant for Extended Range Rockets All-Boilermaker team to crew Virgin Galactic suborbital mission Purdue 1 - News Psyche asteroid probe uses lasers to phone home from 218 million miles away- 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

Out of 8000 applicants, NASA has selected 10 new candidates for the 24th astronaut class. Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a $10 million contract addendum under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative for acquisition of additional science and operational data collected beyond the initial contractual requirements for Blue Ghost Mission 1. Arkisys has been selected as the commercial sustaining and maintenance partner for NASA’s Astrobee, 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 Gregg Burgess, VP Space Systems at General Atomics. You can connect with Gregg on LinkedIn, and read more about the demonstration here. Selected Reading NASA Selects All-American 2025 Class of Astronaut Candidates Firefly Aerospace Receives $10 Million NASA Contract Addendum for Blue Ghost Mission 1 Lunar Data Arkisys Wins NASA Astrobee Robot Management Deal- Aviation Week Network GE Aerospace Successfully Completes Supersonic Flight Tests of a Solid-Fueled Ramjet at Kennedy Space Center Suspected Iran-backed group targets Euro aerospace sector- The Register NASA, SpaceX Now Targeting Sept. 24 for Space Weather Launch Intelligence chiefs highlight China threat in space - Washington Times Terran Orbital Completes Delivery of Satellite Bus Platforms to Lockheed Martin for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer Kazakhtelecom Announces Agreement to Bring Project Kuiper Satellite Internet to Kazakhstan New EHT Images Reveal Unexpected Polarization Flips at M87* | Event Horizon Telescope 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

NASA has awarded Blue Origin a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) task order with an option to deliver a rover to the Moon’s South Pole region. Japan’s Yokogawa Electric Corporation has signed agreements with Toyota for research and development activities that will include prototype measurement and control equipment for a manned pressurized rover. IonQ has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US Department of Energy (DoE) to advance the development and deployment of quantum technologies in 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 Guest Parker Wishik brings us The Aerospace Corporation’s monthly segment NEXUS. Parker is joined by Kelli Furrer, Slingshot Aerospace's Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer and The Aerospace Corporation's Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, the Director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Selected Reading NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to Moon’s South Pole Yokogawa Signs Agreements with Toyota for the R&D of the Control Platform for a Manned Pressurized Rover Ursa Space, Aireon Deliver Insights for U.S. Space Force Program IonQ Signs Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. Department of Energy to Advance Quantum Technologies in Space Innospace signs US$5.8 mln space launch deal with German satellite firm MBS- Yonhap News Agency AV Awarded New Firm‑Fixed‑Price Option for Two BADGER Phased Array Systems, Strengthens Production Framework for SCAR Program Maxar Partners With AIDC to Accelerate the Resilience of Taiwan’s UAV Industry Against GPS Interference Happy autumnal equinox 2025! Fall begins in the northern hemisphere today- 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

The Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) is shaping the future of space access for Europe and the world. They’ve recently secured a licence to operate a Spaceport in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal. From a unique geostrategic location in the Azores, at the heart of the North Atlantic, ASC’s mission is to deliver innovative and cost-efficient ground service solutions to launch providers. ASC’s ultimate vision is to unlock the full potential of the space economy and the limitless opportunities it holds. We find out more from Bruno Carvalho, Director of the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium. 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

US Space Command and UK Space Command have conducted their first-ever coordinated satellite Rendezvous Proximity Operation (RPO). Lonestar Data Holdings partners with KIO Data Centers (KIO DC) to create a hybrid data ecosystem for Earth and space. Space robotics company Icarus has raised $6.1 million in a seed round, 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  Torsten Kriening and Yvette Gonzalez from SpaceWatch.Global share the latest from World Space Business Week. Selected Reading U.S. and U.K. demonstrate partnership in first-ever on-orbit operation KIO Data Centers drives the future of data security with strategic alliance with space-based data center operator, Lonestar Icarus raises $6.1M to take on space’s “warehouse work” with embodied-AI robots -TechCrunch  Spain's Kreios Space secures €8 million to bring satellites closer to Earth and strengthen European strategic autonomy  Blue Origin Completes 35th New Shepard Mission The Aerospace Corporation names Tanya Pemberton as next President and CEO Redshift - Commercial Space Federation London university opens robotic simulation center for servicer satellites 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

NASA’s Northrop Grumman CRS-23 mission to the International Space Station has now docked with the orbiting lab. Axiom Space and Spacebilt Inc. have formed a multi-organization collaboration to bring optically-interconnected orbital datacenter infrastructure to the ISS in 2027. NTT in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, has successfully demonstrated the world’s most efficient optical wireless power transmission under atmospheric interference, 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 Mary Glazkova, CEO at Mission Space. You can connect with Mary on LinkedIn, and learn more about Mission Space on their website. Torsten Kriening and Yvette Gonzalez from SpaceWatch.Global share the latest from World Space Business Week. Selected Reading Cygnus XL Cargo Craft Captured by Station Robotic Arm - NASA Axiom Space, Spacebilt Announce Orbital Data Center Node Aboard International Space Station Axiom Space Launches Global University Alliance to Lead Future of Microgravity Research NTT and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Demonstrate World-Record Transmission for Long-Distance Power Supply Hubble Network Raises $70M Series B to Scale Global Bluetooth®-to-Satellite Connectivity Ursa Major Awarded $34.9M to Advance Draper Engine for Space-Based Defense Spain's Kreios Space secures €8 million to bring satellites closer to Earth and strengthen European strategic autonomy  Scout Space is Awarded an AFWERX SBIR Phase II HawkEye 360's Cluster 12 Achieves Full Operational Capability US satellite spies on Chinese space station and more. China spies back -South China Morning Post Starcloud and Mission Space Forge Strategic Alliance to Integrate Orbital Datacenters with Next-Gen Space Weather Data 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

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft delays docking with the International Space Station (ISS). PLD Space has been selected by the European Space Research and Technology Centre, part of the European Space Agency (ESA), for its first Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) contract. The Space Data Association (SDA) has selected GMV to develop its next generation safety of flight system, 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 Torsten Kriening and Yvette Gonzalez from SpaceWatch.Global share the latest from World Space Business Week in Paris. Selected Reading NASA, Northrop Grumman Assessing Cygnus XL Engine Burn Plan PLD Space secures its first GNC contract with ESA to develop a new hybrid navigation system SDA Selects GMV to Deliver Next Generation Safety of Spaceflight System BlackSky Wins NGA Luno A Delivery Order for AI-Enabled Change Detection Anduril and Impulse Space Expand Partnership to Conduct RPO Mission Demonstration in GEO Russia developing Starlink rival at 'rapid pace,' space chief says- Reuters Astro Digital Signs Power Purchase Agreement with Star Catcher to “Plug Into” Space’s First Power Grid Maxar Partners with Ecopia AI to Launch Vivid Features, Powering Dynamic Vector Maps of Every Place on Earth IonQ Completes Acquisition of Oxford Ionics, Rapidly Accelerating Its Quantum Computing Roadmap IonQ Announces Intent to Acquire Vector Atomic, Expanding Into Quantum Sensing and Strengthening Its Quantum Technology Portfolio 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

Milenko Starczyk, head of cyber security at VisionSpace Technologies, delves deep into satellite vulnerabilities and their implications for global security. He uncovers nearly 40 critical software weaknesses in satellite systems, particularly concerning NASA’s infrastructure. Starczyk emphasizes the need for a shift from compliance checklists to proactive security measures in the industry. The conversation also touches on groundbreaking advancements, such as Skimsat's mission and emerging partnerships aiming to enhance global connectivity for underserved areas.

Spacecraft manufacturer Apex has closed a $200 million Series D funding round. European aerospace groups Leonardo, Thales, and Airbus are reportedly looking to sign an initial agreement to combine their satellite businesses as early as this year. SES and Cailabs are partnering to test laser communication 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 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. Torsten Kriening from SpaceWatch.Global brings us the latest from World Space Business Week in Paris. Selected Reading Apex Raises $200 Million Series D Financing Airbus, Thales, Leonardo could sign first deal this year on satellite tie-up, Airbus executive says- Reuters SES Partners with Cailabs to Test Next-Generation Laser Communication Technology Infinite Orbits Signs Multi-Launch Agreement to GEO with Impulse Space NASA Science, Cargo Launches Aboard Northrop Grumman CRS-23 Globalstar to Enter Next Era of Mobile Satellite Connectivity with Expanded Operational Frequencies York Space Systems Establishes First Contact and Confirms Health of All 21 Satellites Launched for SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer 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