Payload 🚀
@payloadspace
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We are happy to announce that we have raised $650,000 in seed funding from @winklevosscap, @aweissman, @sammcingvale, @litcapital, @juliadewahl and a variety of investors. Thread 👇
.@NASA is continuing its tradition of not gatekeeping success by unveiling a major update to its public software catalog, which has been behind many commercial advancements since its launch more than a decade ago. payloadspace.com/nasa-releases-…
Senegal became the 56th nation to join the Artemis Accords—and just the second country to join both the US-led coalition, and a rival Chinese-led initiative to build a lunar research station. payloadspace.com/senegal-become…
.@lodestarspace, a UK startup building tech for in-space security applications, is hitching a ride on @Exotopic_Ltd's in-orbit mission—Give Me Some Space! (GMSS)—expected to launch in early 2026. payloadspace.com/lodestar-is-bu…
.@allspaceltd, the UK company building terminals that can connect to multiple satcom networks, won a €3.42M ESA contract this week. The contract will help develop capabilities for the startup’s terminals to connect to 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). payloadspace.com/european-satco…
.@Space42ai, an Abu Dhabi-based satellite manufacturer and space tech company, secured a $695.5M Export Credit Agency-backed loan to complete the development of its next two GEO comms sats—Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5. payloadspace.com/space42-lands-…
Exploring the Moon and Mars, with astronauts and autonomously, will require moving a lot of data across the solar system. @NASA asked companies to submit proposals for how they would solve the problem, extending the deadline for responses this week. payloadspace.com/nasa-asks-indu…
President Donald Trump laid out his vision for the future of American space exploration in a presidential message marking the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. payloadspace.com/fcc-considers-…
.@Junopropulsion, a WA-based startup attempting to bring a new type of propulsion system to the market, won one of @NASA's ten TechLeap prizes as Juno strives to demonstrate its rotating detonation engine (RDE) in space next summer. payloadspace.com/rotating-deton…
The global space economy grew nearly 8% in 2024 to $613B, according to a report by the @SpaceFoundation. payloadspace.com/global-space-e…
.@BlackSky_Inc Technology told investors last week that its 2025 revenue forecast fell by $12M to $20M due to “anticipated impacts of US government budget uncertainties, and volatility in contract timing.” payloadspace.com/blacksky-blame…
.@HydrosatI announced a follow-on contract with the @NRO_gov, giving the DoD and intelligence community access to the company’s thermal imaging data through the NRO’s strategic commercial enhancements program. payloadspace.com/nro-contracts-…
The deadly waters rushing down the Guadalupe River in Texas this month had first responders deploying helicopters, boats—and SAR satellites. payloadspace.com/inside-iceyes-…
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took the helm for his first full day as @NASA's interim administrator on Friday amid growing concerns from lawmakers and employees about the agency’s spending plan. payloadspace.com/duffys-first-d…
Fish and chips, Paddington bear, and national independence days the world over: the UK is known for a lot, but going forward the @UKSpaceAgencyPB (UKSA) would like everyone to add its booming space industry to that list. payloadspace.com/the-uks-econom…
.@NASA is preparing to launch a dual satellite heliophysics mission designed to better understand space weather—and its growing threat to commercial infrastructure. payloadspace.com/nasas-tracers-…
After the @FCC delivered the final seal of approval last week, European satellite pioneer @SES_Satellites completed its acquisition of US competitor Intelsat, creating a geostationary giant that looks to thrive in a new era of satcom consolidation. payloadspace.com/whats-the-plan…
The Space Force is still hankering for more maneuverability in space, judging by a new $3M SBIR award for Rocket Propulsion Systems (RPS) to build an orbital transfer vehicle around its Centurion engine. payloadspace.com/spacewerx-awar…
The House Armed Services Committee held its 14+ hour markup of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act this week. payloadspace.com/lawmakers-want…
.@Hubble_network, a Seattle startup, launched its Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) finding network today to track devices anywhere in the world. payloadspace.com/hubble-network…
.@OrbitFab UK, the company building satellite refueling stations in orbit, made two announcements today that may open the door for xenon gas refueling. payloadspace.com/orbit-fab-take…