Payload’s Lunar and Mars Economy Summit: Day 2
To anyone worried about “militarizing” the Moon, Jim Bridenstine has some sage advice: get over it.
Jacqueline Feldscher
Will NASA Pick Two Companies to Build the LTV?
While the LTV contractors take different approaches to meet NASA’s requirements—from a rugged truck, to a tractor-trailor configuration—they have similar goals for future commercial customers looking to hitch a ride.
Best of the Rest: Lunar and Mars Day 1
The first day of Payload’s Lunar and Mars Economy Summit included lots of interesting conversations, newsy tidbits, and networking with the architects of the next lunar age while surrounded by Space Center Houston’s relics of the first space race.
WEF Launches Space Policy Toolkit
“Everyone is using space data,” she told Payload. “This data is getting integrated into more industries, and used across the government. That’s the trend we see driving demand.”
Roohi Dalal, American Astronomical Society
When Roohi Dalal joined the American Astronomical Society (AAS) as its deputy director of public policy in 2024, she never imagined she’d be leading the fight for space science just one year later as NASA science budgets are in the federal crosshairs.
Ilsa Mroz, Planet Labs
Mroz grew up watching Star Wars and Star Trek, and hiking in remote areas “where I felt much closer to the sky than anywhere else,” she said. As she got older, however, struggles with mathematics put her dream of being an astronaut in doubt.
Katie Nelson, Booz Allen Hamilton
“My career began with a simple childhood wonder, and has since become a mission to bridge policy and technology in the commercial space sector,” she said.
Rachel Lindbergh, Congressional Research Service
When lawmakers make policies that affect every corner of the space industry, Rachel Lindbergh is in the background, ensuring members of Congress understand the issues they’re trying to fix.
Rebecca van Burken, ispace US
“It’s the closest I could get to getting a rocket science experience, without getting a STEM degree,” she told Payload. “I love the idea that you’re never done learning.”
Jacob Rodriguez, Oligo Space
“At that moment, I knew there were futures beyond anything I’d imagined,” he said.
Katherine Melbourne, The Aerospace Corporation
“When the FAA released theirs on launch vehicle debris mitigation…I decided to write one just for fun,” she told Payload.
Open Lunar Foundation Launches Lunar Ledger
The Open Lunar Foundation established a shared database for Moon-mission operators to share information—in a bid to boost transparency as traffic picks up on Earth’s natural satellite.