T-Minus Space Daily: "Dawn Aerospace Says 'Oklahoma…OK!'"
Host: Maria Varmazas | Release Date: June 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, hosted by Maria Varmazas from N2K Networks, listeners are treated to a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the global space industry. The episode not only covers significant news but also features an in-depth interview with Ryan Melton, CEO of OpenC3, and an on-the-ground update from the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) in Midland, Texas.

Space Industry News

Maria kicks off the episode with a roundup of the most pressing news in the space sector:

1. Dawn Aerospace's Expansion into Oklahoma

   • Deal Overview: Dawn Aerospace of New Zealand has entered a $17 million agreement with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority to station its Aurora Mark 2 spaceplane at the Oklahoma Air and Spaceport in Burns Flat.
   • Operational Details: The agreement encompasses one spaceplane along with comprehensive ground support, systems, parts, maintenance, and training tailored for U.S.-based operations.
   • Future Plans: A U.S. operational team will receive training in New Zealand this year, with the first flights anticipated from Oklahoma by early 2027.
   • Significance: This partnership marks a pivotal expansion for Dawn Aerospace into the U.S. market and underscores Oklahoma's emerging prominence in the commercial space arena.

2. Sierra Space Launches Defense Division

   • New Business Unit: Sierra Space has introduced Sierra Space Defense, based out of its Victory Works facility in Colorado, covering 60,000 square feet.
   • Focus Areas: The division aims to bolster U.S. national security through missile detection, satellite constellations, secure navigation technologies, and advanced command systems.
   • Contracts Secured: Already holds $1.5 billion in national security contracts, including a significant $740 million deal with the Space Development Agency (SDA).

3. Muon Space Secures $146 Million Series B Funding

   • Funding and Acquisition: Muon Space successfully raised $146 million in an oversubscribed Series B round, facilitating the acquisition of Starlight Engines, a leader in scalable satellite thruster technology.
   • Growth Plans: The infusion of capital will enable Muon to scale its Halo platform production to 500 satellites annually, enhance propulsion and ground operations, and integrate Starlight Engines' technologies into their manufacturing pipeline.

4. Velo3D and ViaSpace Partnership for Propulsion Manufacturing

   • Master Services Agreement: Velo3D and ViaSpace have partnered in a $4 million, two-year agreement focused on advanced additive manufacturing for hybrid rocket engine components.
   • Objectives: Utilizing Velo3D's 3D printing capabilities to accelerate the production of ViaSpace's expander cycle hybrid engines, thereby enhancing scalability and reducing lead times for future launches.

5. Astrobotic's Cube Rover One Ready for Lunar Deployment

   • Mission Details: Astrobotic announces that Cube Rover One is flight-ready for the upcoming Griffin One Lunar Lander mission slated for later this year.
   • Specifications: Weighing approximately 4kg, the rover is modular, passes rigorous thermal vacuum and vibration testing, and is designed for the Moon’s south pole region. It supports up to 1kg of scientific payloads and can operate over several kilometers using solar power and communication systems.

6. Axiom 4 Mission Delayed Due to ISS Module Leak

   • Current Status: NASA reports a delay in the Axiom 4 mission launch caused by a new pressure signature—a leak—in the ISS's Zvezda module.
   • Impact: This unforeseen issue necessitates repairs, postponing any planned missions to the ISS until the integrity of the module is restored.

Notable Quotes:

• Maria Varmazas at [01:46]: "This deal marks a major step for Dawn's expansion into the United States and highlights Oklahoma's growing role in the commercial space sector."

Interview: Ryan Melton, CEO of OpenC3

The episode features an insightful conversation with Ryan Melton, the CEO of OpenC3, focusing on his company's open-source command and control software, Cosmos, and the upcoming Space Software Summit.

Background and Company Overview

• Ryan’s Journey: Ryan shares his extensive experience in aerospace software engineering, including over two decades at Ball Aerospace working on NASA programs before founding OpenC3 three years ago.

  Ryan Melton at [09:34]: “I like to point out that it's super generic in that we can control anything that has a software interface in it.”

• Cosmos Software: OpenC3’s flagship product, Cosmos, serves as a command and control (C3) platform that standardizes the orchestration of various hardware components in aerospace applications, extending beyond traditional satellite control to any device with a software interface.

Embracing Open Source

• Philosophy Behind Open Source: Ryan emphasizes the importance of open-source development, highlighting that OpenC3 has maintained an open-source version for over a decade.

  Ryan Melton at [11:44]: “We built an international audience of people that were using this software to control their satellites or control their little Arduino projects, or control their home or control their smoker in their backyard.”

• Benefits: Open sourcing Cosmos allows for community contributions, increased transparency, and flexibility, enabling users to modify and extend the software to suit diverse applications.

  Ryan Melton at [13:01]: “If something's going wrong, we obviously will fix it for you, but if for some reason we can't, you have all of the source code as well.”

Customer Community and Industry Impact

• Diverse Clientele: OpenC3 boasts a wide range of clients, from industry giants like Northrop and Boeing to innovative startups such as Turion and Atomos. They are also integral to government frameworks like Forge C2 and R2C2.

  Ryan Melton at [15:54]: “Some of our customers are companies like Northrop and Boeing, Journal Atomics, General Dynamics... down to startups like Turion and Atomos who just got bought.”

• Space Software Summit: Ryan introduces the Space Software Summit, scheduled for October 6-8 in Boulder. This conference aims to converge software professionals in the aerospace sector, fostering collaboration and showcasing innovative software solutions.

  Ryan Melton at [18:07]: “We have a chance for us all to get together to do a more technical conference... learn some stuff... see their latest products and what's going on.”

Future Directions

• App Store Integration: Upcoming features in Cosmos include an app store, allowing the community to publish and access plugins, thereby enhancing discovery and ease of use.

  Ryan Melton at [14:10]: “We're adding an app store and what that's going to do is allow other people in the community to publish their add-ons, to plug it to Cosmos itself and people are able to find them.”

• Community Growth: The focus is on expanding the user base and fostering a vibrant community around Cosmos, promoting knowledge sharing and collaborative development.

On-the-Ground Update: International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)

Alice Carruth, N2K's Senior Producer, provides a live report from the International Rocket Engineering Competition in Midland, Texas.

• Event Highlights:

  • Participation: 143 teams from over 20 countries are competing, showcasing a diverse array of rocket engineering projects.

  • Launch Details: Despite a weather-induced delay on the first day, nearly 30 launches were successfully executed, with expectations of increased activity in the subsequent days.

    Alice Carruth at [21:34]: “We're expecting a lot more launches on day two and day three to get through those 143 teams.”

• Engagement: Viewers are encouraged to follow the competition via the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association's YouTube channel to witness the innovative efforts of future aerospace professionals.

  Alice Carruth at [21:34]: “We're really excited to see all these students and the future workforce of the aerospace industry thrive.”

Conclusion

Maria Varmazas wraps up the episode by highlighting the resources available in the show notes and acknowledging the contributions of the N2K team. She briefly mentions the sponsors and extends an invitation for businesses to engage with T-Minus for expanding their industry presence.

Key Takeaways:

• Dawn Aerospace's strategic move to Oklahoma signifies a strengthening of the U.S. commercial space infrastructure.
• Sierra Space Defense and Muon Space's latest endeavors underscore the growing intersection of space technology and national security.
• OpenC3’s commitment to open-source software exemplifies the collaborative spirit driving modern aerospace innovations.
• Events like the Space Software Summit and IREC play crucial roles in fostering community and advancing the aerospace industry's technological frontiers.

Notable Quotes:

• Maria Varmazas at [18:07]: “Most of us are focused on a specific product like we're focused on command and control. But there's several companies coming who are focused on flight dynamics.”

Stay Connected:
For more detailed information, visit space.n2k.com and explore the show notes for additional resources and links to the stories covered in today's episode.

Produced by N2K Networks | Senior Producer: Alice Carruth | Executive Producer: Jennifer Ivan