T-Minus Space Daily: Celebrating 35 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope

Podcast Information:

• Title: T-Minus Space Daily
• Host/Author: N2K Networks
• Description: The daily space intelligence and analysis that global space industry leaders and experts depend on. Published each weekday, this program includes interviews with a wide spectrum of experts from industry, academia, and research organizations worldwide.
• Episode: Happy 35 Years of Hubble Space Telescope
• Release Date: April 24, 2025

1. Introduction and Daily Briefing

Host: Alice Carruth
Timestamp: [00:00] - [01:20]

Alice Carruth opens the episode by introducing the day's topics, including recent achievements in the space industry and a special interview with Troy Morris, CEO of Cal Morris Inc. The introduction sets the stage for a comprehensive overview of significant space-related developments.

2. Space Industry News Highlights

Timestamp: [01:29] - [19:02]

Alice Carruth delivers a series of news updates covering various space industry advancements and contract awards:

• Sierra Space: Successfully completed hypervelocity impact trials of their live habitat at NASA's White Sands Test Facility.

• Firefly Aerospace: Awarded a contract to develop a ceramic matrix composite nozzle extension for liquid rocket engines, enhancing rocket performance and reducing production costs.

• U.S. Space Forces Space Systems Command: Granted Raft LLC a $2.9 million contract to develop an API Gateway, enhancing data accessibility and interoperability for Space Force operational systems.

• Catalyst Space’s Acquisition of Atomospace: Catalyst Space has acquired Atomospace to expand its capabilities in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, life extension, and space domain awareness. Key personnel, including co-founder Vanessa Clark, are transitioning to Catalyst.

• China’s Shenzhou 20 Mission: Launched by a Long March 2F rocket, carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station. The mission marks Commander Shen Dong’s third spaceflight, with a six-month mission duration.

Notable Quote:
Maria Valmas emphasizes the importance of identity security in space operations:

“Identity attack paths are easy targets for threat actors to exploit, but hard for defenders to detect.”
[00:10]

3. Interview with Troy Morris, Co-founder and CEO of Cal Morris Inc.

Timestamp: [09:20] - [19:02]

Guests: Troy Morris, CEO of Cal Morris Inc.
Interviewer: Maria Valmas

Key Discussion Points:

• KMI Demonstration on the ISS:
  Troy Morris discusses the successful deployment and testing of Reach arms on the International Space Station (ISS). These mechanical linkages have undergone nearly 200 capture cycles, demonstrating their reliability and effectiveness in space operations.

  Quote:

  “We’ve pushed it to the envelope, we’ve pushed it past the envelope. We’ve re-established what the Envelope is.”
  [14:15]

• Future Developments and Mission Preparation:
  With upcoming missions scheduled for 2027, Cal Morris Inc. is focusing on retrieving hardware from the ISS to analyze wear and tear, ensuring the technology is robust for future applications. This includes refining components and enhancing the Reach arm’s capabilities.

  Quote:

  “Being able to connect with those customers and figure out partnerships that are going to be moving forward for everything from end of life, servicing, life extension.”
  [15:28]

• Company Growth and Workforce Development:
  Troy highlights the company’s expansion across multiple states, partnerships with educational institutions like Northern Michigan University and Embry-Riddle, and efforts to influence national space policies through advocacy in Washington, D.C.

  Quote:

  “We’re authentic, we’re real, we’re raw, we’re Midwestern, but we’re making stuff happen that’s so amazing.”
  [16:21]

• Collaboration and Industry Impact:
  The discussion underscores the importance of collaboration between commercial and national space sectors, positioning Cal Morris Inc. as a key player in advancing space logistics and mobility solutions.

  Quote:

  “It’s really changing the industry in a good way.”
  [15:54]

4. Celebrating 35 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope

Timestamp: [19:56] - [22:37]

Host: Alice Carruth

Alice Carruth dedicates a significant portion of the episode to celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope. She reflects on Hubble's profound impact on astronomy and our understanding of the universe.

Key Highlights:

• Launch and Achievements:
  On April 24, 1990, Hubble was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Over the past 35 years, it has provided unprecedented images of the cosmos, including iconic pictures such as the Pillars of Creation and the Eagle Nebula.

• Scientific Contributions:
  Hubble has been instrumental in groundbreaking discoveries, including insights into dark energy, the existence of black holes, and precise measurements of the universe’s expansion rate. These contributions have significantly advanced cosmology and astrophysics.

• Legacy and Inspiration:
  Beyond its scientific achievements, Hubble has inspired generations of scientists, astronomers, and space enthusiasts. Its stunning visuals continue to capture the imagination of people around the world.

Closing Remarks:

Alice encourages listeners to view the latest images captured by Hubble, such as the Sombrero Galaxy, celebrating Hubble's enduring legacy.

Notable Quote:

“Hubble may be nearing its final years, but its legacy will last forever.”
[19:56]

5. Additional Content and Resources

Timestamp: [07:30] - [17:44]

Producer: Liz Stokes

Alice Carruth and Liz Stokes mention supplementary content available on their website, including:

• Titans Genesis Space Plane Mission: Details about the inaugural mission scheduled for 2029.

• State of the Space Industrial Base 2024 Report: A comprehensive report released by New Space Nexus, providing insights into the current state and future trends of the space industry.

Listeners are directed to visit space.n2k.com for access to show notes and additional resources.

6. Conclusion and Credits

Timestamp: [19:02] - [22:37]

Alice Carruth wraps up the episode, acknowledging the contributions of the production team and sponsors. She reiterates the importance of Hubble's legacy and invites listeners to engage with N2K Networks for more in-depth space intelligence and analysis.

Production Credits:

• Producer: Liz Stokes
• Mixing: Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester
• Original Music: Elliot Peltzman
• Executive Producer: Jennifer Eisenhower
• Publisher: Peter Kilpy
• Senior Producer: Alice Carruth

Key Takeaways:

• Hubble's Enduring Impact: Celebrating 35 years of Hubble underscores its monumental role in astronomy, providing both stunning imagery and critical scientific data that continue to shape our understanding of the universe.

• Advancements in Space Technology: Updates on companies like Sierra Space, Firefly Aerospace, and Catalyst Space highlight the ongoing innovations driving the space industry forward, from habitat resilience to advanced propulsion systems.

• Commercial and National Space Collaboration: The interview with Troy Morris emphasizes the growing synergy between commercial entities and national space initiatives, fostering advancements in in-space logistics and mobility.

• Data Security in Space Operations: The segment on identity security by Maria Valmas underscores the increasing importance of cybersecurity measures in safeguarding space operations and assets.

For More Information:
Visit space.n2k.com to explore detailed show notes, additional resources, and access to exclusive space industry reports.