T-Minus Space Daily: "A Rocket Nose Dive Down Under"

Release Date: May 16, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes
Produced by: N2K Networks

1. Introduction

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazes delivers a comprehensive intelligence briefing on the latest developments in the global space industry. The episode covers significant events such as rocket launch delays, substantial funding rounds for emerging space companies, and expansions of space programs internationally. Additionally, the episode features an in-depth Space Traffic Report and highlights intriguing cultural intersections with space through the U.S. Mint's commemorative coins.

2. Major News Highlights

Gilmour Space’s ERIS Rocket Delay

One of the standout stories of the day involves Gilmour Space's inaugural launch attempt of the ERIS rocket. This mission was poised to mark Australia's first orbital launch in five decades but faced an unexpected setback.

Maria Varmazes [04:50]: "The nose cone of the rocket took a dive into... we are not quite sure how this happens to a rocket on a launch pad."

Key Points:

• Incident Description: An unexpected anomaly occurred hours before the scheduled fuel fill, causing the payload fairing to perform a dramatic triple back somersault and detach from the rocket.
• Impact: The failure resulted in a significant delay, pushing back what was anticipated to be a milestone for Australia’s space endeavors.
• Response: Gilmour Space’s CEO, Adam Gilmour, expressed optimism in a LinkedIn update, stating, "We will be back on the pad again in about three weeks I hope." This readiness to quickly address the issue underscores the company's resilience and commitment to achieving its first orbital launch.

NASA Selects Rocket Lab for Aspera Mission

NASA has made strategic moves in its mission portfolio by selecting Rocket Lab to launch the Aspera Mission, a small satellite designed to study galaxy formation and evolution.

Maria Varmazes [05:50]: "Aspera is a small SAT to study galaxy formation and evolution, providing you insights into how the universe works."

Key Points:

• Contract Details: This selection is part of NASA's Venture Class acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare Launch Services (VADER) contract, which allows the agency to place fixed-price, indefinite delivery, and indefinite quantity Launch Service Task Orders over five years.
• Contract Value: The VADER contract has a maximum total value of $300 million, highlighting NASA's significant investment in flexible and scalable launch solutions.

Funding Rounds for Reflect and Celestial

The episode also covers notable funding achievements by Reflect Orbital and Celestial, two prominent players in the space technology sector.

• Reflect Orbital Raises $20 Million Series A:

  • Purpose: To accelerate the development of its satellite constellation designed to reflect sunlight for large-scale lighting and energy applications.
  • Usage: Funds will support team expansion, operational excellence, and the execution of the company's first space missions.

• Celestial Secures $17 Million Series A:

  • Purpose: To scale manufacturing capacity of silicon photovoltaics to 1 megawatt per year, matching the estimated annual output of all US and EU 3V space solar companies combined.
  • Leadership Changes: Former Astra VP Margot Denuray has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, while founding CEO Stanislav Haras Simenko transitions to Chief Technology Officer to drive product roadmap advancements.

EISI Expands in Greece

EISI has announced the opening of a new office and a satellite assembly production line in Greece, marking a strategic expansion.

Maria Varmazes [06:34]: "EISI's growing footprint in Greece is an important step in their participation in the Greek national satellite space program."

Key Points:

• Program Involvement: EISI is contributing to the AXIS 1.2 project in collaboration with the Hellenic Space Agency and the Ministry of Digital Governance.
• Project Scope: AXIS 1.2 encompasses the Greek Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) space segment, including the development of two ISAR satellites and their subsequent launches.
• Additional Benefits: Greece will gain access to EISI's existing SAR satellite constellation, enhancing its observational capabilities.

3. Additional Updates and Selected Readings

Host Maria Varmazes introduces additional resources for listeners to explore further:

Alice Carruth [06:34]: "We've added four additional links to today's selected reading section of our show notes."

Highlighted Topics:

• Norway’s Participation in the Artemis Accords
• Muon Space’s Follow-On Contract with the NRO
• Financial Updates from Cider Space and Virgin Galactic
• Virgin Galactic’s Announcement to Increase Tourism Flight Costs

Listeners are encouraged to visit the show notes on the N2K Networks website for more detailed information.

4. Space Traffic Report

Alicia Siegel delivers an extensive Space Traffic Report, detailing the week's key space missions and their outcomes.

Starlink Missions by SpaceX

The report highlights a record-breaking week for SpaceX's Starlink constellation:

• Total Missions: Six Starlink launches occurred this week, bringing SpaceX's total to 8,664 Starlink satellites, with 6,676 operational and 1,138 deorbited.
• Notable Launches:
  • May 10: Falcon 9 launched with 26 Starlink V2 mini satellites from Vandenberg, booster B1081 successfully landed on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You."
  • May 13 & 14: Additional missions from both Vandenberg and Kennedy Space Center, utilizing boosters B1088 and B1067 respectively, showcasing rapid reuse capabilities with multiple successful landings.

Re-Entries and Capsule Returns

• Kosmos 482 Re-Entry:

  • Background: Originally launched in late March 1972, intended for Venus, but failed to leave Earth orbit.
  • Re-Entry Details: Occurred on May 10 over the Indian Ocean, with conflicting reports on the exact location and time, minimizing potential impact on populated areas.

• Varda’s W3 Mission:

  • Launch and Return: The capsule touched down on May 14 at the Kuniba test range in South Australia.
  • Purpose: Tested the viability of returning materials from orbit for space-based manufacturing, carrying an inertial measurement unit from the U.S. Air Force.

Chinese Launch Activity

• Changzheng 6A and 3C Rockets:

  • Changzheng 6A: Launched three remote sensing satellites into polar orbit on May 11, with a rapid turnaround time of 14 days between missions.
  • Changzheng 3C: Deployed a single satellite into geostationary transfer orbit on May 12 for multiband high-speed satellite communication technology verification.

• Upcoming Launches:

  • Changzheng 7A, Kinetica 1, and Series 1S: Scheduled from various Chinese launch sites, focusing on data processing and satellite communication advancements.

Upcoming Events

• SpaceX’s Starship Ninth Test Flight:

  • Schedule: Potential launch as soon as May 22, pending FAA approvals and clearance of a previous mishap report.
  • Challenges: Recent hardware changes and environmental assessments due to past flight anomalies affecting airspace closures over the Caribbean.
  • FAA Involvement: Approved license modifications with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), but final clearance depends on report evaluations.

• International Launches:

  • Rocket Lab: Scheduled radar satellite launch from New Zealand.
  • India: PSLV rocket launching a radar satellite.

5. Cultural Spotlight: U.S. Mint’s Space-Themed Golden Dollar Coins

In an engaging cultural segment, Maria Varmazes discusses the U.S. Mint's latest release of space-themed golden dollar coins, part of the American Innovation series.

Maria Varmazes [23:36]: "Florida's golden dollar coin featuring a space shuttle blasting off with dramatic plumes of smoke all around it."

Key Highlights:

• Designs Celebrated:

  • Texas: Features an astronaut conducting a spacewalk with the ISS in the background, honoring Mission Control in Houston.
  • Alabama: Showcases the Saturn V rocket, a nod to the Apollo missions.
  • Maryland: Depicts the Hubble Space Telescope, although fans lament the absence of Webb.
  • Florida: Illustrates a space shuttle launch, symbolizing the state's pivotal role in space exploration.

• Reception: The coins have been well-received for their artistic representation of significant space achievements, utilizing the iconic NASA worm font, further cementing its legacy over the traditional meatball logo.

• Availability: The Florida Space Shuttle dollar coin is currently available at the U.S. Mint and is legal tender, though collectors are advised to "not spend it all in one place."

6. Conclusion

Maria Varmazes wraps up the episode by encouraging feedback from listeners and highlighting the team's dedication to delivering timely and insightful space industry intelligence. The episode underscores the dynamic nature of the space sector, marked by rapid technological advancements, significant financial investments, and expanding international collaborations.

Notable Quotes

• Maria Varmazes [04:50]: "We are very used to delays to launches on this show, but never in our history have we dealt with a reason quite like this one."

• Adam Gilmour [04:50]: "Without even asking, we will be back on the pad again in about three weeks I hope. And yeah, we hope so too."

• Maria Varmazes [05:50]: "Aspera is a small SAT to study galaxy formation and evolution, providing you insights into how the universe works."

• Alice Carruth [06:34]: "We've added four additional links to today's selected reading section of our show notes."

• Maria Varmazes [23:36]: "Florida's shuttle coin... proves the worm's superiority over the meatball once and for all."

For More Information:
Visit N2K Networks and explore the show notes for additional resources and detailed stories discussed in today's episode.

This summary was crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the "A Rocket Nose Dive Down Under" episode of T-Minus Space Daily, ensuring listeners stay informed on the latest in space intelligence and industry developments.