VC/PE

mPower Technology Raises $21M Series B

Space solar power startup mPower Technology closed a $21M Series B to help scale production of its solar modules.

Launch

FAA OKs More Starship Launches at Starbase

SpaceX received the environmental all-clear to ramp up Starship launch operations in Boca Chica, according to an FAA report released on Tuesday.

EuropeInternationalPolaris

International Partners Wrestle With Skinny Budget Fallout

The effects of the White House’s top level budget proposal are starting to ripple around the world.

MoonPolicy

NASA’s FY26 Plan Would Cut Gateway, Phase Out SLS, Orion

The Trump administration’s proposed budget for NASA focuses on beating China back to the Moon and sending the first humans to Mars at the expense of every other part of the space agency’s budget.

LunarMoonMoonshot Mechanics 2025Technology

Start Your Engines: The Lunar Rover Race Has Begun 

Payload spoke with several companies building next-gen lunar rovers—including Astrolab, ispace, Intuitive Machines, and Lunar Outpost—about the biggest challenges and opportunities in this sector. 

Polaris

House Panel Advances Three Space Bills

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee approved three bills on Tuesday morning designed to increase astronaut safety, tap the private sector for scientific data, and maintain US leadership for the next generation of deep space exploration.

VC/PE

Apex Raises $200M Series C

“Demand has increased more than production capacity has,” CEO Ian Cinnamon told Payload. “This allows us to vertically integrate faster, and buy more parts ahead of time and stock inventory.”

Startups

Axiom Space Goes In-House For New CEO Bhatia

Axiom chief revenue officer Tejpaul Bhatia will be the space station company’s new CEO, the company announced Friday afternoon.

BusinessLEO

Katalyst Acquires OTV Startup Atomos

Katalyst acquired Atomos in a bid to grow its in-space servicing business, the companies announced today.

VC/PE

Northwood Raises $30M Series A

Alpine Space Ventures and a16z led the round, which also included participation from Also Capital, Founders Fund, and Stepstone.

MilitaryPolaris

EOs, Commercial Cooperation, and Culture: A Recap of Polaris After Dark

The Trump administration has ordered the Pentagon to speed up its defense acquisition process. That will require trained staff to quickly get new commercial tech under contract, according to Col. Richard Kniseley, the senior materiel leader of Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office.

BusinessDeep Space

A Post-Mission Debrief with AstroForge’s CEO

“Will we actually land on an asteroid and get these beautiful samples? Probably f—— not,” Gialich told Payload. “But do we hope to change the name of the game for access to deep space, and show people that the price point we’re doing this at is doable? I hope.”

EuropeInternationalMilitaryPolaris

NATO Considers Reopening Space Policy Ahead of Schedule

“It’s not supposed to be even touched until 2027. Now they’re saying that’s probably too long. So let’s talk about—is now the time, based on what’s happening in the world,” Col. Jonathan Whitaker told Payload on the sidelines of Space Symposium.