Weekly Recap #36

Weekly Recap #36

Main Topics Rockets * Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded in historic fashion during a static fire test at Launchpad 36 in Cape Canaveral on Thursday, May 27th. [source [https://apnews.com/article/blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-explosion-a69e249784c277b0d08ac8c246b21a6d]] * Gilmour Space announced an additional $14.2M in further capital investment, debating the pros and cons of breaking that and other investment out from their current oversubscribed Series E round into a separate Series F round. [source [https://www.forbes.com.au/news/innovation/aussie-space-unicorn-scores-fresh-14-2m-amid-spacex-ipo-frenzy/]] * Voyager Space announced the award of a $16.5M DARPA contract to make post-manufacturing thrust controls for solid rockets. [source [https://voyagertechnologies.com/press-releases/voyager-awarded-16-5m-darpa-contract/]] * Zurich based startup Stellar Alpina raised $4.5M for on-orbit Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines. [source [https://www.eu-startups.com/2026/05/zurichs-stellar-alpina-raises-e3-8-million-to-build-detonation-based-propulsion-for-in-space-mobility/]] Ground * NASA announced the Management Contract for JPL would be made open to competition after 68 years of exclusivity with CalTech. [source [https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-compete-contract-for-jet-propulsion-laboratory-management/]] * A Canadian consortium led by Nordspace, including Miltera Machining, Pegmatis, and Prime Powders was awarded $3.2M for an AI-enabled factory of the future focused on Space Propulsion. [source [https://www.einpresswire.com/article/915580958/canadian-consortium-awarded-3-2m-ngen-funding-for-8m-project-to-industrialize-sovereign-manufacturing-for-space-launch]] * Schaeffler AG announced a partnership with Spire Global for sovereign satellite production at scale, leveraging Spire’s Space expertise and Schaeffler’s manufacturing expertise at scale to achieve a space production capacity to serve the growing ecosystem by the end of the decade. [source [https://www.schaeffler.com/en/media/press-releases/press-releases-detail.jsp?id=88194561]] * Observable Space raised a $90M Series A for optical laser ground stations and simultaneously won a $94M USSF contract for in-space optical laser terminals. [source [https://observable.space/news/observable-space-closes-90-million-series-a-to-scale-manufacturing-and-turnkey-lasercom-platform-announces-94-million-u-s-space-force-contract/]] SpaceX * SpaceX won a $2.29B for the Space Data Network to connect military assets across the globe with low-latency, high quality communications. [source [https://www.reuters.com/science/us-space-force-awards-spacex-229-billion-contract-military-space-data-network-2026-05-26/]] * SpaceX awarded $4.16B to deploy the Space-Based Moving Target Indicator to track aircraft, vehicles, and vessels from space. [source [https://defensescoop.com/2026/05/29/spacex-amti-contract-space-force/]] * SpaceX’s Starfall project - a massive logistics and transportation play with satellites capable of carrying a full ton of payload - completed FAA environmental screening [source [https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DRSDOCID179523766920260515185428.0001?modalOpened=true]] * Exolaunch and SEOPS acquired multiple dedicated falcon 9 launches to replace transporter missions [source [https://spacenews.com/exolaunch-and-seops-purchase-falcon-9-launches-for-dedicated-rideshare-missions/]] * Starcloud announced a plan to use over 50 starlink mini laser terminals on 25 orbital data centers [source [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260526670395/en/Starcloud-to-Integrate-SpaceXs-Starlink-Mini-Lasers-Into-Its-Orbital-Data-Center-Constellation]] Business Moves * NASA awarded 4 lunar contracts: [source [https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-provides-update-on-moon-base-rovers-landers-missions/]] * $219M to Astrolab’s Lunar Rover * $220M to Lunar Outpost’s Lunar Rover * $188+$280M for Blue Origin’s Lunar Lander * A $75M subcontract from JPL for Firefly’s Elytra Dark orbiter swarm of drones deployed from 50km to map the moon. * Futurecorp Space Acquisition 1 announced their intent to raise a $200M SPAC IPO to pursue a defense, manufacturing, or launch company to take public. [source [https://www.renaissancecapital.com/IPO-Center/News/119197/SPAC-FutureCorp-Space-Acquisition-1-files-for-a-$200-million-IPO-targeting-]] * Space Markets emerged from stealth with Coinbase Ventures investment to provide commodities future trading focused specifically on the space industry. [source [https://payloadspace.com/space-markets-emerges-from-stealth-with-coinbase-ventures-investment/]] Tech Advances * Space Solar agreed to host Lonestar’s Starvault data storage solution on their orbital platforms. [source [https://www.satcom.digital/news/space-solar-and-lonestar-sign-letter-of-intent-to-host-sovereign-data-storage-on-orbital-power-platforms]] Get full access to Space Times at spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe [https://spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Weekly Recap #35 + Juno Propulsion Interview

Main Topics Dr. Alexis Harroun, CEO of Juno Propulsion [https://www.junopropulsion.com/], joins Space Times this week to explain how their Rotating Detonation Combustion thruster will change the game for in-space mobility! Headliners * Starship v3 launched on May 22nd with mixed success, the booster lost 3 engines and landed but not as expected, while Starship lost an RVAC engine but still accomplished its landing in the Indian Ocean. 22 mass dummies were deployed in space, including 2 Dodger Dogs that had Starlink hardware for testing and imaging of Starship. [source [https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/22/science/live-news/spacex-starship-flight-12-version-3-launch]] * York acquired Solestial for their silicon based solar array technology, their third acquisition for core component production since York’s IPO. [source [https://solarbuildermag.com/products/york-space-systems-acquires-space-solar-firm-solestial/]] * Vast announced their expansion from commercial space stations into high power buses, providing a 15kW spacecraft. They have an anchor customer who has so far purchased 4 satellites, with an option for 200 more. [source [https://www.vastspace.com/updates/vast-expands-into-high-power-satellite-buses-leveraging-in-house-space-station-technology-and-proven-haven-demo-satellite-heritage]] Defense * The United States Space Force awarded $437M to Viasat and SES for 2 satellites each for Protected Tactical Satcom Global. [source [https://spacenews.com/space-force-awards-viasat-ses-437-million-for-military-satellite-network/]] * The United States Space Force awarded $398M to Northrop Grumman for a Protected Tactical Satcom Prototype that can resist GPS jamming. [source [https://www.govconwire.com/articles/space-force-northrop-enhanced-ptsp-award]] * The United States Space Force awarded $90M to Rocket Lab for Heimdall, a space domain awareness program that was being worked on by Geost prior to its acquisition last year. [source [https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-awarded-90m-contract-to-build-geo-satellites-hosting-space-domain-awareness-payload-for-u-s-space-force/]] * Helsing, OHB, Hensoldt, and Kongsberg formed the KIRK joint venture to develop space-based AI-enabled space domain awareness for detection and tracking of in-orbit threats. [source [https://www.reuters.com/science/helsing-ohb-join-forces-space-based-reconnaissance-venture-2026-05-19/]] * The UK Space Agency inaugurated their new space domain awareness software Borealis 6 months ahead of schedule, demonstrating it with their existing on-orbit asset Noctis-1 for space-based detection. [source [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-space-system-will-better-protect-uk-satellites-as-new-imagery-released]] * Iceye delivered 4 SAR satellites to the Polish Ministry of Defense within 12 months. [source [https://www.iceye.com/newsroom/press-releases/iceye-delivers-mikrosar-system-to-polish-armed-forces-in-under-12-months]] Commercialization * Iceye launched their new catastrophe monitoring solution focused on the banking sector to provide more accurate insurance and pricing of property and assets. [source [https://www.iceye.com/newsroom/press-releases/iceye-launches-natural-catastrophe-monitoring-solutions-for-global-banking-sector-to-address-credit-risk]] * Amadeus IT selected Spire’s aircraft tracking data for airport tools to improve management and planning. [source [https://ir.spire.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/299/spire-global-selected-by-amadeus-for-real-time-aircraft]] * Sky Perfect JSAT invested in Astroscale to partner on on-orbit servicing. [source [https://www.astroscale.com/en/news/astroscale-and-sky-perfect-jsat-form-strategic-partnership-to-advance-space-infrastructure-development]] Business Moves * SpaceX filed their S-1 with the SEC in preparation for their upcoming IPO. The filing revealed over 200 pages of details about SpaceX’s business including their $1.75B price target, their $18.67B in revenue last year, $4.94B of operational losses, and a massive $28.5T TAM. [source [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026036936/spaceexplorationtechnologi.htm]] * Blue Origin is rumored to be considering accepting outside money for the first time, this comes from internal all-hands meeting and could mean they will be seeking private investors or an IPO. [source [https://www.geekwire.com/2026/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-outside-investment/]] * Tomorrow.io [http://tomorrow.io] extended their Series F by $35M, bringing their total raised to $210M focused on delivering on their DeepSky AI-enabled weather satellite constellation. [source [https://www.tomorrow.io/blog/tomorrow-io-expands-investment-from-pitango-and-harel-insurance-increasing-series-f-to-210m/]] * Zenk Space raised $26M in preparation of its debut launch of the medium lift Zhihang-1 rocket in June. [source [https://www.china-in-space.com/p/zenk-spaces-zhihang-1-aiming-for]] * Mach Industries acquired Exquadrum for $50M winning out over a rumored 8 other competitors, this allows Mach to produce their own solid rocket motors internally, securing a critical and constrained component for missile production. [source [https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/19/mach-industries-just-spent-50m-to-solve-a-major-defense-tech-problem/]] Tech Advances * The Canadian DND and ISED launched $5.5M in challenges for Arctic optical communications and quantum repeaters. [source [https://thequantuminsider.com/2026/05/23/canada-opens-5-5-million-quantum-networking-challenge-to-advance-quantum-repeaters/]] * The US Space Force and SpaceWERX launched their orbital logistics challenge for orbital fuel depots, transfer vehicles, ISAM technologies, and more. [source [https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4497505/space-systems-command-to-launch-servicing-mobility-and-logistics-spacewerx-chal]] Get full access to Space Times at spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe [https://spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Weekly Recap #34

Main Topics Launch * Aetherflux rebranded to Cowboy Space and raised a $275M series B while announcing their pivot into both Rocketry and the Orbital Data Center markets. [source [https://www.space.com/technology/cowboy-space-raises-usd275-million-to-launch-ai-data-centers-on-brand-new-rocket]] * SpaceX removed Transporter mission options past 2029, indicating a clear timeline and focus on the launch and success of Starship in that same timeframe. [source [https://air-cosmos.latribune.fr/article/espace/15834337779615/comme-si-un-dealer-fermait-son-point-de-vente-spacex-va-suspendre-son-programme-rideshare]] * Google rumored to be in talks with SpaceX to launch 81 data centers for Google’s Project Suncatcher while they partner with Planet Labs to develop and build their platform. [source [https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/google-spacex-reportedly-talks-orbital-233108055.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMY67ioDStbO6Ulm85nIehEtYP4quG2n4ubtH1_JeEhkLlaFtKaOTjBAosWZgj9KytxmBPtOZJ5i2EkB1izFodeR8nT1KqrinyrnlAxtiWjGlf8vzmpjoyCRFaObVLilJoRi5Cpc3OD3FZvjxnCdAwFiumTik0H8OwKCDBTpHRp4]] Infrastructure * Starcatcher closed a $65M Series A raise led by B Capital to build Space’s first power grid, deploying power from their solar cells to other orbital assets in need of alternative power solutions. [source [https://www.space.com/technology/star-catcher-just-raised-usd65-million-to-build-the-worlds-first-power-grid-in-space-with-lasers]] * The USSF awarded $4M to Trustpoint for their C-band PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) capability demo involving 4 satellites and 4 ground stations. [source [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260512853671/en/TrustPoint-Secures-U.S.-Space-Force-TACFI-Contract-to-Demonstrate-End-to-End-GPS-Independent-PNT]] * Intuitive Machines agreed to purchase Goonhilly Earth Stations Ltd for $49.6M, intending to leverage the 44 ground station antennae for an extensive architecture of lunar communications. [source [https://investors.intuitivemachines.com/news-releases/news-release-details/intuitive-machines-acquire-goonhilly-earth-station-and-comsat]] * Northrop announced the release of their James Webb Telescope derived tracking sensor (the component that enables the JWST to accurately track imaging targets) for the lunar navigation market with miniaturized LR450. [source [https://spacedaily.com/sd-n-the-same-precision-sensor-that-kept-webb-locked-on-galaxies-13-billion-light-years-away-has-been-quietly-miniaturized-and-its-about-to-solve-the-navigation-problem-nobody-wanted-to-discuss-on-the/]] * Iridium announced the acquisition and take over of Aireon for $367M to expand their aviation safety business, growing revenues by ~$100M and EBITDA by ~$30M. [source [https://aireon.com/iridium-to-acquire-aireon-advancing-its-strategy-to-lead-the-future-of-aviation-safety/]] * AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon announced a Joint Venture focused on filling the gaps in global coverage while collaborating on their D2D strategies and implementation. [source [https://about.att.com/story/2026/new-joint-venture.html]] * Orbit2Orbit closed the first tranche of their $1.4M seed round led by Fusion Venture Labs. [source [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/orbit2orbit-has-officially-closed-the-first-share-7460632382048694273-CNh-/]] Spacecraft * Chinese Satellite manufacturer MinoSpace announced its intent to seek a $736M IPO. [source [https://spacenews.com/chinese-satellite-maker-minospace-seeks-736-million-in-ipo/]] * Applied Aerospace & Defense filed for IPO, expecting to raise $350M in the offering. [source [https://www.renaissancecapital.com/IPO-Center/News/118905/Aerospace-equipment-maker-Applied-Aerospace-and-Defense-files-for-an-estima]] * Creotech announced their plans for a $118M capital raise to build a sovereign satellite manufacturing facility by 2029 and to reach 40 satellite annual manufacturing capacity in that same time. [source [https://spacenews.com/creotech-plans-118-million-capital-raise-investment-in-new-satellite-factory/]] * York Space lost some of their Tranche 3 PWSA funding as short sellers cite the underperformance of prior satellite deliveries and the transition of contracts from the SDA to the SDN through some of the Pentagon’s restructuring and reorganization; York Space remains confident in the quality of their engineering projects and deliveries and acknowledges that the dissolution of the SDA represents a challenge. [source [https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/york-space-systems-shares-plunge-over-as-short-seller-warns-pentagon-contract-loss-threatens-growth-93CH-4676955]] * SES/Intelsat & Eutelsat have both canceled GEO orders in rapid succession, as Eutelsat reallocates resources towards LEO assets, SES reallocates resources towards MEO, and both explore lifetime-extension missions for existing GEO assets. [source [https://spacedaily.com/sd-n-ses-just-quietly-killed-two-satellites-intelsat-already-paid-to-build-and-the-cancellation-says-more-about-the-death-of-geostationary-economics-than-any-earnings-call-ever-could/]] Business Moves * Anduril raised a $5B series H at a $61B valuation, led by Thrive Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, presumably to rapidly scale their space technology capabilities for future Golden Dome contract awards. [source [https://www.anduril.com/news/anduril-announces-usd5b-series-h-raise]] * SpaceX accelerated their IPO timeline, pulling the proposed liquidation date to June 12. [source [https://www.reuters.com/world/spacex-accelerates-ipo-timeline-targets-june-11-pricing-nasdaq-2026-05-15/]] Tech Advances * Varda announced a drug development partnership with United Therapeutics. [source [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varda-space-industries-and-united-therapeutics-collaborate-to-advance-microgravity-enabled-treatments-for-rare-pulmonary-disease-302770786.html]] * Casimir came out of stealth, raising $12M for quantum vacuum semiconductor that fcan gnerate . [source [https://thequantuminsider.com/2026/05/12/casimir-launches-with-12-million-oversubscribed-seed-round-to-bring-quantum-energy-chip-to-market/]] Get full access to Space Times at spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe [https://spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Weekly Recap #33 + Quindar Interview

Main Topics Rockets * Rocket Lab announced a partnership with Raytheon and Anduril to execute on Space Based Interceptor contracts issued through Golden Dome. [source [https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-and-raytheon-selected-to-demonstrate-advanced-capabilities-for-u-s-space-forces-space-based-interceptor-program/]] * K2 Space was selected by Anduril to host SBI payloads via their high-powered satellite platforms to fulfill golden dome contracts. [source [https://www.anduril.com/news/anduril-team-of-partners-to-work-on-space-force-s-space-based-interceptors-for-golden-dome-for-america]] * Seagate announced a partnership with Firefly Aerospace and Lockheed Martin to develop a customized Gateway sea-launch platform for Firefly’s Alpha rocket. [source [https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/05/04/lockheed-martin-announces-collaboration-with-firefly-aerospace-and-seagate-for-off-shore-launches/]] * Skyroot, India’s first Space Unicorn, raised $60M at a $1.1 Bn valuation to increase the launch cadence of Vikram-1 and develop the Vikram-2 rocket. [source [https://www.reuters.com/science/indias-skyroot-becomes-first-1-bln-space-tech-startup-with-gic-sherpalo-2026-05-07/]] * Nayuta Space completed their Pre-Series A funding raising an undisclosed amount of capital to develop and launch their ADHL (Aerodynamic Deceleration and Horizontal Landing) Xuanniao-R launch vehicle in early 2027. [source [https://api.finexus.net/api/news/events/4df392ae-d697-41c4-9846-1186ab9313bf/html]] Imaging * The US DoD’s Andromeda Program funding increased from $1.84B to $6.24B after extensive lobbying from some of the larger participants. [source [https://www.govconwire.com/articles/space-systems-command-andromeda-idiq]] * Scout Space raised a $18M Series A led by Washington Harbour Partners, who continue to be very active in the space market. [source [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scout-space-raises-18m-series-a-to-scale-space-domain-awareness-capabilities-and-expand-manufacturing-in-northern-virginia-302760326.html]] * MDA announced 41 combined customers - 9 signed contracts and 32 LOIs - for their CHORUS constellation including C and X band SAR data coming from mid-inclination orbits. [source [https://mda.space/article/mda-space-secures-41-early-customer-contracts-and-letters-of-interest-for-mda-chorus-data]] * Earthdaily won a $1.2M NRO contract to support the use of commercial spectral imaging under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements (SCE) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). [source [https://earthdaily.com/blog/earthdaily-selected-by-national-reconnaissance-office-for-commercial-optical-earth-observation-contract]] * LiveEO raised a €28M+ round, bringing their total capital raised to €72M, to scale its AI powered monitoring platform and achieve 35cm resolution on their 3D stereoscopic imagery. [source [https://ventureburn.com/liveeo-raises-28m/]] * Ororatech launched 4 Hellenic fire control satellites on CAS500-2 and successfully commissioned them over the past week, establishing the world’s first nationalized satellite system exclusively for wildfire tracking. [source [https://ororatech.com/resources/news-blog/greece-launches-world-s-first-national-wildfire-satellite-system]] * Taylor Geospatial unveiled a global map of every agricultural field developed in partnership with the Microsoft AI for Good Lab. [source [https://www.spatialsource.com.au/taylor-geospatial-claims-world-first-global-map/]] Advanced Space Systems * Rocket Lab announced the intent to acquire Motiv Space Systems, acquiring both their robotics prowess and their specialized components, to be rebranded as Rocket Lab Robotics. [source [https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/07/3290619/0/en/rocket-lab-to-acquire-robotics-leader-motiv-space-systems.html]] * Anthropic has partnered with SpaceX for Data Center usage for Claude including 300 MW of SpaceX’s Colossus-1 megacomputer and potential interest in developing multiple GW of orbital data center capacity. [source [https://www.anthropic.com/news/higher-limits-spacex]] * Pixxel announced a partnership with Sarvam to build the Pathfinder Orbital Data Center leveraging Pixxel’s space technology expertise and Sarvam’s AI platform for the 200kg project to launch as early as Q4 2026. [source [https://www.pixxel.space/news/pixxel-to-launch-indias-first-orbital-data-centre-satellite-powered-by-sarvam]] * Interlune won a NASA helium-3 extraction feasibility contract through an SBIR Phase 3 for $6.9M. [source [https://www.geekwire.com/2026/interlune-nasa-contract-extract-helium-3-hydrogen-moon/]] * Lunar Outpost raised a $30M series B to accelerate production of their advanced robotic mobility platforms and execute on their pipeline on the back of four consecutive years of doubled revenues. [source [https://www.lunaroutpost.com/post/lunar-outpost-secures-30m-series-b-to-build-the-industrial-foundation-of-the-space-frontier-and-eco]] * Overview Energy was awarded a USAF contract for the remote capture and transmission of solar energy to provide power resilience among DoW projects. [source [https://www.overviewenergy.com/updates/air-force-contract]] Business Moves * Astranis raised a $450M Series E led by Snowpoint and Franklin Templeton at a $2.8B valuation with the goal of accelerating satellite production for commercial customers and positioning themselves as a New Prime via US Government Programs of Record. [source [https://www.astranis.com/blog/series-e-raise-advanced-high-orbit-spacecraft]] * Hawkeye360 raised $416M with their IPO at a $3.15 B valuation, opening above the $26 offer price at $33.80. [source [https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/space-analytics-firm-hawkeye-360-valued-315-billion-after-nyse-debut-2026-05-07/]] * Polish smallsat propulsion company Liftero to IPO via NewConnect through the Warsaw Stock Exchange as an alternative to raising private capital for their next goals in growth and product delivery.[source [https://liftero.com/liftero-ipo-public-offering-now-open/]] * Swissto12 won a German Partnership with the HPS/LSS consortium out of Munich for a GEO altitude D2D satellite. [source [https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2026/05/05/swissto12-strikes-german-partnership-deal-for-d2d-geo-satellite/]] * Viasat won a $307M marine corps satcom contract with the focus of providing global communication connectivity under the MECS2 program including bandwidth capacity and end-to-end managed services such as wireless and cell service. [source [https://www.govconwire.com/articles/viasat-307m-marine-corps-mecs2-contract-award]] Tech Advances * Two Russian satellites operated within 10ft of each other on orbit as COSMOS 2581 and 2583 conduct the RPO, while COSMOS 2582 trailed the formation at roughly 100 km distance. [source [https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/whatever-russia-is-testing-its-sophisticated-2-russian-satellites-get-within-10-feet-of-each-other-in-orbit]] Get full access to Space Times at spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe [https://spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Weekly Update #32

Main Topics Comms * York Space announced the purchase of ALL.SPACE for ~$355M in a scope style acquisition to expand York Space’s ground and mobile terminal technology capabilities while making ALL.SPACE a subsidiary that will continue operations. [source [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260430846737/en/York-Space-Systems-to-Acquire-ALL.SPACE-Strengthening-Assured-Multi-Domain-Communications-for-Critical-Missions]] * Celestial Acquisition Co acquired Nokia’s Modul8 space cellular division after Nokia broke the Modul8 team out to a separate business entity earlier this year in an undisclosed acquisition price that involved $40M in debt financing from Scotia Bank. [source [https://www.nokia.com/blog/an-important-step-for-nokias-modul8-a-proposed-spin-out-to-launch-an-independent-company/]] * The USSF awarded $11.2M to BAE to demo Golden Dome satellite comms with radios for Link-182 capability deployment, providing resilient communication solutions for the proliferated satellite architecture. [source [https://thedefensewatch.com/defense-contracts/bae-systems-wins-11-8-million-link-182-space-communications-contract/]] * Viasat F3 satellite successfully launched, deployed solar arrays, and commissioned earlier this week and is now set to begin its ascent to final Geostationary orbit to deliver 1Tbps of throughput to the APAC region. [source [https://investors.viasat.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viasat-confirms-successful-launch-and-initial-signal-acquisition]] Imaging * DARPA announced they’ve selected Quantum Space and Revolution Space as well as Benchmark for execution of the LASSO program. [source [https://spacedaily.com/sd-n-darpas-lasso-bet-three-companies-one-brutal-orbit-and-the-hunt-for-lunar-ice/]] * The Government of Canada terminated Spire Global Canada’s $72 million WildFireSat contract for convenience, indicating a mismatch in needs rather than an inability to execute on the contract. [source [https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2026/04/29/canada-cancels-wildfiresat-constellation-contract-with-spire/]] * Planet and Carbon Mapper announced a partnership to use Tanager for methane tracking starting with the hyperspectral camera’s first flight in 2028. [source [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260430512259/en/Planet-and-Carbon-Mapper-Sign-Agreement-for-New-Tanager-Spacecraft]] Defense * True Anomaly raised a $650M Series D round of funding bringing total capital raised for True Anomaly to over $1B at a valuation of over $2.2B. [source [https://www.trueanomaly.space/newsroom/our-series-d-fundraise-650m-raised-to-accelerate-space-superiority-at-scale]] * The USSF issued $3M contracts to Assurance Technology, Raptor Dynamix, and Innovative Signal Analysis to develop radar counter-surveillance for GEO satellites. [source [https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/space-force-awards-first-contracts-for-satellite-threat-warning-radar-payloads/]] * Spaceflux raised £9M led by Blackfinch Ventures to develop and commercialize their ground optics product offerings for space situational awareness. [source [https://eijournal.com/news/business-2/spaceflux-raises-9-million-to-expand-space-intelligence-globally]] Business Moves * Seraphim Space announced their intent to raise $454M after demonstrating 411% returns over the last 3 years with the goal of helping the 85% of their portfolio that are EBITDA positive to achieve exit, grow their accelerator infrastructure, and enter growth-stage deals. [source [https://techfundingnews.com/seraphim-space-investment-trust-350m-c-share-raise-spacetech/]] * Chinese reusable rocket launch company Cosmoleap raised $73M led by Qianhai Ark and Puhua Capital to deliver on their debut launch in 2027. [source [https://spacenews.com/cosmoleap-secures-73-million-for-reusable-rocket-with-tower-catch-recovery/]] * SpaceX’s CAS500-2 launched 45 satellites including 6 Earth Daily/Loft satellites, a plethora of satellites from HEO and Planet Labs, and True Anomaly’s Jackal. [source [https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-falcon-9-launch-cas500-2-mission-45-satellites]] * Roscosmos debuted the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle which is a refurbishment of the existing Zenit launch vehicle. [source [https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/russias-new-homegrown-soyuz-5-rocket-aces-debut-launch]] Tech Advances * Meta signed a 1GW supply contract with Overview Energy to provide power gathered in space to a terrestrial data center. [source [https://www.esgtoday.com/meta-signs-1-gw-energy-storage-deal-to-power-data-centers/]] * DPhi’s Clustergate-2 successfully ran LiquidAI’s LLM on orbit after successfully launching and deploying on Vigoride 7 earlier last month. [source [https://payloadspace.com/dphis-second-demo-brings-compute-space-to-orbit/]] * BioOrbit closed a $13.2M seed round marking the largest seed round in history for orbital pharmaceuticals. [source [https://www.bioindustry.org/resource/bioorbit-secures-world-s-largest-seed-round-for-in-space-manufacturing.html]] * Extreme Environment Shielding Materials Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology published research about radiation shielding material boasting massive shielding efficiency at a groundbreaking mass and volume profile. [source [https://www.universetoday.com/articles/flexible-3d-printable-shielding-for-extreme-environments]] Get full access to Space Times at spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe [https://spacetimespod.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]