T-Minus Space Daily: "Ad Astra, Bill Nelson" Summary Released on January 22, 2025 by N2K Networks

I. News Briefing

1. NASA's Sustainable Business Model Challenge NASA has announced a call for submissions to its Sustainable Business Model Challenge, aiming to foster commercial solutions addressing climate-related challenges. Entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers are encouraged to utilize NASA's publicly available Earth System science data to develop actionable solutions that enhance climate resilience and support informed decision-making. Proposals are open until June 13, 2025.

2. Finland Joins the Artemis Accords Finland has become the 53rd nation to sign the Artemis Accords, committing to the safe and responsible exploration of space for the benefit of humanity. Willa Reidman, Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs, officially signed the accords. This collaboration is particularly significant as Finland partners with NASA on the upcoming Intuitive Machines 2 mission, which will deliver Nokia's lunar LTE 4G communication system to the Moon under NASA's Artemis campaign and Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

3. Carmen Space and Defense Files for IPO Carmen Space and Defense has filed a registration statement for a proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company reported a net income of $11 million on revenues of $254 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, a significant improvement compared to a net loss of $340,000 on revenues of $203.7 million the previous year. Details regarding the number of shares and pricing range are yet to be announced. Carmen Space plans to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KRMN.

4. Rocket Lab's Upcoming Launch Rocket Lab has scheduled its next Electron launch, titled the "IoT for You and Me" mission, set to occur on February 4, 2025, from their private orbital launch site in New Zealand. This mission marks the fourth of five dedicated Electron launches booked by KINASE under a multi-launch contract to deploy a constellation of 25 IoT satellites, enhancing Internet of Things connectivity.

5. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Steps Down In a week of significant leadership changes, Bill Nelson has officially stepped down as NASA Administrator following the inauguration of the 47th U.S. President, Donald Trump, beginning his second term. While President Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman as the new agency chief, his nomination is pending approval. In the interim, Janet Petro, former Director of the Kennedy Space Center, has been appointed as the Acting NASA Administrator. Nelson expressed his gratitude on social media:

"As I leave public office today after 53 years, thank you for the great privilege of a lifetime of serving the people of our country. I am humbled and grateful."
— Bill Nelson [01:44]

The podcast extends its best wishes to Nelson for his future endeavors.

II. Interview with Patrick O'Neill on ISS National Lab Collaboration

Guest Introduction: Patrick O'Neill, Public Affairs and Outreach Lead at the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, joins the show to discuss an exciting new collaboration launching in February 2025.

Overview of ISS National Lab: The ISS National Lab, established through an act of Congress, aims to democratize access to the unique environment of the International Space Station. By leveraging space-based research, the lab seeks to translate findings into tangible benefits for life on Earth, such as advancements in pharmaceuticals and consumer products.

"We get up to 50% of the research allocation that goes up and down from the space station... It's a really exciting environment."
— Patrick O'Neill [09:58]

Upcoming Collaboration with T-Minus Space Daily: Starting February, the ISS National Lab will partner with T-Minus Space Daily to create a new segment focused on showcasing the diverse research and innovations happening aboard the ISS. This collaboration will feature interviews with researchers, hardware partners, and other stakeholders involved in space station projects.

"We're going to be working with your team to... give strong insights into a lot of things that are happening on station and the valuable contributions it's giving all of us here."
— Patrick O'Neill [12:07]

Inspiring Stories and Research Highlights: Patrick shared an inspiring story about Dr. Hsu from Emory University, whose stem cell research in space was influenced by early outreach events. This collaboration aims to bring similar uplifting and groundbreaking stories to the podcast audience, highlighting how space research can ignite innovation and imagination.

"Space has been at the forefront of what it is that my team is thinking about."
— Patrick O'Neill [14:14]

Maria Varmazas expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration:

"I'm so jazzed about this... talking about what they're doing on the space station and why they're doing it."
— Maria Varmazas [09:41]

The segment promises in-depth conversations that delve into the scientific endeavors and technological advancements facilitated by the ISS National Lab, aiming to inspire listeners and encourage involvement in space-related initiatives.

III. Space-Themed Postal Stamps Announcement

The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled two new Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamp options celebrating astronomical wonders:

1. Spiral Galaxy NGC 628 and Star Cluster IC 248
2. Pillars of Creation and Cosmic Cliffs of the Carina Nebula, captured by the Webb Space Telescope

These stamps feature stunning, high-resolution images that showcase the beauty and complexity of our universe. Unlike standard first-class stamps, these larger Priority Mail stamps provide ample space for the intricate designs to shine, making them perfect for philatelists and space enthusiasts alike.

"Stamps of this kind tend to be physically a bit larger than the first class mail stamp... Bigger real estate lets these cosmic images really shine."
— Maria Varmazas [18:08]

The new stamps were officially issued on January 22, 2025, at the Post Office in Big Sky, Montana, highlighting the USPS's commitment to celebrating space exploration and scientific discovery through everyday mediums.

Conclusion

"T-Minus Space Daily" delivered a comprehensive update on significant developments within the space industry, including leadership changes at NASA, commercial advancements, international collaborations, and innovative outreach initiatives. The collaboration with the ISS National Lab marks a pivotal expansion in sharing space-based research with a broader audience, promising inspiring stories and insights into the future of space exploration.

For further details on today's stories, listeners are encouraged to visit the show's website and explore the additional resources provided in the show notes.

Notable Quotes:

• "As I leave public office today after 53 years, thank you for the great privilege of a lifetime of serving the people of our country. I am humbled and grateful."
  — Bill Nelson [01:44]

• "We get up to 50% of the research allocation that goes up and down from the space station... It's a really exciting environment."
  — Patrick O'Neill [09:58]

• "We're going to be working with your team to... give strong insights into a lot of things that are happening on station and the valuable contributions it's giving all of us here."
  — Patrick O'Neill [12:07]

• "Space has been at the forefront of what it is that my team is thinking about."
  — Patrick O'Neill [14:14]

• "Stamps of this kind tend to be physically a bit larger than the first class mail stamp... Bigger real estate lets these cosmic images really shine."
  — Maria Varmazas [18:08]

For more insights and updates, subscribe to T-Minus Space Daily and stay connected with the latest in the space industry.