Issue 62 | Breaking Space News: Aug 03 - 09, 2025

Explorer, welcome back!🚀

Plenty of movement this week in the commercial space. As always, if we missed anything, please feel free to leave a message with us.

Click the link below to read the unclipped publication. ↓

Hope you enjoy this Space!

• IMAGES

  • Martian Vista, Falbreen

  • Bridge of Stray Stars Between Merging Galaxies

  • Wildfire in Aude, France

• SCIENCE

  • Repurposed Solar Mirrors Offer a Cost-Effective Tool for Asteroid Detection & Planetary Defense

  • Astronomers Repurpose Spectral Contamination Lines to Track Greenhouse Gases

  • Two Black Holes at Cosmic Extremes: Earliest Confirmed and Most Massive Detected

  • China Completes Full-Scale Simulated Moon Landing with Lanyue Lander Ahead of 2030 Mission

• GOVERNANCE

  • Democratizing space: A misnomer in the age of billion-dollar contracts?

  • NASA Targets 2030 for Moon-Based Nuclear Reactor, Seeks Industry Proposals

  • China Advances Mars Sample Return Mission While Global Collaboration Remains Open

• MILITARY

  • New Report Examines Golden Dome’s Impact on Defense Space Funding, Highlights Strategic Reprioritization in FY 2026

  • Golden Dome Spurs Industry Race for Space-Based Missile Defense

• COMMERCIAL

  • Astroscale Secures U.S. Patent for Scalable Multi-Object Orbital Cleanup via Servicer and Shepherd Vehicles

  • NASA Revises Strategy for Post-ISS Commercial Stations Amid Budget Constraints

  • Interlune-NASA Camera to Assess Lunar Helium-3 Concentrations via Astrolab's FLIP Rover Mission

  • NASA Funds Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies from Six US Companies

  • Skyrora Receives UK License for Vertical Suborbital Launches

  • Firefly Wins NASA Lunar Contract as IPO Valuation Surges to $9.8 Billion

  • Rocket Lab's Electron Launch Delivers iQPS Payload for Planned SAR Constellation as Neutron Facility Nears Debut

  • Anuvu Activates Private GEO Network over US with Astranis Built MicroGEO Satellites

  • Muon Space's XL Satellite Bus to Power Hubble Network's Planet-Wide Bluetooth Connectivity

  • Italy to Send Scientific Payloads to Mars via SpaceX Starship

• RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

  • Astrophysicist Models 70-Year Journey to Nearby Black Hole Using Nanocraft

IMAGES

Martian Vista, Falbreen : Perseverance Rover, NASA

Bridge of Stray Stars Between Merging Galaxies : Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Dark Energy Camera

Wildfire in Aude, France : Airbus’s Pléiades Neo

SCIENCE

Repurposed Solar Mirrors Offer a Cost-Effective Tool for Asteroid Detection & Planetary Defense

24 July, 2025

A Sandia National Laboratories (U.S.) experiment has demonstrated a novel use for heliostats by repurposing them for nighttime asteroid detection. Scientist John Sandusky conducted tests at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility, using existing heliostat infrastructure to track the motion of near-Earth objects (NEOs) by measuring their speed relative to background stars. Heliosats consist of large mirrors typically used to concentrate solar energy. The mirrors—typically flat, motorized ones— reflect sunlight toward a fixed target, compensating for the Sun’s movement across the sky. Most heliostats are part of solar thermal power plants, where they concentrate sunlight onto a central receiver to generate heat and electricity. They’re also used in solar telescopes, solar cooking, and experimental setups requiring intense, stationary beams of light.

At night, heliostats are usually idle. Unlike traditional observatory methods that rely on imaging and streak detection, this approach uses frequency shifts in light collected by sweeping heliostats, potentially offering a low-cost alternative for planetary defense. The mirrors, idle at night, could be deployed without retrofitting, leveraging standard optical instruments and software. While still in early stages, the technique may help fill observational gaps in cislunar space and reduce reliance on expensive telescope networks.

Astronomers Repurpose Spectral Contamination Lines to Track Greenhouse Gases

01 August, 2025

Astronomers are repurposing stargazing instruments to monitor Earth’s climate, using telluric lines, which are normally filtered out of stellar spectra, to measure greenhouse gases at night. A new algorithm, Astroclimes, developed by the University of Warwick, enables nighttime tracking of CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O, complementing daytime solar-based networks like COCCON.

Telluric lines are absorption features in the spectrum of a celestial object that originate from Earth's atmosphere and not the object being observed. These lines are caused by molecules like water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide absorbing specific wavelengths of light as it passes through the atmosphere. Because they’re narrower and more stable than stellar or solar lines, astronomers can use them to measure atmospheric gases—especially when observing stars at night. These lines, typically removed from astronomical data, are now being repurposed to fill a gap left by solar-based systems like COCCON, which operate only during daylight. A July campaign at Spain’s Calar Alto Observatory combined solar and stellar data to calibrate the system, potentially expanding global GHG monitoring capacity.

If successful, Astroclimes could enable a complementary nighttime network for tracking atmospheric changes, offering new insights into the carbon cycle and supporting mitigation strategies.

Two Black Holes at Cosmic Extremes: Earliest Confirmed and Most Massive Detected

06 August, 2025

An international team led by the University of Texas at Austin’s Cosmic Frontier Center has confirmed the most distant black hole ever observed, located in the galaxy CAPERS-LRD-z9 just 500 million years after the Big Bang. This places it 13.3 billion years into the past, when our universe was just 3% of its current age. Identified using spectroscopic data from the James Webb Space Telescope’s CAPERS program, the black hole exhibits the distinct light signatures of fast-moving gas, an evidence of active accretion.

The discovery pushes observational boundaries and offers rare insight into the early universe’s structure and evolution. CAPERS-LRD-z9 belongs to a newly identified class of compact, red, and unexpectedly bright galaxies dubbed “Little Red Dots,” which appear only in the universe’s first 1.5 billion years. These objects challenge existing models of galaxy formation and suggest that supermassive black holes may have emerged earlier than previously thought. While more distant candidates exist, none have shown the definitive spectroscopic markers confirmed in this study, making CAPERS-LRD-z9 a key reference point for future cosmological research.

07 August, 2025

Meanwhile, another international team of astronomers at the University of Portsmouth in England, have identified one of the universe’s most massive known black holes—an ultramassive object weighing in at 36 billion solar masses—within the Cosmic Horseshoe galaxy. Detected using a combination of gravitational lensing and stellar kinematics, the black hole’s mass approaches the theoretical upper limit for such entities. Unlike active galactic nuclei, this black hole is dormant, revealing itself solely through its gravitational influence: bending light from a background galaxy into a horseshoe-shaped Einstein ring and accelerating nearby stars to nearly 400 km/s.

This detection method, combining light distortion and stellar motion, offers a more precise mass estimate than previous indirect techniques. It also expands the observational reach beyond the local universe, suggesting that many ultramassive black holes may remain undetected due to their inactivity. The discovery underscores the role of gravitational lensing in probing cosmic extremes and raises questions about how such massive structures formed and evolved in the early universe.

China Completes Full-Scale Simulated Moon Landing with Lanyue Lander Ahead of 2030 Mission

06 August, 2025

China has completed a pivotal test of its Lanyue lunar lander, marking its first full-scale simulation of a crewed spacecraft’s ability to land on and ascend from an extraterrestrial body. Conducted in Hebei Province, the trial used tether towers and cratered terrain to mimic lunar conditions, validating key systems such as guidance, propulsion, and touchdown shutdown protocols. Lanyue, designed to carry two astronauts and a rover, is central to China’s goal of a crewed moon landing by 2030.

The test reflects growing momentum in China’s lunar ambitions, which also include plans for an International Lunar Research Station by 2050. As the U.S. targets a 2027 crewed landing under Artemis, the parallel progress hints at a renewed space race with geopolitical undertones. While China’s test is a technical milestone, its broader significance lies in the strategic framing of lunar exploration as a domain of national prestige and long-term scientific infrastructure.

GOVERNANCE

Democratizing space: A misnomer in the age of billion-dollar contracts?

21 July, 2025

The following is a summary of an opinion piece by Timiebi Aganaba, an Assistant Professor of Space and Society at the Arizona State University, Adam Fish, an Associate Professor at the School of Arts and Media, UNSW Sydney, Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles, an Adjunct Professor at University of British Columbia, and Tony Milligan, a Research Fellow in the Philosophy of Ethics at King's College London for The Conversation.

As the U.S. Department of Defense ramps up procurement for missile tracking satellites and orbital surveillance systems—awarding contracts to SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin under programs like the Space Development Agency’s proliferated LEO constellation—the rhetoric of “democratizing space” feels increasingly hollow.

The article from The Conversation challenges the notion that expanding the number of spacefaring actors inherently leads to equity. Instead, it argues that without addressing sovereignty, sustainability, and structural asymmetries, the global space sector risks replicating terrestrial power dynamics in orbit.

Over the past decade, the global space landscape has diversified, with countries like India and several African nations launching missions and establishing agencies. This shift is often hailed as the “democratization” of space, but experts caution that inclusion alone doesn’t ensure equity. The piece highlights how emerging space nations often navigate extractive licensing regimes, limited access to launch infrastructure, partnerships that prioritize foreign strategic interests over local autonomy, unequal access to orbital slots, and exclusion from norm-setting processes dominated by legacy powers. It also calls attention to unresolved Indigenous land claims, particularly in regions used for launch and tracking facilities, underscoring how terrestrial injustices are embedded in orbital ambitions. Legal frameworks such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibit territorial claims, yet lack enforcement mechanisms for property rights and conflict resolution. Without national laws aligned with international principles, future disputes over lunar landings or resource extraction could escalate. Scholars argue for inclusive governance models that recognize Indigenous perspectives and nontraditional actors, warning that without deliberate legal and ethical planning, space risks replicating Earth’s inequalities rather than transcending them.

In contrast, U.S. space policy continues to blur the lines between commercial innovation and military strategy. Recent defense contracts, for instance, reflect a growing reliance on private firms to fulfill national security objectives, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the militarization of low Earth orbit. Ultimately, the article urges a reframing: democratization must go beyond inclusion. It must confront who holds decision-making power, who benefits from orbital infrastructure, and whose voices are sidelined in the rush to expand. The authors explore the challenges and significance of involving nontraditional actors and Indigenous communities in shaping the space industry, in detail, in their May 2025 Nature paper.

NASA Targets 2030 for Moon-Based Nuclear Reactor, Seeks Industry Proposals

05 August, 2025

NASA’s interim administrator Sean Duffy, a former congressman and media personality, has issued two major directives aimed at reshaping U.S. space strategy: accelerating the replacement of the aging International Space Station with commercial platforms and initiating plans for a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. These moves come amid budgetary tensions, with the White House proposing deep cuts to science programs while boosting crewed spaceflight funding.

The call for a nuclear reactor on moon came during a press conference titled "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which Duffy also runs, on Aug. 5.

Duffy’s actions reflect growing concern over China’s expanding space ambitions, including its newly operational space station and plans to land taikonauts on the Moon by decade’s end. U.S. officials warn that China could establish exclusion zones or claim lunar resources, potentially limiting American access. The nuclear reactor directive, which seeks industry proposals within 60 days, is framed as a strategic counter to a joint China-Russia lunar initiative. While Duffy’s dual role has drawn scrutiny, his directives signal a more assertive posture in what some officials are calling a second space race.

China Advances Mars Sample Return Mission While Global Collaboration Remains Open

06 August, 2025

China’s Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, slated for launch around 2028, is advancing amid growing questions about international cooperation and planetary protection. The mission aims to retrieve Martian soil and rock samples using a two-launch architecture, with containment protocols designed to prevent biological contamination. China is building a dedicated MSR facility in Hefei to process returned material, but experts have raised concerns about transparency and alignment with global standards.

Meanwhile, NASA’s own MSR program faces potential cancellation under proposed U.S. budget cuts, leaving the European Space Agency uncertain about its role in the joint effort. With China actively inviting collaboration and outlining payload opportunities for foreign institutions, the geopolitical landscape of Mars exploration is shifting. If successful, Tianwen-3 could make China the first nation to return potentially biologically active samples from Mars, challenging traditional leadership in planetary science and raising broader questions about scientific access, verification, and global governance

MILITARY

New Report Examines Golden Dome’s Impact on Defense Space Funding, Highlights Strategic Reprioritization in FY 2026

05 August, 2025

The Aerospace Corporation’s latest analysis of the FY 2026 U.S. defense space budget highlights a significant strategic pivot driven by the Golden Dome missile defense initiative. The $25 billion program is reshaping Pentagon priorities, expanding the Space Force’s role, and accelerating investment in orbital interceptors, resilient satellite constellations, and ground systems. While the Space Force’s base budget declined to $26.4 billion, a $13.8 billion reconciliation package, signed into law on July 4, boosts its capacity to support Golden Dome’s early development.

The report notes that existing programs like FORGE C2 and Next-Gen Overhead Persistent Infrared are being repurposed to fit Golden Dome’s architecture, reflecting a broader push to leverage current technologies rather than start from scratch. However, analysts caution that the initiative’s scale and technical complexity echo past failures like SDI and Brilliant Pebbles. With industry enthusiasm rising and political momentum uncertain, the budget signals both opportunity and risk for U.S. space defense strategy.

Golden Dome Spurs Industry Race for Space-Based Missile Defense: Lockheed, Telesat, & Others Position for US Missile Shield Contracts

07 August, 2025

The U.S. defense sector is rapidly mobilizing around the Trump administration’s $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense initiative, a sprawling effort to build a layered shield across land, sea, air, and space. While Pentagon officials have largely avoided public discussion, major contractors are positioning aggressively. Lockheed Martin aims to test a space-based interceptor by 2028, exploring both kinetic and laser-based technologies to counter hypersonic threats. Its new prototyping hub in Virginia is already simulating command-and-control architectures for the system.

Canada’s Telesat has signaled interest in contributing its Lightspeed LEO satellite network, citing its potential to enhance connectivity and resilience within Golden Dome’s envisioned “network of networks”. However, political tensions and Trump’s demand for a $71 billion Canadian contribution complicate collaboration. Meanwhile, industry players like Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and Leidos are highlighting existing capabilities—from tracking sensors to propulsion systems—that could be integrated into the shield.

Despite the ambition, critics warn that Golden Dome risks repeating past failures like Reagan’s “Star Wars” and the Brilliant Pebbles program. Analysts note the technical challenge of intercepting missiles in orbit and question the feasibility of deploying thousands of interceptors. Still, the Missile Defense Agency sees this as a rare “up” cycle in defense spending and urges industry to act swiftly before political momentum fades.

COMMERCIAL

Astroscale Secures U.S. Patent for Scalable Multi-Object Orbital Cleanup via Servicer and Shepherd Vehicles

03 August, 2025

Astroscale has secured a U.S. patent (U.S. Patent No. 12,234,043 B2, “Method and System for Multi-Object Space Debris Removal”) for a new method of space debris removal that could reshape how orbital cleanup is conducted. The system uses a distributed architecture in which a reusable servicer docks with multiple large debris objects—such as defunct satellites or spent rocket stages—and transfers them to a separate “shepherd” vehicle for controlled reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. This relay approach allows for scalable, repeatable debris removal while minimizing risk to populated areas and infrastructure.

Unlike traditional active debris removal (ADR) methods, which are costly and fuel-limited to conduct multiple missions, Astroscale’s design enables flexible mission profiles and reduces the release of harmful materials during reentry. The patent builds on Astroscale’s previous work, including its upcoming ELSA-M mission, and targets unprepared objects not designed for servicing. As low Earth orbit becomes increasingly congested, the company’s approach offers a more sustainable and economically viable path forward—one that aligns with growing international concerns over orbital safety and long-term space access.

NASA Revises Strategy for Post-ISS Commercial Stations Amid Budget Constraints

04 August, 2025

With the International Space Station (ISS) set for deorbiting by 2030, NASA has overhauled its Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) program to address mounting financial and timeline pressures. According to a new directive, signed by Acting Administrator Sean Duffy, the agency will now rely more heavily on flexible Space Act Agreements rather than fixed-price contracts, aiming to support at least two to three providers through a competitive process. Minimum station capabilities have been scaled back to four crew for one-month increments, signaling a shift away from continuous U.S. human presence in orbit.

The changes reflect a $4 billion budget shortfall and growing doubts about whether any of the initial awardees—Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Voyager Space—can deliver operational platforms on schedule. NASA’s revised approach prioritizes demonstration over certification and delays formal design reviews until after flight.

NASA’s continued use of Space Act Agreements gives companies greater flexibility in station design, avoiding the stricter requirements that come with traditional federal contracts. By lowering minimum capability thresholds, the agency aims to improve the odds of having operational commercial stations ready by the ISS’s planned 2030 retirement. Former NASA official Phil McAlister noted that the revised approach reflects budget realities and offers a more viable path to success for both NASA and its partners. While the pivot may improve feasibility, it also underscores the fragility of NASA’s post-ISS strategy and the uncertain future of U.S. leadership in low-Earth orbit.

Interlune-NASA Camera to Assess Lunar Helium-3 Concentrations via Astrolab's FLIP Rover Mission

05 August, 2025

Interlune, a U.S.-based startup focused on space resource extraction, will deploy a multispectral camera aboard Astrolab’s FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover during an upcoming lunar mission to the Moon’s south pole. The camera, developed with NASA’s Ames Research Center, is designed to remotely estimate concentrations of helium-3, an isotope with potential applications in fusion energy and quantum technologies but scarce on Earth.

Rather than returning samples, the system will analyze titanium content and regolith maturity to infer helium-3 presence, building on Apollo-era correlations. The mission, scheduled for late 2025 via Astrobotic’s Griffin lander, marks Interlune’s first operational step toward commercializing lunar materials. Astrolab’s rover will also test mobility systems for future lunar logistics. While Interlune has projected helium-3 deliveries by 2029, the broader implications of in-situ resource utilization and lunar economic infrastructure remain uncertain, with technical and regulatory hurdles ahead.

NASA Funds Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies from Six US Companies

05 August, 2025

NASA has awarded nine study contracts to six U.S. companies to study orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) as part of its effort to expand access to challenging orbits and reduce mission costs. The selected firms will deliver nine studies by mid-September, collectively valued at $1.4 million.

• Arrow Science and Technology LLC, Webster, Texas

• Blue Origin LLC, Merritt Island, Florida

• Firefly Aerospace Inc., Cedar Park, Texas

• Impulse Space Inc., Redondo Beach, California

• Rocket Lab, Long Beach, California

• United Launch Services LLC, Centennial, Colorado

The studies explore a range of commercial platforms, including Blue Origin’s Blue Ring and New Glenn upper stage, Firefly’s Elytra series, and Impulse’s Mira and Helios vehicles. These systems aim to support multi-orbit delivery, payload hosting, and long-duration operations across cislunar and deep space domains. NASA intends to use the findings to inform future launch acquisition strategies for risk-tolerant science missions. While the initiative reflects growing confidence in commercial in-space mobility, it also underscores NASA’s interest in diversifying beyond traditional launch architectures amid evolving mission demands.

Skyrora Receives UK License for Vertical Suborbital Launches

05 August, 2025

Scottish startup, Skyrora has become the first UK-based rocket company to receive a vertical launch operator license, marking a regulatory milestone for Britain’s nascent launch sector. Approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the license permits suborbital launches of Skyrora’s Skylark L vehicle from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, though the firm is still securing a launch pad. The 11-meter rocket, built with 3D-printed components and powered by a clean-burning bipropellant engine, is designed to reach altitudes of 500 km and support microgravity research. German launch firm Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) secured the first UK license for rocket operations out of SaxaVord in January.

While the license allows up to 16 launches annually, operational readiness and site availability may delay the first flight until 2026. The move follows a failed horizontal launch in 2023 and signals renewed momentum for UK-based launch capabilities. Skyrora’s long-term goal is to deploy its larger XL rocket for orbital missions, positioning the company, and the UK, as contenders in the global small satellite market. Regulatory conditions, including insurance and airspace agreements, remain outstanding.

Firefly Wins NASA Lunar Contract as IPO Valuation Surges to $9.8 Billion

29 July, 2025

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded $176.7 million in a NASA contract, tasking the company with delivering two rovers and three scientific instruments to the Moon’s south pole by 2029. The mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, aims to assess volatile resources and environmental hazards in permanently shadowed regions—critical for future crewed Artemis landings. Firefly’s Elytra orbital vehicle and Blue Ghost lander will support payload operations and long-haul communications, with international contributions from Canada and Switzerland.

The NASA-sponsored payloads aboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 4 include two autonomous rovers—MoonRanger, developed by NASA Ames, Carnegie Mellon University, and Astrobotic, and a Canadian Space Agency rover designed to explore permanently shadowed craters and search for water ice. Both are equipped with advanced imagers and spectrometers to characterize regolith and measure radiation. Additional instruments include the Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometer (LIMS), built by the University of Bern and operated via Firefly’s robotic excavation arm, to analyze lunar soil chemistry; the Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) from NASA Goddard, which enables precision laser ranging from orbit; and the Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS), developed by NASA Langley, to observe how rocket exhaust interacts with the lunar surface during descent.

Following surface operations, Firefly’s Elytra Dark vehicle will remain in lunar orbit for over five years, supporting its Ocula imaging service. This marks the third Elytra Dark in Firefly’s planned constellation, joining earlier missions to the Moon’s far side in 2026 and the Gruithuisen Domes in 2028. The orbital platform is designed to enhance lunar mapping, mission planning, and mineral detection through faster revisit times and persistent situational awareness.

07 August, 2025

Meanwhile, Firefly made its Nasdaq debut, where shares surged 55% to open at $70, valuing the company near $9.8 billion. The IPO raised $868 million, reflecting investor enthusiasm for its lunar track record and defense partnerships. However, the momentum proved volatile: shares dropped 13% the following day amid profit-taking and market recalibration. Analysts noted the dip as typical of post-IPO fluctuations, though Firefly’s valuation remains well above its offering price.

The juxtaposition of technical credibility and market exuberance underscores Firefly’s evolving role in commercial spaceflight. While its lunar missions and defense contracts offer long-term promise, the company faces near-term financial pressures, including widening losses and high R&D costs. Whether Firefly can sustain investor confidence will depend on execution, not just ambition.

Rocket Lab's Electron Launch Delivers Japanese iQPS Payload for Planned SAR Constellation as Neutron Facility Nears Debut

5 August, 2025

Rocket Lab’s August 5 launch of QPS-SAR-12 for Japan’s iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space) marked its fifth dedicated mission for the Earth-imaging firm, deploying the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite into a 575 km orbit from New Zealand. The mission, titled “The Harvest Goddess Thrives,” continues iQPS’s push toward a 36-satellite constellation capable of near-real-time global monitoring. SAR technology enables persistent imaging regardless of weather or lighting, with applications spanning agriculture, urban planning, and disaster response. Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle has become a reliable platform for such deployments, with four additional iQPS launches scheduled through 2026.

7 August, 2025

In parallel, Rocket Lab is preparing to inaugurate Launch Complex 3 in Virginia, the future home of its medium-lift Neutron rocket. The company is offering retail shareholders a chance to attend the opening event on August 28, a rare move that underscores its effort to broaden public engagement. Neutron is positioned to support larger payloads and constellation-scale missions, potentially expanding Rocket Lab’s role in national security and commercial launch markets.

Anuvu Activates Private GEO Network over US with Astranis Built MicroGEO Satellites

07 August, 2025

Two Astranis-built MicroGEO satellites, NuView Alpha and NuView Bravo, have officially entered service for Anuvu, providing dedicated Ku-band connectivity across the continental U.S. for aviation and maritime customers. Launched via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in December, the satellites reached geostationary orbit in July after a six-month orbit-raising phase. The California-based, in-flight connectivity provider, Anuvu, counts Southwest Airlines among its clients and now operates what Astranis calls the “world’s first private network from GEO,” offering full control over satellite capacity and network management.

The MicroGEO model emphasizes rapid deployment, software-defined flexibility, and independence from legacy systems. Anuvu’s constellation strategy includes six additional satellites and integration with Telesat’s Lightspeed LEO network, aiming to deliver hybrid connectivity across orbits. The dedicated satellite approach reflects growing demand for secure, customizable infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions. Astranis CEO John Gedmark noted that the model offers customers end-to-end control, aligning with shifting priorities in satellite procurement and mobility services.

Muon Space's XL Satellite Bus to Power Hubble Network's Planet-Wide Bluetooth Connectivity

07 August, 2025

Muon Space has unveiled its MuSat XL platform, a 500-kg satellite bus designed for high-performance, multi-mission operations in low Earth orbit. The first customer, Seattle-based startup, Hubble Network, plans to use the platform to deploy “the world's first satellite-powered” global Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) network, enabling direct satellite connectivity for billions of low-power devices. The XL’s payload capacity and phased-array antenna system mark a significant upgrade from Hubble’s earlier CubeSat efforts, allowing BLE detection at far lower power thresholds.

This partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward scalable, software-defined satellite infrastructure. MuSat XL integrates edge computing, high-throughput communications, and modular payload support, positioning it as a versatile backbone for commercial and defense missions. Hubble’s vision of a planet-wide BLE layer, serving logistics, disaster response, and consumer tech, illustrates the growing demand for orbital platforms that blend communications and sensing. The move underscores how smallsat architectures are evolving beyond niche applications toward foundational roles in global connectivity ecosystems.

Italy to Send Scientific Payloads to Mars via SpaceX Starship

07 August, 2025

The Italian Space Agency (ASI) has signed an agreement with SpaceX to send a suite of Italian scientific payloads aboard upcoming Starship missions to Mars. The collaboration includes experiments on plant growth, radiation sensing, and meteorological monitoring, designed to collect data during the six-month interplanetary transit and on the Martian surface. The initiative marks Italy’s first direct payload contribution to a Mars-bound commercial mission and reflects its broader strategy to strengthen national aerospace capabilities.

Italian officials framed the move as a validation of the country’s industrial and scientific leadership, with the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy calling it a “strategic milestone” for the national space sector. While the payloads are modest in scale, the partnership signals growing European interest in leveraging U.S. launch infrastructure for deep space access. It also underscores the increasing role of commercial platforms like Starship in shaping international Mars exploration agendas.

The announcement coincides with SpaceX’s continued preparations for Starship’s 10th test flight, with the upper stage recently moved to the launch pad at Starbase, Texas, for pre-flight testing. The vehicle has faced repeated upper-stage failures in past flights. Nonetheless, Starship’s growing role in international exploration agendas—now including Italy—signals a shift toward commercially enabled Mars science, even as operational reliability remains a work in progress.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Astrophysicist Models 70-Year Journey to Nearby Black Hole Using Nanocraft

Astrophysicist Cosimo Bambi has proposed a radical blueprint for sending a gram-scale spacecraft to a nearby black hole, potentially within 20–30 years. Published in iScience, the concept hinges on two breakthroughs: identifying a black hole within 25 light-years and developing nanocrafts propelled by Earth-based lasers. These probes, no heavier than a paperclip, could reach a third of light speed, arriving in roughly 70 years and returning data two decades later.

The mission would test general relativity under extreme conditions and probe the nature of event horizons. While the technology is nascent and the projected cost of the laser system exceeds €1 trillion, Bambi argues that recent advances in black hole detection and light sail propulsion make the idea plausible. The proposal reflects a growing trend in space science: long-horizon, high-risk missions aimed at foundational physics questions, even as near-term priorities remain focused on lunar and Mars exploration.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸