China is trying to intimidate Taiwan with a massive show of force. They’re also trying to catch up to SpaceX.
Space Technologies
Good morning,
China executes one of its largest demonstrations of force around Taiwan with a naval blockade and hundreds of warplanes. It seems that the country is trying to send a warning to President Lai who vowed that Taiwan would defend itself and resist a Chinese invasion. China is also trying to ramp up its space program recovering a ‘reusable’ satellite and announcing its intent to launch quantum communications satellites next year. It’s also been putting plenty of ‘spy satellite’s into space. Now, while China’s space program is one of the most advanced in the world, they still can’t catch up with SpaceX, who is the clear leader in the space launch and pLEO satellite management arena. Speaking of SpaceX, they’ve gotten the green light from the FAA to resume launches of the Falcon 9, so watch for the launch cadence to accelerate! Of course, they’ve had a spectacular couple of successes with the launch of Starship, catch of its first stage, and the launch yesterday of Europa Clipper probe that’s on its way to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa. They also have two launches scheduled for today. Like we said, let’s watch for the launch cadence to pick up!
Let’s go!
News Headlines:
China deploys record 125 warplanes, aircraft carrier, in large scale military drill in warning to Taiwan's new president Lai (AP)
U.S., E.U. expand sanctions on Iran in response to its ballistic attack on Israel (AP
Boeing to cut 10% of workers as defense unit loses $2B in 3 months (AP)
Satellites:
Launches:
Upcoming Launches:
Space News:
China, Russia explore nukes in space to destroy satellites (DO)
China is playing catch-up to SpaceX in space (BBG)
Iran sends satellites to Russia for rocket launch: Tasnim (RT)
U.S. Space Force taps commercial satellites for Hurricane Helene disaster relief (SN)
NATO looks to publish first commercial space strategy in 2025 (DS)
Secret X-37B spaceplane aerobraking maneuver could impact future space operations (MT)
China recovers its first reusable satellite the Shijian-19 as it seeks to cut costs in space (SCMP)
NASA laser sends data 290M miles to psyche, revolutionizing deep space messaging (STD)
Estonia joins the Artemis Accords, bringing number of members to 45 (NASA)
AFRL moves toward flight testing satellite internet radios under Global Lighting (BD)
Anduril and Impact Space to collaborate on AI-driven satellite mobility (SN)
FAA clears SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches (SP)
Head of Italy's Space Agency calls for more private investment, commercial engagement in space at IAC (RT)
Carbon Mapper Coalition publishes Tanager-1 hyperspectral images of carbon emissions (PL)
China plans to launch new quantum communications satellites in 2025 (SN)
Italy's Spacewear says it is in talks to develop training clothing for Virgin Galactic (RT)
Industry 'hamstrung' by Space Force-intel community's turf war (DO)
Space Development Agency lays out plan to buy ~200 more satellites in 2025 (ASF)
Debate over Space Guard rekindles amid growing reliance on satellites for disaster relief (SN)
Space Rapid Capabilities Office has chosen commercial firms to build its new ground system for space domain awareness (DN)
UK university spin-off Perpetual Atomics is developing nuclear power tech for space missions (IE)
Orbotic Systems launches crowdfunding campaign to tackle space debris and advance space sustainability (NW)
Seraphim picks 11 startups for 14th Space Accelerator Program (VS)
Deal Flow:
Interlagos, a deep-tech VC firm founded by former SpaceX employees is targeting $550M for its first fund (TC)
Constellation Technologies & Operations, a French satellite constellation developer, raised $10.2M in funding from Expansion, Bpifrance, and others to deliver 5G internet from space (TC)
India-based XDLINX Space Labs raised $7M in seed funding led by Lucky Investments for its small satellite mission-as-a-service model (FSME)
New Frontier Aerospace closed a seed round led by PacCap to develop advanced aerospace technologies (PU)
Opportunities
SPACECOM has released its solicitation for its Missile Warning, Missile Defense, and Space Domain Awareness IDIQ (SAM)
Editor's Picks:
The Everyday Astronaut Tim Dodd has an excellent overview of Starship Super Heavy Flight 5.
Malcom Davis highlights a very real and very frightening possibility, that Russia could be sharing advanced military technologies with North Korea.
Lighter Side:
Keep Building,
BOF