T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing

China’s Chang'e 6 mission capsule containing 2 kilograms of lunar far side soil samples has returned to Earth. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the third Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment. Airbus predicts a €900 million hit in the first half 2024 in its Space Division, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcas...

The Florida family is suing NASA for damages after their home was damaged by space debris made by a spent battery palette that was released from the ISS in 2021. Images shared of space debris falling on a village in China. Synspective has raised 7 billion Yen (over $43 million) in a Series C funding round, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get...

Susan Kilrain is an American aerospace engineer, former United States Navy officer, and a former NASA astronaut. She is the youngest person to pilot a Space Shuttle. Susan recently released a children’s book called “An Unlikely Astronaut” to encourage future generations to follow their dreams. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in the running for a $1...

It is absolutely an exciting time to be a space nerd. We are in the thick of a space race 2.0. Or more accurately, 5-0, because we've now seen launch number 50 for commercial launch provider Rocket Lab. Honeywell to acquire CAES. Starlab and Palantir make a deal. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence round...

United Nations' Committee on the peaceful uses of Outer Space (COPUOUS) 24 kicks off in Vienna. Isar extends its Series C. Virgin Galactic books a crew for a Delta flight. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on Linked...

Welcome to the T-Minus Overview Radio Show. In this program we’ll feature some of the conversations from our daily podcast with the people who are forging the path in the new space era, from industry leaders, technology experts and pioneers, to educators, policy makers, research organizations, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode?...

The NATO Innovation Fund has announced its first deep tech investments to address challenges in defense, security and resilience. The US and India have made significant strides toward deepening and expanding strategic cooperation across key technology sectors including space. The US Space Force’s Space Systems Command has awarded four companies contracts to develop space laser communication termin...

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Redwire as the prime mission integrator for the development of an air-breathing satellite that will demonstrate the use of novel electric propulsion systems in VLEO. The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) tracked its first hypersonic launch from space. China completed a series of tests last week on a new engine system designed for fut...

A panel of US spaceport representatives converged on Washington DC this week to explain to lawmakers the growing importance of spaceports to the economy. Facilitated by the Global Spaceport Alliance, the panel of spaceport operators discussed the value that their facilities bring to the regions they serve and the potential for what they can bring to the nation and world. Moderated by GSA Chairman...

Voyager one’s four science instruments are now fully functioning allowing the probe to resume gathering information about interstellar space. NASA and Boeing are extending the Starliner capsule’s stay on the International Space Station until at least June 22.  The U.S. Space Force has awarded Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance spots on a potential 10-year contract to provide launch ser...

NASA causes panic when audio from an ongoing training simulation was inadvertently misrouted and shared on the space agency’s YouTube channel. NASA cancels a planned spacewalk on the International Space Station due to a spacesuit discomfort issue. Armenia has become the 43rd Artemis Accords Signatory, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in th...

New research published explores how space affects human bodies studying molecular, cellular, physiological, phenotypic, and spaceflight data, including samples collected from the Inspiration 4 crew. Spacecraft manufacturing company Apex has raised $95 million in a Series B funding round. Viasat’s Energy Services division to launch a purpose-built managed communications service for remote oil and g...

The space industry is getting some of that CHIPS money. Rocket Lab to boost semiconductor production in New Mexico. Stoke hotfires its new engine. Yahsat and Airbus announce another partnership. And more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in the running for a $100 Amazon gift card. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podc...

China completes the construction of the first universal launch site for liquid fuel rockets in Wenchang City on the island province of Hainan. NASA is funding 10 new studies to examine more affordable and faster methods of bringing samples from Mars’ surface back to Earth. Redwire Corporation has been selected to develop and deliver Roll-Out Solar Array wings (ROSA) for Thales Alenia Space’s Space...

Ross Garelick Bell is the Executive Director of the Aerospace States Association (ASA). ASA is an organization of state lieutenant governors, governor appointed delegates, state legislators, territorial and tribal government representatives and associate members from aerospace businesses, organizations, and academia. ASA brings together aviation and aerospace interests across each state to educate...

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore disembark from the Starliner capsule on to the International Space Agency. Rocket Lab has announced the launch window for the Company’s 50th Electron launch. Plant Labs first quarter revenue increased 15% year-over-year to a record $60.4 million, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in the running for a $100 Ama...

SpaceX’s Starship completes a full test mission around the globe on the rocket's fourth flight. Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule docks with the International Space Station. Astra Space is proceeding with a merger agreement that will result in the delisting of its Class A common stock from the Nasdaq, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in the...

Boeing's Starliner successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida this morning atop a ULA Atlas V rocket. Rocket Lab successfully completed the second of two back-to-back launches on Electron for NASA's latest climate science mission called PREFIRE. The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a license authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 4, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audien...

Iridium awarded a new five-year contract by the United States Space Force's Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO), for Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) capabilities and security sustainment services (ECS3). China’s Chang’e 6  has lifted off from the lunar surface and is making its way back to Earth with moon rock samples. The first metal 3D printing aboard the Internatio...

China has landed a spacecraft on the far side of the moon for a second time with the successful lunar touchdown of Chang'e 6. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, who was planning the first private flight around the moon on SpaceX’s Starliner called ‘dearMoon’, cancels the project. Boeing’s Starliner first crewed mission to the ISS is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, June 5, and more. Our 2024 N2...

Shelli Brunswick champions space for all. Formerly a space acquisition, program management leader, and congressional liaison for the U.S. Air Force and COO at Space Foundation, she works with organizations around the world to connect the commercial, government, and educational sectors. Shelli brings a rich perspective and deep vision of the global space ecosystem, advocating for space technology i...

China’s commercial launch company Galactic Energy has launched two rockets in three days setting a new record for the shortest interval between two commercial launches by a private Chinese rocket company. NASA has welcomed Peru and Slovakia as new signatories to the Artemis Accords. NASA, Boeing and the United Launch Alliance say they’re still on track to launch the Starliner crew capsule on Satur...

Indian commercial space company Agnikul Cosmos launched the Agnibaan rocket for the first time. Russian cargo spacecraft Progress 88 lifts off carrying about 3 tons of food, propellant, and other supplies for the astronauts living aboard the International Space Station. INNOSPACE has signed launch service agreements with Brazil’s Federal University of Maranhão and Castro Leite Consultoria, and mor...

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) satellite for ESA and JAXA. Chinese commercial company Galactic Energy launched their second sea-based mission of the Ceres 1 rocket. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has launched the Neo Space Group focused on the space industry, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your...

Rocket Lab launched the first of two back-to-back launches for NASA’s PREFIRE. SpaceX is targeting June 5th for the fourth test flight of its Starship spacecraft, pending regulatory approvals. The Spaceport Company has been awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver cargo from their mobile space launch complex, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make yo...