Aetherflux Raises $50M Series A
Index Ventures and Interlagos led the round, which also included participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and actor Jared Leto, among others.
Jacqueline Feldscher
Lunar Startup CEOs Push For ‘CLPS 2.0’
CEOs asked lawmakers to support block buys in CLPS 2.0 to give industry the opportunity to purchase materials in advance, providing certainty in both the supply chain and the workforce.
The State of EO 2025
“I think the rubber is really going to meet the road,” Umbra COO Todd Master told Payload. “A lot of interesting tech got put into space. The question now is what of that data actually is needed by customers—that customers are willing to pay for?”
Space Force Chief ‘Hopeful’ About Budget Prospects
“I’m very hopeful that the case the Space Force marks means a lot of that money will come back into our budget,” he said, adding that the Trump administration’s “Golden Dome” missile defense proposal could actually lead to national security space programs getting more resources.
Former Astronauts Rally Behind Jared Isaacman
“Our nation is at a turning point where we face international competition from China, we have the opportunity to promote international cooperation with our partner nations, and we are witnessing radical change in the commercial space sector,” the 28 astronauts wrote in the letter, which was shared last weekend. “We believe that Jared Isaacman is uniquely qualified to lead NASA at this critical juncture.”
Startups Tap Sun, Nukes To Keep Lunar Rovers Kicking
Two US companies have proved that industry can land on the Moon. Now, startups are tackling the next challenge: keeping those missions running for years instead of weeks.
Star Catcher Beams Power Across Football Field
The demo involved Star Catcher’s system collecting solar energy, then transmitting it more than 100 meters to standard solar arrays—the longest distance power transfer the startup has attempted so far.
State Looking For Industry Input In Colorado Springs
The State Department is asking industry how it can better support American space startups, and it’s looking to kick off the conversation at Space Symposium next month.
AIA Shares Top Space Priorities For 2025
The list includes nearly three dozen to-dos for government agencies ranging from the DoD to the FAA to NASA.
Blue Ghost’s Success is Driving Commercial Interest, CEO Says
“People have business models and revenues they need to generate,” Kim said, adding that he’s been getting “a lot of inquiries” from potential commercial customers after Blue Ghost’s flight. “They can depend on Firefly to take a pragmatic approach and stick the landing and get multiple days of surface operations.”
What’s Next With The Head of Gilat Defense
Israeli satcom firm Gilat Satellite Networks is preparing to move hundreds of employees to the US as part of its new defense division, according to Gilad Landsberg, the head of the new division.
Symposium Still On Despite Trump’s Travel Ban, Organizers Say
The Trump administration’s executive order requiring agencies to justify non-essential travel in a bid to cut costs was a top conversation topic at the Satellite conference in DC this week.