EO

Albedo Will Launch Clarity-1 In February

The satellite, dubbed Clarity-1, is already a hit with customers in sectors ranging from climate science to mining to energy grids who are booking time on the sat to add to or in some cases replace the imaging they’re doing now with planes and drones.

LunarPolaris

Preserving History On the Moon—and Beyond

Surrounded by the relics of space exploration, officials met at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center last week to discuss how to preserve the history of humankind’s farthest incursions into the cosmos 239,000 miles away. 

Lunar

Interstellar Lab Wants To Send Roses To The Moon

The biofarming startup recently announced Mission Little Prince, an ambitious plan to deliver a rose in bloom to the barren, gray lunar surface, and beam a picture back to Earth.

EuropeInternationalPolaris

Meet Lithuania, the 40th Artemis Accords Signatory

“For us, it’s very important to become a part of international cooperation platforms and international initiatives,” Neringa Morozaitė-Rasmussen, Lithuania’s vice-minister of the economy and innovation, told Payload. “We see it as an important agreement that…emphasizes peaceful exploration, which is the essence for us.” 

InternationalLunar

China Notches Fourth Successful Lunar Landing

China successfully soft landed an uncrewed spacecraft on the far side of the Moon over the weekend—the third lunar landing in what is shaping up to be a very busy year on Earth’s satellite.

Policy

FCC Chair Pushes For Stricter Debris Rules

The head of the FCC is calling on the agency to change its regulations to further limit how much debris is created in orbit.

Polaris

Lawmakers Agree To Investigate Russian ASAT Intel Leak

The rare public back-and-forth between Congress and the White House that led to the reveal of Russia’s nuclear ASAT plans is getting a review under an amendment to the NDAA introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA).

MilitaryPolicy

NSSA: Space Force Budget ‘Insufficient’ And ‘Shortsighted’

The Pentagon’s declining budget request for the Space Force puts the US at risk of ceding leadership in space to China, according to a letter released Thursday by the National Security Space Association.

Policy

NASA Stresses Responsible Use of AI In Town Hall

NASA leadership touted the benefits of using AI in a town hall meeting on Wednesday, but emphasized that the new tech will be used in a responsible way that won’t replace the space agency’s skilled workforce.

Polaris

Space Authorization, Approps Bills Before Congress This Week

It’s a big week on Capitol Hill this week for considering fiscal 2025 funding and priorities in the space realm.

Military

DoD Partners with Starfish Space to Buy Its Own Otter 

The Defense Department is looking for more maneuverability in orbit and tapped none otter than Starfish Space to take on the task. 

StartupsVC/PE

Software Startup Rollup Emerges From Stealth

A new startup, Rollup, is emerging from stealth today with $5.6M in funding and a plan to streamline the development of complex hardware. 

PolarisQ&A

An Exit Interview with DoD Space Policy Chief John Plumb

As the Pentagon’s space policy chief John Plumb prepares to leave office, his departing message is simple: don’t destroy space.