T-Minus Space Daily

For years, in-space internet capabilities were rarely worth the hassle. Now, that's changing. In today's episode, Maria Varmazis and Ethan Cook sit down to discuss how internet data moves through space systems and its recent advancements. For decades, GEO satellites made up most of the marketplace; however, LEO satellites are changing the landscape improving connectivity and speeds. Key sources: In-space relay and WiFi services. Space Development Agency On Orbit. Like what you heard? Be sure to subscribe to our free Signals and Space Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Sunday newsletter covering the intersection of cybersecurity and space. Subscribe at: https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/signals-and-space  Is there a topic or person you'd like to hear on our show? You can send your questions and feedback to space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing is a production of N2K CyberWire. N2K is your nexus for discovery and connection for people, technology, and ideas shaping the future of secure innovation. Learn how at n2k.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing  from N2K CyberWire examines the  expanding attack surface created between Earth and orbit. Each week, we cover space and cyber developments that bridge technology, commerce, and innovation. We are the cybersecurity industry's source for understanding how space-based infrastructure reshapes digital networks,  risk, and resilience globally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In anticipation of our launch this weekend of T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing podcast, please enjoy this interview that CyberWire Daily's Dave Bittner had with Brandon Karpf. They discuss: "⁠Japan's space systems face growing cybersecurity threats.⁠" Stay tuned for the first episode of T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing on Sunday with host Maria Varmazis and tune in each Sunday for new episodes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on our Deep Space episode, Maria talks with Dave Roscoe, President of Satellite IoT for ORBCOMM and Skywave. They discuss the rollout of ORBCOMM's latest purpose-built industrial satellite IoT network and what it signals for the future of mission-critical connectivity. As satellite connectivity and device costs continue to decrease, organizations are rethinking where — and how — industrial IoT can be deployed across transportation, logistics, energy, maritime, agriculture, and remote infrastructure operations. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on our Deep Space episode, Maria speaks with ⁠⁠⁠TransAstra's CEO Joe Sercel about their recently demonstrated capture-bag technology aboard the ISS, drawing attention for its potential role in orbital debris cleanup. Debris removal is only the beginning. The real goal is far bigger: asteroid mining as future space infrastructure. Sercel walks us through how the same capture system designed to safely enclose debris could eventually be used to secure near-Earth asteroids—unlocking access to water, propellant, and raw materials that enable sustained operations beyond Earth orbit.. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠TransAstra's work. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can learn more about AWS in Orbit at ⁠⁠space.n2k.com/aws⁠⁠. Our guests on this episode are Tony Jacobs, Senior Solution Acceleration Manager at AWS, and Russell Glenn, Chief Strategy Officer at Viasat. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Selected Reading ⁠⁠AWS Aerospace and Satellite⁠⁠ Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please enjoy this encore while the team is out on vacation. When satellites burn up upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere, they release particles and gases, including metals like aluminium, which may affect atmospheric chemistry. This process, known as atmospheric ablation, is still poorly understood, but early evidence suggests metal content in the atmosphere is rising. To address these uncertainties, the UK Space Agency commissioned three targeted studies to investigate the potential impacts of satellite re-entry. We spoke to Professor Minkawn Kim from the University of Southampton about his findings. You can hear the Professor's chat with Maria from 2024 here. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading Beyond the burning: researching and implementing policy solutions for sustainable debris ablation Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal.  T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © 2023 N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can learn more about AWS in Orbit at ⁠space.n2k.com/aws⁠. Our guests on this episode are Rebecca Meads, Senior Solutions Architect at AWS, Chris Dowin, VP of Engineering at Pole Star Defense, and Tim Durmish, Director of DevOps at Pole Star Global. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠. Selected Reading ⁠AWS Aerospace and Satellite⁠ Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠media kit⁠. Contact us at ⁠space@n2k.com⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on our Deep Space episode, we look forward to the return of Artemis II as we take a look toward the future of space manufacturing on our interview segment. At the time of recording, the crew of Artemis II was heading back to earth. Maria speaks with ⁠⁠Alastair McGibbon⁠⁠, Head of Semiconductors at ⁠⁠Space Forge⁠⁠, about the growing role of low Earth orbit in advanced materials manufacturing. They explore why microgravity enables higher-performance semiconductor production, what problems space-based fabrication can solve for terrestrial supply chains, and how companies like Space Forge are working to scale orbital manufacturing into a viable industrial platform. Learn more about ⁠⁠Space Forge's work⁠⁠. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Deep Space episode, we share our ⁠NEXUS segment⁠, where ⁠Parker Wishik⁠ of the ⁠Aerospace Corporation⁠ interviews ⁠Brandon Bailey⁠, also from Aerospace, and Kassandra Vogel, ⁠Blue Origin⁠'s Director of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance. They discuss space cybersecurity priorities, emerging threats, and industry collaboration, giving a great look at how the industry protects its missions. We also celebrate the historic Artemis 2 launch on April 1st, sending astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen toward the moon and receiving their official go for Trans-Lunar Injection—a milestone for human spaceflight and international collaboration. Resources: Learn more about SPARTA from Aerospace Corporation  Read a recent SPARTA update readme from Medium Aerospace's SPARTEND Integrates Space-Cyber Threat Knowledge with Autonomous Detection Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Deep Space episode, we share a conversation host ⁠Maria Varmazis⁠ had with ⁠Dr. Gabrielle Caswell at SpaceCom in January about Spaceport Australia, the spaceport that she owns, but if you can believe it, owning and running a spaceport is still barely scratching the surface of what she's working on. You can learn more on Gabrielle's website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Deep Space episode, host Maria Varmazis speaks with Jeff Carr, who is President of the Griffin Communications Group. They discuss Jeff's and his family's storied space careers. Jeff shares his thoughts on the parallels between the US and the space program in 1968 with Apollo 8, and with the upcoming Artemis 2 mission in 2026. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Deep Space episode, host Maria Varmazis catches up with friend Tim Gagnon aka KSCartist and Susie Morris, Tim's long-time creative collaborator at A-B Emblem while at SpaceCom. Everyone loves a patch in aerospace, stick em on board or on your flight jacket, hand them out at meetups or conferences, buy em at your favorite space store, who doesn't love a space patch. And Tim and Susie talked to me about what goes into this unique and very beloved art form.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Reporter's Notebook, Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠, host here at N2K CyberWire, takes listeners behind the scenes of our three-part series on Cyber Coalition 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia. After exploring real-time incident response, cross-border coordination, and the broader stakes of collective cyber defense, this episode offers a more personal, behind-the-scenes look at how the reporting came together. Hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence, the exercise brought together allied military, government, and industry teams inside NATO's secure cyber range. Here, Maria reflects on moments that didn't make the final cut — the atmosphere inside the facilities, the pace of covering a live exercise, and the small, human details that added texture to the larger story. If you haven't yet, be sure to listen to all three episodes of the series to hear the full story from the ground at Cyber Coalition 2025. Episode one can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Episode two can be found ⁠here⁠.  Episode three can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy International Women's Day! On this episode, Maria Varmazis caught up with ⁠Khalia Padilla, CEO at Imagine Engine, to discuss investing in optical space technologies and going global during Commercial Space Week 2026. She discusses two projects backed by Imagine Engine: one developing an optical transceiver that bridges radio-frequency and optical signals, supported by a NASA grant, and another building a modular, maneuverable satellite in collaboration with students from Lehigh University using similar RF-to-optical modulation techniques. And, more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠⁠media kit⁠⁠. Contact us at ⁠⁠space@n2k.com⁠⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final installment of our three-part series on ⁠Cyber Coalition 2025⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠, host here at N2K CyberWire, and ⁠⁠⁠Liz Stokes, CyberWire Producer, step back from the cyber range to reflect on what their time in Tallinn really meant. This episode moves beyond the mechanics of the exercise and into the broader stakes of collective cyber defense in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical moment. Recorded two months after their visit, the conversation blends field tape and personal reflections — from standing outside the Russian Embassy in Old Town to recalling the weight inside NATO's secure facilities. Estonia's history, including the 2007 cyberattacks, and its visible solidarity with Ukraine underscore just how real and proximate the risks remain. Be sure to check out the first two episodes of this three part series, you can find them below. Episode one can be found ⁠here⁠. Episode two can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Maria Varmazis caught up with Troy Morris, co-founder and CEO of KMI, during Commercial Space Week 2026. Troy recaps KMI's busy 2025 highlighted by an ISS demonstration that returned after over 200 days of testing, during which astronaut Suni Williams and crew helped evaluate a larger arm system designed to capture unprepared objects as a “tow truck for space.” And, more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠media kit⁠. Contact us at ⁠space@n2k.com⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this second installment of our three-part series on ⁠⁠Cyber Coalition 2025⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠, host of ⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily and CyberWire Producer ⁠⁠⁠Liz Stokes,⁠⁠ take listeners inside a single day at NATO's cyber headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia — focusing on the human side of cyber defense. Hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and led by NATO Allied Command Transformation, Cyber Coalition is a defensive-only exercise built around collaboration, coordination, and information sharing across allied nations. This episode highlights how that plays out in practice, from legal teams working through cross-border policy questions to military defenders coordinating with civilian infrastructure partners inside NATO's secure cyber range. In case you missed the first episode of this three part series, check it out ⁠here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the space industry becomes increasingly commercialized, competitive, and mission-driven, one truth remains universal: having the right people on the team is mission-critical. This issue was explored during Commercial Space Week and part of the panel, Mary Baldino, Director. of Sales/Marketing at Vaya Space, and Tahara Dawkins, Director of Policy at Astroscale US, joined us to continue the conversation.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA has released findings from a report by the Program Investigation Team examining the Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crewed Flight Test. NASA completed a successful wet dress rehearsal for the SLS rocket that'll be used for the Artemis II mission. MDA Space has launched a wholly-owned subsidiary exclusively focused on delivering mission-critical capabilities for Canada's national defense priorities outside the space domain, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠. T-Minus Guest ⁠Maria Varmazis⁠ and ⁠Alice Carruth⁠ wrap up the last daily T-Minus show. Selected Reading ⁠NASA Releases Report on Starliner Crewed Flight Test Investigation⁠ ⁠NASA Begins Artemis II Launch Pad Ops After Successful Fuel Test⁠ ⁠MDA Space Launches 49North, a Canadian defence business delivering multi-domain and mission-critical capabilities⁠ ⁠Axelspace Secures Japan Ministry of Defense Satellite Constellation Project⁠ ⁠SpaceX launches second Falcon 9 rocket to return to a landing in The Bahamas – Spaceflight Now⁠ Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our ⁠brief listener survey⁠. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠media kit⁠. Contact us at ⁠space@n2k.com⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stratolaunch has been awarded a $90.8 million contract by the Department of War (DoW) for the MACH-TB 2.0 program. Agile Space Industries has raised $17M in a Series A financing round. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial advancements to create affordable and scalable GEO reconnaissance systems, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading Stratolaunch Announces $90.8M Contract Award under MACH-TB 2.0 Task 3 for Air-Launched Capability Test Vehicles Agile Space Industries Closes $17M Series A DIU-Open Solicitations GMV and the Spanish Air and Space Force Sign Agreement to Strengthen National Space Surveillance Capabilities Starlab Space Announces Partnership with Helogen to Advance Life Sciences Research in Microgravity Cape Canaveral seeking rocket-launch damage grants with SpaceX Starships coming Florida's space industry is confronting very earthly worries - POLITICO Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China's iSpace has raised $730 million to advance its reusable rocket ambitions. China's Space Epoch has secured new funding and is targeting a 2026 launch and sea-recovery attempt. Voyager Technologies is working with ATMOS Space Cargo to expand in-space logistics and reentry capabilities, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Michelle Lucas, CEO and Founder of Higher Orbits. You can connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, and learn more about Higher Orbits on their website. Selected Reading China's iSpace raises $730m to give wings to Falcon 9 challenger China's Space Epoch raises new funding, targets 2026 launch and recovery attempt - SpaceNews Voyager and ATMOS Accelerate Access to Space Kepler selects NanoAvionics as preferred European partner for optically-connected missions Loft Orbital and SmartSat CRC Partner to Demonstrate Wildfire Detection Application Onboard AI-enabled Satellite Mars 2020: Perseverance Rover - NASA Science Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SatVu has closed a £30m funding round. Sateliot has signed a commercial contract with PLD Space for a dedicated rocket launch in 2027. Orbex released new photographs of its microlauncher, Prime, as the company looks to secure a future, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Courtney Stadd talking about the Beyond Earth Symposium.  You can connect with Courtney on LinkedIn, and read more about the Beyond Earth Symposium on their website. Selected Reading NATO Innovation Fund backs Thermal Intelligence with multi-million SatVu investment Sateliot and PLD Space Sign First Commercial Contract for a Dedicated Launch with MIURA 5 of Two Tritó Satellites Orbex Releases Unseen Images of Prime Assembly as Administration Nears Australasian Space Innovation Institute unveils National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture as its first major project Sophia Space and Outpost Technologies to Explore On-Orbit AI Compute and Manufacturing Use Cases Dragon Hatches Open, Crew-12 Enters Station and Joins Expedition 74 - NASA NASA Eyes Next Wet Dress Rehearsal for Artemis II Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this three-part series, Maria Varmazis, host of T-Minus Space Daily and CyberWire Producer Liz Stokes, take you inside NATO's flagship cyber defense exercise, Cyber Coalition 2025. Hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia, the exercise brings together military, government, and industry teams from across the alliance to respond to realistic, high-pressure cyberattack scenarios targeting critical infrastructure and operational networks. Throughout the series, Maria and Liz will guide you through what they witnessed on the ground — from real-time threat detection and incident response to the strategic collaboration shaping NATO's cyber resilience in an increasingly contested digital landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Aerospace Corporation discusses the future of Orbital Data Centers, or ODCs, with partners from Axiom Space and Sophia Space. Parker Wishik is joined by Jason Aspiotis, Director of In-Space Infrastructure & Logistics at Axiom Space, Dr. Leon Alkalai, Founder and CEO of Mandala Space Ventures and CTO at Sophia Space, along with Lori W. Gordon, Systems Director in the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at The Aerospace Corporation.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance is essential in the space industry. We explore space supply chain cybersecurity with Frank Chimenti, Director of Programs at Beyond Gravity, and Regan Edens, CISO at DTC Global. You can connect with Frank and Regan on LinkedIn, and learn more about CMMC compliance for space here. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched NASA's SpaceX Crew 12 to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew are expected to dock on Valentine's Day. Arianespace successfully launched 32 Amazon Leo satellites from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. NASA and Vast have signed an order for the sixth private astronaut mission to the ISS, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Greg Gillinger, SVP for Strategy & Development, Integrity ISR. Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Launches to International Space Station Arianespace successfully launches 32 Amazon Leo satellites with the first Ariane 64 NASA Selects Vast for Sixth Private Mission to Space Station Axiom Space Secures $350M in Financing to Accelerate Space Station, Spacesuit Development NRO Advances Multi-Phenomenology Remote Sensing Solutions Space Systems Command- Special Delivery: Valentine's Day eCards! Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan launched the United States Space Force's USSF-87 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Orbex has filed a notice of intention to appoint Administrators. The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a new €81.2 million contract with OHB Italia for the development of the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses) mission, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Gabe Zimmerman, Director of the In-Space product line at Ursa Major. You can connect with Gabe on LinkedIn, and learn more about Ursa Major on their website. Selected Reading ULA launches first mission of 2026 with USSF-87 aboard Vulcan - SRB issue observed - NASASpaceFlight.com Scottish rocket firm Orbex set to appoint administrators Hypersonica raises €23.3 million Series A to deliver Europe's first sovereign hypersonic strike capability ESA awards contracts for Ramses mission to Apophis AXA and Planet Partner to Revolutionize Disaster Management and Prevention Hubble Space Telescope captures the stunning final breaths of a dying star Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stoke Space has announced an extension of its previous Series D financing, bringing the total amount raised in the round to $860 million. Starcloud has revealed plans to launch Amazon Web Services' AWS Outposts to space. Eutelsat has signed for €1bn Export Credit Agency financing for the procurement of satellites for its OneWeb constellation, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guests today are Stacey Connaughton and Jon Ferency from Purdue University.  You can find out more about Purdue University's Space Policy, Science, and Technology Symposium on their website. Selected Reading Stoke Space Technologies Extends Previously Announced Series D Financing to $860 Million Starcloud to launch AWS Outposts hardware in space, aims to deploy fleet of 88,000 satellites Eutelsat Signs Almost €1bn in Export Credit Agency Financing for the Procurement of LEO Satellites for its OneWeb Constellation China moves toward manned lunar landing with Long March-10 rocket test - CGTN Alpha FLTA007 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science- UNESCO Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk pivots SpaceX's focus from Mars to the Moon. SpaceX has acquired a cylinder storage business, Hexagon Masterworks, for $15 million. Voyager Technologies has been awarded a new contract to provide full-service mission management services to the International Space Station (ISS), and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Felipe Machado, Commercial Sales Director at OPW Clean Energy Solutions' CPC-Cryolab. You can find out more about CPC-Cyrolab here. Selected Reading SpaceX prioritizes lunar 'self-growing city' over Mars project, Musk says- Reuters Elon Musk X Post SpaceX Acquires Aerospace Storage Cylinder Business from Hexagon Purus- Design and Development Today Voyager Awarded $24.5M NASA JSC Mission Management Contract Starlab Space and Auxilium Biotechnologies to Advance Life Sciences Research in Microgravity International Space Station - NASA Space Station Research Contributes to Artemis II - NASA Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has laid out plans to restore the US Space Agency's core competencies. Starfish Space has been awarded a $54.5 million contract to produce another Otter satellite servicing spacecraft for the US Space Force's (USSF's) Space Systems Command (SSC). NASA has selected two missions for continued development as part of the Earth System Explorers Program, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Patrick O'Neill, Public Affairs and Outreach Lead at the International Space Station US National Laboratory. You can connect with Patrick on LinkedIn, and learn more about the ISS National Lab on their website. Selected Reading Restoring NASA's Core Competencies NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 ‘Go' For Launch Starfish Space Awarded $54.5 Million Space Force Contract for Dedicated Otter Satellite Servicing Vehicle Contracts for Feb. 2, 2026, Through Feb. 4, 2026 NASA Selects Two Earth System Explorers Missions Momentus and NASA Partner to Advance In-Orbit Servicing and Space Operations New studies for manufacturing advanced materials in orbit - GOV.UK NASA Conducts Repairs, Analysis Ahead of Next Artemis II Fueling Test Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Orbit Fab positions itself as a future gas station in space. Is there a need for on-orbit refueling? Who is buying this service? We speak to CEO Daniel Faber. You can connect with Daniel on LinkedIn, and learn more about Orbit Fab on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tomorrow.io has raised $175M to accelerate the deployment of DeepSky AI-native weather satellite constellation. Voyager Technologies and Max Space have announced a strategic partnership to advance expandable space exploration technology. TrustPoint has been awarded a contract to adapt and upgrade the company's commercial C-band positioning navigation and timing (PNT) payload, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading Tomorrow.io Announces $175M Financing to Deploy DeepSky, The World's First AI-Native Weather Satellite Constellation Voyager and Max Space to Accelerate Deep-Space Human Exploration TrustPoint Accelerates Defense-Grade, GPS-Independent PNT with Fifth Phase II SBIR Award in 18 Months UK Space Agency investment helps launch cutting-edge electric propulsion lab - GOV.UK China sets new speed record on space-ground laser communication - CGTN Pentagon asked to probe SpaceX for potential Chinese ownership- Reuters NASA will finally allow astronauts to bring their iPhones to space - Ars Technica Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AT&T, AWS and Amazon Leo have announced a new partnership. The US House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (SSTC) unanimously approved a new NASA authorization bill. Interlune has been awarded a NASA Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I contract to support several NASA missions, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Ryan Kirby, Junior Partner at Alderman & Company.  You can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn, and learn more about Alderman & Company on their website. Selected Reading AT&T, AWS, and Amazon Leo Collaborate to Accelerate Modernization of Nation's Connectivity Infrastructure House Committee Approves New NASA Authorization Bill – SpacePolicyOnline Interlune Announces Details of NASA STTR Project to Advance Scalable, Multipurpose Lunar Trenching and Excavation Technology NASA Awards Grant to Montana State For Quantum Space Communications Russian space vehicles are tapping comms from key European satellites, report Space-born butterfly reflects advances in orbital life-support systems - CGTN Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Satlyt has entered into a commercial license agreement with The Aerospace Corporation for the use of its DiskSat technology. Japan's SKY Perfect JSAT and Europe's constellr are collaborating on the launch of commercial sales of high‑resolution thermal infrared satellite data for the Japanese market. Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 Lunar Lander has arrived at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) to undergo testing, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is William Cook, Sr. Vice President Space Operations at Psionic Navigation. You can connect with William on LinkedIn, and learn more about Psionic on their website. Selected Reading Satlyt and The Aerospace Corporation Partner to Advance Edge Computing in Space constellr launches commercial partnership with Japan's premier space solutions provider SKY Perfect JSAT Airbus Targets Superbird-9 Launch In 2027 After Delays - Aviation Week Network Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Center Blue Origin's lunar lander is at Houston's Johnson Space Center for testing ESA - Moving satellites to meet a plane for rare reentry data Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA now will target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the Artemis II launch. SpaceX has acquired xAI. A SpaceX Falcon 9's second stage experienced an off-nominal condition during preparation for the deorbit burn after launching Starlink satellites on Monday, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Sara Harris, Executive Director of the Midland Development Corporation.  You can connect with Sara on LinkedIn, and learn more about the Midland Development Corporation on their website. Selected Reading NASA Conducts Artemis II Fuel Test, Eyes March for Launch Opportunity SpaceX - Updates SpaceX X Update Singapore to launch space agency in response to global investment surge- Reuters ispace and Dymon Sign Agreement Regarding Development of Payload Transportation Box for Integration into Lunar Landers We're HAMming it up at New Mexico Museum of Space History! Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CesiumAstro Inc. has secured $470 million in growth capital. SpaceX has unveiled a novel Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system called Stargaze. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to inform and support the decision on whether to issue SpaceX a new, or modify their existing, vehicle operator license for Starship-Super Heavy at Launch Complex-39A, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Bailey Reichelt from Aegis Space Law and Matthew Linton from Linton Space Law bring us Space Law FAQs. Selected Reading CesiumAstro Closes $470M in Series C Capital for Rapid U.S. Growth in 2026 Stargaze: SpaceX's Space Situational Awareness System FAA Environmental Impact Statement on SpaceX Starship at KSC FCC Filing- SpaceX Orbital Data Center System Amazon asks FCC for extension for Leo satellite internet service NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fifth Private Astronaut Mission to International Space Station ispace and Dymon Sign Agreement Regarding Development of Payload Transportation Box for Integration into Lunar Landers Blue Origin to Pause New Shepard Flights for No Less Than Two Years Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Space-based data gathering has been a growing area in the industry over the last decade. Turning that data into intelligence is the next logical step. Our guest is Eric Anderson, Founder and CEO at SynMax. You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn, and learn more about SynMax on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US Army is now accepting applications for a new enlisted career track focused entirely on space operations. Varda Space has successfully completed the reentry of its W-5 capsule.SpaceX is reportedly considering a merger with Tesla and artificial-intelligence company xAI, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading Army seeks Soldiers to become space operations specialists  Varda Space Industries Successfully Executes W-5 Mission Reentry, Debuting Vertically Integrated Satellite Bus Elon Musk's SpaceX said to consider merger with Tesla, Bloomberg News reports- Reuters Tesla invests $2 billion in Musk's xAI and reiterates Cybercab production starts this year- Reuters L3Harris quarterly revenue misses estimates on government shutdown pressures- Reuters EU SST closely monitors upcoming re-entry of space object ZQ-3 R/B I bought “Remove Before Flight” tags on eBay in 2010—it turns out they're from Challenger Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has shared plans to develop space-based data centers. A SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle launched the GPS III-9 Space Vehicle 09 for the US Space Force (USSF). The US Space Systems Command (SSC) has released a draft request for proposals (RFP) for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems, or HADES, contract, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Brian Miske, Americas Space Leader for KPMG. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn, and find out more about KPMG on their website. Selected Reading China plans space‑based AI data centres, challenging Musk's SpaceX ambitions- Reuters U. S. Space Force Field Commands successfully launch GPS III Space Vehicle 09 into orbit Space Systems Command Issues Draft RFP for HADES Contract NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Begins Quarantine for Space Station Mission York Space Systems Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering NASA's Arcstone Instrument Successfully Completes Primary Mission Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The European Union has officially and metaphorically switched on the IRIS2 secure satellite communications network, the homegrown 10.6 billion Euro European alternative to Starlink. ESA and EUMETSAT have finalized their agreement on the EPS-Sterna constellation. Planet Labs has signed a new agreement with the Surveying and Mapping Authority of Slovenia, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is  Les Lake,  Vice President of Business Development at All Points Logistics.  You can connect with Les on LinkedIn, and learn more about All Points Logistics on their website. Selected Reading EU Deploys First Satellite Service in Bid to Limit US Dependence (Bloomberg) EU space agency signs contract to launch Galileo satellites with Ariane 6  (Reuters) EUMETSAT and ESA set to start the implementation of EPS-Sterna (EUMETSAT) Planet Signs Enterprise Agreement with Slovenian Government to Support Agriculture, Urban Planning and Disaster Management (Business Wire) NASA lines up WDR for SLS ahead of Artemis II (NSF)  NASA Launches Its Most Powerful, Efficient Supercomputer (NASA) ESA's Biomass goes live with data now open to all (ESA)  Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Northwood Space has raised $100 million in a Series B funding round and announced a new $50 million US Space Force (USSF) contract. NASA has selected Intuitive Machines (IM) as part of 34 global volunteers chosen to track the Artemis II Mission. Blue Origin plans to spend $71.4 million to expand thruster production in Alabama, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is David Buck, Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.), President, BRPH Mission Solutions. You can connect with David on LinkedIn, and learn more about BRPH on their website. Selected Reading Northwood Space secures a $100M Series B and a $50M Space Force contract- TechCrunch NASA Selects Intuitive Machines to Support Tracking for Artemis II NASA Selects Participants to Track Artemis II Mission Huntsville approves development agreements with Blue Origin and SPX to create more than 450 new jobs MDA Space And Hanwha Sign MOU To Pursue Korean Military Cons NASA Welcomes Oman as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory Europe's First Meteorological Infrared Sounder Reveals the Atmosphere in 3D Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our ⁠brief listener survey⁠. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our ⁠media kit⁠. Contact us at ⁠space@n2k.com⁠ to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to ⁠space-editor@n2k.com⁠ and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB) in California has released a new strategic plan outlining priorities for 2026 and beyond. A winter storm is the latest delay to finalizing budget decisions in the US. Palladyne AI's subsidiary, GuideTech, has secured a contract with Portal Space Systems to support the development of next-generation, maneuverable spacecraft platforms, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Dave Bittner, host of The Cyberwire, and cybersecurity executive Brandon Karpf, join us for the monthly space and cyber segment. Selected Reading Vandenberg Announces New Strategic Plan What's Happening in Space Policy January 25-31, 2026 – SpacePolicyOnline.com Palladyne AI Secures Next-Generation Spacecraft Contract, Unlocking New High-Growth Opportunity Stratolaunch Raises Significant Capital to Further Accelerate Hypersonic Capability at Scale MACH-TB 2.0 Program Award to Explore Reusable & Recoverable Hypersonics Testing - NSTXL ESA - Flight ticket initiative: more tickets booked, flying with RFA One Breaking News: Orbex Denmark Fails, Scottish Operation Has a Buyer? - Orbital Today NASA is about to send people to the moon — in a spacecraft not everyone thinks is safe to fly- CNN Sidus Space and Maris‑Tech Achieve Integration Milestone for LizzieSat‑4 Mission Artemis II Crew Enters Quarantine Ahead of Journey Around Moon - NASA Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard. It was an accident witnessed by millions who were tuning in to see the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, on her first mission. Instead of a statue in memory of the lives lost that day, the families of the Challenger Crew established the Challenger Center to honor the crew's mission to inspire future generations of explorers.  Former NASA Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger is the incoming chair of the Challenger Center Board of Directors and shared how the education facilities are marking the 40 years since the Challenger disaster. You can connect with Dottie on LinkedIn, and find out more about the Challenger Center on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

D-Orbit has raised $53 million in a Series D funding round. Loft Orbital was selected as the prime contractor for France's Démonstrateur des Éléments Souverains d'Imagerie Radar (DESIR) program. Aalyria has been selected by the US Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL's) Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development (RAPID) program to advance software solutions for managing complex military space communications networks, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading D-Orbit Secures $53M Series D Funding to Accelerate M&A and In-Space Computing Capacity – SatNews Loft Selected as a Prime Contractor for France's First Space-Based Radar Imaging Program Aalyria Selected by U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for Space Data Network Experimentation (SDNX) Program Tomorrow.io Announces DeepSky, the World's First AI-Native Space-Based Weather-Sensing Constellation Chinese capsule damaged by space-junk strike returns to Earth (video) Spire Global Selected by AiDASH to Bring Space-Powered Weather Intelligence to Vegetation Risk Platform for Electric Utilities Blue Origin Completes 38th New Shepard Flight to Space Study shows how earthquake monitors can track space junk through sonic booms - ABC News Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blue Origin has unveiled a new satellite communications network called TeraWave. Rocket Lab held its first launch of 2026 with “The Cosmos Will See You Now” mission for Open Cosmos. Lunar Outpost has announced a new In‑Orbit Demonstration to support the launch, integration, and on‑orbit operations of Thermal Architecture Components (TACOS), and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Dr. Melissa Patton from Patton Consulting Group. You can meet Melissa at SpaceCom in Orlando January 27-30. Selected Reading Blue Origin Introduces TeraWave, a 6 Tbps Space-Based Network for Global Connectivity New Glenn-3 to Launch AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Satellite- Blue Origin AST SpaceMobile Announces Timing of BlueBird 7 Orbital Launch, Advancing Direct-to-Device Cellular Broadband Connectivity New Shepard Mission NS-38 Updates - Blue Origin Rocket Lab Delivers Mission Success on First Launch of 2026 for New Customer: Open Cosmos- Markets Insider Rocket Lab Neutron Test Update New In‑Orbit Demonstration Mission Awarded: TACOS (Thermal Architecture COmponentS) Thales Alenia Space selected by CNES and DGA for payload and user ground segment for France's DESIR radar imaging space mission Orbex's Subsidiary in Denmark to File for Bankruptcy - European Spaceflight Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWISSto12 has secured €73 million in financial support from European Space Agency (ESA) member states through the HummingSat ARTES partnership project. Canada Rocket Company (CRC) has emerged from stealth with $6.2 million CAD in seed funding from entirely Canadian investors. Starfish Space has been awarded a $52.5 million contract by the US Space Force's Space Development Agency (SDA) to provide Deorbit-as-a-Service for satellites within the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading €73 Million From ESA Member States Towards HummingSat – SWISSto12's Next-Gen Affordable, Compact Satellite, to Meet Growing Demand for Commercial and Sovereign Communications Canada Rocket Company wants Canada to stop hitching rides to space- BetaKit Starfish Space Awarded First Ever End-of-Life Disposal Contract for a LEO Constellation New NASA Artemis Payloads To Study Moon's Terrain, Radiation, History Orion Space Solutions to operationalize IARPA system for space debris detection and tracking Astra Ships 110 Satellite Engines, Focuses on 2026 Test Flight of New Rocket The first commercial space station, Haven-1, is now undergoing assembly for launch - Ars Technica Comtech Receives Space Components Award Exceeding $5 Million to Support Critical Civil Space Program Space sector eyes further investment growth in 2026 after record year- Reuters Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft reached Launch Pad 39B after a nearly 12-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) . Gilmour Space Technologies has raised $217 million Australian dollars in a Series E round. The UK Space Agency UKSA) has supported the opening of a new £20 million space innovation hub in Buckinghamshire. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Christian Davenport, Journalist, and Author of "Rocket Dreams". You can connect with Christian on LinkedIn, and learn more about his books on Amazon. Selected Reading NASA's Moonbound Artemis II Rocket Reaches Launch Pad Gilmour secures $217 million in private investment- Australian Space Agency Westcott Space Hub opens to boost UK space innovation and create hundreds of jobs - GOV.UK York Space Systems Announces Launch of Initial Public Offering BlackSky Lands Multiple Gen-3 Expansion Contracts as Early Access Pilot Programs Pivot into Renewal Deals Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is the practice of intercepting and analyzing electronic signals, like phone calls, emails, radar, and telemetry, to gather actionable intelligence for national security, defense, and military operations. It's primarily conducted by agencies like NSA, but over the last decade many companies in the commercial sector have grown in this vital area of national defense, especially in space. Our guest is Dave DeWalt, CEO of NightDragon, who shared why his firm is investing in tech and space.  You can connect with Dave on LinkedIn, and learn more about NightDragon on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 NASA/NOAA Appropriations Bill cleared the US Senate. Eutelsat has signed a deal with French space startup MaiaSpace for future launches of its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Isar Aerospace is targeting its second flight and qualification mission from the company's dedicated launch complex at Andøya Space in Norway from January 21, 2026, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com. Selected Reading US Senate passes bill to boost federal science spending after White House sought major cuts- Reuters Final FY2026 NASA/NOAA Appropriations Bill Clears Senate, White House is Next – SpacePolicyOnline.com Starlink-rival Eutelsat signs deal with Europe's MaiaSpace to launch satellites- Reuters Isar Aerospace targets second launch not earlier than 21 January 2026 China launches AlSat-3A remote sensing satellite - CGTN U.S. Space Force switches rockets for upcoming GPS satellite launch – Spaceflight Now Nigeria grants satellite permits to BeetleSat, Satelio and Amazon's Kuiper - Reuters AST SpaceMobile Awarded Prime Contract Position on U.S. Missile Defense Agency SHIELD Program Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zak Kassas, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University, recently released a white paper on “Navigating the Arctic Circle with Starlink and OneWeb LEO Satellites” and shares his insights. The study suggests that radio signals from low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites could become reliable navigation alternatives, as disruptions to GPS services increase globally. Zak helps us understand how he reached that conclusion.  You can read  “Navigating the Arctic Circle with Starlink and OneWeb LEO Satellites” here. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices