T-Minus Space Daily

This Labor Day, we’re celebrating more than just a holiday. Join us in celebrating not just the work, but the people who make it possible — the labor behind the labor.We’re honoring the people who bring their creativity, dedication, and passion to every corner of N2K. The work you hear, read, and see from us doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of talented colleagues who pour themselves into their craft, often in ways that don’t always get the spotlight. From shaping sound and refining scripts to building certification content and producing video, their labor is the heartbeat of what we do.In this special edition, host Ma’ayan Plaut introduces you to some of the voices behind the scenes: Elliott, whose audio artistry makes every show sing; Ethan, whose sharp analysis bridges policy and practice; Alice, whose storytelling brings energy and curiosity to the space industry; George and Ann, who create and refine the certification content that keeps us at the forefront of technology; and Sarelle, whose video production brings our stories to life. Together, they embody the care and creativity that define N2K.And if you’d like to see the labor behind the labor, we’ve also put together a ⁠⁠video⁠⁠ companion to this project — giving you another way to meet the team and experience their work in action. Be sure to check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We put together an open conversation between our podcast hosts, CyberWire Daily's Dave Bittner, T-Minus Space Daily’s Maria Varmazis, and CISO Perspectives podcast’s Kim Jones. Their conversation goes deeper than just the historical significance of Juneteenth, diving into candid conversations on allyship, representation, and the enduring value of diversity in the cybersecurity and space fields. Grab your coffee and join us in the room. Resources: Juneteenth CISO Perspectives podcast: Does diversity matter in cyber? Mid season reflection with Kim Jones. T-Minus Space Daily podcast: Dr. Sian Proctor sharing her poem "Space to Inspire" on Instagram. Deep Space: Inspiration4 with Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Howard, N2K CyberWire’s Chief Analyst, CSO, and Senior Fellow, commemorates Memorial Day. References: Abraham Lincoln, 1863. The Gettysburg Address [Speech]. Abraham Lincoln Online. Amanda Onion, Original 2009, Updated 2023. Memorial Day 2022: Facts, Meaning & Traditions [Essay]. HISTORY. Brent Hugh, 2021. A Brief History of “John Brown’s Body” [Essay]. Digital History. Bob Zeller, 2022. How Many Died in the American Civil War? [Essay]. HISTORY. General George Marshall, 2014. President Lincoln’s Letter to Mrs Bixby [Movie Clip - Saving Private Ryan]. YouTube. JOHN LOGAN, 1868. Logan’s Order Mandating Memorial Day [Order]. John A. Logan College. John Williams, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 2012. The People’s House: Lincoln (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Song]. Apple Music. John Williams, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 2012. The Blue and the Grey: Lincoln (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Song]. Apple Music - Web Playe. Livia Albeck-Ripka, 2023. A Brief History of Memorial Day [Essay]. The New York Times. Paul Robeson, 2021. John Brown’s Body [Song]. YouTube. Robert Rodat (Writer), Steven Spielberg (Director), Harve Presnell (Actor), 1998. Saving Private Ryan [Movie]. IMDb. Staff, 2020. A Brief Biography of General John A. Logan [Biography]. John A. Logan College. Staff, 2024. Civil War Timeline [WWW Document], American Battlefield Trust. Thomas Jefferson, 1776. Declaration of Independence: [Transcription]. National Archives. Winston Churchil, 1940. Never was so much owed by so many to so few - Winston Churchill Speeches [Speech]. YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AT&T, AWS and Amazon Leo have announced a new partnership. The US House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (SSTC) unanimously approved a new NASA authorization bill. Interlune has been awarded a NASA Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I contract to support several NASA missions, 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 Ryan Kirby, Junior Partner at Alderman & Company.  You can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn, and learn more about Alderman & Company on their website. Selected Reading AT&T, AWS, and Amazon Leo Collaborate to Accelerate Modernization of Nation's Connectivity Infrastructure House Committee Approves New NASA Authorization Bill – SpacePolicyOnline Interlune Announces Details of NASA STTR Project to Advance Scalable, Multipurpose Lunar Trenching and Excavation Technology NASA Awards Grant to Montana State For Quantum Space Communications Russian space vehicles are tapping comms from key European satellites, report Space-born butterfly reflects advances in orbital life-support systems - CGTN 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

Satlyt has entered into a commercial license agreement with The Aerospace Corporation for the use of its DiskSat technology. Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT and Europe’s constellr are collaborating on the launch of commercial sales of high‑resolution thermal infrared satellite data for the Japanese market. Blue Origin’s Blue Moon MK1 Lunar Lander has arrived at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) to undergo testing, 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 William Cook, Sr. Vice President Space Operations at Psionic Navigation. You can connect with William on LinkedIn, and learn more about Psionic on their website. Selected Reading Satlyt and The Aerospace Corporation Partner to Advance Edge Computing in Space constellr launches commercial partnership with Japan’s premier space solutions provider SKY Perfect JSAT Airbus Targets Superbird-9 Launch In 2027 After Delays - Aviation Week Network Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Center Blue Origin’s lunar lander is at Houston’s Johnson Space Center for testing ESA - Moving satellites to meet a plane for rare reentry 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

NASA now will target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the Artemis II launch. SpaceX has acquired xAI. A SpaceX Falcon 9’s second stage experienced an off-nominal condition during preparation for the deorbit burn after launching Starlink satellites on Monday, 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 Sara Harris, Executive Director of the Midland Development Corporation.  You can connect with Sara on LinkedIn, and learn more about the Midland Development Corporation on their website. Selected Reading NASA Conducts Artemis II Fuel Test, Eyes March for Launch Opportunity SpaceX - Updates SpaceX X Update Singapore to launch space agency in response to global investment surge- Reuters ispace and Dymon Sign Agreement Regarding Development of Payload Transportation Box for Integration into Lunar Landers We’re HAMming it up at New Mexico Museum of Space History! 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

CesiumAstro Inc. has secured $470 million in growth capital. SpaceX has unveiled a novel Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system called Stargaze. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to inform and support the decision on whether to issue SpaceX a new, or modify their existing, vehicle operator license for Starship-Super Heavy at Launch Complex-39A, 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 Bailey Reichelt from Aegis Space Law and Matthew Linton from Linton Space Law bring us Space Law FAQs. Selected Reading CesiumAstro Closes $470M in Series C Capital for Rapid U.S. Growth in 2026 Stargaze: SpaceX’s Space Situational Awareness System FAA Environmental Impact Statement on SpaceX Starship at KSC FCC Filing- SpaceX Orbital Data Center System Amazon asks FCC for extension for Leo satellite internet service NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fifth Private Astronaut Mission to International Space Station ispace and Dymon Sign Agreement Regarding Development of Payload Transportation Box for Integration into Lunar Landers Blue Origin to Pause New Shepard Flights for No Less Than Two Years 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

Space-based data gathering has been a growing area in the industry over the last decade. Turning that data into intelligence is the next logical step. Our guest is Eric Anderson, Founder and CEO at SynMax. You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn, and learn more about SynMax 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 US Army is now accepting applications for a new enlisted career track focused entirely on space operations. Varda Space has successfully completed the reentry of its W-5 capsule.SpaceX is reportedly considering a merger with Tesla and artificial-intelligence company xAI, 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 Army seeks Soldiers to become space operations specialists  Varda Space Industries Successfully Executes W-5 Mission Reentry, Debuting Vertically Integrated Satellite Bus Elon Musk's SpaceX said to consider merger with Tesla, Bloomberg News reports- Reuters Tesla invests $2 billion in Musk's xAI and reiterates Cybercab production starts this year- Reuters L3Harris quarterly revenue misses estimates on government shutdown pressures- Reuters EU SST closely monitors upcoming re-entry of space object ZQ-3 R/B I bought “Remove Before Flight” tags on eBay in 2010—it turns out they’re from Challenger 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 China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has shared plans to develop space-based data centers. A SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle launched the GPS III-9 Space Vehicle 09 for the US Space Force (USSF). The US Space Systems Command (SSC) has released a draft request for proposals (RFP) for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems, or HADES, contract, 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 Brian Miske, Americas Space Leader for KPMG. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn, and find out more about KPMG on their website. Selected Reading China plans space‑based AI data centres, challenging Musk's SpaceX ambitions- Reuters U. S. Space Force Field Commands successfully launch GPS III Space Vehicle 09 into orbit Space Systems Command Issues Draft RFP for HADES Contract NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Begins Quarantine for Space Station Mission York Space Systems Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering NASA’s Arcstone Instrument Successfully Completes Primary 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

The European Union has officially and metaphorically switched on the IRIS2 secure satellite communications network, the homegrown 10.6 billion Euro European alternative to Starlink. ESA and EUMETSAT have finalized their agreement on the EPS-Sterna constellation. Planet Labs has signed a new agreement with the Surveying and Mapping Authority of Slovenia, 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  Les Lake,  Vice President of Business Development at All Points Logistics.  You can connect with Les on LinkedIn, and learn more about All Points Logistics on their website. Selected Reading EU Deploys First Satellite Service in Bid to Limit US Dependence (Bloomberg) EU space agency signs contract to launch Galileo satellites with Ariane 6  (Reuters) EUMETSAT and ESA set to start the implementation of EPS-Sterna (EUMETSAT) Planet Signs Enterprise Agreement with Slovenian Government to Support Agriculture, Urban Planning and Disaster Management (Business Wire) NASA lines up WDR for SLS ahead of Artemis II (NSF)  NASA Launches Its Most Powerful, Efficient Supercomputer (NASA) ESA’s Biomass goes live with data now open to all (ESA)  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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Northwood Space has raised $100 million in a Series B funding round and announced a new $50 million US Space Force (USSF) contract. NASA has selected Intuitive Machines (IM) as part of 34 global volunteers chosen to track the Artemis II Mission. Blue Origin plans to spend $71.4 million to expand thruster production in Alabama, 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 David Buck, Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.), President, BRPH Mission Solutions. You can connect with David on LinkedIn, and learn more about BRPH on their website. Selected Reading Northwood Space secures a $100M Series B and a $50M Space Force contract- TechCrunch NASA Selects Intuitive Machines to Support Tracking for Artemis II NASA Selects Participants to Track Artemis II Mission Huntsville approves development agreements with Blue Origin and SPX to create more than 450 new jobs MDA Space And Hanwha Sign MOU To Pursue Korean Military Cons NASA Welcomes Oman as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory Europe’s First Meteorological Infrared Sounder Reveals the Atmosphere in 3D 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

Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB) in California has released a new strategic plan outlining priorities for 2026 and beyond. A winter storm is the latest delay to finalizing budget decisions in the US. Palladyne AI’s subsidiary, GuideTech, has secured a contract with Portal Space Systems to support the development of next-generation, maneuverable spacecraft platforms, 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 Dave Bittner, host of The Cyberwire, and cybersecurity executive Brandon Karpf, join us for the monthly space and cyber segment. Selected Reading Vandenberg Announces New Strategic Plan What’s Happening in Space Policy January 25-31, 2026 – SpacePolicyOnline.com Palladyne AI Secures Next-Generation Spacecraft Contract, Unlocking New High-Growth Opportunity Stratolaunch Raises Significant Capital to Further Accelerate Hypersonic Capability at Scale MACH-TB 2.0 Program Award to Explore Reusable & Recoverable Hypersonics Testing - NSTXL ESA - Flight ticket initiative: more tickets booked, flying with RFA One Breaking News: Orbex Denmark Fails, Scottish Operation Has a Buyer? - Orbital Today NASA is about to send people to the moon — in a spacecraft not everyone thinks is safe to fly- CNN Sidus Space and Maris‑Tech Achieve Integration Milestone for LizzieSat‑4 Mission Artemis II Crew Enters Quarantine Ahead of Journey Around Moon - NASA 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

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard. It was an accident witnessed by millions who were tuning in to see the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, on her first mission. Instead of a statue in memory of the lives lost that day, the families of the Challenger Crew established the Challenger Center to honor the crew’s mission to inspire future generations of explorers.  Former NASA Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger is the incoming chair of the Challenger Center Board of Directors and shared how the education facilities are marking the 40 years since the Challenger disaster. You can connect with Dottie on LinkedIn, and find out more about the Challenger Center 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

D-Orbit has raised $53 million in a Series D funding round. Loft Orbital was selected as the prime contractor for France’s Démonstrateur des Éléments Souverains d’Imagerie Radar (DESIR) program. Aalyria has been selected by the US Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL’s) Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development (RAPID) program to advance software solutions for managing complex military space communications networks, 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 D-Orbit Secures $53M Series D Funding to Accelerate M&A and In-Space Computing Capacity – SatNews Loft Selected as a Prime Contractor for France’s First Space-Based Radar Imaging Program Aalyria Selected by U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for Space Data Network Experimentation (SDNX) Program Tomorrow.io Announces DeepSky, the World's First AI-Native Space-Based Weather-Sensing Constellation Chinese capsule damaged by space-junk strike returns to Earth (video) Spire Global Selected by AiDASH to Bring Space-Powered Weather Intelligence to Vegetation Risk Platform for Electric Utilities Blue Origin Completes 38th New Shepard Flight to Space Study shows how earthquake monitors can track space junk through sonic booms - ABC News 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

Blue Origin has unveiled a new satellite communications network called TeraWave. Rocket Lab held its first launch of 2026 with “The Cosmos Will See You Now” mission for Open Cosmos. Lunar Outpost has announced a new In‑Orbit Demonstration to support the launch, integration, and on‑orbit operations of Thermal Architecture Components (TACOS), 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 Dr. Melissa Patton from Patton Consulting Group. You can meet Melissa at SpaceCom in Orlando January 27-30. Selected Reading Blue Origin Introduces TeraWave, a 6 Tbps Space-Based Network for Global Connectivity New Glenn-3 to Launch AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Satellite- Blue Origin AST SpaceMobile Announces Timing of BlueBird 7 Orbital Launch, Advancing Direct-to-Device Cellular Broadband Connectivity New Shepard Mission NS-38 Updates - Blue Origin Rocket Lab Delivers Mission Success on First Launch of 2026 for New Customer: Open Cosmos- Markets Insider Rocket Lab Neutron Test Update New In‑Orbit Demonstration Mission Awarded: TACOS (Thermal Architecture COmponentS) Thales Alenia Space selected by CNES and DGA for payload and user ground segment for France’s DESIR radar imaging space mission Orbex’s Subsidiary in Denmark to File for Bankruptcy - European Spaceflight 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

SWISSto12 has secured €73 million in financial support from European Space Agency (ESA) member states through the HummingSat ARTES partnership project. Canada Rocket Company (CRC) has emerged from stealth with $6.2 million CAD in seed funding from entirely Canadian investors. Starfish Space has been awarded a $52.5 million contract by the US Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA) to provide Deorbit-as-a-Service for satellites within the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, 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 €73 Million From ESA Member States Towards HummingSat – SWISSto12’s Next-Gen Affordable, Compact Satellite, to Meet Growing Demand for Commercial and Sovereign Communications Canada Rocket Company wants Canada to stop hitching rides to space- BetaKit Starfish Space Awarded First Ever End-of-Life Disposal Contract for a LEO Constellation New NASA Artemis Payloads To Study Moon’s Terrain, Radiation, History Orion Space Solutions to operationalize IARPA system for space debris detection and tracking Astra Ships 110 Satellite Engines, Focuses on 2026 Test Flight of New Rocket The first commercial space station, Haven-1, is now undergoing assembly for launch - Ars Technica Comtech Receives Space Components Award Exceeding $5 Million to Support Critical Civil Space Program Space sector eyes further investment growth in 2026 after record year- Reuters 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 Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft reached Launch Pad 39B after a nearly 12-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) . Gilmour Space Technologies has raised $217 million Australian dollars in a Series E round. The UK Space Agency UKSA) has supported the opening of a new £20 million space innovation hub in Buckinghamshire. 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 Christian Davenport, Journalist, and Author of "Rocket Dreams". You can connect with Christian on LinkedIn, and learn more about his books on Amazon. Selected Reading NASA’s Moonbound Artemis II Rocket Reaches Launch Pad Gilmour secures $217 million in private investment- Australian Space Agency Westcott Space Hub opens to boost UK space innovation and create hundreds of jobs - GOV.UK York Space Systems Announces Launch of Initial Public Offering BlackSky Lands Multiple Gen-3 Expansion Contracts as Early Access Pilot Programs Pivot into Renewal Deals 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

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is the practice of intercepting and analyzing electronic signals, like phone calls, emails, radar, and telemetry, to gather actionable intelligence for national security, defense, and military operations. It’s primarily conducted by agencies like NSA, but over the last decade many companies in the commercial sector have grown in this vital area of national defense, especially in space. Our guest is Dave DeWalt, CEO of NightDragon, who shared why his firm is investing in tech and space.  You can connect with Dave on LinkedIn, and learn more about NightDragon 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. 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 Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 NASA/NOAA Appropriations Bill cleared the US Senate. Eutelsat has signed a deal with French space startup MaiaSpace for future launches of its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Isar Aerospace is targeting its second flight and qualification mission from the company’s dedicated launch complex at Andøya Space in Norway from January 21, 2026, 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 US Senate passes bill to boost federal science spending after White House sought major cuts- Reuters Final FY2026 NASA/NOAA Appropriations Bill Clears Senate, White House is Next – SpacePolicyOnline.com Starlink-rival Eutelsat signs deal with Europe's MaiaSpace to launch satellites- Reuters Isar Aerospace targets second launch not earlier than 21 January 2026 China launches AlSat-3A remote sensing satellite - CGTN U.S. Space Force switches rockets for upcoming GPS satellite launch – Spaceflight Now Nigeria grants satellite permits to BeetleSat, Satelio and Amazon's Kuiper - Reuters AST SpaceMobile Awarded Prime Contract Position on U.S. Missile Defense Agency SHIELD Program 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