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  • Issue 55 | Breaking Space News: June 15 - 21, 2025

Issue 55 | Breaking Space News: June 15 - 21, 2025

An Australian Moth Uses the Milky Way & Earth's Magnetism to Complete an Epic Migration — This Week in Space: Satellite Streaks & Stunning Astro-Imagery. Neural Networks aid in Black Hole Discoveries, China’s Landspace & Japan’s Honda Edge Closer to Reusable Launch Systems. Also Inside: The World’s Largest Digital Camera Prepares for Cosmic Duty, Zero-G Gets Theatrical, & Updates on Astroscale, Ursa Major & Eutelsat’s Defense Contracts. From Orbital Factories to Antarctic Radio Pulses & a Dramatic Starship Anomaly — This Week’s Orbit Is Packed.

Author

Lagrangian Despatch
June 22, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 56 minutes

Hello there, Explorer.🚀

From Moths to the Milly Way, exciting new developments in the science and research sections this week; updates from Paris Air Show.

Click here for the full newsletter experience. ⬇️⬇️

Hope you enjoy this Space!

IMAGES

 

Satellite Streaks over High Arctic : Defense Research and Development Canada, Western University of Canada
Each streak in this composite image from one camera at Eureka, Nunavut represents a satellite crossing one patch of the Arctic sky on Feb 22, 2025. A Canadian-led initiative has completed its first full year of satellite tracking over the High Arctic, using low-cost cameras adapted from meteor detection systems. Operated by Western University and Defence Research and Development Canada, the network—now active at four sites—has logged nearly half a billion observations of over 17,000 satellites. The Eureka, Nunavut station proved especially valuable, capturing sun-synchronous satellites in orbital choke points visible only from polar latitudes. As satellite megaconstellations proliferate, the system expects to offer Canada a sovereign, persistent capability to monitor space traffic and assess satellite stability, contributing to both national security and broader space situational awareness.

Each streak in this composite image from one camera at Eureka, Nunavut represents a satellite crossing one patch of the Arctic sky on Feb 22, 2025.

A Canadian-led initiative has completed its first full year of satellite tracking over the High Arctic, using low-cost cameras adapted from meteor detection systems. Operated by Western University and Defence Research and Development Canada, the network—now active at four sites—has logged nearly half a billion observations of over 17,000 satellites. The Eureka, Nunavut station proved especially valuable, capturing sun-synchronous satellites in orbital choke points visible only from polar latitudes. As satellite megaconstellations proliferate, the system expects to offer Canada a sovereign, persistent capability to monitor space traffic and assess satellite stability, contributing to both national security and broader space situational awareness. (Credit: Space Surveillance Group at Western)

This map shows the ground track of all satellite tracked by the cameras over Eureka on Feb 25, 2025. The cameras are pointed in fixed directions and capture only part of the total satellite track over the polar region.

This map shows the ground track of all satellite tracked by the cameras over Eureka on Feb 25, 2025. The cameras are pointed in fixed directions and capture only part of the total satellite track over the polar region. (Credit: Space Surveillance Group at Western)

Satellite tracking cameras at Eureka, Nvt.

Satellite tracking cameras at Eureka, Nvt. (Credit: Michael Mazur)

 

 

Seasonal Ice Breakup, Canadian Arctic : MODIS, Terra Satellite, NASA
NASA’s Terra satellite has captured striking imagery of sea ice fracturing in Canada’s Amundsen Gulf, a key segment of the Northwest Passage. As of June 9, 2025, large sections of fast ice—once anchored to the coastline—have broken free and begun drifting into the Beaufort Sea. This seasonal breakup, driven by rising temperatures and shifting winds, marks a critical phase in the Arctic’s annual melt cycle. While the process is expected, the timing and extent vary widely, offering researchers insight into regional climate dynamics. The images underscore the ongoing transformation of Arctic sea ice and its implications for navigation and ecosystems.

NASA’s Terra satellite has captured striking imagery of sea ice fracturing in Canada’s Amundsen Gulf, a key segment of the Northwest Passage. As of June 9, 2025, large sections of fast ice—once anchored to the coastline—have broken free and begun drifting into the Beaufort Sea. This seasonal breakup, driven by rising temperatures and shifting winds, marks a critical phase in the Arctic’s annual melt cycle. While the process is expected, the timing and extent vary widely, offering researchers insight into regional climate dynamics. The images underscore the ongoing transformation of Arctic sea ice and its implications for navigation and ecosystems. (Credit: NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview)

 

 

Sculptor Galaxy, Thousand-Color, Ultra-Detailed : European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT)
Astronomers using ESO’s Very Large Telescope have created the most detailed image of the Sculptor Galaxy to date, capturing it in thousands of colors. The map, stitched from over 100 exposures, reveals intricate details about stars, gas, and dust—offering new insights into galactic structure and evolution. To create this map of the Sculptor Galaxy, which is 11 million light-years away and is also known as NGC 253, the researchers observed it for over 50 hours with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on ESO’s VLT. The team had to stitch together over 100 exposures to cover an area of the galaxy about 65 000 light-years wide.

Astronomers using ESO’s Very Large Telescope have created the most detailed image of the Sculptor Galaxy to date, capturing it in thousands of colors. The map, stitched from over 100 exposures, reveals intricate details about stars, gas, and dust—offering new insights into galactic structure and evolution.

To create this map of the Sculptor Galaxy, which is 11 million light-years away and is also known as NGC 253, the researchers observed it for over 50 hours with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on ESO’s VLT. The team had to stitch together over 100 exposures to cover an area of the galaxy about 65 000 light-years wide. (Credit: ESO/E. Congiu et al.)

This image offers a striking new view of the Sculptor Galaxy, highlighting the glow of hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, and oxygen across its structure. Rendered in false color, the composition reveals how different physical processes cause gas to emit light in distinct ways. Regions glowing pink trace areas where young stars energize surrounding gas, while a cone of pale light at the center signals gas being driven outward by the galaxy’s central black hole.

This image offers a striking new view of the Sculptor Galaxy, highlighting the glow of hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, and oxygen across its structure. Rendered in false color, the composition reveals how different physical processes cause gas to emit light in distinct ways. Regions glowing pink trace areas where young stars energize surrounding gas, while a cone of pale light at the center signals gas being driven outward by the galaxy’s central black hole. (Credit: ESO/E. Congiu et al.)

This image is a colour composite made from exposures from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2) of NGC 253. The field of view is approximatelly 3.7 x 3.6 degrees.

This image is a colour composite made from exposures from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2) of NGC 253. The field of view is approximatelly 3.7 x 3.6 degrees. (Credit: ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin.)

SCIENCE

 

Researchers Use Neural Network to Model Spin & Structure of the Black Hole at the Center of our Galaxy: Experts Urge Caution Over AI-Based Image

A render showing how the neural network that connects the observations (left) to the models (right). AI-trained on noisy and previously discarded Event Horizon Telescope data unveils sharp black hole imagery—but skepticism lingers over data reliability and model accuracy.

A render showing how the neural network that connects the observations (left) to the models (right). AI-trained on noisy and previously discarded Event Horizon Telescope data unveils sharp black hole imagery—but skepticism lingers over data reliability and model accuracy. (Credit: EHT Collaboration/Janssen et al. (high-resolution version))

17 June, 2025

A new AI-generated image of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, has sparked both excitement and skepticism in the astrophysics community. Using a neural network trained on millions of simulations and previously discarded Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) data, researchers produced a detailed image suggesting the black hole is spinning near its theoretical speed limit, with its axis pointed toward Earth. The findings, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, also challenge prevailing models by attributing the black hole’s emissions to hot electrons in the accretion disk rather than jets.

However, some experts, including Nobel laureate Reinhard Genzel, caution against overreliance on AI, noting that the noisy input data could bias results. While the technique offers a promising path for extracting insights from complex datasets, it also raises questions about interpretability and verification. The study underscores both the potential and the limitations of AI in astrophysics, especially as researchers prepare to apply the method to newer EHT observations. As machine learning becomes more embedded in space science, the need for rigorous cross-validation and transparency in modeling grows increasingly urgent.

China Conducts Pad Abort Test to Validate Crew Safety System for Astronaut Capsule Ahead of 2030 Moon Goal

China successfully conducted a zero-altitude escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

China successfully conducted a zero-altitude escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. (Credit: CMSEO)

17 June, 2025

China’s Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) has completed a critical safety milestone in its crewed lunar program with a successful pad abort test of the Mengzhou spacecraft on June 17 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The test demonstrated the capsule’s ability to rapidly escape from the launch pad in the event of an emergency, validating a new abort system that places full responsibility for crew safety on the spacecraft itself. The capsule was propelled away from the pad, separated from its escape tower, and landed safely under parachutes with airbag cushioning.

Three parachutes guided Mengzhou's jettisoned escape pod safely back to the desert surface, touching down with an airbag cushion. CMSEO called the test "a complete success.

Three parachutes guided Mengzhou's jettisoned escape pod safely back to the desert surface, touching down with an airbag cushion. CMSEO called the test "a complete success. (Credit: CMSEO)

This marks China’s first such test since 1998 and is a key step toward its goal of landing taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) on the Moon by 2030. The Mengzhou spacecraft, designed for both low Earth orbit and lunar missions, will eventually pair with the Long March 10 rocket and Lanyue lander. The test underscores China’s methodical progress in human spaceflight as it seeks to match or surpass U.S. lunar ambitions

For the First Time, Insects Shown to Navigate Using Stars and Earth’s Magnetism

A Bogong moth sitting on a log.

A Bogong moth sitting on a log. (Credit: Ajay Narendra, Macquarie University, Australia)

18 June, 2025

In a breakthrough for animal navigation research, scientists have confirmed that Australia’s Bogong moth is the first known insect to use stars for long-distance migration. Each spring, these moths travel up to 1,000 kilometers to alpine caves in the Snowy Mountains, where they aestivate through summer before returning to breed. Using a custom-built flight simulator and magnetically neutral lab conditions, researchers demonstrated that the moths rely on celestial cues—specifically the Milky Way and constellations—to orient themselves. When the projected night sky was rotated or scrambled, the moths’ navigational ability collapsed. Neural recordings further revealed brain activity tuned to specific sky orientations.

a) A male Bogong moth. Scale bar, 5 mm. (Credit: A. Narendra) b) Adult moths migrate from their breeding grounds in various regions of southeast Australia to the Australian Alps during spring (green arrows), where they aestivate in cool alpine caves over summer, and return to the breeding grounds in autumn (purple arrows). At the breeding grounds, they mate, lay eggs and die. Immature stages develop underground during the winter. The red dot indicates the experimental site at Adaminaby. Scale bar, 500 km. c) Around 16,000 moths per sq.m aestivate on the walls of specific caves in the Australian Alps for up to 4 months before making the return migration. Inset- close-up image of the moths.

a) A male Bogong moth. Scale bar, 5 mm. (Credit: A. Narendra) b) Adult moths migrate from their breeding grounds in various regions of southeast Australia to the Australian Alps during spring (green arrows), where they aestivate in cool alpine caves over summer, and return to the breeding grounds in autumn (purple arrows). At the breeding grounds, they mate, lay eggs and die. Immature stages develop underground during the winter. The red dot indicates the experimental site at Adaminaby. Scale bar, 500 km. c) Around 16,000 moths per sq.m aestivate on the walls of specific caves in the Australian Alps for up to 4 months before making the return migration. Inset- close-up image of the moths. (Credit: Dreyer et al., 2025)

The study also confirmed that in the absence of visible stars, the moths switch to Earth’s magnetic field as a backup compass. This dual-system strategy mirrors that of migratory birds and underscores the sophistication of insect navigation. The findings raise broader questions about how environmental changes, such as light pollution, might disrupt these ancient migratory behaviors. This findings were published in the journal Nature.

China Tests Cislunar Navigation and Communication with Novel Lunar Orbits

An illustration of the Tiandu-1 spacecraft in lunar orbit.

An illustration of the Tiandu-1 spacecraft in lunar orbit. (Credit: DSEL)

China is advancing its cislunar ambitions by deploying small spacecraft into novel lunar and Earth-moon resonance orbits to test technologies for future infrastructure. The Tiandu-1 spacecraft and DRO-B, launched in 2024, have entered 3:1 and 3:2 resonance orbits respectively—configurations that allow them to repeatedly align with the Moon’s orbit. These missions, overseen by China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), aim to validate autonomous navigation, orbit control, and communications in complex gravitational environments.

The data will inform the development of the Queqiao constellation, a planned network to support lunar exploration and operations at Earth-moon Lagrange points. Notably, DRO-B is also touring Lagrange points L3, L4, and L5, which are considered potential hubs for future infrastructure. While China claims orbital firsts, comparisons with NASA’s IBEX mission suggest some precedents. Nonetheless, these maneuvers mark a strategic step in establishing a sustained presence in cislunar space and signal growing competition in the domain beyond geostationary orbit.

World's Largest Digital Camera—Rubin Observatory—Begins Sky Survey as Astronomers Brace for Satellite Streaks, Data Disruption

Vera C. Rubin Observatory, in Chile, will use the largest camera ever built to repeatedly scan the sky for 10 years and create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory, in Chile, will use the largest camera ever built to repeatedly scan the sky for 10 years and create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe. (Credit: RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA/A. Pizarro D.)

18 June, 2025

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory (formerly known as the “Large Synoptic Survey Telescope”) is poised to release its first images on June 23, marking a major milestone in ground-based astronomy. Located atop Cerro Pachón in Chile, the observatory houses the world’s largest digital camera and will conduct the decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), capturing the entire southern sky every three nights. Scientists anticipate transformative insights into dark matter, transient phenomena, and the structure of the universe. The observatory’s wide field of view and rapid cadence promise a dynamic, time-lapse portrait of the cosmos, offering both depth and breadth previously unattainable in a single survey.

Yet this scientific leap arrives amid growing concern over satellite megaconstellations. With tens of thousands of satellites already in orbit—and many more planned by companies like SpaceX and Amazon—astronomers warn that up to 40% of Rubin’s images could be marred by bright satellite streaks. The observatory’s sensitivity, once its greatest strength, now makes it especially vulnerable to this form of light pollution. Researchers are developing mitigation strategies, but the scale of the challenge is unprecedented.

Under the arc of the Milky Way, Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory prepares to map the southern sky with the world’s largest digital camera—advancing the search for dark matter in stellar streams.

Under the arc of the Milky Way, Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory prepares to map the southern sky with the world’s largest digital camera—advancing the search for dark matter in stellar streams. (Credit: Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/H. Stockebrand)

The Rubin Observatory thus stands at a crossroads: a symbol of astronomical ambition and a test case for how science and commercial space activity will coexist. As it begins its mission to map the universe in motion, the observatory also highlights the urgent need for coordinated policies to preserve the night sky as a shared scientific resource. Its success may depend as much on diplomacy and regulation as on optics and engineering.

First-Ever Cinematic Performance in Weightlessness Set for 2026 Premiere

Aboard Zero-G’s modified Boeing 727-200, Paraboles will be filmed this fall during 25 parabolic flights, each offering 22 seconds of weightlessness. Three performers and two cinematographers will capture movement in microgravity, exploring how art takes shape beyond Earth’s pull.

Aboard Zero-G’s modified Boeing 727-200, Paraboles will be filmed this fall during 25 parabolic flights, each offering 22 seconds of weightlessness. Three performers and two cinematographers will capture movement in microgravity, exploring how art takes shape beyond Earth’s pull. (Credit: Paraboles)

21 June, 2025

During a series of parabolic flights aboard Zero-G's 'G-Force One' aircraft,—a modified Boeing 727—an international team is preparing to stage the world’s first multimedia performance in microgravity.

Led by artist Natasha Tsakos in partnership with Cirque du Soleil, National Geographic, NASA, and MIT’s Space Exploration Initiative, the project—titled Paraboles—will be filmed later this year during a series of zero-gravity flights. Each arc provides roughly 22 seconds of weightlessness, creating an experimental stage for exploring performance beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Tsakos, who has trained with astronauts and developed the concept through MIT’s New Space Economy program, aims to interrogate how narrative and movement evolve in the absence of gravity. The production is planned as both a cinematic release and an installation piece, slated to debut in 2026. While the effort signals growing interest in integrating arts into the space sector, it also raises questions about the role of cultural initiatives in an increasingly commercialized orbital economy.

GOVERNANCE

 

Buzz Aldrin, photographed by Neil Armstrong, is seen setting up the retroreflector and seismometer experiments. The flag and TV camera are in the background to the left of the Lunar Module.

Buzz Aldrin, photographed by Neil Armstrong, is seen setting up the retroreflector and seismometer experiments. The flag and TV camera are in the background to the left of the Lunar Module. (Credit: NASA)

12 June, 2025

The following is a summary of an opinion piece by Michelle L.D. Hanlon for The Conversation. Michelle Hanlon is associated with For All Moonkind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving human cultural heritage in outer space, with a particular focus on safeguarding the Apollo lunar landing sites.

As lunar exploration accelerates, legal gaps in space governance are drawing renewed scrutiny. A recent article by space law expert Michelle Hanlon highlights how current international frameworks—particularly the 1967 Outer Space Treaty—fail to adequately protect historical sites, mining operations, and future lunar bases. While the treaty prohibits territorial claims and promotes free access to all areas of the Moon, its vague language leaves room for conflicting interpretations. Provisions like Article IX’s “due regard” clause and Article XII’s reference to installations suggest that early actors could unilaterally define access restrictions, potentially sidelining later entrants.

In April, a UN working group released draft principles for space resource activities, but these proposals stop short of addressing the treaty’s loopholes. As commercial and national interests converge on the Moon, the absence of enforceable norms raises concerns about resource conflicts, heritage preservation, and long-term sustainability. The legal ambiguity underscores the urgency for a clearer, consensus-driven framework for lunar governance.

ESA and EU Collaborate on High-Resolution Satellite Constellation for Security and Civil Use

12 June, 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) is advancing its European Resilience from Space (ERS) program, a proposed Earth observation satellite system designed to serve both civil and security needs. Approved by ESA’s Council on June 12, the program’s first phase will be presented for funding—estimated at €1 billion—at the agency’s ministerial conference in November. The system, known as the Earth Observation Government Service (EOGS) will be developed in partnership with the European Commission. It is expected to deliver high-resolution optical and radar imagery with rapid revisit times, supporting crisis response, environmental monitoring, and strategic autonomy.

While technical details remain sparse, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher likened the approach to the Copernicus program, with ESA leading development and the EU funding later phases. The initiative reflects growing European interest in dual-use space infrastructure amid geopolitical uncertainty. However, the Commission’s ability to contribute financially is constrained until its next multiannual budget cycle begins in 2028, potentially slowing full deployment of the envisioned EOGS.

MILITARY

 

US FCC Modernizes Satellite Licensing to Address National Security Needs, Growing Dual-Use Space Activity

16 June, 2025

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is changing its satellite licensing framework to reflect the growing intersection of commercial space activity and national security. Speaking at the Milsatcom USA conference, FCC Space Bureau Chief Jay Schwarz emphasized that most satellite license applicants now serve dual-use purposes, supporting both economic and defense objectives.

In response, the FCC is streamlining licensing procedures, reducing its backlog by 35% since January, and considering regulatory updates for non-geostationary satellite systems, including power limit revisions. By issuing a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the agency is also exploring the allocation of 20,000 megahertz of underutilized spectrum, such as the 12 GHz, 42 GHz, 52 GHz, and W-band frequencies, to meet rising demand. While the reforms aim to maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global satellite market, they also underscore the urgency of securing reliable communications in an increasingly contested space domain.

The FCC’s evolving role reflects a broader shift in space governance, where regulatory agility is becoming essential to balance innovation, spectrum access, and U.S. national defense imperatives.

Astroscale, Ursa Major, and Eutelsat Secure Strategic Contracts as UK, US, and France Advance Defense-Oriented Space Partnerships

This week a trio of recent developments underscores the growing entanglement of national security, commercial innovation, and geopolitical strategy in the space sector.

A render of Astroscale’s twin Orpheus satellites, which aim to enhance space weather forecasting—an effort underscored by a Lloyd’s of London report warning that a severe solar storm could cost the global economy up to $2.4 trillion. (Credit: Astroscale)

A render of Astroscale’s twin Orpheus satellites, which aim to enhance space weather forecasting—an effort underscored by a Lloyd’s of London report warning that a severe solar storm could cost the global economy up to $2.4 trillion. (Credit: Astroscale)

16 June, 2025

In the UK, Astroscale, the Japanese on-orbit service provider, has secured a £5.15 million ($7 million) contract from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to lead the Orpheus mission, aimed at enhancing space weather monitoring and space domain awareness. The mission will deploy two lead-trail configuration, formation-flying CubeSats equipped with hyperspectral imaging and ionospheric sensors, developed in collaboration with the U.K.-based, Open Cosmos and international partners. A collaboration between the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the University of Bath, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. is developing payloads to study the ionosphere. This effort aims to better understand how solar-induced charged particles affect satellite signals, navigation systems, and radio communications. The initiative also reflects mounting concerns over the vulnerability of satellite infrastructure to solar storms and adversarial threats.

Ursa Major’s Hadley engine.

Ursa Major’s Hadley engine. (Credit: Ursa Major)

16 June, 2025

Meanwhile, in the U.S., propulsion startup Ursa Major has been awarded a $32.9 million contract to supply 16 upgraded Hadley H13 engines for Stratolaunch’s reusable hypersonic test program. The engines, designed for reusability and high-performance under Mach 5+ conditions, are intended to accelerate the Pentagon’s hypersonic testing cadence through 2032. The deal highlights the Pentagon’s push to revitalize domestic propulsion capabilities amid intensifying global competition.

19 June, 2025

In Europe, the French government is leading a €1.45 billion ($1.56 billion) capital infusion into Eutelsat, more than doubling its stake to nearly 30%. The move is intended to bolster Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation and secure Europe’s position in the low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband market, where Starlink currently dominates. The investment coincides with a 10-year, €1 billion framework agreement between Eutelsat and the French defense ministry for LEO satellite services, reinforcing the constellation’s dual-use role.

Together, these developments reflect a broader trend: governments are increasingly leveraging commercial space actors to secure strategic capabilities, from orbital surveillance to hypersonic propulsion and sovereign communications infrastructure. The convergence of defense priorities and commercial innovation is reshaping the global space economy, with implications for regulatory frameworks, industrial policy, and international collaboration.

Satellite Imaging CEOs Urge US Congress to Reconsider Remote Sensing Budget Cuts Citing National Security Risks

Credit: ICEYE US

17 June, 2025

A coalition of U.S. commercial satellite imaging CEOs is urging Congress to reject proposed FY2026 budget cuts to remote sensing programs, warning they could undermine national security and stall innovation. In a joint letter, leaders from Maxar, Planet, BlackSky, ICEYE US, Capella Space, and KSAT criticized the proposed 30% (about $130 million) reduction to the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) Electro-Optical Commercial Layer (EOCL) program and the elimination of funding for commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and radio frequency acquisitions.

An ICEYE SAR Dwell mode image captures 25 km² of the West Angelas Mine region in Australia, acquired on January 29, 2024. (Credit: ICEYE US)

An ICEYE SAR Dwell mode image captures 25 km² of the West Angelas Mine region in Australia, acquired on January 29, 2024. (Credit: ICEYE US)

The executives argue the cuts contradict bipartisan mandates and recent Pentagon guidance promoting commercial integration. They also caution that such reductions could jeopardize U.S. leadership in space-based intelligence, weaken disaster response capabilities, and risk billions in private investment. The letter, publicly shared by ICEYE US, frames the issue as a strategic misstep amid rising global competition, particularly from China. The pushback highlights growing tensions between government procurement strategies and the commercial space sector’s role in national defense.

US Defense Officials Cite Technical Barriers, Interoperability Challenges in Building Unified Satellite Network

20 June, 2025

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) continues to face structural and technical hurdles in its effort to build a unified satellite communications network. Despite ambitions for a seamless, software-defined “enterprise satcom” system that integrates military, commercial, and allied assets, the current ecosystem remains fragmented. This challenge was discussed at the SAE Media Group’s MilSatcom USA conference on June 17 in Arlington, Virginia. Pentagon officials—including Mike Dean of the DoD’s command, control, and communications infrastructure office—cited the lack of industry-wide technical standards and reliance on incompatible hardware as major obstacles to interoperability.

Each military branch uses bespoke satellite terminals, often requiring costly hardware upgrades to connect with different providers. Officials argue that a shift toward software-based solutions is essential to improve flexibility and responsiveness. The absence of a satellite equivalent to mobile telecom’s 3GPP standard has further slowed progress. As commercial satellite networks rapidly evolve, the Pentagon’s reliance on manual processes and siloed systems risks falling behind. This might explain the growing urgency in U.S. defense agencies to adopt more agile, interoperable architectures in an increasingly contested and communications-dependent space domain.

About 3GPP: 3GPP or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, is a global consortium that develops technical standards and protocols for mobile telecommunications. Formed in 1998, it creates the technical foundations for mobile technologies like GSM (2G), UMTS (3G), LTE (4G), and 5G.

Think of 3GPP as the rulebook writers for how mobile phones and networks talk to each other—ensuring your phone can connect, roam, and stream seamlessly across different carriers and countries. The satellite communications sector notably lacks such a standardization, making system compatibility much more challenging.

COMMERCIAL

 

The Exploration Company Plans Crewed Version of Nyx Spacecraft

A render of the Exploration Company’s Nyx cargo vehicle in orbit.

A render of the Exploration Company’s Nyx cargo vehicle in orbit. (Credit: The Exploration Company)

17 June, 2025

European startup The Exploration Company, at the 2025 Paris Air Show, has unveiled long-term ambitions to enter the human spaceflight sector, building on its current development of the Nyx cargo vehicle. With a key uncrewed test flight imminent, the company aims to evolve Nyx into a crew-capable spacecraft, positioning itself as a future provider of orbital transportation. This move aligns with the European Space Agency’s broader push for independent access to space, including a new commercial cargo initiative.

While ESA has yet to commit to a full crewed program, it has allocated initial funding for design studies. The Exploration Company’s leadership, including former Airbus and Orion program veterans, emphasizes reusable, modular designs inspired by U.S. commercial models. However, the path to crewed flight remains uncertain, given Europe’s limited track record in this domain and the technical and regulatory hurdles ahead. The effort reflects growing momentum within Europe to reduce reliance on foreign providers for human space access.

Venturi Space Unveils European Lunar Rover for Moon’s South Pole Missions

A render of Venturi Space’s Mona Luna vehicle on the surface of the Moon.

A render of Venturi Space’s Mona Luna lunar rover on the surface of the Moon. (Credit: Venturi Space)

Venturi Space has unveiled Mona Luna, a fully European lunar rover designed to support ESA and CNES (French National Centre for Space Studies) missions to the Moon’s South Pole by 2030. Revealed at the 2025 Paris Air Show, the 750-kilogram rover features hyper-deformable wheels, autonomous navigation, and a robotic arm for handling scientific payloads. Built in Toulouse with components developed across Monaco and Switzerland, Mona Luna is engineered to survive extreme lunar temperatures and operate through multiple night cycles. It will be launched aboard Ariane 6.4 and delivered by the Argonaut lander.

The project reflects Europe’s strategic push for autonomy in lunar mobility, filling a gap in its current exploration capabilities. Drawing on experience from earlier FLIP and FLEX rover programs—developed in partnership with U.S.-based Astrolab—Venturi aims to establish a sustainable model for lunar operations. While Mona Luna’s first mission will focus on science, future roles may include resource transport, astronaut support, and commercial applications.

Honda Demonstrates Reusable Rocket Technology in First Vertical Test Flight

Honda's reusable rocket prototype in flight during a successful launch and landing test on June 17, 2025.

Honda's reusable rocket prototype in flight during a successful launch and landing test on June 17, 2025. Zhuque

17 June, 2025

Honda has successfully conducted its first launch and landing test of a prototype reusable rocket, marking a notable step in Japan’s growing private space sector. The 6.3-meter vehicle, developed by Honda R&D, reached an altitude of 271.4 meters before landing within 37 centimeters of its target at the company’s Hokkaido test site. The 56-second flight demonstrated key technologies for reusability, including flight stability and precision landing. While still in the research phase, Honda aims to achieve suborbital capability by 2029.

Credit: Honda

The effort reflects a broader trend among Japanese firms—such as Interstellar Technologies and Space One—seeking to establish domestic launch capabilities amid rising demand for satellite deployment. Honda’s entry into the field, leveraging its engineering expertise and industrial scale, adds a new dimension to the competitive landscape. Though commercialization remains uncertain, the test underscores the company’s intent to contribute to Japan’s space ambitions and the global shift toward reusable launch systems.

Firefly Aerospace Unveils Ocula, a Commercial Service to Deliver High-Resolution Moon Imagery

A rendering of Firefly Aerospace’s Elytra spacecraft in cis-lunar orbit, equipped with instruments for lunar imaging and research under the Ocula service. (Credit: Firefly Aerospace)

A rendering of Firefly Aerospace’s Elytra spacecraft in cis-lunar orbit, equipped with instruments for lunar imaging and research under the Ocula service. (Credit: Firefly Aerospace)

18 June, 2025

Firefly Aerospace has unveiled Ocula, a commercial lunar imaging service set to launch in 2026 aboard its Elytra spacecraft. Developed in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, Ocula will provide high-resolution ultraviolet and visible-spectrum imagery of the Moon from a 50-kilometer orbit, with a resolution of up to 20 centimeters. The system is designed to support mineral mapping, landing site selection, and cislunar situational awareness.

Initially deployed as part of the Blue Ghost Mission 2, Elytra will serve as a transfer vehicle before transitioning to long-term imaging and communications relay duties. Firefly positions Ocula as a dual-use platform, offering data for both scientific and national security applications. The company claims this will be the first commercial imaging service of its kind in lunar orbit, with ambitions to expand the model to Mars. The initiative comes as NASA’s aging Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), launched in 2009 with a resolution of 50 centimeters per pixel, continues to operate well beyond its original mission timeline.

According to a 2022 study by the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, planning a successor to NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter was long overdue. However, it emphasized that a one-for-one replacement would fall short of current science goals, advocating instead for a more flexible strategy using diverse orbits and smaller spacecraft. The initiative reflects a broader trend of private-sector involvement in cislunar infrastructure and data services, as lunar exploration efforts accelerate globally.

Maxar to Integrate Radar Data from Array Labs to Enhance 3D Terrain Mapping

A digital surface model (DSM).

A digital surface model (DSM). (Credit: Maxar Intelligence)

18 June, 2025

Maxar Intelligence has partnered with California-based, 3D-imagery provider, Array Labs to enhance its global 3D terrain capabilities by integrating data from Array’s forthcoming radar imaging satellite constellation, set to launch in late 2026. The collaboration will combine electro-optical and radar-derived 3D data, enabling more frequent and resilient updates to Maxar’s operational terrain products. This move supports Maxar’s vision of a “living globe”—a real-time, high-resolution 3D representation of Earth—serving defense, intelligence, and commercial users.

Array Labs’ satellites will operate in formation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), allowing imaging through clouds and darkness. The partnership adds to Maxar’s broader strategy of building a virtual constellation by incorporating external sensing assets, including SAR and multispectral platforms. With over 100 million square kilometers of 3D terrain already mapped, Maxar expects to accelerate data refresh rates and improve situational awareness across domains. The integration of radar-based 3D data marks a significant step toward more comprehensive and weather-independent Earth observation capabilities.

Varda Preps to Launch its First Fully In-House Spacecraft for Orbital Manufacturing

The W-4 vehicle at Varda's headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

The W-4 vehicle at Varda's headquarters in El Segundo, CA. (Credit: Varda Space)

18 June, 2025

Varda Space Industries is preparing to launch its fourth mission, W-4, marking a shift toward full vertical integration with its first entirely in-house designed spacecraft. Scheduled to fly on a SpaceX rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base, the mission will test a new satellite bus and attempt solution-based crystallization for pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity. Previous missions relied on Rocket Lab platforms, but Varda now aims to accelerate turnaround and tailor spacecraft to diverse customer needs. The 120-kilogram vehicle includes a reentry capsule equipped with a C-PICA heat shield, designed to withstand hypersonic speeds exceeding Mach 25.

The company also secured a five-year FAA reentry license for landings in Australia, signaling intent for high-cadence operations. While the commercial viability of in-space manufacturing remains under evaluation, Varda’s approach reflects a broader trend toward reusable, modular platforms and rapid iteration cycles—positioning it as a key player in the emerging orbital manufacturing and reentry services market.

ESA Signs Agreement to Explore European Role in Orbital Reef Space Station

A rendering of Orbital Reef, a private space station project involving Blue Origin, Sierra Space and a consortium of other partners.

A rendering of Orbital Reef, a private space station project involving Blue Origin, Sierra Space and a consortium of other partners. (Credit: Sierra Space/Blue Origin)

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Blue Origin and Thales Alenia Space to explore potential European participation in the Orbital Reef commercial space station. Announced at the 2025 Paris Air Show, the agreement outlines collaboration on hardware contributions—ranging from subsystems to full modules—and the use of European spacecraft for transporting crew and cargo. ESA is also evaluating opportunities for European payloads and astronauts to access Orbital Reef on a non-exclusive basis, aligning with its broader strategy to maintain a continuous presence in low Earth orbit after the International Space Station’s retirement.

Orbital Reef was introduced in October 2021 by Blue Origin and Sierra Space, in collaboration with Boeing, Redwire Space, and a consortium of additional partners. The planned space station is expected to include a range of laboratory and living modules.

The partnership comes in the wake of ESA’s intent to support its member states’ ambitions while engaging with the growing commercial space ecosystem. Thales Alenia Space, a key player in space infrastructure, may supply components and services under commercially viable terms. The agreement signals Europe’s increasing interest in shaping the post-ISS orbital landscape through public-private collaboration.

SpaceX's Starship Upper Stage Destroyed in Ground Test—Failure of Pressurized Nitrogen Tank Suspected

The Starship upper stage on the test stand at the Massey's site at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas.

The Starship upper stage on the test stand at the Massey's site at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas. (Credit: SpaceX)

19 June, 2025

SpaceX’s Starship program suffered another setback on June 18 when Ship 36, the upper stage slated for the vehicle’s tenth test flight, exploded during a static fire preparation at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. Preparations were being made to ignite its six Raptor engines in a "static fire" trial. The blast, which occurred as cryogenic propellants were being loaded, destroyed the vehicle and ignited fires around the Massey test site. No injuries were reported.

Preliminary analysis points to the failure of a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) containing gaseous nitrogen in the nosecone area. SpaceX emphasized that this COPV design differs from those used in its Falcon rockets. The incident follows a string of upper-stage failures in January, March and May of 2025, raising questions about the reliability of Starship’s architecture as the company targets a Mars mission in 2026. While the Super Heavy booster has shown improved performance, the upper stage remains a critical vulnerability. Investigations are ongoing, and the timeline for the next test flight is now uncertain.

Landspace Advances Reusable Launch Plans with Nine-Engine Static Fire Test for Zhuque-3 Rocket

Landspace’s stainless steel Zhuque-3 first stage pictured prior to static fire testing in June 2025.

Landspace’s stainless steel Zhuque-3 first stage pictured prior to static fire testing in June 2025. (Credit: Landspace)

Chinese launch startup Landspace has completed a pivotal static fire test of its Zhuque-3 rocket, firing nine methane-liquid oxygen Tianque-12A engines for 45 seconds. Conducted at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the test validated gimbal control and full ignition sequences, generating over 7,500 kN of thrust. The stainless steel first stage used in the test mirrors the configuration intended for Zhuque-3’s inaugural orbital flight, which will carry a prototype of the reusable Haolong cargo spacecraft.

This marks a significant step in China’s pursuit of reusable launch systems, though key milestones—such as orbital flight, recovery, and reuse—remain ahead. The Zhuque-3, a two-stage vehicle with a 4.5-meter diameter and a liftoff mass of approximately 570 metric tons, is part of a broader effort to develop low-cost cargo delivery to the Tiangong space station. Landspace previously conducted a 10-kilometer hop test in 2024 and aims to begin recovery attempts by 2026.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

 

New Observations Resolve Decades-Long Mystery of Missing Cosmic Matter

An artist's impression of ordinary matter in the warm, thin gas making up the intergalactic medium (IGM)—which has been difficult for scientists to directly observe until now. Different colors of light travel at different speeds through space. Blue highlights denser regions of the cosmic web, transitioning to redder light for void areas. (Credit: Jack Madden, IllustrisTNG, Ralf Konietzka, Liam Connor/CfA)

An artist's impression of ordinary matter in the warm, thin gas making up the intergalactic medium (IGM)—which has been difficult for scientists to directly observe until now. Different colors of light travel at different speeds through space. Blue highlights denser regions of the cosmic web, transitioning to redder light for void areas. (Credit: Jack Madden, IllustrisTNG, Ralf Konietzka, Liam Connor/CfA)

Astronomers have resolved a decades-old mystery by locating the universe’s “missing” ordinary matter—baryons composed of protons and neutrons—long predicted by cosmological models but largely unaccounted for in observations. A team from Caltech and the Center for Astrophysics used fast radio bursts (FRBs)—brief, powerful flashes of radio waves from distant galaxies—to trace this elusive matter. By analyzing how FRBs slow as they pass through space, researchers determined that roughly 76% of ordinary matter resides in the intergalactic medium, the diffuse gas between galaxies.

The study, published in Nature Astronomy, relied on 69 localized FRBs, including the most distant ever recorded. The findings confirm that most baryonic matter is not in stars or galaxies but in the vast cosmic web, aligning with long-standing theoretical predictions. This breakthrough not only closes a major gap in the cosmic inventory but also demonstrates the growing utility of FRBs as tools for probing the large-scale structure of the universe.

Researchers Propose Alternative Technique to Trace Elusive Dark Matter

A new study proposes that dark matter may not be entirely invisible after all. Researchers suggest that clumps of dark matter—possibly massive astrophysical compact halo objects (MACHOs)—could weakly interact with light, acting like cosmic “lampshades” that dim starlight as they drift between Earth and distant stars. This subtle dimming, distinct from gravitational lensing, could offer a new observational method for detecting dark matter’s elusive presence.

Gravitational lensing by the galaxy cluster Abell 383 bends and magnifies light from a distant galaxy, producing multiple distorted images. This effect allowed astronomers to study ancient stars otherwise too faint to observe, offering new clues about the early formation of galaxies in the universe.

Gravitational lensing by the galaxy cluster Abell 383 bends and magnifies light from a distant galaxy, producing multiple distorted images. This effect allowed astronomers to study ancient stars otherwise too faint to observe, offering new clues about the early formation of galaxies in the universe. (Credit: NASA, ESA & L. Calçada)

The hypothesis challenges the prevailing assumption that dark matter is completely transparent and non-interacting with electromagnetic radiation. If confirmed, it would mark a significant shift in how astronomers search for dark matter, expanding the toolkit beyond gravitational effects. The team argues that existing microlensing survey data could be reanalyzed to detect these dimming events. While the lampshade effect remains theoretical, it opens a complementary path to understanding dark matter’s composition—particularly if it includes baryonic or self-interacting components—and underscores the need to revisit long-held assumptions in cosmology. The study was published in April in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Unexplained Radio Pulses Detected Beneath Antarctic Ice Challenge Particle Physics

Unusual radio pulses were picked up by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA), a suite of instruments launched on high-altitude balloons over Antarctica to detect radio signals generated by cosmic rays striking the atmosphere.

Unusual radio pulses were picked up by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA), a suite of instruments launched on high-altitude balloons over Antarctica to detect radio signals generated by cosmic rays striking the atmosphere. (Credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State)

A new study has provided additional context to a series of unexplained radio pulses detected beneath Antarctica’s ice, reigniting debate over the limits of current particle physics. The signals, first recorded by NASA’s Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) between 2006 and 2018, appear to originate from steep angles below the ice—suggesting they passed through thousands of kilometers of rock, a path that should have absorbed them.

The ANITA experiment aimed to study distant cosmic phenomena by detecting radio waves reaching Earth. Surprisingly, some signals appeared to originate from below the horizon—traveling upward through the ice—contradicting standard particle physics models. This unexpected orientation led researchers to consider the possibility of unknown particles or interactions not yet accounted for in current scientific frameworks.Initially suspected to be tau neutrinos, the particles responsible remain unidentified, as follow-up studies analyzing 15 years of cosmic data, using the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina found no corroborating events.

ANITA was placed in Antarctica because there is little chance of interference from other signals. To capture the emission signals, the balloon-borne radio detector is sent to fly over stretches of ice, capturing what are called ice showers.

ANITA was placed in Antarctica because there is little chance of interference from other signals. To capture the emission signals, the balloon-borne radio detector is sent to fly over stretches of ice, capturing what are called ice showers. (Credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State)

Researchers, including those from Penn State, emphasize that while the anomalies don’t confirm new physics, they challenge existing models. The findings underscore the need for more sensitive instruments, such as ANITA’s successor, the Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO), which may help clarify whether these signals point to unknown particles or unrecognized propagation effects. For now, the origin of these upward-traveling pulses remains one of the more persistent mysteries in astroparticle science. The team recently published their results in the journal Physical Review Letters.

ALMA Detects Molecular Activity in Largest Known Oort Cloud Comet

An artist render of the comet C/2014 UN271, the largest known comet in the Oort Cloud.

An artist render of the comet C/2014 UN271, the largest known comet in the Oort Cloud. (Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/M.Weiss)

Astronomers have observed molecular activity in comet C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli–Bernstein), the largest and second most distant active comet ever detected from the Oort Cloud. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, researchers captured carbon monoxide outgassing from the 85-mile-wide nucleus while the comet was still 16.6 AU from the Sun—well beyond Neptune’s orbit. These findings mark the first direct detection of such activity at this distance, offering rare insight into the chemistry of primordial solar system bodies.

The observations also confirmed the comet’s size and dust environment, reinforcing its status as the largest known Oort Cloud comet. As it approaches the Sun, further sublimation of frozen gases is expected, potentially revealing more about the early solar system’s composition. The study underscores ALMA’s capacity to probe faint, distant objects and highlights the scientific value of monitoring long-period comets as they evolve inward from the solar system’s outermost regions. The research was published on June 12 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸

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