InternationalPolicy

Report: China Pushes on Space Diplomacy, Science, Launch

China has parlayed its “Space Silk Road” initiative into a network of 80 international infrastructure projects by weaving its comms tech, ground infrastructure, and satellite manufacturing capabilities into worldwide space programs, according to a new report. 

VC/PE

Apex Closes $200M Series D

“We were not fundraising,” Cinnamon told Payload. “What it really came down to was Interlagos is uniquely equipped to really help us on the sales side of the house.”

LEOPolicy

FCC, Industry Talk Space Policy at Chamber Conference

From the Trump administration’s efforts to cut red tape for space operators, to industry’s reaction to the acquisition plan for the ISS’ successor, here are some of the biggest space takeaways from the third day of the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Aerospace Summit. 

EquitiesVC/PE

Rendezvous Robotics Emerges With $3M

Alongside its debut in the space industry, the Golden, CO-based startup also announced it had already flown two demos of its tech to orbit. 

Military

SDA Prepares for First Operational Launch of Comms Tech

Troops in the IndoPacific are just a few months away from getting access to better comms tech thanks to the SDA.

MilitaryPolarisPolicy

Lawmakers Will Debate Space Amendments to NDAA

House lawmakers submitted 1,100+ amendments to the NDAA. The rules committee met yesterday to decide which ones will be considered on the floor this week. Here’s what’s in, and what’s out.

EuropeSatcom

CNES Taps Industry For 5G D2D Demo

Thales Alenia Space—a joint company between Thales and Leonardo—will lead the consortium, which also includes participation by Thales and Capgemini.

Military

New Acting Director at SDA as Tournear Leaves Agency

Derek Tournear, the inaugural director of SDA, is leaving his position after six years running the office tasked with quickly building satellite constellations to better serve troops.

CislunarLunar

ispace, Digantara Join Forces on Cislunar SSA

“Through this joint mission, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable lunar ecosystem, where safe operations, resource utilization, and long-term infrastructure go hand in hand.”

PolarisPolicy

Scientists Call For New Agency to Promote, Oversee Space

The Federation of American Scientists recommended that the Space Promotion and Regulatory Agency should be formed by merging the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation and the Commerce Department’s Office of Space Commerce. 

Launch

Rocket Lab’s Neutron Pad Is Open For Launch

Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the oceanside Launch Complex 3 on Thursday. While pausing to mark the milestone, however, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said there’s still a lot of work to be done—and that the company is racing to meet its goal of launching Neutron on its first flight by the end of the year.

Polaris

A Policy Proposal For Happy Hour in Orbit

“This is not to squash anyone’s dreams. This is to say you can’t just go up there and use lead pipes to make bathtub gin.” 

CivilPolarisPolicy

Organizations Band Together to Save NASA Science

The organizations’ plan is to educate members of Congress on the importance of NASA science, and the wide-ranging benefits the agency provides to the whole country.