Business • Military • Technology

Sierra Space Enters the Delivery Business

Sierra Space won a $980,000 AFRL contract to study how its Ghost reentry spacecraft could provide point-to-point delivery services for the US government.

Business • EO

ESA’s To-Do List for an EO Boom

The strategy commits to utilizing commercial EO capabilities wherever possible, reaffirming ESA’s strong public-private relationship.

Business • LEO

Anduril, Apex Team Up to Serve Government Customers

The defense tech startup announced Tuesday that it will use Apex’s satellite buses for missions ranging from space situational awareness to missile warning and tracking, according to a press release. 

Business • Debris • Technology

SDA Awards $1.9M for Deorbit Studies

Six companies will complete the studies this year to explore redundant, cost-effective contingency options for the SDA’s future satellite disposal needs.

Business • VC/PE

D-Orbit Eyes Global Expansion After Closing $166M Series C 

D-Orbit is developing a suite of space logistics capabilities while offering services as a satellite integrator and deployer.

Business • Research • Satcom

Impact of In-Space Relay Networks on Ground Station as a Service 

Traditional Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) providers will soon face competition from relay communications networks that promise faster transmitting, simplified licensing, and potentially lower cost. 

Business • Europe • International

Maxar Opens UK HQ for International Government Biz

Part of the team’s directive is to uncover ways to tailor Maxar’s data and analytics tools to fit the individual intelligence gathering needs of allied nations.

Business • Debris • LEO

BlackSky Expands Non-Earth Imaging Capabilities with HEO Deal

Intel collected by non-Earth imaging (NEI) provides greater space domain awareness for defense and commercial assets on orbit.

Business • Cislunar • Civil • Deep Space • Lunar • Satcom

Intuitive Machines Will Build A Lunar Communications Network 

“We sell minutes on the network, something like a million minutes a year, to NASA.”

Business • Research

Planet Labs Commercial Revenue Is Softening

When Planet Labs went public in 2021, the company touted a commercial Earth observation market on the verge of an inflection point. 

The opposite has happened.

Business • EO • Startups

Esper Satellites’ Sales Surge Despite Losing Its First Satellite

The startup’s sales have ballooned from less than $1M in revenue at the start of the year to more than $10M now, CEO Shoaib Iqbal revealed to Payload.

Business • Military • Technology

Defense Tech Firm Anduril Brings AI Software to Space

Anduril is formally jumping into the space game: expanding its AI-powered tech into space to working on national security missions.

Business • Lunar

ispace Sets Second Moon Landing Attempt For December

ispace is one of three private companies that will attempt Moon landings this winter, and the only mission not funded by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.