ISAMStartups

Star Catcher Closes $12.25M Seed Round

The startup intends to build a constellation of satellites in LEO that can harness solar power and efficiently send it to other sats in greater concentrations.

Polaris

How Artemis Got Its Name

“We had one clear objective on this plan: make Artemis uncancelable.”

Policy

Planetary Sunshade Foundation Brings its Message to DC

Advocates for placing a sunshade in space to address global warming were in DC last week educating officials on Capitol Hill and beyond about the benefits of the technology.

EO

Report Recommends More Federal Spending in CRS

The commercial remote sensing industry is on the rise but needs more backing from the government to reach its full potential, according to a report released Wednesday.

Polaris

Space Policy in a Second Trump Term

The Trump administration’s top priority, according to Autry, is likely to be “kicking Artemis into high gear” and ensuring Artemis III—the first crewed mission to the lunar surface since Apollo—remains on track to avoid getting beaten by the Chinese. 

EuropeInternationalISAM

D-Orbit USA Rolls Out Satellite Bus Plans

Italian space logistics startup D-Orbit launched a US branch on Wednesday that will transform the startup’s flight-proven orbital transfer vehicle into a satellite bus to better court American government customers.

Polaris

House To Consider NASA Reauthorization Act

“It’s been far too long since the last comprehensive NASA authorization and we’re overdue for Congressional guidance and direction,” Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), the chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, told Payload in a statement, adding that his top priorities in the markup include the Moon to Mars pipeline, operations in LEO after the ISS, and balancing the science portfolio.

Policy

House Unveils $25.2B NASA Funding Proposal

The topline budget included in the draft bill from the House Appropriations Committee would give the agency $303.6M more than it received in fiscal 2024. 

Polaris

Report Highlights Space Force’s Long-Term Research Gap

The Space Force should boost its use of venture capital funding to have more influence over where private entities are focusing their science and tech investments, according to a RAND report. 

GEO

Russia’s Luch 2 Expected to Approach Intelsat Bird

Based on the space situational awareness startup’s predictions, Luch 2 will pass near Intelsat 1002 today if it continues on its expected trajectory in GEO. 

Polaris

NOAA Gives HEO’s Holmes a Thumbs Up

It marks the first time NOAA has approved a hosted payload—a milestone that could open the door for other companies to seek approval from the agency for platforms that can hitch a ride aboard satellites manufactured by other entities. 

Policy

Take Me Out To the (Space)Ball Game

At Thursday afternoon’s Washington Nationals baseball game, the outs were out of this world and the umpires struck back. 

CivilInternational

US Locks In India’s Ride To the ISS

The leaders announced plans for the joint ISS mission last year, but “securing a carrier” for the flight is a significant update, though they didn’t provide details on which spacecraft would send the astronauts to the orbiting lab.