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

A US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) research team successfully conducted the first reinforcement learning (RL) control of a free-flyer in space in May. We spoke with NRL Space Roboticist Samantha Chapin, Ph.D., and NRL Computer Research Scientist Kenneth Stewart, Ph.D about the demonstration and the future of autonomous robotics in space. You can read more about the demonstration on the NRL 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

Germany plans to invest €35 billion in space-related defense projects by 2030. NASA and Sierra Space have mutually agreed to modify the Dream Chaser’s contract for resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX has filed with the Federal Communications Commission asking to launch 15,000 new satellites for direct-to-device service, 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 NASASpaceflight.com⁠ brings us the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading Germany unveils $40bn military-space investment, citing new threats NASA, Sierra Space Modify Commercial Resupply Services Contract SpaceX Seeks Approval for 15,000 Satellites to Use MSS Spectrum Space Forge Inc. and United Semiconductors LLC Partner to Develop the Supply Chain for Space-Grown Semiconductor Materials for Quantum Computing, Power Electronics, Sensors, and Display Markets Suite Ride Research Unlocks Potential for First Astronaut with Diabetes Shenzhou-20 crew completes fourth round of extravehicular activities - CGTN NASA-ISRO Satellite Sends First Radar Images of Earth’s Surface NASA Awards Atmosphere Research Support Contract NASA Flights Study Cosmic Ray Effects for Air, Future Space Travelers 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

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

Redwire has reached an agreement with Thales Alenia Space to become the prime contractor for Skimsat. Redwire and Honeywell to develop new quantum-secured satellite communication systems. Space42 and Viasat intend to form Equatys, a jointly held entity, to enable global Direct-to-Device (D2) services, 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 ESA’s Skimsat VLEO Mission Moves forward with Redwire Primeship in Cooperation with Thales Alenia Space Honeywell And Redwire Advance Collaboration On Quantum-Secured Communications For Civil And Defense Customers Space42 and Viasat to Launch Equatys SES and K2 Space to Accelerate Development of Next-Generation MEO Network New NOAA Space Weather Portal Now Available  PlanetiQ Wins $24.3M NOAA Contract, Largest Commercial Satellite Weather Data Award Ever Bluefors to source helium-3 from the Moon with Interlune to power next phase of quantum industry growth Groundbreaking New Sensor Transforms How Europe Tracks Pollution, Smoke and Cloud From Space Cailabs Secures €57 Million to Accelerate Growth and Industrial Scale-Up 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

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

BigBear.ai is at the forefront of innovation for national security, and is committed to supporting the critical infrastructure driving America’s competitive edge. The company deploys cutting-edge Al, machine learning, and computer vision solutions to defend critical operations and win with decision advantage. Our guests are Eric Conway, Vice President of Technology, and Joe Davis, Cybersecurity Research Scientist  at Bigbear.ai.  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 European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Director General (DG) Josef Aschbacher delivered the opening remarks at the ‘General Assembly Defence, Space and Cybersecurity’. Satlink is partnering with Rivada Space Networks to provide a network with the necessary security and performance to support Spanish enterprises and Defense Forces. Armada AI and Sophia Space have launched a fully integrated Earth-to-space scalable compute infrastructure platform, 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 ESA Director General's opening remarks at the General Assembly on Defence, Space & Cybersecurity Satlink Partners with Rivada for Next Generation Defense Connectivity Armada and Sophia Space Unveil First-Of-Its-Kind, Fully Integrated Earth-to-Space Edge AI Platform Slingshot LinkedIn Post Redwire Establishes Rapid Capabilities Facility in Albuquerque to Advance Space-Based Defense Systems ReOrbit, a Leading Provider of Sovereign Satellites and Connected Systems, Expands into the United Kingdom DSEI Takeaways: Space and Cyber and the Invisible Front Line Intellian and Eutelsat Developing Ultra-Portable Military-Grade LEO Manpack Terminal Planet Releases First Light Image From Pelican-3; Multiple Pelican Launches Slated for the Next Year Telekom Srbija Expands and Extends Partnership with SES 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

Scientists publish new findings that say they have found the strongest evidence yet of ancient life on Mars. Rendezvous Robotics has emerged from stealth and announced the closing of a $3 million pre-seed funding round. Blue Origin’s Blue Alchemist has successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR), 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 guests today are Kelly Stafford, Hyperspace Challenge Interim Program Director and Matt Blackford, SpaceWERX Portfolio Management Team. Selected Reading Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars- Nature NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year  Rendezvous Robotics Raises Pre-Seed Round with Former SpaceX, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, and Nokia Team to Build Space Infrastructure Blue Alchemist Hits Major Milestone Toward Permanent and Sustainable Lunar Infrastructure SFL Missions Inc. Awarded Contract to Develop Three New HawkEye 360 Satellite Clusters for Radio Frequency Detection Astroscale Signs Launch Agreement with NewSpace India Limited for Satellite Debris Inspection Mission NASA Blocks Chinese Citizens With US Visas From Working on Space Programs Boeing Sets Rapid Pace with 3D-Printed Solar Array Substrates Sidus Space Elevates Data Fusion Capabilities with Automatic Identification System (AIS) Commissioning Agile Defense expands support to DISA NASA Uses Colorado Mountains for Simulated Artemis Moon Landing Course 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

SpaceX launches the Space Development Agency’s (SDA’s) first Tranche 1 mission to low-Earth orbit (LEO). ReOrbit has closed a €45 million Series A funding round. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) says it is working on Chandrayaan 4 and Chandrayaan 5 and plans to have a completed module of their Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) in orbit by 2035, 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 SpaceX - Space Development Agency's First Tranche 1 Mission ReOrbit Secures €45 Million to Manufacture Sovereign Satellites and Connected Systems for National Security We are working on Chandrayaan 4, Chandrayaan 5: ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan Roscosmos Progress 91 Undocked from Space Station - NASA SpaceX test fires next Super Heavy booster for Starship's 11th upcoming launch (video)- Space NASA’s PExT, Wideband Space Communications Demo Begins Commissioning NASA Partnerships Allow Artificial Intelligence to Predict Solar Events X-Bow Launches Strategic Partnership with AEON ICEYE launches the ISR Cell, bringing tactical space-based intelligence anywhere Launch Your Name Around Moon in 2026 on NASA’s Artemis II 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

NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce (OSC) has announced new solicitations for a “Commercial Conjunction Assessment Screening Services” (CASS) pilot program. Capgemini, Thales and Thales Alenia Space, have been selected by the French Space Agency (CNES) to lead an innovative demonstration of 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.  Maxar to partner with Anduril to supply the foundational geospatial intelligence that will underpin a next-generation mixed-reality command-and-control system (C2) for the US Army, 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 TraCSS Update: Delivering on SPD-3 and Advancing Spaceflight Safety Trump Claws Back 2025 Funding for Commercial Space Office - Bloomberg Thales Alenia Space leads 5G direct-to-device demonstration for CNES with Capgemini and Thales Maxar Partners with Anduril to Power U.S. Army’s Mixed-Reality Combat System Satellite farm imaging start-up Messium lands £3.3m to seed growth- Money News China launches new remote sensing satellite Acting Director Announced for Space Development Agency Darth Vader's lightsaber sells at auction for over $3.6 million - CBS 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