Issue 80 | Breaking Space News: Dec 8 - 15, 2025

Welcome back Explorer,

Stunning images, and global updates on defense and commercial space. Meanwhile, Lagrangian arrives in your inbox a little later than usual this week (because working towards something bigger): thank you for your patience!

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Hope you enjoy this Space!

• IMAGES

  • “Tatooine-Like” Exoplanet

  • 57 Faces of a Dying Star

  • Galaxy Clusters in Color

  • Blue Skies and White Clouds

• SCIENCE

  • Scientists Map Large River Drainage Systems on Mars for the First Time

  • NASA Astrobee Robot Uses AI to Navigate ISS Without Direct Astronaut Control

  • NASA Extends CASIS Agreement to Manage ISS National Laboratory Through 2030

  • NASA Loses Contact With MAVEN Mars Orbiter

  • Radio Bursts From Space Debris Collisions Could Enable Detection of Tiny Fragments and ‘Debris Weather’ Warnings

  • National Academies Report Sets Search for Life as Top Priority for US Human Mars Missions

  • Astronomers Observe Black Hole Dragging the Fabric of Spacetime Predicted by Einstein’s Relativity

  • Bacteria‑Dyed Radiation‑Sensitive Fabric to Be Tested in Space by University of Glasgow and Edinburgh Startup Spinning Around

  • High‑Resolution Satellite Data Pinpoints Major Methane Emissions from Oil, Gas, and Coal Facilities Worldwide

• GOVERNANCE

  • Industrial Project in Atacama and Expanding Satellite Constellations Raise Concerns for Astronomy Research as SpaceX Reports Near‑Collision

• MILITARY

  • Pentagon Reviews U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Portfolio With Space Projects Under Assessment

  • Canada Awards Multibillion‑Dollar Military Satellite Communications Contract to MDA Space and Telesat

  • Helsing and Kongsberg Partner With Hensoldt and Isar Aerospace to Build European Intelligence Satellite Constellation

  • Defense Contracts Awarded to Muon Space, Voyager Technologies, and BAE Systems

  • Blue Origin Progresses Toward US National Security Launch Eligibility as New Glenn Reaches Midpoint in Certification

  • NATO DIANA Selects Largest Cohort With 150 Companies for 2026 Defense Technology Challenge Program

• COMMERCIAL

  • Aetherflux Plans Orbital Data Centers to Host AI Workloads by 2027

  • Rocket Lab Reports Hungry Hippo Fairing Tests, Korean Mission Delay, and JAXA Satellite Deployment

  • World’s First Satellite Collision Insurance Emerges as Odin Space Partners with Arkisys

  • Overview Energy Advances Space‑to‑Grid Demonstrations as Starfish Space and Impulse Achieve Autonomous Proximity Operations in Low Earth Orbit

  • SpaceX Plans 2026 IPO, Eyes $1.5 Trillion Valuation

IMAGES

“Tatooine-Like” Exoplanet : Gemini South Telescope

57 Faces of a Dying Star : Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)

Galaxy Clusters in Color : Chandra X‑ray Observatory

Blue Skies and White Clouds : Japanese Astronaut Kimiya Yui

SCIENCE

Scientists Map Large River Drainage Systems on Mars for the First Time

Scientists have produced the first ever map of Mars’ large river drainage systems, offering new insights into the planet’s ancient habitability.

A study led by the University of Texas at Austin, published in PNAS, identified 16 major basins exceeding 100,000 square kilometers, stitched together from valley networks, lakes, and sediment deposits. Though these systems cover only about 5% of Mars’ ancient terrain, they account for roughly 42% of the material eroded by rivers, suggesting they were key sites for nutrient transport. Researchers argue such regions could have been prime environments for microbial life billions of years ago, comparable to Earth’s Amazon or Indus basins.

Because Mars lacks tectonic activity, its drainage systems are fewer and less extensive than Earth’s, yet their scale and sedimentary record make them promising targets for astrobiology. The findings highlight priority areas for future missions seeking evidence of past life, while also refining understanding of Mars’ climatic and geologic evolution.

NASA Astrobee Robot Uses AI to Navigate ISS Without Direct Astronaut Control

Artificial intelligence has been used for the first time to autonomously pilot a free‑flying robot aboard the International Space Station, marking a step toward more independent operations in orbit.

The experiment involved Astrobee, NASA’s cube-shaped robotic assistant, guided by AI developed through a Stanford-led collaboration. The system enabled the robot to navigate the station’s interior without direct astronaut control, demonstrating how machine learning can manage tasks such as collision avoidance and path planning in confined microgravity environments. Researchers emphasized that the technology is not intended to replace astronauts but to complement them, handling routine or hazardous duties while crews focus on complex science.

Stanford Ph.D. candidate and lead researcher, Somrita Banerjee explained that the ISS’s crowded environment makes robot motion planning difficult, especially on old, radiation-hardened computers on ISS. To address this, her team used an optimization method that breaks complex paths into smaller steps, then trained an AI model on thousands of prior routes to provide a “warm start.” This approach, likened to beginning a road trip with an existing route rather than a blank map, enabled faster planning while maintaining safety checks. In station tests, AI-assisted paths were computed 50–60% quicker than conventional methods.

The test also highlighted broader implications for future missions. Autonomous robotic systems could support spacecraft maintenance, logistics, and exploration beyond low Earth orbit, where communication delays make real-time human oversight impractical. While still experimental, the work signals a shift toward integrating AI-driven autonomy into long-duration missions, including lunar and Martian expeditions. The research is described in a new paper presented earlier this month at the International Conference on Space Robotics.

NASA Extends CASIS Agreement to Manage ISS National Laboratory Through 2030

8 December, 2025

NASA has extended its agreement with CASIS, the nonprofit managing the ISS National Laboratory, signaling continuity in U.S. space research partnerships despite broader questions about the station’s future.

NASA renewed its contract with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) through 2030, aligning with the agency’s timeline for operating the International Space Station. CASIS, which has overseen the ISS National Lab since 2011, facilitates non-NASA research, including commercial and academic projects.

However, CASIS has faced criticism over management practices and oversight. In 2019, concerns over management prompted NASA to commission an independent review and temporarily halt CASIS activities. The 2020 report called for reforms in both CASIS leadership and NASA oversight, leading to the creation of a User Advisory Committee. A 2022 Government Accountability Office review found CASIS was failing to engage the committee effectively or share key information on ISS resource allocations.

NASA Loses Contact With MAVEN Mars Orbiter

9 December, 2025 (Updates from 15 December)

NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft, a key Mars orbiter, has suffered a prolonged communications blackout, raising concerns about mission continuity and surface operations.

On December 6, MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) failed to reestablish contact after passing behind Mars, despite telemetry showing normal function beforehand. Subsequent attempts by NASA’s Deep Space Network have been unsuccessful, though a brief tracking signal suggested the spacecraft was rotating unexpectedly and may have altered its orbit.

MAVEN, launched in 2013, has been central to studying atmospheric loss on Mars and serves as a communications relay for rovers. Its absence complicates daily planning for Perseverance and Curiosity, though other orbiters, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Odyssey, and ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, remain operational. The incident illustrated the fragility of long-duration planetary missions and the reliance on a limited set of assets to sustain both science and surface exploration.

Radio Bursts From Space Debris Collisions Could Enable Detection of Tiny Fragments and ‘Debris Weather’ Warnings

10 December, 2025

University of Michigan researchers, backed by U.S. intelligence funding, are developing methods to detect orbital debris too small for current tracking systems.

Led by Nilton Rennó, the team found that hypervelocity collisions between debris and meteoroids emit electromagnetic signals detectable from Earth or orbit. Using the Deep Space Network (DSN), with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and data from the Defense Department’s STPSat-6 satellite, scientists are mapping these radio bursts to characterize fragment clouds and identify hazardous regions. The project, supported by Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity’s (IARPA) Space Debris Identification and Tracking (SINTRA) program, aims to provide practical tools for monitoring debris environments and mitigating risks of Kessler syndrome, the cascading chain reaction of collisions that could render orbits unusable. STPSat-6, launched in December 2021 under the U.S. Defense Department’s Space Test Program, was developed by Northrop Grumman to provide operational nuclear detonation detection capabilities.

Assistant researcher Yun Zhang, talking to SpaceNews, likened the method to striking a match in the dark, brief signals “light up” otherwise invisible fragments. The approach could enable “debris weather” alerts, offering satellite operators real-time diagnostics of orbital conditions. While not yet peer-reviewed, the work highlights growing urgency in addressing small debris populations threatening space sustainability.

National Academies Report Sets Search for Life as Top Priority for US Human Mars Missions

10 December, 2025

A new National Academies report (U.S.) has set the search for life as the foremost scientific goal for future human missions to Mars, framing exploration priorities around astrobiology and sustainability.

Commissioned by NASA’s science and exploration directorates, the study outlines 11 objectives, with the highest being the detection of past or present life. Other priorities include climate and geology studies, resource characterization, and assessing impacts of the Martian environment on human health and biology. The committee emphasized that all objectives require human presence, supported by robotics and artificial intelligence through “human-agent teaming.”

The eleven objectives are:

• Search for past or present life on Mars

• Study Martian climate and atmospheric processes

• Investigate geologic history and surface evolution

• Characterize water cycles and ice deposits

• Assess dust storms and their impacts

• Evaluate resources for future missions

• Examine effects of Mars environment on humans

• Study impacts on plants and animals

• Conduct deep drilling for subsurface science

• Enable sample return on every crewed mission

• Advance planetary protection standards for human exploration

The report, titled, A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars, proposes four mission campaigns, ranging from short 30-sol stays to longer 300-sol expeditions, incorporating strategies such as drilling beneath icy crusts and exploring diverse terrain within 100 kilometers of landing sites. It also calls for evolving planetary protection standards and equipping missions with advanced laboratories and sample-return capabilities.

The campaigns are:

1. Mars Science Across an Expanded Exploration Zone: Missions would study terrain within ~100 kilometers of a landing site chosen for scientific diversity.

2. Synergy of Mars Science Measurements: Focuses on obtaining crucial measurements for all objectives from a single site equipped with extensive scientific infrastructure.

3. Seeking Life Beneath the Martian Icy Crust: Targets astrobiology by drilling as deep as five kilometers into the surface to search for signs of life.

4. Investigating Mars at Three Sites: Envisions three short 30-sol missions to different locations, offering breadth of coverage but less depth.

Each campaign uses the “30-Cargo-300” approach: an initial 30-sol crewed mission, followed by a cargo delivery, then a longer 300-sol mission. While avoiding technical or budgetary specifics, the report stresses that defining “what” science to pursue must precede decisions on “how” missions will be executed.

Astronomers Observe Black Hole Dragging the Fabric of Spacetime Predicted by Einstein’s Relativity

10 December, 2025

Astronomers have reported the first clear evidence of a black hole dragging spacetime, confirming a century-old prediction of Einstein’s general relativity.

A team led by the National Astronomical Observatories of China, with Cardiff University collaborators, studied AT2020afhd, a tidal disruption event where a star was torn apart by a supermassive black hole. Observations from NASA’s Swift Observatory and the Very Large Array revealed rhythmic changes in X-ray and radio signals, showing the accretion disk and relativistic jet wobbling together every 20 days. This phenomenon, known as Lense–Thirring precession or frame-dragging, occurs when a rotating black hole twists spacetime, altering the motion of nearby matter.

The findings, published in Science Advances, provide new tools for probing black hole spin, accretion physics, and jet formation. Unlike previous tidal disruption events with steady emissions, this case displayed short-term variability, strengthening evidence for frame-dragging and offering a rare observational window into relativistic effects long theorized but seldom seen.

Bacteria‑Dyed Radiation‑Sensitive Fabric to Be Tested in Space by University of Glasgow, Edinburgh Startup Spinning Around

10 December, 2025

Researchers in Scotland are developing bacteria‑based fabrics that visibly respond to radiation, offering potential applications for astronaut safety and healthcare.

The University of Glasgow’s “Pigmented Space Pioneers” project combines microbiology, engineering, and fashion design to create textiles infused with pigments produced by harmless bacteria. When exposed to radiation or ultraviolet light, the pigments fade layer by layer, providing a clear visual record of exposure without electronics or sensors.

The team is partnering with Edinburgh‑based startup Spinning Around, to send the first fabric sample into orbit aboard the company’s PocketQube satellite SpinnyONE in February 2026. The satellite will photograph the textile as it undergoes months of radiation exposure in low Earth orbit. If successful, a larger patch equipped with a camera and microscope could reach the lunar surface in 2028, potentially marking the first Scottish‑built hardware on the Moon.

The approach builds on natural bacterial defenses against environmental stress, repurposed here as a radiation‑sensitive dye. Researchers argue that such fabrics could help astronauts monitor radiation levels directly on their clothing or equipment, while also offering medical staff protective garments and even consumer clothing to track sun exposure.

High‑Resolution Satellite Data Pinpoints Major Methane Emissions from Oil, Gas, and Coal Facilities Worldwide

11 December, 2025

A new study using the GHGSat constellation reports annual methane emissions of roughly 8.3 million tons from 3,114 oil, gas, and coal facilities worldwide. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas second only to carbon dioxide in warming impact, has traditionally been tracked through bottom‑up inventories or broad atmospheric measurements. Both approaches often miss short‑lived leaks or fail to pinpoint individual sources.

Analysis showed distinct regional emitters. Turkmenistan, the U.S., Russia, Mexico, and Kazakhstan produced the highest oil and gas methane emissions, with China and Russia leading in coal emissions.

Run by the Canadian company GHGSat, the constellation’s meter-scale, high‑resolution sensors detected repeated plumes, enabling time‑series estimates of emissions. Results showed oil and gas emissions fluctuate significantly, requiring frequent satellite observations, while coal emissions proved steadier and easier to quantify. Comparisons with existing inventories revealed strong alignment for coal but weaker correlation for oil and gas, underscoring gaps in current reporting.

The findings highlight how commercial satellites could become critical tools for climate accountability, providing governments and industry with direct evidence of large, variable emitters that broader datasets overlook.

GOVERNANCE

Industrial Project in Atacama and Expanding Satellite Constellations Raise Concerns for Astronomy Research as SpaceX Reports Near‑Collision

10 December, 2025

Astronomers are warning that both terrestrial development and orbital congestion are eroding humanity’s ability to observe the night sky. In Chile, 28 leading scientists issued an open letter urging authorities to relocate a proposed industrial project near the Atacama Desert. The site hosts the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope and the under‑construction Extremely Large Telescope, both of which rely on the region’s exceptionally dark skies and stable atmospheric conditions. Researchers argue that industrial activity would introduce light pollution, dust, and infrastructure that could compromise decades of investment in ground‑based astronomy. ESO formally echoed these concerns, stressing that the Atacama’s unique environment is globally significant and irreplaceable for long‑term research into exoplanets, cosmology, and stellar evolution. ESO had raised concerns earlier this year about the irreversible impact on astronomical observations in one of the world’s darkest skies.

12 December, 2025

Orbital activity presents parallel challenges. A study in Nature Astronomy projects that by the late 2030s, satellite constellations could obscure most space telescope observations, with portions of images permanently lost. The analysis found that wide‑field surveys, such as those planned for next‑generation observatories, would be particularly vulnerable to streaks and interference from thousands of satellites. Researchers emphasized that mitigation strategies, such as darker coatings or adjusted orbital altitudes, may reduce but not eliminate the impact. The findings illustrate how commercial broadband constellations risk degrading astronomical data, especially for faint or distant objects.

12 December, 2025

Operational risks are already evident. SpaceX reported a near‑collision between a Starlink satellite and a spacecraft launched from China. According to SpaceX, that has over 8000 satellites in orbit, the incident required avoidance maneuvers to prevent a potential impact, illustrating how collision risks are becoming routine as thousands of satellites share limited orbital pathways. Such events raise questions about coordination between operators and the adequacy of current space traffic management systems.

Astronomers argue that both terrestrial and orbital pressures demand urgent attention. The Atacama case demonstrates how local industrial decisions can jeopardize global scientific infrastructure, while satellite proliferation shows how commercial priorities may conflict with long‑term research needs.

MILITARY

Pentagon Reviews U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Portfolio With Space Projects Under Assessment

8 December, 2025

The Pentagon is reassessing the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) portfolio, raising questions about the future of its space-related efforts. Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, said the review aims to align DIU’s work with six priority areas, applied artificial intelligence, biomanufacturing, contested logistics technologies, quantum and battlefield information dominance, scaled directed energy and scaled hypersonics, SpaceNews reports. While space remains active within DIU’s commercial engagement model, the new framework favors cross-domain technologies with near-term operational impact.

DIU currently manages over 100 projects spanning autonomy, logistics, communications, and space. Michael noted the challenge of transitioning prototypes into programs of record, citing service absorption limits and duplication across DoD innovation offices. The review includes DIU, the Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO), and the R&E directorate.

DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening process remains central to its mission of bridging commercial tech and defense needs. With roughly $1 billion in annual funding and potential increases ahead, the unit continues to serve as a key entry point for space startups, though its future scope may narrow.

Canada Awards Multibillion‑Dollar Military Satellite Communications Contract to MDA Space and Telesat

9 December, 2025

Canada has awarded a multibillion‑dollar military satellite communications contract to MDA Space and Telesat, marking one of the first major procurements under the country’s new Defence Investment Agency.

The partnership, will deliver the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP‑P), a multi‑frequency system designed to provide wideband and narrowband connectivity for the Canadian Armed Forces. The program is intended to strengthen Arctic sovereignty, improve operational resilience, and support continental defense commitments, including NORAD and NATO obligations.

Phase one of the contract involves engineering and options analysis, with subsequent stages expected to expand into full constellation deployment. MDA Space will contribute satellite manufacturing and integration expertise, while Telesat will provide operational architecture and decades of satellite communications experience. Officials emphasized the need for secure, dedicated military networks in the Arctic, where reliance on commercial systems has limited capability.

Helsing and Kongsberg Partner With Hensoldt and Isar Aerospace to Build European Intelligence Satellite Constellation

9 December, 2025

Germany’s Helsing and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) have announced a strategic partnership to develop a European intelligence, surveillance, and targeting satellite constellation. The effort aims to strengthen sovereign space‑based capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) satcom, and space situational awareness, with initial deployments planned by 2029.

KDA will contribute satellite manufacturing, operations, and its KSAT ground station network, while Helsing provides AI‑driven software to fuse data from synthetic aperture radar, electro‑optical imagery, and radio frequency emissions. German defense firm Hensoldt will supply advanced sensors, and launch services are expected to rely on Isar Aerospace’s facilities in Andøya, Norway.

Officials described the initiative as a broad cooperation rather than a single program, with plans to establish production facilities in Germany. Financial details and customer commitments were not disclosed. The partners emphasized the need for resilient, sovereign European space architectures to reduce reliance on external providers.

Defense Contracts Awarded to Muon Space, Voyager Technologies, and BAE Systems Advance Missile Warning, AI‑Powered ISR, and Autonomous Space Surveillance

Last week’s defense contracts highlight the growing role of commercial and established firms in advancing surveillance and sensing technologies across air and space domains.

9 December, 2025

Muon Space announced it has secured a $1.9 million direct‑to‑Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from SpaceWERX (the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force) to support the Space Development Agency’s missile warning and tracking mission (MW/MT). The company will provide sensing capabilities designed to enhance SDA’s proliferated low Earth orbit architecture, which aims to deliver resilient, real‑time missile detection and tracking. As part of this award, Muon is set to develop an innovative version of its multispectral electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload, building on Muon’s prior work in climate and Earth observation, extending its sensor technology into defense applications.

10 December, 2025

Voyager Technologies reported a $21 million U.S. Air Force contract to advance airborne mission capabilities. The contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory focuses on AI‑powered intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, and will integrate machine learning into aerial platforms to improve situational awareness and decision‑making.

The contract will support Voyager’s work on digital signal processing for multi‑domain operations and situational awareness. The company is developing GPU‑based surveillance systems that use artificial intelligence to track threats in real time across both military and civilian radio frequency environments, with applications in ISR and cyber operations.

Voyager’s approach is designed to scale from small unmanned aircraft systems to high‑altitude platforms, enabling adaptable airborne ISR capabilities. The award provides funding to advance these technologies toward operational use, with potential for follow‑on production contracts if fielded successfully.

10 December, 2025

BAE Systems’ FAST Labs separately confirmed a $16 million contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop its autonomous space‑based surveillance technology called the Oversight Program. The project will explore how spacecraft can independently detect, track, and characterize objects in orbit without continuous ground control. BAE emphasized the importance of autonomy in reducing operator workload and enabling persistent monitoring of congested orbital environments.

The Oversight program is developing an autonomous system to maintain continuous ‘custody’ of terrestrial assets using satellite constellations. The latest award follows completion of Phase 1, where the company’s software was tested in modeling and simulation environments to demonstrate custody missions with representative satellites and sensors.

In Phase 2, BAE will refine its algorithms and validate performance with larger constellations, more complex scenarios, and higher‑fidelity simulations. The technology is slated for deployment on tactical‑edge satellites and ground stations.

Blue Origin Progresses Toward US National Security Launch Eligibility as New Glenn Reaches Midpoint in Certification, With Two of Four Flights Completed

10 December, 2025

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is midway through the four‑flight certification process required to compete for U.S. national security missions under the Space Force’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. The company has completed two successful launches in 2025, including recovery of its reusable first stage, becoming only the second firm after SpaceX to achieve that milestone.

Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, head of Space Systems Command, confirmed Blue Origin selected a four‑launch path to certification. The process is intended to demonstrate reliability before the rocket can carry national security payloads. A third flight is planned for 2026, with final certification expected after the fourth.

The Space Force awarded Blue Origin eligibility earlier this year to compete for Phase 3 Lane 2 contracts, covering missions between fiscal years 2025 and 2029. Certification progress places New Glenn alongside SpaceX and ULA as contenders for future national security launches.

NATO DIANA Selects Largest Cohort With 150 Companies for 2026 Defense Technology Challenge Program

11 December, 2025

NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has announced its largest cohort to date, selecting 150 companies from 32 member nations for the 2026 Challenge Program.

The initiative, beginning in January, will provide contractual funding and access to DIANA’s network of 16 accelerator sites and more than 200 test centers across the alliance. Firms will develop technologies in ten priority areas, including contested communications, autonomy and unmanned systems, biotechnology, human resilience, logistics, and critical infrastructure. Selected projects will be tested and validated with direct input from military end users, aiming to accelerate adoption of dual‑use technologies.

DIANA also highlighted its Rapid Adoption Service, designed to bridge innovators and operational commands by streamlining prototype evaluation and transition. The program reflects NATO’s effort to institutionalize innovation pathways, ensuring that emerging technologies in AI, quantum, advanced materials, and aerospace systems can be integrated into alliance defense planning. The full list of innovator companies selected for the cohort can be found here.

COMMERCIAL

Aetherflux Plans Orbital Data Centers to Host AI Workloads by 2027

9 December, 2025

Aetherflux, a California‑based startup, has announced plans to deploy orbital data centers by early 2027, positioning itself within a growing race to shift computing infrastructure off Earth.

The company’s “Galactic Brain” project aims to launch thousands of solar‑powered satellites capable of hosting artificial intelligence workloads directly in orbit. Designed to harness continuous solar power and radiative cooling, the platform aims to support high‑density AI processing. Aetherflux says the system will rely on optical inter‑satellite links and relay networks to maintain availability comparable to terrestrial servers. Founder Baiju Bhatt, formerly co‑CEO of Robinhood, argues that terrestrial data centers face bottlenecks in energy supply and construction timelines, with new facilities often requiring five to eight years to become operational. By contrast, orbital platforms could bypass grid constraints by placing “sunlight next to silicon,” harnessing abundant solar energy without terrestrial cooling challenges.

The venture, which raised $50 million in April, is also developing infrared laser power beaming from orbit, diverging from traditional microwave‑based solar power concepts. The U.S. Department of Defense has funded a proof‑of‑concept demonstration, citing potential applications in contested environments. Aetherflux expects to build a constellation of nodes to scale capacity, joining similar efforts by SpaceX, Amazon, Google, and others exploring orbital computing. While the concept highlights AI’s mounting energy demands, practical deployment remains uncertain. The initiative shows how space‑based infrastructure is increasingly framed as a response to terrestrial energy and compute limitations.

Rocket Lab Reports Hungry Hippo Fairing Tests, Korean Mission Delay, and JAXA Satellite Deployment

10 December, 2025

Rocket Lab reported multiple developments in recent weeks, spanning current launch operations and future reusable heavy‑lift plans.

The company announced that its “Hungry Hippo” payload fairing has successfully completed qualification testing, clearing the way for integration with the forthcoming Neutron rocket. The fairing, designed for reusability, underwent structural, acoustic, and separation trials, including multiple deployments to validate reliability. Rocket Lab emphasized that Neutron’s fairing is central to its strategy of reducing costs and turnaround times, with the vehicle positioned to compete in the medium‑lift market against rivals such as SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The first Neutron launch is targeted for 2026.

9, 15 December, 2025

On the operational side, Rocket Lab attempted to launch South Korea’s 425 Project satellite, a disaster monitoring spacecraft built by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The mission, named Bridging the Swarm, was aborted on December 9, when Electron’s engines failed to ignite at liftoff. Rocket Lab reported that the next attempt on December 15/16 attempt was also aborted when an Electron sensor detected data outside expected parameters, triggering an automatic halt to liftoff. The company said engineers are addressing the issue and will set a new launch date once the fix is complete.

The payload, Neonsat‑1A, intended to support the 425 Project constellation, built by KAIST, is an advanced Earth‑observation satellite equipped with a high‑resolution optical camera to monitor natural disasters across the Korean Peninsula. It follows Neonsat‑1, which Rocket Lab deployed in April 2024 under the Beginning of the Swarm mission and has been operating successfully. The new satellite is intended to validate KAIST’s upgraded design, expand operational utility, and serve as a precursor to a planned constellation. Additional Neonsat satellites are scheduled for launch in 2026 and 2027. Neonsat‑1A is set to enter a 540‑kilometer low Earth orbit at a 97.4‑degree inclination, with deployment from Rocket Lab’s Curie kick stage expected approximately 54 minutes after liftoff.

14 December, 2025

Meanwhile, Rocket Lab also delivered its first JAXA mission, deploying the RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4) spacecraft. A demonstration of eight technologies developed by private companies, universities, and research institutions throughout Japan, the mission was designed to test modular satellite bus technologies and onboard instruments. The “RAISE And Shine” mission was Rocket Lab’s 19th launch of the year.

World’s First Satellite Collision Insurance Emerges as Odin Space Partners with Arkisys Amid Former’s $3 Million Seed Round

10 December, 2025

Odin Space, the British, sub-centimeter debris-tracking startup, has secured $3 million in seed funding to advance its detection technology for lethal, non‑trackable debris. The round was led by Steel Atlas with participation from Iron Prairie Ventures, Tiny VC, Cur8 Capital, and other investors. Odin’s approach centers on deploying small sensors capable of mapping and analyzing sub‑centimeter debris, fragments too small for existing tracking systems yet still capable of damaging spacecraft. The company previously demonstrated its technology on D‑Orbit’s ION orbital transfer vehicle in 2023.

15 December, 2025

In parallel, Odin Space also announced a collaboration with Arkisys, a U.S. firm developing on‑orbit infrastructure. Arkisys will integrate Odin’s Nano Sensors into its upcoming Cutter mission, enabling real‑time recording of debris impacts. This data will underpin what the companies describe as the first collision insurance product for satellite operators. The sensors act as a “black box,” documenting the exact moment and location of debris strikes, providing evidence that has historically been unavailable. By combining detection technology with insurance mechanisms, Odin and Arkisys aim to reduce uncertainty for operators navigating an increasingly congested low Earth orbit.

Overview Energy Advances Space‑to‑Grid Demonstrations as Starfish Space and Impulse Achieve Autonomous Proximity Operations in Low Earth Orbit

10 December, 2025

Aerospace startup, Overview Energy has conducted airborne trials to validate its approach to space‑based solar power. Using aircraft equipped with optics, the company transmitted near‑infrared light to ground solar panels, demonstrating safe delivery of energy from a moving platform. The system is designed to replicate conditions expected in orbit (a Cessna Caravan and flew at an altitude of over 5,000 m/16,500 ft), where satellites in geosynchronous orbit would collect continuous sunlight and beam it to Earth. Overview plans a low Earth orbit test in 2028, with commercial megawatt‑scale transmission targeted for 2030. The company intends to direct energy to existing solar projects, aiming to bypass terrestrial grid bottlenecks and provide dispatchable power.

15 December, 2025

Separately, Starfish Space and Impulse Space completed autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations in low Earth orbit. The Remora mission used Starfish’s compact camera system aboard an Impulse Mira spacecraft to maneuver within 1,250 meters of a target object. The test was designed to validate guidance and navigation technologies for future satellite servicing, docking, and debris removal. The mission marked a privately funded demonstration of autonomous operations, carried out without government sponsorship.

SpaceX Plans 2026 IPO, Eyes $1.5 Trillion Valuation

11 December, 2025

SpaceX’s long‑anticipated move toward the public markets is reshaping expectations across the space sector, with ripple effects already visible among smaller firms.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal, The Information, and Bloomberg indicate SpaceX is preparing a 2026 initial public offering that could raise more than $30 billion at a valuation near $1.5 trillion. Elon Musk, who has resisted public listing for years, validated reporting that the company may now seek capital to build large orbital data centers, potentially supporting energy‑intensive artificial intelligence computing off Earth. Analysts suggest such a listing would be unprecedented in scale and could accelerate growth across the global space economy, currently valued at $600 billion and projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

The prospect of a SpaceX IPO has already influenced other companies. Cape Canaveral‑based Starfighters Space announced it is increasing the size of its planned offering to $40 million. The firm is developing a small satellite air‑launch system using supersonic F‑104 jets, aiming to demonstrate a rapid‑turnaround alternative to traditional ground launches. Starfighters reported net losses of $7.9 million in 2024 and $4.7 million in 2023, and expects further losses as it invests in payload launch capability. Its NYSE American listing values the company at $143 million, with proceeds intended to support its first suborbital launch pending FAA approval.

SpaceX’s update comes in the wake of the company continuing to expand infrastructure with the U.S. Air Force recently clearing it to build a Starship launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, adding to its facilities at Boca Chica, Texas, and Kennedy Space Center. 

Despatch Out. 👽🛸