Issue 68 | Breaking Space News: Sept 14 - 20, 2025

Explorer, welcome back!🚀

Update: Lagrangian is now available on Substack. Same reporting, streamlined delivery.

Meanwhile, the space commercial sector is abuzz and interesting new innovations in science this week.

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Hope you enjoy this Space!

• IMAGES

  • M87* Black Hole : Event Horizon Telescope

• SCIENCE

  • NASA Details Seven Research Areas for Artemis II as Astronauts Serve as Scientists and Subjects in Deep Space Studies

  • ESA Researchers Identify Organic-Rich Terrain at Mars Rover Landing Site Ahead of Upcoming Mission

  • Scientists Develop New Way to Knock Space Junk Out of Orbit

  • Space Environment May Accelerate Aging in Cells That Support Immunity

  • 3D Map Shows How Dust and Massive Stars Shape Star Formation Within 4000 Light-Years of the Sun

  • NASA’s Exoplanet Count has Surpassed 6,000 Confirmed Worlds

  • Japan’s Hayabusa2 Heads Toward Rapidly Rotating 11-Meter Asteroid for 2031 Encounter

• GOVERNANCE

  • China Releases Guidelines to Expand Direct-to-Device Satellite Services by 2030

• MILITARY

  • Global Space Economy Reaches $596 Billion as Defense and D2D Markets Expand

  • Anduril and Impulse Space Plan Autonomous Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Demo in GEO

  • BlackSky Awarded US Intelligence Contract for AI-Enabled Geospatial Change Detection

  • Ukraine Confirms Destruction of Russia-Controlled Deep Space Telescope Used for Military Communications

  • US and UK Conduct First Coordinated Satellite Maneuver Under Operation Olympic Defender

  • Taiwanese Defense Contractor, AIDC Integrates Maxar’s Raptor Software to Enhance GPS-Free UAV Capabilities in Taiwan

• COMMERCIAL

  • Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL Debuts on SpaceX Falcon 9, Reaches ISS After Thruster Issue

  • Viasat and UAE’s Space42 Launch Equatys to Develop Global Direct-to-Device Satellite Network

  • Space Data Association Taps Spanish GMV to Develop Spaceflight Safety System for Satellite and Orbital Traffic Management by 2026

  • Axiom Space and Spacebilt to Deploy Orbital Data Center Nodes on the ISS by 2027

  • Astro Digital Signs Agreement to Use Star Catcher’s Orbital Power Grid for Satellite Operations

  • Telesat, SES, and Amazon Outline Evolving Satellite Network Plans During World Space Business Week

  • Maxar and Ecopia Launch AI Mapping Tool - Vivid Features, to Generate 2D and 3D Vector Maps from Satellite Imagery

  • Finnish ReOrbit, Canadian GHGSat, Chinese iSpace, and Hubble Network in US, Raise Capital to Scale Sovereign and Commercial Space Systems

  • VIPER Revived: Blue Origin to Land NASA’s Lunar Ice Mission at Moon’s South Pole Under CLPS Program

• RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

  • New AI Tool Models the Universe’s Structure on a Laptop, in Minutes

  • The Sun Is Waking Up and Scientists Are Watching Closely

IMAGES

M87* Black Hole : Event Horizon Telescope

SCIENCE

NASA Details Seven Research Areas for Artemis II as Astronauts Serve as Scientists and Subjects in Deep Space Studies

Deep Space Physiology and International Payloads Included in Agenda

11 September, 2025

NASA’s Artemis II mission, scheduled for no later than April of 2026, will mark the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years, with astronauts serving as both operators and biomedical research subjects. The crew will undergo real-time monitoring of sleep, stress, cognition, and immune response under deep space conditions, using wearable sensors and saliva sampling to track physiological changes. The seven main research areas being investigated during the mission around the Moon, include ARCHeR, which integrates studies on cognition, sleep, stress, and teamwork; Immune Biomarkers, tracking immune system changes via saliva and blood samples; and AVATAR, which sends organ-on-a-chip devices containing bone marrow cells into deep space to study radiation effects.

Additional efforts include Artemis II Standard Measures, a set of physiological and behavioral baselines; Radiation Sensors Inside Orion, providing real-time exposure data; a Lunar Observations Campaign to test remote sensing capabilities; and deployment of international CubeSats from Argentina, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.

One key experiment, AVATAR, will send organ-on-a-chip devices containing bone marrow cells, derived from the astronauts preflight, beyond the Van Allen belts to assess radiation effects, representing a first for biomedical testing in deep space. Radiation sensors throughout the spacecraft and on the crew will track exposure levels, informing future shielding strategies. Additional investigations will examine cardiovascular health, vestibular function, and microbial shifts, while radiation sensors will provide real-time exposure data. Dry saliva samples will be collected on absorbent paper, before, during, and after the mission, due to onboard storage constraints, will help assess immune responses and potential viral reactivation.

These investigations build on ISS research but extend into the lunar environment, offering new insights into human adaptability. The data will inform protocols for longer missions, including Mars, while also advancing personalized medicine and countermeasure development on Earth.

ESA Researchers Identify Organic-Rich Terrain at Mars Rover Landing Site Ahead of Upcoming Mission

11 September, 2025

New research presented at the Europlanet Science Congress and the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science (EPSC-DPS2025) meeting in Helsinki, suggests that ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover, scheduled to launch in 2028, may encounter organic-rich material without needing to drill deep or travel far. Studies of Oxia Planum, a large plain rich in clay minerals that formed in water billions of years ago and the rover’s landing site, reveal that rockfalls from crater walls and cliffs have exposed subsurface material potentially shielded from radiation, improving the odds of detecting preserved organic molecules.

A second study indicates that clay deposits in the region may have been transported by ancient floods from distant highlands, rather than forming in place. These layered clays, visible in crater walls and mapped using orbital data, suggest episodic water flow around 3.5 billion years ago.

The findings point to a more dynamic Martian past and expand the range of environments where biosignatures might be found. The rover’s proximity to such deposits could enhance its scientific return, even without extensive mobility or subsurface access.

Scientists Develop New Way to Knock Space Junk Out of Orbit: New Propulsion System Uses Plasma Jets to Push Space Debris

A new propulsion concept developed by Kazunori Takahashi at Tohoku University offers a non-contact method for removing space debris using a bidirectional plasma thruster. Traditional debris removal methods risk entanglement with tumbling objects, but this system uses ion engine exhaust to decelerate debris until it reenters Earth’s atmosphere. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on nets or robotic arms, the new system emits plasma in two opposing directions: one stream slows the debris, while the other counters recoil to stabilize the removal satellite.

Laboratory tests simulating space conditions showed that the system, enhanced by a magnetic “cusp” configuration, tripled previous deceleration forces, reaching 25 milli-Newtons, enough to deorbit a 1-ton object in under 100 days. A magnetic cusp helps guide the plasma in the right direction while keeping it from hitting the engine walls, making the system more efficient. The thruster operates using argon, a cost-effective alternative to xenon, and may offer scalable solutions for mitigating collision risks in low-Earth orbit.

As orbital congestion grows, particularly with the threat of Kessler syndrome, Takahashi’s work represents a step toward safer, more efficient debris management. However, real-world deployment and long-duration testing remain critical next steps. The research was published on Aug. 20 in the journal Scientific Reports.

Space Environment May Accelerate Aging in Cells That Support Immunity

New research from UC San Diego suggests that human stem cells age more rapidly in space, raising concerns about long-duration missions. Using samples flown aboard the International Space Station, scientists observed accelerated epigenetic changes and stress responses in hematopoietic stem cells, the body’s foundational cells that produce all types of blood and immune cells. Researchers used automated AI-powered systems aboard four SpaceX resupply missions to monitor stem cell behavior in real time. The cells showed reduced capacity to produce healthy new cells, increased vulnerability to DNA damage, and faster shortening of chromosome ends—hallmarks of accelerated aging.

These findings build on NASA’s Twins Study, which tracked physiological changes in astronaut Scott Kelly during his year-long mission compared to his Earth-bound twin, Mark Kelly. That study revealed shifts in gene expression, immune function, and cellular aging, some of which persisted after return.

The UCSD team’s results indicate that spaceflight may induce premature aging at the cellular level, potentially compromising tissue repair and immunity. While the mechanisms remain under investigation, the data bring out the need for countermeasures as agencies plan for extended lunar and Mars missions. Stem cell resilience may become a key factor in astronaut health and mission viability beyond low Earth orbit. The findings were published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

3D Map Shows How Dust and Massive Stars Shape Star Formation Within 4000 Light-Years of the Sun

16 September, 2025

Astronomers have produced the most detailed three-dimensional map to date of stellar nurseries in the Milky Way, using data from ESA’s Gaia space telescope. The map spans 4,000 light-years around the Sun and includes regions like the Orion-Eridanus superbubble and the Gum Nebula. By analyzing how starlight is blocked by interstellar dust (a process known as extinction), scientists traced the location and density of star-forming clouds.

The study also incorporated observations of 87 rare, massive O-type stars, whose ultraviolet radiation ionizes surrounding hydrogen gas, marking active star formation zones. These insights revealed cavities where clouds appear to have ruptured, suggesting dynamic interactions between massive stars and their environments.

The model offers a top-down view of the local galaxy, enabling researchers to visualize how dust, gas, and radiation shape stellar birth regions. With future Gaia data releases, scientists aim to expand the map and refine understanding of how stars form and evolve.

NASA’s Exoplanet Count has Surpassed 6,000 Confirmed Worlds Across Thousands of Planetary Systems

17 September, 2025

NASA’s exoplanet count has surpassed 6,000 confirmed worlds, marking a statistical milestone in the search for planets beyond our solar system. The tally, compiled from 30 years of data across 4,000 planetary systems, goes to show the growing observational precision and sustained investment in space-based telescopes.

While most discoveries stem from missions like Kepler and TESS, the diversity of planetary types, ranging from gas giants to rocky Earth-sized bodies, is indicative of the complexity of planetary formation and the limits of current classification. Nearly 1,600 systems host multiple planets, suggesting that solar system-like architectures may be common.

Despite the volume, only a fraction of these worlds are well-characterized, and fewer still lie within habitable zones. This milestone brings into focus both the vast number of confirmed worlds and the complexity of interpreting them, as scientists continue refining models and preparing for future observatories. The exoplanet census still remains a foundational dataset for understanding planetary evolution and assessing prospects for life beyond Earth.

Japan’s Hayabusa2 Heads Toward Rapidly Rotating 11-Meter Asteroid for 2031 Encounter

18 September, 2025

Astronomers have revised key details about asteroid 1998 KY26, the final target of Japan’s Hayabusa2 extended mission, revealing it to be far smaller and faster-spinning than previously estimated. New observations from ground-based telescopes, including ESO’s Very Large Telescope, show the asteroid measures just 11 meters across and completes a rotation every five minutes

Hayabusa2, which returned samples from the 900-meter asteroid Ryugu in 2020, is now en route to KY26 for a planned 2031 rendezvous. The mission will mark the first close-up study of such a small asteroid, offering insights into the structure and composition of objects most likely to impact Earth, such as the one that exploded over Chelyabinsk in 2013. The data also suggest KY26 may be a solid monolithic rock, though a rubble-pile structure cannot be ruled out.

The updated data complicates landing maneuvers but also demonstrates the capability of Earth-based telescopes to characterize even faint, fast-moving bodies. Researchers suggest these methods could inform future asteroid exploration, planetary defense strategies, and potentially asteroid mining.

GOVERNANCE

China Releases Guidelines to Expand Direct-to-Device Satellite Services by 2030

19 September, 2025

China has issued new guidelines to accelerate the development of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services, signaling a strategic shift in its satellite communications policy. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) outlined plans to expand mobile satellite connectivity without SIM swaps or number changes, aiming to reach over 10 million users by 2030. The framework encourages integration between telecom firms and satellite operators, with China Unicom recently licensed to offer satellite mobile services.

The initiative supports goals to build a space-ground integrated infrastructure and foster commercial innovation across sectors such as agriculture, energy, and urban governance. It also aligns with China’s ongoing construction of the Guowang and Qianfan low-Earth orbit constellations, intended to rival global systems like Starlink.

China’s push into D2D services follows similar regulatory moves in the U.S. and Europe, evidence of an intensifying competition over satellite-enabled mobile connectivity and the race to define international standards.

MILITARY

Global Space Economy Reaches $596 Billion as Defense and D2D Markets Expand

15 September, 2025

The global space economy reached $596 billion in 2024, with downstream services, such as communications, GPS, and Earth observation, accounting for more than half of that total. According to Novaspace’s annual report, growth is increasingly shaped by rising defense budgets and intensifying competition in direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. Defense-related space spending outpaced civil programs, reaching $73 billion out of a combined $135 billion across 89 countries investing in sovereign capabilities.

The D2D market is projected to exceed 300 million monthly users by 2030, positioning it as a multibillion-dollar opportunity. This shift is prompting consolidation, with over 50 mergers and acquisitions annually since 2021. Transactions like EchoStar’s spectrum sale to SpaceX highlight broader realignments in satellite communications.

Artificial intelligence is expected to further transform satellite design, operations, and data exploitation, as the number of spacecraft in orbit approaches 50,000 by decade’s end. These trends suggest a redefinition of value creation across both commercial and strategic space domains.

Anduril and Impulse Space Plan Autonomous Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Demo in GEO

16 September, 2025

Anduril and Impulse Space have announced an expanded partnership to conduct a high-precision Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) mission in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Planned for 2026, the demonstration aims to validate a spacecraft’s capacity to autonomously approach, observe, and navigate around other orbital objects without real-time human intervention, in a regime traditionally dominated by large, legacy systems. RPO capabilities are increasingly viewed as critical for satellite servicing, debris mitigation, and national security applications.

The collaboration builds on prior joint work to address interest in commercial solutions for complex orbital operations. GEO presents unique challenges due to its altitude, orbital dynamics, and strategic importance for communications and surveillance. By demonstrating RPO in this environment, the companies expect to establish technical credibility and operational readiness for future missions.

In defense and commercial space sectors autonomy, responsiveness, and multi-orbit capability are becoming central to system design and procurement strategies. The mission could inform future standards for in-orbit servicing and threat response.

BlackSky Awarded US Intelligence Contract for AI-Enabled Geospatial Change Detection

16 September, 2025

BlackSky has secured a second delivery order under the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s (NGA) Luno A program to provide AI-enabled change detection services. The contract builds on BlackSky’s prior selection for the five-year, $290 million Luno A initiative, which supports global monitoring of economic, environmental, and military activity. The task focuses on automated change detection using satellite imagery and AI, with applications across natural resource monitoring, infrastructure development, and military activity. Using its Gen-3 and Gen-2 satellite imagery alongside other commercial data sources, BlackSky will deploy proprietary computer vision algorithms to identify changes caused by human activity, ranging from infrastructure development to resource shifts and strategic anomalies. The system is designed to operate at machine speed and global scale, offering near real-time insights across more than 30 million square kilometers of Earth’s surface

The Luno A program is part of a five-year, $490 million IDIQ contract aimed at integrating commercial analytics into national security workflows. BlackSky’s system uses a “tip-and-cue” architecture, where Gen-2 satellites flag areas of interest and Gen-3 satellites provide high-resolution follow-up imagery. The company emphasizes real-time anomaly detection and rapid revisit capabilities, positioning its platform as a tactical asset for defense and intelligence operations. While operational details remain limited, the award signals growing institutional reliance on commercial AI-driven geospatial analytics.

Ukraine Confirms Destruction of Russia-Controlled Deep Space Telescope Used for Military Communications

17 September, 2025

Ukraine has confirmed the destruction of the RT-70 radio telescope in Crimea, a 70-meter-wide Soviet-era instrument originally built for deep space communication and planetary science. Once used to support missions to Venus and Mars and transmit interstellar messages, the facility was repurposed by Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea to support military operations, including satellite control for the GLONASS navigation system. Ukrainian forces targeted the telescope’s 200-kilowatt Goliaf receiver in a drone strike on August 31, rendering the custom-built hardware, last upgraded in 2011, effectively irreplaceable.

The RT-70’s loss is considered more strategically significant than recent radar strikes, given its role in enhancing GLONASS accuracy by up to 30% and its integration into Russia’s Aerospace Forces infrastructure. Only two such telescopes were ever completed, making the damage both operationally and symbolically consequential. The strike fits a pattern of Ukrainian attacks on space-linked assets in occupied territories.

US and UK Conduct First Coordinated Satellite Maneuver Under Operation Olympic Defender

18 September, 2025

Between September 4–12, 2025, the U.S. and U.K. conducted their first coordinated satellite maneuver under the U.S.-led Operation Olympic Defender, a multinational initiative aimed at securing shared orbital assets. The operation involved a U.S. satellite performing a Rendezvous Proximity Operation to inspect the U.K.’s SKYNET 5A military communications satellite in geostationary orbit, nearly 36,000 kilometers above Earth.

Officials from both commands described the maneuver as a validation of allied interoperability and a step toward more dynamic and responsible space operations. The exercise was timed near Battle of Britain Day.

While technically routine, the maneuver also goes to show the active coalition-based space defense, with participating nations, such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand, increasingly involved in orbital coordination. The operation also reflects growing concern over contested space environments and the need for real-time asset verification and deterrence capabilities.

Taiwanese Defense Contractor, AIDC Integrates Maxar’s Raptor Software to Enhance GPS-Free UAV Capabilities in Taiwan

19 September, 2025

Maxar Intelligence has partnered with Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) to deploy its Raptor software suite across Taiwan’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector. The collaboration aims to strengthen operational resilience in GPS- and GNSS-denied environments, a growing concern amid regional security tensions and electronic warfare threats. Raptor uses vision-based navigation, relying solely on a drone’s onboard camera and Maxar’s global 3D terrain data to maintain precise positioning without satellite signals.

Following successful field demonstrations in Taiwan, AIDC, one of Taiwan’s largest aerospace and defense, will promote Raptor’s integration across the national UAV supply chain and through the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunity Alliance (TEDIBOA). The partnership includes plans for a local testing and integration center focused on GPS-jamming resistance as a strategic differentiator.

While framed as a commercial and technological advancement, the initiative is also Taiwan’s effort to harden its autonomous systems against electronic interference, with implications for both defense readiness and regional UAV market competitiveness.

COMMERCIAL

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL Debuts on SpaceX Falcon 9, Reaches ISS After Thruster Issue

14 September, 2025

Northrop Grumman’s NG-23 mission marked the debut of Cygnus XL, a larger cargo spacecraft launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on September 14, 2025. Northrop Grumman’s largest cargo delivery to the International Space Station to date, the newly introduced spacecraft carried 11,000 pounds or 5,000 kg of supplies, about 33% more payload capacity than previous Cygnus variants. Supplies included materials for semiconductor and pharmaceutical research. This expanded capacity was made possible by stretching the spacecraft’s pressurized cargo module by 1.6 meters, increasing both volume and mass limits. The freighter was named S.S. William “Willie” McCool in honor of the late Columbia astronaut.

The launch followed delays and the cancellation of NG-22 due to transport damage. Shortly after liftoff, Cygnus XL experienced a thruster malfunction that postponed its planned arrival at the ISS. NASA and Northrop Grumman resolved the issue, and the spacecraft was successfully captured by Canadarm2 on September 18.

This was the third Cygnus mission to fly on Falcon 9, part of a temporary shift away from Antares launches amid development of Antares 330. Cygnus XL will remain docked until spring 2026, with potential reberthing to accommodate other visiting vehicles. The mission underscores evolving logistics strategies in ISS resupply.

Viasat and UAE’s Space42 Launch Equatys to Develop Global Direct-to-Device Satellite Network

15 September, 2025

Viasat and UAE-based AI-Space tech company Space42 have announced the formation of Equatys, a joint venture aimed at deploying a global direct-to-device (D2D) communications network. The initiative will combine terrestrial and multi-orbit satellite infrastructure using a 3GPP-compliant Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) platform, enabling connectivity for standard smartphones and IoT devices in underserved regions.

Equatys will operate as a neutral “space tower” company, offering shared infrastructure to licensed operators across more than 160 markets. The venture plans to utilize over 100 MHz of harmonized Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum and roll out commercially by 2028. Its multi-tenant model is designed to reduce capital costs, improve spectrum efficiency, and support sovereign deployment options for governments.

The platform will support 5G New Radio standards and evolve existing MSS services. By offering phased equity participation, Equatys aims to attract strategic and financial partners as the system scales, reflecting broader trends in hybrid network development.

Space Data Association Taps Spanish GMV to Develop Spaceflight Safety System for Satellite and Orbital Traffic Management by 2026

16 September, 2025

The Space Data Association (SDA) has selected multinational firm GMV to develop its next-generation Space Safety Portal (SSP), aimed at enhancing spaceflight safety amid rising orbital congestion. The Isle of Man based SDA is a nonprofit international organization of satellite operators focused on improving spaceflight safety through secure data sharing and coordination. GMV, a Spanish multinational headquartered in Madrid, specializes in space systems and is a provider of space traffic management, satellite control, and cybersecurity solutions. The system is intended to support improved spaceflight safety through enhanced data integration, conjunction assessment, and operator coordination.

Building on 16 years of operational experience and previous collaboration with COMSPOC, the SSP will serve as an integration hub for global space traffic coordination, incorporating emerging technologies and expanded space situational awareness (SSA) data. GMV was chosen through a competitive process for its technical, operational, and cybersecurity capabilities, as well as its alignment with SDA’s nonprofit model and sustainability goals. The system will support improved conjunction assessments, data coverage, and operator collaboration, drawing on GMV’s experience with EU SST and the U.S. TraCSS initiative.

The new system is expected to become operational in early 2026. SDA has stated that the transition will prioritize continuity for satellite operators and maintain its existing data-sharing protocols.

Axiom Space and Spacebilt to Deploy Orbital Data Center Nodes on the ISS by 2027

16 September, 2025

Axiom Space and Spacebilt have announced plans to deploy a network of optically connected, Orbital Data Center (ODC) nodes aboard the International Space Station, with the first installations expected by late 2025 and at least three operational by 2027. The initiative builds on Axiom’s earlier AxDCU-1 demonstrator and aims to expand in-orbit computing, storage, and AI capabilities for satellites, spacecraft, and researchers in low-Earth orbit. Here, a node refers to a discrete, self-contained unit of computing infrastructure deployed in orbit. Think of it like a server rack in a terrestrial data center, but adapted for space conditions.

The system will feature petabyte-class solid-state drives from Phison Electronics and high-reliability processors from Microchip Technology, supported by optical communication terminals from Skyloom for satellite connectivity. Spacebilt is leading hardware integration, including its Large In-Space Servers.

While the ISS remains the initial platform, its planned deorbit by 2030 raises questions about long-term hosting. Axiom has indicated future migration to its own commercial station, though timelines remain uncertain. The project aligns with industry trends to establish orbital cloud infrastructure for civil, commercial, and national security applications.

Astro Digital Signs Agreement to Use Star Catcher’s Orbital Power Grid for Satellite Operations

16 September, 2025

Astro Digital has signed a power purchase agreement with Florida-based startup, Star Catcher Industries to access energy from what is being described as the first orbital power grid. The Star Catcher Network, still in development, will consist of space-based nodes that collect solar energy and beam it wirelessly to satellites, enabling small platforms like Astro Digital’s Corvus XL to operate with significantly higher power budgets. Astro Digital’s Corvus XL is an ESPA-class satellite bus designed to host medium-sized payloads in low Earth orbit, offering modular power, propulsion, and communications systems; ESPA refers to the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter standard, which enables multiple spacecraft to share a single launch.

Historically, spacecraft have relied on onboard solar panels and batteries, limiting mission duration and capability. The new system aims to deliver five to ten times more power without requiring satellite redesigns. Astro Digital plans to use this energy to support data-intensive applications such as onboard processing, direct-to-device communications, and real-time space domain awareness.

Star Catcher, founded in 2024, recently completed a ground-based demonstration and is preparing for an orbital test in 2026.

Telesat, SES, and Amazon Outline Evolving Satellite Network Plans During World Space Business Week

16 September, 2025

At this year’s World Space Business Week in Paris, satellite operators and infrastructure developers outlined a series of strategic pivots in orbital communications. From sovereign connectivity initiatives to modular deployment models and commercial broadband expansion, the event served as a platform for announcing new approaches to space-based networks.

As Europe prepares its sovereign IRIS² satellite network, Canadian operator Telesat is positioning its Lightspeed low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation as a provisional solution. Lightspeed is expected to be operational by 2027, ahead of IRIS²’s projected rollout, and has received backing from the Canadian government for potential collaboration with European allies. Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg emphasized the strategic value of commercial LEO systems, citing their role in recent conflicts and the growing demand for secure, resilient communications.

Meanwhile, Luxembourg-based SES is shifting its medium Earth orbit (MEO) strategy toward modular, iterative deployment. Partnering with U.S. startup K2 Space, SES plans to launch new satellites annually under its “meoSphere” architecture, which supports backward compatibility and multi-mission capabilities including hosted payloads and sovereign gateways. This approach contrasts with traditional large-scale satellite rollouts and aims to align network growth with market demand.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also accelerating its broadband ambitions, targeting initial service in five countries, including the U.S., Canada, and key European markets, by early 2026. With over 100 satellites already in orbit and more launches planned, Kuiper aims to meet FCC deployment milestones while expanding to 26 countries by year-end. The system has demonstrated high-speed performance and optical inter-satellite links, and Amazon has emphasized an open architecture model to support third-party integration.

As legacy operators adapt to declining video revenues and rising geopolitical demands, commercial constellations are increasingly viewed as critical infrastructure, not just for consumer broadband, but for defense, mobility, and sovereign connectivity. The convergence of public-private initiatives and agile deployment models suggests a redefinition of space-based networks in the coming decade.

Maxar and Ecopia Launch AI Mapping Tool - Vivid Features, to Generate 2D and 3D Vector Maps from Satellite Imagery

17 September, 2025

Maxar Intelligence and Toronto-based Ecopia AI have launched Vivid Features, a joint mapping product designed to automate the creation of high-accuracy 2D and 3D vector maps at global scale. The system integrates Maxar’s 30 cm-class satellite imagery and spatial fusion software with Ecopia’s AI-based mapping algorithms to extract features such as building footprints, road centerlines, land cover and waterways with minimal human input.

Unlike traditional raster maps, vector maps store location data as geometric shapes, allowing for more accurate and updatable representations of terrain. The product aims to address longstanding inefficiencies in digital mapping, where manual vector alignment and updates have been time-consuming and inconsistent. Vivid Features inherits Maxar’s georegistration accuracy of three meters, allowing vector data to remain aligned even as base imagery is refreshed.

Already in use by U.S. and international government agencies, the system has generated over one billion building footprints. The partnership is evidence of a growing demand for dynamic, interoperable geospatial data across sectors including infrastructure monitoring, emergency response, and urban planning, as organizations seek scalable tools to track real-world change.

Finnish ReOrbit, Canadian GHGSat, Chinese iSpace, and Hubble Network in US, Raise Capital to Scale Sovereign and Commercial Space Systems

The growing strategic and commercial diversification across the global space sector resulted in a wave of funding announcements this week. Finland-based ReOrbit secured €45 million in Series A financing, the largest all-equity round in the country’s space and defense history, to expand its manufacturing of sovereign satellites and connected systems for national security. The company plans to open satellite centers in multiple countries and scale platforms like Silta and Ukko, which support secure communications and surveillance for both defense and civilian use.

In Canada, emissions monitoring startup, GHGSat raised CAD $47 million in a mix of debt and convertible notes to accelerate its global greenhouse gas monitoring operations. With 14 satellites already in orbit, GHGSat provides facility-level methane detection and analytics, helping industrial operators comply with tightening climate regulations. The company has tracked emissions from millions of sites and aims to embed its data into operational decision-making across carbon-intensive sectors.

China’s iSpace, meanwhile, announced ¥700 million (~$98 million) in Series D+ funding to advance its reusable Hyperbola-3 launch vehicle. The funds will support rocket and engine production facilities in Chengdu and Mianyang, as well as preparations for an orbital test flight with offshore recovery. The company is one of several Chinese startups racing to secure launch contracts for national broadband constellations.

In the U.S., Hubble Network closed a $70 million Series B round to scale its satellite-powered Bluetooth connectivity platform. The company has demonstrated direct-to-space Bluetooth links and aims to connect billions of devices without cellular infrastructure. With seven satellites already deployed and partnerships with consumer brands, Hubble is positioning itself as a low-power IoT backbone for global coverage.

These investments speak of a trend towards establishing sovereign capabilities, environmental monitoring, reusable launch systems, and infrastructure-free connectivity, each responding to distinct geopolitical, regulatory, and market pressures.

VIPER Revived: Blue Origin to Land NASA’s Lunar Ice Mission at Moon’s South Pole Under CLPS Program

19 September, 2025

Once written off due to cost overruns, NASA’s VIPER rover is back on track, now slated to fly aboard Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander. NASA has awarded Blue Origin a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) task order to deliver the VIPER rover to the Moon’s south pole in late 2027. The rover, short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, was previously canceled but has now been revived under a new strategy that leverages private-sector landing capabilities.

VIPER is designed to explore permanently shadowed regions for water ice and other volatiles, with implications for future human missions and in-situ resource utilization. Blue Origin will use its Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, currently in production, to deploy the rover. NASA will oversee science operations, while Blue Origin handles integration, landing, and deployment.

This marks Blue Origin’s second CLPS award as NASA looks to cost-sharing and risk reduction through commercial partnerships. The mission’s success could inform future landing site selection and contribute to understanding volatile distribution across the lunar surface and inner solar system.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

New AI Tool Models the Universe’s Structure on a Laptop, in Minutes

A new study published in JCAP introduces Effort.jl, a neural network–based emulator designed to accelerate cosmological modeling without sacrificing accuracy. Developed by researchers from National Institute for Astrophysics, Italy (INAF), the University of Parma, and the University of Waterloo, the tool mimics the behavior of the Effective Field Theory of Large-Scale Structure (EFTofLSS), which statistically describes the cosmic web. Traditional EFTofLSS computations are resource-intensive, often requiring supercomputers; Effort.jl achieves comparable precision in minutes on a standard laptop.

Effort.jl incorporates known parameter gradients and theoretical constraints from the outset, reducing training time and improving generalization. Validation tests show strong agreement with both simulated and real data, sometimes even recovering details trimmed from full-model runs. As data volumes grow from surveys like DESI and Euclid, emulators like Effort.jl offer a scalable solution for analyzing the universe’s large-scale structure. Effort.jl’s development signals a growing reliance on machine learning to streamline complex astrophysical modeling.

The Sun Is Waking Up and Scientists Are Watching Closely

After decades of declining solar activity, new research led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms that the Sun has entered a renewed phase of magnetic intensity. Data from missions including ACE and Wind show that since 2008, when solar activity hit a record low, key indicators such as solar wind velocity, density, and temperature have steadily increased. This reversal challenges earlier expectations of a prolonged solar minimum and suggests a more active solar cycle ahead.

The uptick in sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections raises concerns about space weather impacts on satellites, astronauts, and terrestrial infrastructure. Scientists note that while the Sun’s 11-year cycle is well characterized, longer-term fluctuations remain poorly understood. The last comparable downturn, known as the Maunder Minimum, lasted from roughly 1645 to 1715 and coincided with a period of global cooling. Historical parallels, such as this and Dalton Minimum, offer context but limited predictive power. Upcoming missions like IMAP and SWFO-L1 aim to improve forecasting as solar activity intensifies, with implications for planetary magnetospheres and deep space operations.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸