In 1984, Dr. Anna Fisher was part of the crew of the second flight of the orbiter Discovery. The STS-51A mission was to rendezvous with two satellites that had failed to make their designated orbits, capture them, and return them to Earth. It was the first space debris clean up mission. Now Dr. Fisher has joined the Board of Advisors for Kall Morri…

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched 116 payloads for the Transporter 11 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Maxar confirms that its third and fourth WorldView Legion satellites are performing well after deployment. The ISS National Lab and NASA are collaborating on a solicitation for space-based research, and more. Remember to leave us a…

Terran Orbital has signed an acquisition agreement worth $450 million dollars with Lockheed Martin. Redwire Space is acquiring spacecraft developer Hera Systems. The US Space Development Agency (SDA) and commercial partners York Space successfully demonstrated a Link 16 network entry from Tranche 0 satellites in LEO to a U.S. Navy ship in internati…

NASA says they still have time to decide on the fate of Starliner, and continue to float the idea of extending the crew's stay on the International Space Station. Roscosmos’ Progress 89 spacecraft is scheduled to launch this evening on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Florida Tech joins a consortium with University of Flor…

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 plans to launch Dragon’s sixth commercial astronaut mission, Fram2, later this year. NASA has signed an agreement with bp America to work on common goals in space exploration and energy production. Airbus and Astroscale UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaborative opportunities in the field of on-orbit ser…

NASA's Office of the Inspector General released a report with major concerns about the Space Launch System Block 1B's development and management by Boeing. SpaceX launched two satellites as part of the Space Norway Arctic Satellite Broadband mission (ASBM). Brazil and Chile have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on space cooperation, and more. R…

NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) program is a series of analog missions that simulate year-long stays on the surface of Mars. Each mission will consist of four crew members living in Mars Dune Alpha, an isolated 1,700 square foot habitat. Kelly Haston, PhD, was the Commander of the last mission which ended on July 6, 2…

US Space Command has confirmed that China’s Long March 6A rocket upper stage broke apart after delivering satellites to LEO, creating a cloud of debris. Eutelsat and Rocket lab report positive financial updates. NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) team commanded the spacecraft to turn its transmitter off for the l…

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission is scheduled to launch on August 26. Dawn Aerospace have completed another flight test campaign of the Mk-II rocket-powered aircraft. Rocket Lab has scheduled a 14-day launch window that opens on August 11th for its 52nd Electron mission which will deploy a satellite for Capella Space, and more. Remember to leave us a …

NASA and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24, for the launch of the agency’s Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. China launched the first 18 satellites for its “Thousand Sails Constellation” which aims to deploy more than 15,000 satellites to LEO. Firefly Aerospace has signed a second multi-launch agreement wit…

Russia's space agency Roscosmos says that the break in ties with the West following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has cost it nearly 180 billion rubles ($2.1 billion). Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft docked with the International Space Station after having some initial burn issues. SmallSat is moving from Logan to Salt Lake City, Uta…

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Attorney Michael Listner walks us through his thoughts on what the end of the Chevron Deference means to the space industry. You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn. 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 …

The US Government Accountability Office releases a new report on NASA’s Gateway program. Boeing reports an additional $125 million in losses on the Starliner Program. Sierra Space is in the final testing and launch preparations phase for its Dream Chaser® spaceplane and Shooting Star® cargo module, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and…

VAST have unveiled their plans for the Haven-1 Lab, scheduled to be the world’s first microgravity research, development, and manufacturing platform on a commercial space station. Viasat has announced a new partnership with Orbit Communications Systems for the engineering and supply of advanced satellite communication Multi-Purpose Terminals for ai…

Boeing has reported second quarter financial results, as the Starliner makes progress on propulsion testing. Astroscale Japan’s Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J), has completed two controlled fly-around operations of space debris. NordSpace is investing $5M towards the development of the first phase of Spaceport Canada, and more. …

The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V carried out its final National Security Space Launch (NSSL). SpaceX is reportedly in talks with US and Australian officials to land and recover one of its Starship rockets off Australia's coast. Redwire plans to culture bioprinted vascularized liver tissue constructs on the ISS to determine if liver cells biopri…

India’s Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences says that an ISRO astronaut will be going to the International space station some time “after August”. US lawmakers fail to pass FY2025 appropriations bills affecting NASA, NOAA and the FAA. Rocket Lab has completed integration and testing of two spacecraft destined for Mars orbit, and m…

Our guest today is Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell. In his day job, Jonathan is an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian working on the Chandra X ray Observatory Space Telescope, but it’s his out of hours work that attracts the most attention. Jonathan has become the leading voice in the US for chronicling the history …

SpaceX has submitted its mishap report to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding Falcon 9’s launch anomaly on July 11, and the company’s investigation team, with oversight from the FAA, was able to identify the most probable cause of the mishap and associated corrective actions to ensure the success of future missions. NASA’s Perseverance Ro…

NASA and Boeing are continuing testing on the Starliner and have said that the capsule may remain on the ISS until September. NASA’s Glenn Research Center streamed 4K video footage from an aircraft to the International Space Station and back for the first time using laser communications. Sierra Space passes a seventh key validation test, and second…

The European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency plan to grow the workforce to 200 people at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) by 2030. British paralympian John Mcfall has been cleared to go into space after a two-year feasibility study. Space-based energy generation company Star Catcher has closed its $12.2…

SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance have secured $1.76 billion in contract modifications from the US Space Force to provide launch services under the second phase of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. NASA has selected SpaceX to provide launch services for NOAA's Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 4 mission. Axiom Space selects B…

The UK Space Agency has announced a £33 million boost for national space programs. The European Space Agency’s Space Debris Office has published its annual Space Environment Report. The French space agency CNES and Bpifrance have selected a Thales Alenia Space-led consortium, along with Magellium Artal Group, to demonstrate an in-orbit capture and …

Our guest today is Amanda Lee Falkenberg, composer of THE MOONS SYMPHONY. The symphony presents an unparalleled fusion of visuals and music, celebrating the convergence of music and science to vividly portray past, present, and future lunar explorations. The music Incorporates the perspectives of astronauts into a musical voyage through our galaxy.…

The National Security Space Association's independent think tank, The Moorman Center for Space Studies, has released a report called "America's Asymmetric Vulnerability to Navigation Warfare: Leadership and Strategic Direction Needed to Mitigate Significant Threats." Intuitive Machines has finalized the IM-2 mission landing region ahead of its sold…

NASA has announced its intent to discontinue development of its VIPER project. Firefly Aerospace’s Board of Directors have announced that Bill Weber is no longer serving as CEO of the company, effective immediately. Astra Space has announced the successful closing of its take-private transaction, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and r…

SpaceX has announced that the company will be moving its headquarters from California to Texas. The US and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a strategic cooperation agreement on civil space research and exploration. LeoLabs has been selected to support the launch and operations of the UK Space Command's Project Tyche by delivering space track…

The European Space Agency (ESA) has started preparatory work for its next planetary defense mission called the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses). US Space Systems Command (SSC) has rolled out its new automated Consolidated Operational Data Archive system (CODA). KBR has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LinQuest Corporati…

Spanish launcher company PLD Space has signed a €31.2 million euros syndicated loan with Banco Santander, EBN Banco and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial. European aerospace groups Airbus and Thales are reportedly exploring a tie-up of some space activities as new competition disrupts the sector. NASA launched a large stratospheric balloon from Esra…

Agile Space has over a decade of experience testing and qualifying rocket engines and novel combustion devices. They have conducted more than 8,000 hotfire tests on test stands located at their facility in Durango, CO. Agile Space Industries is committed to producing some of the most accurate and reliable test data available in the industry. They t…

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffered a second stage engine failure while in orbit, causing a loss of the vehicle entirely. China’s iSpace suffered another launch failure resulting in the loss of three satellites. Air Marshal Paul Godfrey of the UK Royal Air Force is joining the US Space Staff as Assistant CSO for Future Concepts and Partnerships, and …

Private equity firm AE Industrial partners is closing its third private equity fund, with $1.28 billion in total financing going to five organizations and three add-on investments across the national security, aerospace and industrial services industries. Munich based Alpine Space Ventures have closed a $184 million funding round making them the la…

Europe returns to autonomous access to space with the successful launch of the Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket. NATO says it is helping finance a project to use space as an alternative to subsea cables shuttling civilian and military communications across European waters. NASA and Boeing cannot confirm when Starliner will return to Earth, and more. Reme…

The long-awaited Ariane 6 is scheduled to make its inaugural launch from Kourou, French Guiana. Gravitics has signed a $125 million contract to expand Axiom Space’s planned space station. Japan’s Space Agency is soliciting proposals as part of a new Space Strategic Fund established by the Japanese government which will offer one trillion yen ($6.2 …

The first CHAPEA mission is complete. ESA says the Ariane 6 is go for launch. Polaris Dawn sets a date. And more. 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 LinkedIn and I…

Pam Underwood, Director of Spaceports at the Federal Aviation Administration, joins us on T-Minus Deep Space for a special edition all about the global spaceport industry and the FAA’s role to enable safe and sustainable space launch operations. You can follow Pam on LinkedIn. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast…

Maria Varmazis, N2K host of T-Minus Space Daily, talks with WiCyS Executive Director Lynn Dohm and N2K's Simone Petrella, Dr. Heather Monthie, and Jeff Welgan about the 2024 Cyber Talent Study. N2K and WiCyS have come together under a common mission to attract, retain, and advance more women in cybersecurity. Together, we strive to support women th…

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 revi…

Firefly’s standing down Alpha 5. ESA taps TESAT for a 6G lab in orbit. CHAPEA’s first mission set to complete. A bunch of NASA updates came over the wire late yesterday. And more. 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 …

The fate of the International Space Station once its mission is up seems pretty set in stone now, what with NASA hiring SpaceX to eventually de-orbit it. If that idea is heartbreaking to you - you are not alone. No matter what though, the ISS is on its last legs and come 2030 there need to be alternative stations if nations and companies still want…

It's not long now until Ariane 6 is expected to launch - July 9th is the date on the schedule. It's Europe's next flagship launch vehicle, and there are high hopes for this rocket to get the next generation of European spacecraft to orbit. That's why it was a big, big punch in the gut when a major customer, who signed up for an Ariane 6 launch four…

Apollo 14 launched on January 31, 1971. Five days later Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell walked on the Moon while Stuart Roosa, a former US Forest Service smoke jumper, orbited above in the command module. Packed in small containers in Roosa's personal kit were hundreds of tree seeds, part of a joint NASA/USFS project. Upon return to Earth, the seed…

SpaceX's tender offer values the company at a record $210 billion. A defunct Russian satellite forced ISS astronauts to shelter and added to the growing space junk problem. Thales Alenia Space announced that their ASCEND study shows promising results for space-based data centers and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favo…

NASA selects SpaceX to build a vehicle to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS). MDA Space has been awarded $1 billion from the Canadian Space Agency for the next phases of the Canadarm3 program. Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser left off the manifest on the next ULA Vulcan launch in September, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and r…

A joint research group in China studying Chang'e-5 lunar samples report that they've found flakes of naturally occuring few-layer graphene. Blue Origin calls for the FAA to cap the rate of SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy launches to limit environmental impact in Florida. Collins Aerospace reportedly backed out of a spacesuit contract with NASA, a…

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 …

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 …

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, mak…

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 …