T-Minus Space Daily: NOAA Selects BAE for Space Weather Next
Host: Maria Varmazas
Guest: Mark Lester, Aerospace and Defense Consultant at Merrick
Release Date: February 24, 2025

Introduction

In the February 24, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily hosted by Maria Varmazas, N2K Networks delves into significant advancements and contracts shaping the global space industry. This episode highlights critical developments, including NOAA's selection of BAE Systems for the Space Weather Next program, NASA’s collaboration with SpaceX for asteroid detection, and emerging trends in spaceport infrastructure discussed with aerospace expert Mark Lester.

Top Five Stories

1. BAE Systems Awarded $230.6 Million NOAA Contract for Space Weather Next

At the onset of the episode, Maria Varmazas reports that BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems has secured a $230.6 million contract to develop spacecraft for NOAA's Space Weather Next program. This program focuses on maintaining and enhancing space weather observations from stable orbital points such as Lagrange 1, approximately one million miles from Earth.

• Scope of the Contract: The agreement encompasses all phases of the Lagrange 1 Series project, including the development of up to two spacecraft, instrument integration, satellite testing, and comprehensive support for both the spacecraft Flight Operations Team and Mission Operations.

• Program Objectives: The inaugural launch in 2029 aims to establish the first observatory under Space Weather Next, ensuring continuous real-time coronal imagery and solar wind measurements. This continuity is vital as it will sustain observational data beyond the lifespan of NOAA's current Space Weather Follow-On missions.

2. NASA Selects SpaceX for Near Earth Object Surveyor Mission

Maria highlights that NASA has chosen SpaceX to provide launch services for the Near Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission, a project dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids and comets that may threaten Earth.

• Contract Details: The fixed-price launch service task order, part of the NASA Launch Services 2 contract, totals approximately $100 million. This includes both the launch service and associated mission costs.

• Mission Timeline: The NEO Surveyor is slated for a September 2027 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida. Maria notes the curiosity surrounding Elon Musk's involvement with Dogecoin and its potential impact on federal contracts.

3. Gilmour Space Technologies Plans Inaugural Launch of Eris Rocket

Turning to Australia, Maria reports that Gilmour Space Technologies is preparing for the maiden flight of the Eris rocket, set for no earlier than March 15. This marks the first Australian-designed and built rocket aimed for orbit.

• Regulatory Milestones: The company has attained final airspace approvals from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Air Services Australia, overcoming the last regulatory barriers.

• Historical Context: Gilmour made history when its Bowen Spaceport received the first orbital launch facility license in Australia last March. Additionally, Eris Test Flight 1 secured the nation's inaugural Australian launch permit in November.

4. Successful 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Trial by Eutelsat, MediaTek, and Airbus

Maria shares that Eutelsat Group, MediaTek, and Airbus Defense and Space have successfully executed the world's first trial of 5G NTN technology using Eutelsat OneWeb's Low Earth Orbit satellites.

• Significance: This breakthrough paves the way for the deployment of the 5G NTN standard, facilitating future interoperability between satellite and terrestrial networks within a vast ecosystem.

• Future Implications: The service aims to reduce access costs and expand satellite broadband availability for 5G devices globally.

5. Rocket Lab National Security Completes Critical Design Review for Victus Hayes 4 Mission

Maria announces that Rocket Lab's subsidiary, Rocket Lab National Security, has successfully passed its critical design review for the US Space Force Space Systems Command's tactically responsive space mission, Victus Hayes 4.

• Contract Overview: The mission, valued at $32 million, involves designing, building, licensing, launching, and operating a spacecraft capable of rendezvous and proximity operations. Rocket Lab will utilize its Pioneer spacecraft and Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

• Partnerships: The project is a collaboration with Space Safari and the Defense Innovation Unit, highlighting the increasing synergy between private aerospace companies and defense organizations.

Additional Stories Not in Top Five

Alice Cruz, N2K's senior producer, supplements the top stories with four additional noteworthy developments:

1. Defense News: Coverage on the Space Force canceling its contract with one of four companies developing designs for its resilient GPS program.
2. NASA's Sphere X Launch Update: Progress and timelines related to NASA's emerging projects.
3. Redwire's Technology on IM2 Mission: Insights into Redwire's contributions to the International Microgravity Laboratory (IM2) mission slated for launch this week.
4. Captor Space Emerges from Stealth Mode: The company's focus on developing advanced spaceborne radar systems.

These stories are available in the Selected Reading section of the show notes on space.n2k.com.

Expert Interview: Mark Lester on the Future of Spaceports

A significant portion of the episode features an in-depth conversation with Mark Lester, an aerospace and defense consultant at Merrick. The discussion revolves around the critical role of spaceports in addressing increasing space traffic and the evolving infrastructure needs of the space industry.

The Necessity of More Spaceports

Maria Varmazas initiates the dialogue by asking Mark about his work at spaceports and the necessity for expanding them to manage space traffic, particularly at Cape Canaveral.

Mark Lester responds, emphasizing the foundational role of spaceports in providing access to space. He outlines the current landscape in the US, noting there are five primary vertical launch sites:

• Boca Chica (SpaceX's private site)
• Vandenberg
• Cape Canaveral
• Wallops
• Kodiak

"Access to space starts at spaceports and we definitely need them," says Mark (01:13). He envisions a network of diverse spaceports akin to the global network of airports, supporting a growing array of operations beyond just vertical launches.

Diversification and Economic Impact

Mark underscores the importance of diversified revenue streams for spaceports to ensure their sustainability and economic impact on local communities.

"Spaceports really need a diverse set of revenue streams... bring value to the industry, it brings jobs and really creates this growing space economy," Mark elaborates (12:02). He cites Kodiak as an example, where the spaceport not only supports government and commercial launches but also provides deployable telemetry antennas to Rocket Lab, fostering both technological advancement and economic benefits.

Global Expansion and International Collaboration

Discussing the global growth of spaceports, Mark notes that overseas expansion is outpacing domestic growth in the US. He highlights ongoing initiatives in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, and India, pointing out the potential for international collaboration.

"What I'm seeing is much larger growth overseas than in US Domestic market. And that makes sense," Mark observes (14:45). He mentions Nigeria's interest in building a spaceport and the existing facilities in Australia and New Zealand as testament to this trend.

Challenges and Future Opportunities

Mark identifies several challenges facing the expansion of spaceports:

1. Export Control Regulations: Specifically, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) pose significant barriers to exporting rocket technology and supporting spaceports internationally.

2. Investment and Funding: Maintaining a steady flow of investment is crucial for the progression of space initiatives. Mark emphasizes the necessity of demonstrating profitable opportunities in space to attract and retain investors.

3. Leveraging Diverse Industries: To overcome these challenges, Mark advocates for integrating diverse sectors such as biotech, biofuels, and nuclear propulsion into the space industry. This multidisciplinary approach can drive innovation and create resilient economic models for spaceports.

"If we miss out on that, we're just going to slow our pace," Mark warns (18:36), stressing the importance of embracing lessons from adjacent industries like aviation to accelerate advancements in space infrastructure.

Spotlight: US Space Force’s X37B Space Plane

Later in the episode, Maria shifts focus to a topical yet secretive subject: the US Space Force’s X37B space plane. Although much of its mission remains classified, recent developments provide a glimpse into its ongoing operations.

• Recent Launch: The X37B was launched for its seventh mission in December 2023 and continues to orbit with an enigmatic presence.

• Captured Image: The Space Force released an image taken onboard the space plane above the African continent. The photo reveals a solar panel on the left and an open payload bay, offering limited insights into the vehicle's current mission activities.

• Orbit Details: Contrary to previous missions in low Earth orbit, the latest mission involves a highly elliptical orbit. The vehicle executed a series of aerobraking maneuvers to adjust its orbit efficiently, conserving fuel.

• Operational Milestone: The X37B achieved a record 908 days in orbit during its sixth mission. The duration and scope of the current mission remain uncertain, leaving space enthusiasts eagerly anticipating further disclosures.

Conclusion

The February 24, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily presents a comprehensive overview of pivotal developments in the space industry. From significant contracts awarded to BAE Systems and SpaceX to the strategic insights on spaceport expansion shared by Mark Lester, the episode underscores the dynamic and multifaceted nature of space exploration and commercialization. Additionally, the brief exploration of the X37B space plane adds an element of intrigue, highlighting the ongoing blend of public and classified endeavors in the quest to advance humanity's reach into space.

For more detailed coverage and additional stories, listeners are encouraged to visit the show notes on space.n2k.com.

Notable Quotes:

• "Access to space starts at spaceports and we definitely need them."
  — Mark Lester (01:13)

• "Spaceports really need a diverse set of revenue streams... bring value to the industry, it brings jobs and really creates this growing space economy."
  — Mark Lester (12:02)

• "If we miss out on that, we're just going to slow our pace."
  — Mark Lester (18:36)

Additional Resources:

• Visit space.n2k.com for show notes and selected readings.
• Follow N2K T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram for daily updates and behind-the-scenes content.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the February 24, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the full podcast.