The odd duality of militarization and concomitant commercialization of space
Space Technologies
Good morning,
Justice comes in many forms. Sometimes it comes in the form of a bomb inside a scooter in Moscow to kill the Russian general responsible for unleashing chemical weapons in the Ukraine war. Sometimes it comes in the form of formal charges against individuals that illegally export sensitive technology that winds up in drones that kill Americans. Regardless of how it’s delivered, it is a sweet sight.
Boeing’s Starliner crew’s extended-stay vacation in space has been extended yet again as their retrieval has been delayed until at least March. Trump’s pick to lead NASA feels confident that it’s just a matter of time before space is truly militarized with military forces physically operating in space. And the Space Force (and SpaceCom) are increasingly relying on commercial space companies to assist in numerous roles including intelligence, earth observation, space situational awareness, and more.
Alright, let’s blast off into the news around Space Technology!
News Headlines:
Two charged in connection with Iran-backed drone strike that killed 3 U.S. troops in the Middle East (AP)
Russia to prepare for war with NATO as Putin warns that Western help to Ukraine is reaching a 'red line' (POL)
A top Russian general is killed in a Moscow bombing claimed by Ukraine (AP)
A couple hundred North Korean troops killed, wounded in battles with Ukrainian forces (AP)
NASA’s 2 stuck astronauts face more time in space with return delayed until at least late March (AP)
Satellites:
Launches:
Upcoming Launches:
Space News:
Jared Isaacman, Trump's pick for NASA, says military will inevitably put troops in space (DN)
U.S. military eyes joint technology through Japan space partnership (DN)
Space Force's first Silent Barker space observation satellites to go live in early 2025 (DN)
NASA endorses 'continuous heartbeat' approach to human presence in LEO (SN)
U.S. military increases reliance on commercial industry for space intelligence (SN)
Despite new policy, Space Force remains stymied by classification (ASF)
Space Force plans billions in spending on launch infrastructure (ASF)
Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations (DN)
NASA releases long-term strategy for robotic exploration of Mars (SN)
SpaceForce to test modular satellite technology in upcoming mission (SN)
SpaceX launches U.S. Space Force 'rapid response' GPS mission (SN)
ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor, taking notes from ABL Space's recent pivot (DN)
Maxar, Satellogic team up to support national security missions (BW)
Viasat wins GSA IDIQ contract worth up to $568M to support C5ISR capabilities for DoD (STTN)
AFRL awards $45M contract to Redwire to advance enhanced space-based capabilities (STTN)
Starlink set to hit $11.8B revenue in 2025, boosted by military contracts (SN)
L3Harris ramps up satellite production in response to military demand (SN)
Space Machines Company unveils Optimus Viper spacecraft for defense of other space assets (APDR)
Foreign Space News
Japanese company ispace plans to land Helium-3 mining missions on the moon (SP)
Thailand is 51st nation to sign Artemis accords, first to sign Artemis and similar Chinese-led agreement (SN)
China launches 'laser diamond constellation test' satellites for inter-satellite laser comms (SN)
China set to launch first Guowang megaconstellation satellites on Long March 5B (SN)
Omani company Oman Lens signs on to China-led International Lunar Research Station (SN)
Deal Flow:
VC
Fleet Space raised a $100M Series led byTeachers' Venture Growth to advance mineral exploration on Earth and the Lunar surface (SN)
Ion-X raised a Series A round worth nearly $14M, led by Technofounders, to continue developing its electrospray thrusters for satellites (SN)
Space training company, Orbite, unveiled its Experience Train fly Program, following a $4M Series A round that included recently-added strategic partner Accor (GW)
Opportunities
The Space Force has released its forecast for commercial SatCom requirements for the next year (SAM)
The Space Development Agency (SDA) released a final request for proposals for the Tranche 3 Program Integration (T3PI) effort of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (SDA)
Editor’s Picks
Brian Chow outlines how Trump's second term could can achieve the bipartisan goal of resilient satellites.
Lighter Side:
Keep Building,
BOF