The Trump Administration seeks to cut air quality and ocean monitoring instruments from the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite constellation and reduce the number of satellites. NASA has released a Request for Information (RFI) to look for alternatives to the Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) mission. Japan’s Space Agency (JAXA) has selected Mitsubishi Electric to develop solar technology for satellites, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Dr. Emma Louden, President of Slooh. You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, and find out more about Slooh on their website. Selected Reading Trump admin strips ocean and air pollution monitoring from next-gen weather satellites- CNN Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) Mission Alternatives Assessment Team (MAAT): Request for Information (RFI) Mitsubishi Electric Selected as Representative Organization for JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund to Develop Solar Cells and Related Components for Satellites Solar System Internet Successfully Conducted Pioneering Delay Tolerant Network Edge Processing Test on Lonestar Data Holding's February Lunar Test Flight LunaGrid-Lite Completes Critical Design Review, Flight Model Underway Meet Wukong, the AI Chatbot China Has Installed on Its Space Station | WIRED ALL.SPACE and Telesat Government Solutions begin terminal collaboration for Telesat Lightspeed US Space Force scheduled to launch eighth X-37B mission Opinion- Nuclear-powered rockets will win the new space race SpaceX’s Expensive Starship Explosions Are Starting to Add Up TOMEX+ Launch Update – Aug. 20 - NASA This Chappell Roan song boosted interest in a Canadian dark sky preserve by 1,800%- Space T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) to become part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) by April 2026. BlackSky has signed a seven-figure contract with HEO to provide fully-automated low-latency non-Earth imaging services for defense, intelligence and commercial use. Ursa Space Systems has announced a strategic investment from Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading UK space sector bolstered with government reforms to boost growth and cut red tape - GOV.UK BlackSky Signs Seven-Figure Space Domain Awareness Expansion Contract with HEO for Fully Automated Non-Earth Imaging Missions Sumitomo Corporation Invests in Ursa Space to Accelerate Global Growth and Expand into Japan New Shepard’s 35th Mission Targets Liftoff on Saturday, August 23, Will Fly More Than 40 Payloads to Space | Blue Origin Orbital Data Center Launching to ISS to Advance Space Computing ESA Backs Hungarian Project to Improve Space Weather Forecasting New Moon Discovered Orbiting Uranus Using NASA’s Webb Telescope T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SpinLaunch has raised $30 million in funding to accelerate the development and commercialization of Meridian Space. Space Kinetic Corp. has received an undisclosed amount of funding from CerraCap Ventures. X-Bow Systems and the US Army have announced a $13.9 million joint investment to strengthen the solid rocket motor supply chain for defense needs, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Richard Cooper, Vice President, Strategic Communications & Space Awareness at the Space Foundation. You can connect with Rich on LinkedIn, and find out more about the Space Technology Hall of Fame on the Space Foundation’s website. Selected Reading SpinLaunch Announces Closing of $30M in Funding to Accelerate the Development of the Meridian Space Constellation CerraCap Ventures Invests in Space Kinetic, Driving Breakthrough - Space Superiority and Missile Defense Innovation X-Bow Systems and U.S. Army Announce $13.9 Million Joint Investment for Next-Generation GMLRS Rocket Motor Construction Begins at NordSpace's Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) in Canada, Ahead of First Commercial Rocket Launch China launches seven satellites with Lijian-1 rocket Polish Consortium Selects Payloads for State-Sponsored Suborbital Rocket Launch  TOMEX+ Launch Update – Aug. 18 - NASA Shubhanshu Shukla gifts PM Modi National Flag flown in Space - News9live Higher Orbits to Launch Four Student Research Experiments to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX CRS-33 T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to internal company documents reviewed by The New York Times, SpaceX has most likely paid little to no federal income taxes since its founding in 2002. NASA and Google are collaborating to test an AI-powered medical assistant designed to support astronauts on long-duration missions. Voyager Technologies is investing in Latent AI, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Parker Wishik brings us The Aerospace Corporation’s monthly segment Nexus. Parker is joined by Craig J. Smith Executive Director at Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director at the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (Spaceport America) and Karen Jones, senior project leader in the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation. Selected Reading SpaceX Gets Billions From the Government. It Gives Little to Nothing Back in Taxes. FAA approves Starship Flight 10 after mishap probe, eyes August 24 launch - NASASpaceFlight.com NASA and Google test AI medical assistant for astronaut missions to the moon and Mars- Space Voyager and Latent AI Bring Advanced AI to Orbit Firefly Aerospace eyes Alpha rocket launch in Japan for Asia market-Reuters Flight test of Chinese start-up LandSpace's rocket fails -Reuters China launches low Earth orbit internet satellites - CGTN TOMEX+ Launch Update - Aug. 17 - NASA EUMETSAT Assumes Control of Inaugural Metop Second Generation Satellite Hijacked satellites and orbiting space weapons - ABC News NASA Seeks Proposals for 2026 Human Exploration Rover Challenge T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sift is focused on solving the hardware/software problem in aerospace. Their mission and vision argue that hardware has been left behind. Sift argues that the industry still lacks the runtime observability tools to debug systems in real-time. Sift is filling that gap by providing a full-stack AI SaaS solution to hardware observability. We speak to Sift’s CEO Karthik Gollapudi. You can connect with Karthik Gollapudi on LinkedIn and learn more about Sift on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The California Coastal Commission has voted against a plan to nearly double the number of Falcon 9 rocket launches SpaceX is permitted to conduct each year from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Air and Space Forces says that there are calls for nearly $2.3 billion in spending cuts hidden in the 2026 fiscal year budget. NASA has released a call for industry input for developing efficient power supply on the lunar surface, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal brings us the Space Traffic Report from NASASpaceflight.com Selected Reading California rejects Elon Musk’s rocket-launch proposal - POLITICO Here's All the DOGE-Linked Cuts in the Air, Space Force Budget NASA Seeks Industry Feedback on Fission Surface Power Sidus Space Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Update China's Shenzhou-20 crew to conduct 3rd spacewalk with new spacesuits - CGTN Colorado space company hopes to land contract for President Trump's Golden Dome project ESA - No Earth-like atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 d T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US President Donald Trump signed the “Enabling Competition In The Commercial Space Industry” Executive Order (EO). Gilat Satellite Networks has been awarded a multimillion dollar contract by Israel’s Ministry of Defense for the delivery and integration of satellite communication systems (SATCOM) and services. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) has signed an agreement with SpaceX for an uncrewed mission to Mars aboard a future Starship mission, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Luis Torres, founder of Torres Orbital Mining (TOM).  You can connect with Luis on LinkedIn, and find out more about TOM on their website. Selected Reading Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry – The White House Gilat receives a multimillion contract from Israel’s Ministry of Defense for advanced strategic defense SATCOM project Agenzia Spaziale ITA (@ASI_spazio) / X Spire Global Announces Preliminary Second Quarter 2025 Revenue and Provides Business Update KBR and Axiom Space Successfully Complete Initial Crewed Spacesuit Tests in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab Space Kinetic Corp. LinkedIn This real 'Eye of Sauron' spits out ghost particles in space. Here's what it looks like T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A United Launch Alliance’s (ULA’s) Vulcan rocket launched from Cape Canaveral carrying the USSF-106 mission for the United States Space Force's (USSF’s) Space Systems Command (SSC). Arianespace’s Ariane 6 liftoff from the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) spaceport in French Guiana carrying EUMETSAT's Metop-SGA1 satellite. The Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) has obtained its license to operate a Spaceport in Santa Maria, Azores, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading Vulcan Rocket Ushers in New Era of National Security Space Launch Space Systems Command Prepares to Launch first Operational Vulcan Mission for the U.S. Space Force- Space Systems Command  With Ariane 6, Arianespace successfully launches Metop-SGA1 satellite Successful Launch of Metop-SGA1 to Take Weather Forecasting to New Heights ASC secures Spaceport Licence NASA Awards Second Human Health, Performance Contract Momentus Secures NASA Contract to Study the Launch of Robotic Technologies for Future Space Exploration SaxaVord Spaceport Statement Exclusive: Pentagon Golden Dome to have 4-layer defense system, slides show- Reuters Ukraine successfully tests Starlink's direct-to-cell technology- Reuters Space Rock That Punched Through Roof Almost Struck Resident T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocket Lab has completed the acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), has selected a consortium led by PixxelSpace to build a commercial sovereign constellation of Earth observation satellites. The European Space Agency (ESA) is deliberating moves to become less dependent on NASA programs, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest is Bryce Kennedy, Space Connectivity Senior Officer, International Telecommunication Union (ITU). You can connect with Bryce on LinkedIn, and learn more about the ITU on their website. Selected Reading Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition of Geost, Expanding Its National Security Capabilities with Launch, Spacecraft, and Now Payloads India's space regulator picks Google-backed PixxelSpace for home-grown satellite constellation- Reuters Europe’s space ambitions at risk over dependence on Nasa, agency warns  NASA Explores Industry Possibilities to Raise Swift Mission’s Orbit European VV27 victory. LeoLabs and NASA Enter Space Act Agreement for Flight Safety Data Integration & Coordination Road to Space - Arianespace ULA Vulcan to launch USSF-106 national security mission Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida AST SpaceMobile Provides Business Update and Second Quarter 2025 Results BlackSky Secures Two-Year Gen-3 Early Access Agreement with New International Gen-2 On-Demand Customer Six Months from Initial Contract Redwire Announces Major Release of Acorn 2.0 Software Product, Expanding its AI-Powered Digital Engineering Tools for Aerospace and Defense Customers Is astronomy safe from organized scientific fraud?- Space The entities enabling scientific fraud at scale are large, resilient, and growing rapidly- PNAS T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA’s SpaceX Crew 10 returns to Earth in a splash down off the coast of California. A Jielong-3 carrier rocket launched the Geely Constellation Group 04 satellites from the coastal waters off Shandong, China. ISRO announces that it will be launching another American satellite in the coming months, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Patrick O'Neill, Public Affairs and Outreach Lead at the International Space Station US National Laboratory. You can connect with Patrick on LinkedIn, and learn more about the ISS National Lab on their website. Selected Reading NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Returns, Splashes Down Off California Zoomlion's Corporate-Named Satellite Enters Orbit, Marking a New Era in Engineering Machinery with Digital, Intelligent, Green, and Global Vision India's giant space leap: After NISAR mission, Isro to launch 6,500-kg US satellite DGX closes a €2.3M funding round to boost onboard AI compute for satellites Blue Origin Spaceflights Aboard New Shepard Can Now Be Purchased With Crypto and Stablecoins Through Shift4 Space log: Spacesuit unpacking, research and more for Shenzhou-20 crew - CGTN Safran DSI to Supply Electric Propulsion Systems for AstroForge's Upcoming Vestri Asteroid Mission Acting NASA Administrator Reflects on Legacy of Astronaut Jim Lovell T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November 2024, Slingshot Aerospace was selected to develop the interface for the US Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). With the FY2026 budget still under discussion in the US, funding to support TraCSS is up in the air. Slingshot Aerospace has joined more than 450 companies, represented by seven leading space industry associations including the Commercial SSA Coalition, to support funding for the Office of Space Commerce’s space traffic coordination mission. We spoke to Audrey Schaffer, VP of Strategy and Policy at Slingshot Aerospace about why so many commercial companies support a federal space traffic system. You can connect with Audrey on LinkedIn, and learn more about Slingshot Aerospace on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

VisionSpace Technologies has demonstrated how easy it is to exploit software vulnerabilities on satellites, as well as the ground stations that control them. China has conducted its first test of a lunar lander that they plan to use to take humans to the Moon. Rocket Lab has completed the Systems Integration Review (SIR) for the US Space Force’s VICTUS HAZE mission, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest We are joined by NASASpaceflight.com with the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading Yamcs v5.8.6 Vulnerability Assessment  OpenC3 Cosmos 6.0.0: A Security Assessment of an Open-Source Mission Framework – VisionSpace  China tests spacecraft it hopes will put first Chinese on the moon- Reuters Rocket Lab Clears Integration Milestone for VICTUS HAZE, Delivering End-to-End Capabilities for Responsive Space Operations Rocket Lab Announces Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results, Posts Record Quarterly Revenue of $144m, Representing 36% Year-on-Year Growth, While Expanding Gross Margins 650 Basis Points Year-on-Year Globalstar Announces Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Karman Space & Defense Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results Firefly Aerospace hits $9.8 billion valuation in Nasdaq debut as shares takeoff- Reuters Voyager Acquires ElectroMagnetic Systems, Inc. As NASA Missions Study Interstellar Comet, Hubble Makes Size Estimate AV and SNC Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Golden Dome for America "Limited Area Defense" Architecture Muon Space Unveils XL Satellite Platform, Announces Hubble Network as First Customer The Goddard 100 Student Contest Celebrating a Century of Rocketry - NSS Goddard 100 Contest T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Firefly Aerospace announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering (IPO), while MDA Space, BlackSky and Redwire reported Q2 financial updates. Intuitive Machines has signed a definitive agreement to acquire KinetX, Inc. NASA has selected six companies to produce studies focused on lower-cost ways to launch and deliver spacecraft of various sizes and forms to multiple, difficult-to-reach orbits, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Frank Chimenti, Director of Mechanical Satellite Solutions at Beyond Gravity.  You can connect with Frank on LinkedIn, and learn more about Beyond Gravity on their website. Selected Reading Firefly Aerospace Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering MDA Space Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results BlackSky Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results Redwire Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Intuitive Machines Expands Deep Space Navigation Services with Agreement to Acquire KinetX, Positioning Itself for Constellation Management and Moon-to-Mars Data Relay NASA Selects Six Companies to Provide Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies Raft and SAIC Selected to Operationalize National Space-Based Intelligence for the U.S. Air Force through TENCAP HOPE 2.0 Saudi Arabia Launches National Earth Observation Data Platform Operated by UP42 - SpaceTech in Gulf Region NASA to Provide Live Coverage of Crew-10 Return, Splashdown SpaceX - KF-02 Mission A Small Uniform Tweak Reveals a Shift in Space Force Culture China and Pakistan expand tech collaboration to nuclear power, space and AI NASA Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore Retires T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AST SpaceMobile plans to acquire global S-Band spectrum priority rights held under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Scout Space has completed its first suborbital Space Domain Awareness (SDA) test flight on Dawn Aerospace’s Aurora spaceplane. An Interlune payload will fly on Astrolab’s FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover on its upcoming mission to the Moon, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading AST SpaceMobile Announces Agreement to Acquire Global S-Band Spectrum Priority Rights Held under the International Telecommunication Union  Scout Space and Dawn Aerospace Complete First Suborbital Spaceplane Surveillance Test Flight Interlune to Fly Multispectral Camera on Astrolab FLIP Rover to Measure Helium-3 on the Moon Parsons and Globalstar Pave Way for Commercial Satellite Solutions after Completing Successful Proof of Concept Project Kuiper partners with NBN Co to bring low Earth orbit satellite broadband to rural Australia Voyager Selects VISTA Team Amentum Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results and Raises Full Year Organic Guidance Pentagon keeps a lid on Golden Dome - POLITICO Is the Dream Chaser space plane ever going to launch into orbit? - Ars Technica NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Moon Mission Ends NICER Status Updates - NASA NASA Works to Contact Scalable Small Satellite Marking 13 Years on Mars, NASA’s Curiosity Picks Up New Skills T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA’s Acting Administrator Sean Duffy is expected to expedite plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc. (iRocket) has entered into a $640 million multi-launch agreement with SpaceBelt KSA. SES Space & Defense has been awarded $89.6 Million to provide the US Army with Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM), and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Lesley Conn, Director of Research & Analysis at the Space Foundation. You can read the Q2 Space Report here. Selected Reading Duffy to announce nuclear reactor on the moon - POLITICO iRocket Announces $640 Million Multi-Year Launch Agreement with SpaceBelt KSA to Deliver Secure and Autonomous Satellite Infrastructure for Saudi Arabia and Beyond Redwire Launches New Venture Company, SpaceMD, to Commercialize Pharmaceutical Development in Space; Signs Trailblazing Royalty Agreement with ExesaLibero Pharma Satellite firm SES wins $90 million contract to support U.S. Army- Reuters Skyrora Secures First UK Launch Licence Rocket Lab Voyager Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Firefly Aerospace lifts IPO price range, targets $6 billion valuation amid space investment boom- Reuters Why a NASA satellite that scientists and farmers rely on may be destroyed on purpose Space Force preps infrastructure, operators for target-tracking mission From Mascot to Mission Specialist: Rupert the Space Armadillo Prepares for Liftoff - Space Launch Delta 45  Preserving space history at Cape Canaveral. T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Japan is looking to establish international rules for the removal of human-made objects in space. Israel’s Space Agency and Innovation Authority is setting up a national R&D laboratory to kickstart spacebound technology development. Dhruva Space is set to launch its first commercial Space mission, LEAP-1, on a Falcon 9 rocket in Q3 of this year, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Bailey Reichelt from Aegis Space Law is joined by Matt Linton from Linton Space Law. If you have any questions you’d like to ask Bailey, please email space@n2k.com. Selected Reading Japan seeks to create int'l rules on space debris removal Israel launches new lab for space tech- The Jerusalem Post Dhruva Space Set to Launch First Commercial Mission LEAP-1 with Indo-Australian Strategic Collaboration Aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 SpaceX delivers four astronauts to the International Space Station just 15 hours after launch Blue Origin’s New Shepard Completes 34th Mission to Space First woman appointed as new Astronomer Royal Shenzhou-20 crew continues progress in space science experiments after 3 months in orbit Sidus Space Successfully Deploys Advanced SpacePilot Software for Autonomous Operations; Commissions LizzieSat®-3 Attitude Determination and Control System First woman appointed as new Astronomer Royal - GOV.UK T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wendy Lawrence (Captain, US Navy, Retired) is an engineer, pilot (helicopter), and a former NASA Astronaut. She flew on four space shuttle missions, and is now using her experience to inspire the next generation of the space workforce. She tells us about her work with the Challenger Learning Center and Higher Orbits. You can connect with Wendy on LinkedIn. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA SpaceX Crew 11 are heading to the International Space Station (ISS). Echostar has selected MDA Space as the prime contractor for a direct-to-device (D2D) satellite constellation. ispace has entered into an agreement with Bridgestone Corporation to advance the application of their tires for lunar rovers, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest We are joined by NASASpaceflight.com with the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading SpaceX - Crew-11 Mission Roscosmos chief says he, acting NASA head agree to continue using ISS until 2028 - Science & Space - TASS MDA Space Selected By Echostar For World's First Open Ran D2D LEO Constellation ispace and Bridgestone Sign Agreement to Develop Tires for Small-to-Medium-Sized Lunar Rovers Milestone sensor upgrade enhances U.S. Space Force identifying, tracking capability NASA Invites Proposals to Lease Aircraft Hangar in Cleveland New Shepard’s Crewed NS-34 Mission Targets Liftoff on August 3- Blue Origin Rocket Lab Schedules Fifth Electron Mission for Constellation Operator iQPS 'The Smithsonian Institution owns the Discovery.' Museum resists Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' plan to move space shuttle to Houston T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA’s SpaceX Crew 11 launch to the International Space Station (ISS) scrubbed due to weather conditions. Intuitive Machines has secured a $9.8 million Phase Two government contract to advance its Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) through Critical Design Review. Deloitte has unveiled a new system to detect cyber intrusions and anomalies on satellites, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Greg Gillinger, SVP for Strategy & Development, Integrity ISR. You can connect with Greg on LinkedIn, and learn more about Integrity ISR on their website. Selected Reading NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Mission Coverage  NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 Mission to Advance Stem Cell Manufacturing and In-Orbit Data Processing $9.8M Contract Propels Intuitive Machines’ Orbital Transfer Vehicle Toward Flight Readiness Deloitte Builds Silent Shield to Detect Cyberattacks on Satellites SES Delivers Solid H1 2025 Results & Completes Intelsat Acquisition NASA Releases Opportunity to Boost Commercial Space Tech Development NASA workforce cuts raise fears about safety for space missions Rep. Dale Strong says "Space Command is coming" to Huntsville U.S. Startup Plans to Beam Sunlight to Earth Using Huge Space Mirrors - Orbital Today T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a $176.7 million NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract to deliver five NASA-sponsored payloads to the Moon’s south pole in 2029. The US Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded $37.5 million to five companies for Protected Tactical Satellite Communications. The NASA- ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite launched from India, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading Firefly Awarded $177 Million NASA Contract for Mission to the Moon’s South Pole Space Systems Command Continues to transform acquisition of SATCOM capabilities    NASA-ISRO’s NISAR Earth Satellite Ready for Launch ‘We have a cloud, and that’s the end’: first Australian-made orbital rocket crashes shortly after takeoff - The Guardian Canadian Lunar Utility Rover Argo and ThinkOrbital to Partner on Long-Range X-Ray Imaging Mission for Space Domain Awareness Slingshot Aerospace Launches TALOS: AI Agent for Mission-Ready Space Operations and Strategy  SpaceWERX selects New Frontier Aerospace to Develop Bifröst Orbit Transfer Spacecraft Starlink performed 144,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers between December and May; wants equal reporting rules for all NASA Selects Human Space Flight Technical Integration Contractor Mission patch competition 2025 Space for Humanity Immortalized at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices