T-Minus Space Daily: ATMOS Space Cargo Expands Its Footprint
Hosted by Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Release Date: May 1, 2025

1. Introduction

On the May 1st, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazes delves into significant developments within the European space sector, highlighting Atmos Space Cargo's recent expansion. The episode also features an insightful interview with Joshua Broome, Head of Space at the UK Department for Business and Trade, discussing the evolving space business environment in the UK.

2. Atmos Space Cargo's Expansion

Atmos Space Cargo, a European space logistics startup, has made notable strides by securing new investment from Expansion Ventures, a prominent French venture capital firm. While the exact funding amount remains undisclosed, this investment follows Atmos's successful test flight of its Phoenix One reentry capsule aboard SpaceX's Bandwagon 3 rideshare mission last month.

Additionally, Atmos has established a new French subsidiary in Strasbourg, strategically chosen for its proximity to European innovation hubs and institutions like the International Space University. This Strasbourg office is set to become the nucleus for Atmos's operations and future research and development initiatives, including payload management and mission control.

Quote:
Maria Varmazes [00:54]:
"Atmos Space Cargo has secured new investment and has established a new French subsidiary in Strasbourg, selected for its strategic location at the intersection of European innovation."

3. Other European Space Developments

The episode also covers several other key updates from the European space sector:

• DLR's Callisto Reusable Rocket Demonstrators: The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has completed the qualification campaign for the Callisto reusable rocket demonstrators. This joint initiative with CNES (French space agency) and JAXA (Japanese space agency) aims to advance technologies for rocket booster recovery and reuse. Initial test flights are slated to commence from the Guiana Space Center in 2026, with up to ten flights planned over six months.

• Axiom Space's International Collaborations: Axiom Space has entered into an agreement with Germany's North Rhine Westphalia to foster a robust space economy and develop modern, efficient, and affordable space infrastructure for the global community. This follows previous Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with UK cities like Liverpool and Manchester to support regional economic growth.

• Cytospace and Saturn Satellite Networks Partnership: Cytospace has signed an MOU with Saturn Satellite Networks to aid in the development and deployment of Saturn's SBNX GEO satellite solution. Cytospace will provide essential support in assembly, integration, and testing at its advanced manufacturing facilities in Florida.

Quote:
Maria Varmazes [00:54]:
"The German aerospace agency DLR has completed the qualification campaign for the Callisto reusable rocket demonstrators, marking a significant milestone in reusable rocket technology."

4. Interview with Joshua Broome: UK Space Business Environment

Role and Responsibilities

Joshua Broome, Head of Space at the UK Department for Business and Trade, provides an overview of his role, which encompasses setting the UK government's export and investment strategies for the space sector. He collaborates closely with various departments, including the UK Space Agency, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and UK Space Command, to support and grow the UK's space industry.

Quote:
Joshua Broome [08:18]:
"I'm responsible for industrial policy, working directly with UK space companies on regulatory changes, providing business support, and collaborating with departments like the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command."

Priority Markets and Collaborations

Broome highlights the United States as a key priority market due to its significant growth potential and opportunities for international collaboration, particularly in defense and national security. He emphasizes the UK's position as the largest space sector in Europe and the importance of enhancing its international visibility.

Quote:
Joshua Broome [09:20]:
"We are the largest space sector in Europe. Not many people recognize that, and we're working hard to change that."

Breaking Down Barriers for Collaboration

Addressing the challenges in international collaboration, Broome discusses initiatives to upskill government counterparts and facilitate better understanding between the UK and its international partners. Memorandums of Understanding with US states like Colorado and Florida aim to bridge gaps and promote mutual growth in the space sector.

Quote:
Joshua Broome [12:06]:
"We have Memorandums of Understanding with the state of Colorado and Florida to upskill and explain the opportunities within the UK space sector."

Exciting Developments and Future Prospects

Broome expresses enthusiasm about the surge in commercial interest within the UK space sector. He notes that the UK's focus on commercial contracts distinguishes it from other space-faring nations and aligns well with initiatives like NASA's increased commercialization efforts. Additionally, the growing global recognition of space's importance for economic growth and national security opens up numerous opportunities for collaboration.

Quote:
Joshua Broome [13:25]:
"The commercial drive is a huge opportunity and really exciting, especially as the UK is quite good at being innovative and agile."

Quote:
Joshua Broome [14:28]:
"The growing recognition of the importance of space to our economy and national security is immensely exciting and opens up new avenues for collaboration."

Promotion of the UK Space Ecosystem

Broome passionately advocates for the UK as a hub for diverse and international space companies. He emphasizes the UK's intentional policy to be internationally facing, welcoming a broad industrial base from the US, Europe, and emerging space economies.

Quote:
Joshua Broome [16:11]:
"The UK space sector is one of the most uncommon places in the world to do business in space because we're so accommodating and welcoming of the international angle."

5. International Space Station Maneuver to Avoid Debris

Shifting focus to space safety, Maria Varmazes reports that the International Space Station (ISS) performed a maneuver to avoid space debris. On the previous day, the ISS's Progress 91 thrusters were activated at 6:10 PM Eastern Time for 3 minutes and 33 seconds to raise its orbit. This maneuver successfully increased the station's distance from a fragment of a Chinese Long March rocket launched in 2005. Without this action, NASA estimated that the debris could have approached within approximately 0.4 miles of the ISS—a distance considered dangerously close in space terms.

Quote:
Maria Varmazes [19:02]:
"The Progress 91 thrusters were fired to raise the orbit of the ISS, providing an extra margin of distance from a piece of orbital debris."

Despite the vast number of debris pieces orbiting Earth, NASA and its partners have effective measures in place to safeguard the ISS. The maneuver did not impact any operations aboard the station and will not interfere with the upcoming US Spacewalk 93.

6. Conclusion

The May 1st episode of T-Minus Space Daily offers a comprehensive overview of significant developments in the European and UK space sectors. From Atmos Space Cargo's strategic expansion in Strasbourg to the UK's robust efforts in fostering international collaborations, the episode underscores the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of the global space industry. Additionally, the ISS's recent maneuver highlights ongoing challenges and proactive measures in maintaining space safety.

For more detailed information and resources from today's episode, listeners are encouraged to visit space.n2k.com.

Notable Quotes:

• Joshua Broome [08:18]: "I'm responsible for industrial policy, working directly with UK space companies on regulatory changes, providing business support, and collaborating with departments like the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command."

• Joshua Broome [09:20]: "We are the largest space sector in Europe. Not many people recognize that, and we're working hard to change that."

• Joshua Broome [13:25]: "The commercial drive is a huge opportunity and really exciting, especially as the UK is quite good at being innovative and agile."

• Maria Varmazes [19:02]: "The Progress 91 thrusters were fired to raise the orbit of the ISS, providing an extra margin of distance from a piece of orbital debris."

This summary was compiled based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate all key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.