Issue 54 | Breaking Space News: June 07 - 14, 2025

Good to have you back Explorer!🚀

Thanks for joining us this week. As always updates from commerce, governance and defense in space abound. The science section has some updates from the Sun and Antarctica.

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• PRIMER

  • Kármán Line

    • What Is It?

    • Why That Height?

    • Who Defined It?

    • Controversies

    • Why It Matters

• IMAGES

  • ispace’s Resilience Looks Back at Earth

• SCIENCE

  • Satellite Data Reveals Accelerated Decline in Emperor Penguin Populations in Key Antarctic Regions Over 15 Years

  • Astronomers Explore Dark Coating, Vantablack 310, to Combat Satellite Reflectivity, & Protect Ground-Based Observation

  • First-Ever Images of the Sun’s South Pole Captured by ESA's Solar Orbiter

  • Greek Entrepreneur Proposes Giant Net System for Lunar Spacecraft Landings

  • China’s Latest Space Missions: Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite Launch in Collaboration With European Partners, 4th Batch of Guowang Satellites & Orbital Refueling Test Amid U.S. Surveillance

• GOVERNANCE

  • Proposed U.S. Budget Cuts Threaten Operations of World’s Most Powerful Solar Telescope

  • ESA Evaluates Impact of Proposed NASA Budget Cuts on Joint Space Missions

  • Golden Dome Initiative Examined Through Technical and Strategic Lens

• MILITARY

  • Golden Dome Still a Cause for Division as US Lawmakers Propose Increased Space Force Funding in FY26 Budget

  • US Accountability Office Report Flags Supply Chain Delays in Pentagon’s Proliferated Warfighter Satellite Constellation

  • Sierra Space Establishes New Defense Division Amid $1.5 Billion in US Military Contracts

  • US Space Force Awards $25M Contract to Project Management Startup to Streamline National Security Launch Operations

  • UK's BAE, South Korean Hanwha Partner on Intelligence, Surveillance, & Recon Constellation Azalea

• COMMERCIAL

  • Arkadia Space Demonstrates Non-Toxic “Green” Propulsion System in Orbital Test Campaign

  • SES & Intelsat Merger Advances With Unconditional European Approval

  • Funding Surge for Voyager, Muon, Quantum Space, Logos, and Look Up Reflects Investor Confidence in Space Infrastructure & Defense

  • Reaction Dynamics Moves Toward First Launch with Quebec Government Support for Sovereign Space Access

  • Axiom’s Ax-4 Launch Delayed Again due to Falcon 9 Leak & ISS Zvezda Module Issue

  • New Zealand-Netherlands Based Dawn Aerospace to Deliver First Aurora Spaceplane to Oklahoma (US) in $17 Million Deal

  • China’s CAS Space Completes Kinetica-2 Hot Fire Test Ahead of Maiden Orbital Mission, Cargo Launch

  • AST SpaceMobile Funds Ligado’s Bankruptcy Pact With Viasat-Inmarsat for Long-Term L-Band Rights

• RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

  • Supernova Explosions May Have Influenced Earth’s Climate in the Past

PRIMER

Kármán Line

What Is It?

The Kármán Line is the internationally recognized boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space, set at 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level.

Why That Height?

• Physics: Air is too thin for traditional aircraft to generate lift.

• Orbital Mechanics: Satellites must reach ~7.8 km/s to stay in orbit without burning up or falling back to Earth.

Who Defined It?

• Named after Theodore von Kármán, a Hungarian-American physicist who calculated the threshold in the 1950s.

• Recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the governing body for aerospace records.

Controversies

• U.S. Standard: NASA and the U.S. military define space as 80 km (50 miles), awarding astronaut wings at this height (e.g., Virgin Galactic flights).

• Science Debate: Some argue space may start 500–1,000 km up, where the thermosphere ends.

Why It Matters

• Legal: Defines where airspace ends and space law begins (like the Outer Space Treaty).

• Commercial: SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic use it to mark "space tourism" milestones.

Fun Fact
Fewer than 600 people have crossed the Kármán Line—less than those who’ve climbed Everest!

IMAGES

ispace’s Resilience Looks Back at Earth

SCIENCE

Satellite Data Reveals Accelerated Decline in Emperor Penguin Populations in Key Antarctic Regions Over 15 Years

10 June, 2025

New satellite data from the British Antarctic Survey reveals that emperor penguin populations in western Antarctica have declined by 22% between 2009 and 2024, a rate far exceeding previous worst-case projections. The study, which analyzed 16 colonies across the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and Bellingshausen Sea—home to nearly a third of the global population—attributes the decline primarily to climate-driven sea ice loss, which undermines breeding success. In some years, entire colonies have lost their chicks due to early ice breakup.

Researchers stress that while the findings are region-specific, they may reflect broader continental trends. The study underscores emperor penguins as a clear indicator species for climate change impacts, with no other major threats like fishing or pollution implicated. Scientists warn that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, emperor penguins could face near-extinction by 2100. Further satellite monitoring is planned to assess whether similar declines are occurring across the rest of Antarctica.

Astronomers Explore Dark Coating, Vantablack 310, to Combat Satellite Reflectivity, & Protect Ground-Based Observation

Astronomers are increasingly concerned about satellite light pollution, which threatens ground-based observations as the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise. The issue is particularly pressing for new observatories like the Vera Rubin Observatory, where up to 40% of images could be degraded by satellite streaks. To address this, researchers at the University of Surrey and Surrey NanoSystems have developed Vantablack 310, a new ultra-black coating designed to significantly reduce satellite reflectivity.

Unlike previous coatings, which were delicate and difficult to apply, Vantablack 310 is rugged and durable, making it feasible for widespread use in satellite manufacturing. The paint absorbs 98% of incoming light, compared to 95% for existing alternatives, potentially making satellites nearly invisible to the naked eye. Early tests suggest it could be a cost-effective solution to preserving dark skies for astronomy. The technology will undergo further evaluation aboard a CubeSat launching in 2026, Jovian 1, the first satellite mission from JUPITER – the Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education and Research.

First-Ever Images of the Sun’s South Pole Captured by ESA's Solar Orbiter

11 June, 2025

The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft has captured humanity’s first direct images of the Sun’s poles, offering a transformative new perspective on solar dynamics. Taken in March 2025 from 17° below the solar equator, the images reveal the Sun’s south pole in unprecedented detail. This milestone was made possible by a series of gravity assists from Venus, which gradually tilted the spacecraft’s orbit out of the ecliptic plane.

The mission’s instruments—the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI), the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI), and the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE)—provided complementary views of the Sun’s magnetic fields, ultraviolet emissions, and atmospheric layers. Scientists hope these observations will illuminate the mechanisms behind the Sun’s 11-year magnetic cycle, including the recent polarity flip that placed both magnetic poles in the southern hemisphere. The data may also improve space weather forecasting, which is critical for protecting satellites and power grids. ESA officials describe this as the beginning of a new era in solar science, with higher-latitude views expected in future orbits.

Greek Entrepreneur Proposes Giant Net System for Lunar Spacecraft Landings

12 June, 2025

A Greece-based entrepreneur, Charis Kosmas, has proposed an unconventional solution for lunar landings: a giant net designed to catch spacecraft descending onto the Moon’s surface. The concept, known as Momentum Absorption Catcher for Express Deliveries on Non-Atmospheric Somata (MACEDONAS), aims to eliminate the need for traditional landers, which rely on rocket propulsion and often disturb lunar regolith. The system consists of a catcher and decelerator, working together to slow incoming payloads without kicking up hazardous dust.

MACEDONAS is part of a broader lunar delivery system envisioned by Lunar Cargo, which also includes Oversized Payload Lander on Non-Atmospheric Somata (OPLONAS)—a flexible wire wheel designed to roll across the Moon’s surface. Kosmas argues that these innovations could improve efficiency and reduce costs for lunar cargo transport. While the idea remains theoretical, it highlights growing interest in alternative landing technologies as space agencies and private companies plan for sustained lunar operations.

China’s Latest Space Missions: Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite Launch in Collaboration With European Partners, 4th Batch of Guowang Satellites & Orbital Refueling Test Amid U.S. Surveillance

China continues to expand its space capabilities with three major developments: the launch of a new seismo-electromagnetic satellite, the deployment of additional Guowang megaconstellation satellites, and preparations for an orbital refueling test involving two spacecraft.

14 June, 2025

The China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite-2 (CSES-2) or Zhangheng-2 (named after a Han dynasty polymath), developed in collaboration with Italy and Austria, was launched aboard a Long March 2D rocket, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The satellite is part of a broader China-Italy partnership, with Italy contributing an electric field detector and a high-energy particle detector, while Austria provided a scalar magnetometer.

The mission builds on the work of CSES-1, which launched in 2018, and aims to detect electromagnetic precursors to natural disasters, including earthquakes, by monitoring global electromagnetic fields and ionospheric conditions. The satellite is designed to function in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 507 kilometers, aligned with CSES-1 but positioned 180 degrees apart in phase.

Meanwhile, on 5 June, 2025, China launched the fourth batch of Guowang satellites, part of its ambitious low Earth orbit megaconstellation designed to provide broadband connectivity. The launch, conducted via a Long March 6A rocket, underscores China’s push to rival Starlink and other global satellite networks. Although the total numbers of satellites launched per mission is hard to ascertain, it is speculated that 10 were launched in this batch.

In geostationary orbit, China is preparing for its first-ever orbital refueling test. The Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites are maneuvering toward a rendezvous, with U.S. surveillance satellites monitoring the operation. The test aims to extend satellite lifespans and reduce space debris, but has raised concerns in the West about China’s growing space capabilities.

GOVERNANCE

Proposed U.S. Budget Cuts Threaten Operations of World’s Most Powerful Solar Telescope

12 June, 2025

Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), the world’s most powerful ground-based solar observatory, faces potential closure under the Trump administration’s proposed FY2026 budget. The National Solar Observatory, which operates DKIST, warned that the facility cannot function on the $13 million allocated—less than half its current $30 million annual budget. Built atop Hawaii’s Haleakalā volcano and operational since 2020, DKIST has delivered unprecedented high-resolution images of solar activity, aiding research on space weather and magnetic fields. The issue was raised during the 246th American Astronomical Society meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, where NSO Director Christoph Keller presented the stark funding outlook.

The proposed cuts would also leave just $4 million for all other NSO facilities, threatening helioseismology programs and broader solar monitoring capabilities. Scientists at the American Astronomical Society meeting described the telescope as a generational leap in solar science, now imperiled by fiscal retrenchment. The situation underscores growing concern that U.S. budget decisions could undermine long-term scientific infrastructure, particularly as solar activity intensifies and space weather forecasting becomes increasingly critical to satellite and grid resilience.

ESA Evaluates Impact of Proposed NASA Budget Cuts on Joint Space Missions

14 June, 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) is assessing the fallout from proposed U.S. budget cuts that would slash NASA’s science funding by nearly half and reduce its workforce by a third. ESA officials warn that several joint missions—including the LISA gravitational wave observatory, the EnVision Venus orbiter, and the NewAthena, a next generation X-ray telescope—could be delayed or canceled if NASA’s FY26 budget is enacted as proposed. ESA is also reviewing contingency plans for the Mars Sample Return mission and the Gateway lunar station, both of which, along with the others, rely on U.S. contributions. ESA warns that “recovery actions” may be needed to keep them viable. ESA is also reviewing potential fallout for other collaborations, including the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover and Sentinel-6C, both of which depend on U.S. hardware or funding.

ESA leadership emphasized that while the cuts are not yet final, they could force Europe to reallocate resources or develop replacement technologies. ESA is also exploring deeper cooperation with other nations, including Japan and South Korea, as it prepares for a June council meeting to evaluate strategic responses. Congressional decisions are expected later this year. The situation highlights the vulnerability of international space cooperation to domestic political shifts, with ESA’s governing council expected to discuss strategic responses later this month.

Golden Dome Initiative Examined Through Technical and Strategic Lens

The following is a summary of an opinion piece by Iain Boyd for The Conversation. Boyd is the Director of the Center for National Security Initiatives and Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder (U.S.).

The proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, unveiled by former President Donald Trump in May 2025, envisions a sweeping, multi-domain shield to protect the U.S. from ballistic, cruise, hypersonic, and space-launched missiles. The $175 billion initiative would integrate sensors and interceptors across land, sea, air, and space, with Trump asserting it could achieve near-total protection by the end of his term. However, aerospace experts and arms control scholars remain deeply skeptical of both the technical feasibility and strategic wisdom of such a system.

Intercepting maneuverable hypersonic missiles remains a major unsolved challenge, and the required global sensor network and interceptor coverage would demand unprecedented coordination and technological maturity. Critics argue that Golden Dome could destabilize global deterrence by prompting adversaries to expand their nuclear arsenals or develop countermeasures. Russia and China have already labeled the plan as escalatory.

The initiative echoes Cold War-era missile defense debates, particularly the limitations of the now-defunct Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Experts warn that pursuing such an expansive shield could trigger a new arms race without delivering the promised security. While the U.S. already maintains a layered missile defense architecture, Golden Dome would require significant expansion—especially in space-based sensors and hypersonic interceptors. The proposal underscores a broader shift toward space-enabled defense systems, but also raises enduring questions about cost, effectiveness, and strategic stability in an increasingly contested global security environment. Whether Golden Dome advances beyond rhetoric will depend on political will, technological breakthroughs, and the evolving threat landscape.

MILITARY

Golden Dome Still a Cause for Division as US Lawmakers Propose Increased Space Force Funding in FY26 Budget

09 June, 2025

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has advanced its proposal for the fiscal year 2026 defense budget, totaling $831.5 billion. A notable feature is the increased funding for the U.S. Space Force, which would receive nearly $29 billion—a $2.7 billion boost over the Trump administration’s initial request. The move reflects bipartisan concern that the U.S. is underinvesting in space capabilities, especially given growing reliance on satellite infrastructure for national security. Lawmakers from both parties stressed the urgency of accelerating investments in launch systems, satellite constellations, and space-based intelligence.

However, consensus on space spending fractured over the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, a proposed multi-layered satellite-based shield. While Republicans champion the program as a generational leap in homeland defense, Democrats warn it could destabilize strategic deterrence and provoke an arms race. The bill allocates $13 billion toward space and missile defense programs aligned with Golden Dome, despite the absence of a full defense budget request from the White House.

The appropriations process is unfolding under unusual circumstances as Congress moves ahead with defense spending before getting full guidance from the White House. Still, the legislation signals a broader shift toward space as a central pillar of U.S. defense strategy—even as its most ambitious programs remain politically divisive.

US Accountability Office Report Flags Supply Chain Delays in Pentagon’s Proliferated Warfighter Satellite Constellation

11 June, 2025

The Pentagon’s effort to deploy a resilient satellite network in low Earth orbit—known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA)—continues to face significant supply chain setbacks, according to a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. Managed by the Space Development Agency (SDA), the program aims to field hundreds of satellites for missile tracking and secure communications. The GAO reviewed upcoming PWSA deployments, including 86 missile-tracking satellites costing $6.6 billion and 336 data transport satellites estimated at $8.3 billion. However, production delays, particularly in optical communications terminals, threaten deployment timelines. Of the more than 500 terminals needed for Tranche 1, only 20 had been delivered as of January 2025.

The GAO also flagged SDA’s decision to proceed with launches under temporary NSA “authority to operate” due to incomplete encryption certification. While SDA maintains it is on track to launch Tranche 1 by summer 2025, after a push from fall 2024, the report underscores persistent tension between SDA’s rapid deployment model and GAO’s calls for more rigorous testing. The constellation remains a cornerstone of U.S. defense strategy, but its execution continues to draw scrutiny.

Sierra Space Establishes New Defense Division Amid $1.5 Billion in US Military Contracts

11 June, 2025

Sierra Space has formally launched a dedicated defense division—Sierra Space Defense—as it deepens its role in U.S. national security space programs. The move follows a surge in government contracts, including a $740 million award from the Space Development Agency for 18 missile warning satellites, part of a broader $1.5 billion portfolio since 2023. The new unit will be led by Erik Daehler, a veteran of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and will focus on satellite and spacecraft systems tailored for defense missions.

To support this expansion, and having dubbed itself a “Emerging Defense-Tech Prime,” Sierra Space is opening a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Centennial, Colorado, dubbed “Victory Works,” bringing its total infrastructure to over one million square feet across seven states. The company’s defense product line includes the Eclipse satellite bus, Ghost delivery system, Spectre mobility platform, and Sierra Black OS, an AI-powered operating system. The Eclipse satellite bus is a scalable spacecraft line designed for missions ranging from Earth observation to missile warning. While the Ghost delivery system is intended for rapid deployment of payloads or supplies in space, the Spectre mobility platform supports maneuverability and logistics in orbit. The initiative reflects a broader trend of commercial space firms repositioning to meet evolving military demands.

US Space Force Awards $25M Contract to Project Management Startup to Streamline National Security Launch Operations

11 June, 2025

The U.S. Space Force has awarded a five-year, $25 million contract to Seattle-based startup Integrate to deploy its secure multiplayer, project management software across national security space missions. The platform, built on AWS GovCloud, is designed to streamline coordination among government agencies and commercial partners involved in satellite launches. It replaces fragmented tools like spreadsheets and email with a centralized, permissioned environment tailored for classified and hybrid operations.

The contract, issued by the Space Systems Command’s Mission Manifest Office, reflects growing urgency to modernize how the U.S. military manages complex launch schedules and rideshare opportunities. Integrate’s software—already in use by unnamed commercial space and defense firms—was selected for its ability to unify cross-organizational workflows. While the tool is commercial in origin, it has apparently been adapted to meet stringent defense requirements. The deal marks one of the largest Small Business Innovation Research Phase 3 awards to date, underscoring the Pentagon’s shift toward agile, dual-use tech providers.

UK's BAE, South Korean Hanwha Partner on Intelligence, Surveillance, & Recon Constellation Azalea

11 June, 2025

U.K.-based, BAE Systems has partnered with South Korea’s Hanwha Systems to co-develop a multi-sensor satellite system that integrates synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ultra-wideband radio frequency (RF) technologies. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, will support BAE’s planned Azalea constellation, a low Earth orbit (LEO) network designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Hanwha’s SAR expertise will complement BAE’s RF capabilities, with onboard edge processors enabling rapid data analysis for military and disaster response applications.

The partnership reflects a broader trend of transnational defense cooperation and aligns with Hanwha’s ambitions to expand its global satellite footprint. The system is expected to serve both domestic and international markets, with development slated to begin in 2026. This move follows BAE’s earlier collaboration with Finnish SAR operator Iceye and underscores the growing strategic importance of multi-sensor ISR constellations in contested and data-driven security environment

COMMERCIAL

Arkadia Space Demonstrates Non-Toxic “Green” Propulsion System in Orbital Test Campaign

09 June, 2025

Spanish startup Arkadia Space has successfully tested its hydrogen peroxide-based DARK propulsion system in orbit, marking a milestone for non-toxic alternatives to hydrazine. Hosted aboard a D-Orbit ION vehicle launched in March, the thruster completed hundreds of short pulses, lasting tens of milliseconds and longer burns of up to five seconds, with in-space performance matching ground tests. The system’s simplified fueling process—demonstrated during SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission—significantly reduced pre-launch costs and handling risks.

Hydrogen peroxide, priced far below hydrazine and requiring minimal protective gear, is gaining traction as a “green” propellant amid growing pressure from launch providers like SpaceX to phase out toxic fuels. Arkadia’s test campaign, expected to continue for up to a year, supports broader adoption of sustainable propulsion. The company is also supplying thrusters for MaiaSpace’s reusable launch vehicle, signaling interest beyond satellites. As regulatory and commercial pressures mount, Arkadia’s success may accelerate the shift toward safer, cost-effective propulsion technologies.

SES & Intelsat Merger Advances With Unconditional European Approval

10 June, 2025

The European Commission has unconditionally approved SES’s $3.1 billion acquisition of U.S.-based Intelsat, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the transatlantic satellite merger. The decision follows similar clearance from the UK’s competition authority and comes amid intensifying competition in the satellite communications sector, particularly from low Earth orbit (LEO) operators like Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

The merger would combine SES’s geostationary and medium Earth orbit assets with Intelsat’s extensive GEO fleet, creating a unified operator with over 100 satellites. The Commission concluded the deal would not harm competition in the European Economic Area, citing the continued presence of alternative providers and terrestrial connectivity options.

SES and Intelsat argue the merger will enhance network resilience and coverage, especially in underserved regions. Although Intelsat is domiciled in Luxembourg, its main operations and administrative headquarters are based in the United States, and SES is headquartered in Betzdorf, Luxembourg. The transaction still awaits U.S. regulatory approval, but if finalized, it could reshape the global satellite landscape and bolster Europe’s position in the race for space-based broadband.

Voyager’s IPO & Funding Surges for Muon, Quantum, Logos, Look Up Signal Momentum in Satellite Manufacturing, Broadband Constellations, Space Surveillance, & Propulsion

A surge of investment across the space sector this week underscores a growing convergence of commercial ambition, national security priorities, and orbital infrastructure development.

10 June, 2025

On the defense front, Quantum Space added $40 million to its Series A round to accelerate development of its Ranger spacecraft, a maneuverable platform designed for contested orbital environments. Originally conceived for cislunar logistics, Ranger is now being positioned for missile defense and rapid-response missions, including potential roles in the proposed Golden Dome architecture.

11 June, 2025

Voyager Technologies, following last week's launch of its IPO targeting a $1.6 billion valuation, has now debuted on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “VOYG”. It raised $383 million through an expanded offering—exceeding its initial goal of $319 million, and securing a $3.8 billion valuation. The surge reflects growing investor enthusiasm for space infrastructure and, vertically integrated space and defense capabilities.

The company, which operates across propulsion, communications, and space station development, plans to channel the funds into R&D, acquisitions, and its flagship Starlab project—a private space station backed by NASA and international partners. The Denver-based firm, aims to expand in both defense and commercial markets amid rising U.S. military spending.

12 June, 2025

Meanwhile, aerospace startup, Muon Space has secured $89.5 million to expand satellite production and acquire propulsion startup Starlight Engines, bringing the total Series B funding to $146 million. The company is aiming to vertically integrate its supply chain and meet demand from U.S. defense and environmental monitoring clients. The funding also backs a newly opened 12,000-square-meter satellite factory in San Jose, capable of full production and testing from raw materials to final assembly.

In March 2025, Muon’s third satellite, a prototype mission for its wildfire-monitoring system, FireSat, developed with the Earth Fire Alliance, was launched. With additional FireSats on order and missions planned for Hydrosat, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and various U.S. defense agencies, Muon is scaling rapidly after securing over $100 million in new contracts in 2024. The company expects to produce up to 500 satellites annually by the end of the decade.

12 June, 2025

In the broadband sector, Logos Space Services raised $50 million to advance plans for a 4,178 satellite constellation operating in high-frequency bands. Founded by a former Google executive, Logos is targeting both commercial and defense markets with a focus on signal resilience and anti-jamming capabilities.

13 June, 2025

In Europe, French space situational awareness (SSA) startup Look Up has raised €50 million to expand its space surveillance radar network and space traffic management services. Backed by EU funding and private investors, the company plans to deploy additional radars in French Polynesia and scale its SYNAPSE platform for real-time orbital awareness.

Taken together, these developments reflect a maturing space economy where dual-use technologies, supply chain control, and orbital security are becoming central to both commercial strategy and geopolitical positioning. The funding momentum suggests that investors increasingly view space not just as a frontier, but as a critical domain for infrastructure, defense, and data.

Reaction Dynamics Moves Toward First Launch with Quebec Government Support for Sovereign Space Access

11 June, 2025

Canadian launch startup Reaction Dynamics is advancing toward its first suborbital flight following a CA$10 million investment from the Quebec government, part of a broader push to establish sovereign launch capabilities. The funding—CA$8 million to Reaction Dynamics and CA$2 million to software partner Maya HTT—supports development of the company’s Aurora rocket and its RE-202 hybrid propulsion system, which uses room-temperature propellants and fewer components than traditional engines.

Founded in 2017, Reaction Dynamics aims to offer responsive launch services for small satellites, with a suborbital mission planned for later this year and orbital missions planned by 2027–2028. The company positions its system as a cost-effective alternative for commercial and defense customers, emphasizing rapid turnaround and domestic production.

As geopolitical tensions reshape space access priorities, the investment reflects Quebec’s strategic interest in reducing reliance on foreign launch providers and fostering a vertically integrated aerospace sector.

Axiom’s Ax-4 Launch Delayed Again due to Falcon 9 Leak & ISS Zvezda Module Issue

11 June, 2025

The launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 private astronaut mission to the International Space Station has been rescheduled for June 19, 2025, following a series of delays caused by technical issues. Originally slated for May 29, the launch was first pushed to June 8, then June 10, and later June 11, before a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 booster and a pressure anomaly in the ISS’s Russian-built Zvezda module forced an indefinite hold.

Commanded by Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut and Axiom’s director of human spaceflight, the Ax-4 crew includes pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland/ESA) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Each astronaut represents their country’s first crewed mission to the ISS, marking a significant milestone in international participation in commercial spaceflight. The crew plans to conduct over 60 scientific experiments during their two-week stay aboard the ISS.

New Zealand-Netherlands Based Dawn Aerospace to Deliver First Aurora Spaceplane to Oklahoma (US) in $17 Million Deal

12 June, 2025

Dawn Aerospace has signed a $17 million agreement with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to deliver its Aurora Mk-II suborbital spaceplane by 2027, marking the first direct sale of a spaceplane to a customer. The deal includes the vehicle, ground systems, and operational support, with plans for up to 100 flights annually from the Oklahoma Air and Space Port. Aurora, a remotely piloted aircraft capable of reaching the Kármán line and carrying 5 kg payloads, is designed for rapid reuse with a four-hour turnaround between missions.

The company, headquartered in New Zealand and the Netherlands, had begun sales of its Aurora suborbital spaceplane earlier in May, with first deliveries slated for 2027. The sale reflects a shift toward an airline-style model in space access, where customers own and operate reusable vehicles rather than purchasing launch services. Dawn’s approach could lower barriers for microgravity research, defense testing, and atmospheric science. While Aurora has completed 58 test flights, including supersonic milestones, it remains in pre-production. Oklahoma’s investment positions it as a potential hub for high-cadence suborbital operations.

China’s CAS Space Completes Kinetica-2 Hot Fire Test Ahead of Maiden Orbital Mission, Cargo Launch

13 July, 2025

China’s CAS Space has completed a successful hot fire test of the first stage of its Kinetica-2 (Lijian-2) rocket. A kerolox (kerosene-liquid oxygen propellant mix) launcher, it is designed to support both commercial satellite deployments and cargo resupply missions to the Tiangong space station. According to an announcement, the test was conducted on June 11 at the company’s new Space Liquid Propulsion Test Center in Aotou Town in the ​​Conghua District of the southern city of Guangzhou. The test validated the integration of propulsion, avionics, and structural systems. Kinetica-2 is capable of delivering 12,000 kg to low Earth orbit (or about 7,800 kg to a 500-kilometer-altitude sun-synchronous orbit) and will debut with the launch of Qingzhou-1, a prototype cargo spacecraft developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAMCAS).

The mission is part of a broader effort by China’s human spaceflight agency to introduce low-cost, commercial cargo vehicles, with CAS Space competing against AVIC’s Haolong shuttle. The test also signals CAS Space’s ambition to become a key player in mass constellation deployment, as it eyes both domestic and international customers in an increasingly competitive launch market. CAS Space is a commercial spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developing rockets like Kinetica-1 and 2 to commercialize CAS technologies for satellite and station services.

AST SpaceMobile Funds Ligado’s Bankruptcy Pact With Viasat-Inmarsat for Long-Term L-Band Rights

13 July, 2025

AST SpaceMobile has agreed to finance a $550 million settlement enabling bankrupt Ligado Networks to resolve its legal dispute with Viasat-owned Inmarsat, in exchange for long-term access to valuable L-band spectrum across the U.S. and Canada. The deal grants AST SpaceMobile rights to up to 45 MHz of lower mid-band spectrum for over 80 years, a critical asset for its direct-to-device satellite service, supporting its plan to pair its low-band terrestrial network with space-based coverage from its BlueBird satellites.

The agreement, still subject to court and regulatory approval, also includes Inmarsat’s support for AST’s spectrum applications with U.S. and Canadian authorities. To facilitate the deal, AST has arranged $550 million in institutional financing, with $535 million earmarked for Inmarsat. If finalized, the transaction would provide AST with the largest contiguous block of high-quality nationwide spectrum for satellite broadband in North America. The transaction marks a rare instance of a commercial satellite operator underwriting a rival’s bankruptcy settlement to unlock strategic spectrum access.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Supernova Explosions May Have Influenced Earth’s Climate in the Past

13 June, 2025

New research from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) suggests that supernova explosions may have triggered abrupt climate shifts on Earth, potentially leading to cooling events, wildfires, and selective extinctions. Scientists have long theorized that cosmic radiation from nearby stellar deaths could impact atmospheric chemistry, but recent studies provide empirical evidence linking past supernovae to environmental disruptions recorded in tree rings and geological archives.

Astrophysicist Robert Brakenridge analyzed 15,000 years of tree-ring data, identifying 11 spikes in radioactive carbon that align with known supernova events. His model suggests that high-energy radiation from these explosions could thin the ozone layer and degrade methane, weakening the greenhouse effect and increasing ultraviolet exposure. While Earth is not currently under threat, astronomers warn that future nearby supernovae could have significant consequences for climate stability and human society. Understanding these cosmic influences may help refine climate models and improve preparedness for potential atmospheric disruptions. The research was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸