Payload

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. “The space economy is expanding at a rapid rate and so are the number of space objects and space actors, both in the United States and abroad,” the State Department said in a press release. https://lnkd.in/ecj_zAQn

European Space Agency - ESA’s new space strategy is broad, covering everything from improving EO capabilities to constructing large habitats in space, but the near-term responsibility for member states is clear: ESA needs more money.  https://lnkd.in/diyTtJx6

MaiaSpace has found its first commercial customer. The company signed an agreement to fly multiple missions for Exotrail’s SpaceVan orbital transfer vehicle beginning in 2027. https://lnkd.in/egEKPT_9

A sustained US presence on the Moon and the ability to conduct offensive operations in orbit rank among the top space priorities for Aerospace Industries Association this year, according to a report published Thursday by the trade association. https://lnkd.in/e2KRD-Zm

We’re conducting an Operational Efficiency Assessment Survey to uncover challenges, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement in your industry. Your insights will help shape better strategies, optimize workflows, and drive innovation. Those who complete the survey will also be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card for participating. Take the survey now: https://lnkd.in/eDMFHcKh

Firefly’s successful Moon landing has caught the interest of space startups looking to build their businesses on the lunar surface, CEO Jason Kim said Tuesday. “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 Aerospace to take a pragmatic approach and stick the landing and get multiple days of surface operations.” https://lnkd.in/ei--4ZB2

NordSpace, the Ontario-based space tech startup, is establishing the Supersonic and Hypersonic Applications Research Platform (SHARP), which aims to grow the country’s hypersonic capabilities with three new products. https://lnkd.in/eTFxnEiz

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. https://lnkd.in/eJNb_KdP

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has given the go ahead for Welsh ISAM startup, Space Forge, to fly its first in-space manufacturing satellite—ForgeStar-1. https://lnkd.in/eXmMntcY

constellr, a German thermal EO startup, shared the first heat-map image taken by the company’s debut satellite—SkyBee-1. https://lnkd.in/eeDkpSHK