Innovation
SpaceX wins $2.29 billion Space Force contract for military data network
The contract is for the development of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Data Network backbone
Axiom Space launches Japanese subsidiary, names leadership
Axiom Space is setting up a Japanese subsidiary to tap into billions of dollars worth of business opportunities in the vast Asia-Pacific region. The company’s new office in Japan will open July 1.
“For the Asia-Pacific region, an Axiom Space presence in Japan means a long-term, direct path to low-Earth orbit for research, for industry, for astronauts, and a partner committed to building that future together with Japan,” Jonathan Cirtain, president and CEO of Axiom Space, said in a news release.
Technology
Astra Targets Golden Dome With Small Rockets, Says CEO Chris Kemp
Skeet shooting only works with a target. The same is true of interceptor tests.
Astra is pitching its small rockets to the Pentagon as a potential target for Golden Dome interceptor tests, CEO Chris Kemp told Payload.
Why space technology convergence matters for society now
From navigation and financial transactions to climate monitoring and emergency response, applications of space technology are already deeply woven into daily life on Earth.
But what is changing now is not just the scale of space activities, it is the speed and depth of new space technologies and applications, and the convergence between space and other breakthrough technologies.
NASA's Next-Generation AI Processor Passes Early Testing
As space exploration takes spacecraft and crews farther and farther from Earth, the need for systems that can operate with minimal (or zero) human oversight increases. This is needed in part because of the distances involved, where astronauts on the Moon and Mars will be subject to communication delays that make it harder to send and receive reports and data promptly. At the same time, autonomous systems have the potential to accelerate the rate of scientific returns through faster data analysis.
SpaceX's Next-Gen Starship Passes Its First Flight Test Despite Snags
SpaceX's next-generation Starship V3 rocket got off to a glorious start for its first test flight, and although not all of its engines fired fully according to plan, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the mission "scored a goal for humanity."
This was the 12th Starship launch, but the first one since SpaceX completed a thorough redesign of the rocket's Super Heavy first-stage booster, the second stage (known as Ship), the Raptor rocket engines and the launch facilities at SpaceX's Starbase in south Texas.
Europe
European Space Startups Jockey for 'Infrastructure' Financing
Europe has a growth-stage-capital problem.
The European space industry has blossomed in recent years, thanks to larger space and defense budgets, as well as a wider pool of space-focused VCs on the continent. But investment has largely been directed at early-stage companies.
Policy
Pentagon Taps 12 Companies for Golden Dome SBI Tech
Though the awards were announced last week, SSC shared that the other transition authority (OTA) agreements were actually awarded late last year and early this year. The 20 awards to 12 companies are worth up to $3.2B combined.