T-Minus Space Daily: "Orbit Delayed, Deals Made" Release Date: June 13, 2025

N2K Networks’ "T-Minus Space Daily" delivers comprehensive updates and analyses on the global space industry. In the episode titled "Orbit Delayed, Deals Made," host Maria Varmazas breaks down significant developments, including satellite program delays, major acquisitions, international collaborations, and the latest in space traffic. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Space Force’s Next-Gen OPIR Satellite Launch Delayed

Maria Varmazas opens the episode with a report on the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Space Force program. According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the launch of the Space Force’s first next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellite has been postponed to no earlier than March 2026.

Key Points:

• Original Schedule: The OPIR satellite was initially slated for a late 2025 launch.
• Reasons for Delay: The GAO attributes the postponement to technical development challenges and a "crowded 2025 launch manifest" (00:02:15).
• Program Details: The OPIR program aims to replace the legacy space-based infrared system with a modern, distributed missile warning architecture. It comprises two satellites in geosynchronous orbit by Lockheed Martin and two in polar orbit by Northrop Grumman.
• Cost Implications: Delays are expected to lead to increased costs due to the crowded launch schedule.
• GAO’s Assessment: The report highlights ongoing struggles within the DoD to deliver innovative technologies promptly and within budget constraints across various branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.

Notable Quote:

"The Department of Defense continues to struggle with delivering innovative technologies quickly and within budget." – GAO Report (00:03:45)

2. NATO Awards Seven-Figure Contract to Planet Labs

In a significant move to bolster its surveillance and intelligence capabilities, NATO has awarded a seven-figure contract to Planet Labs. This collaboration is part of NATO’s Smart Indications and Warning Broad Area Detection (SINBAD) program.

Key Points:

• Contract Details: The exact amount remains undisclosed, but it signifies a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing NATO’s early warning and maritime domain awareness.
• Technological Integration: Planet Labs will provide a platform that integrates its broad-area monitoring satellite data with advanced AI and machine learning analytics.
• Operational Goals: The system is designed to support surveillance, early warning, and situational awareness across key strategic areas, enabling quicker responses to emerging threats.
• Strategic Importance: Host Maria Varmazas emphasized that this partnership strengthens NATO’s deterrence capabilities and enhances real-time insights for its forces.

Notable Quote:

"This collaboration helps the alliance to strengthen deterrence, manage complexity and deliver real time insight to its forces." – NATO Leaders (00:07:30)

3. European Commission Approves SES’s $3.1 Billion Acquisition of Intelsat

A major consolidation in the satellite communications industry is underway as the European Commission has unconditionally approved SES’s acquisition of Intelsat for $3.1 billion. This approval follows prior antitrust scrutiny and marks a significant step towards integration.

Key Points:

• Market Impact: The merger positions the combined entity to exert increased competitive pressure on major players like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
• Regulatory Approval: The European Commission concluded that the transaction does not pose competition concerns within the European Economic Area (EEA).
• Strategic Benefits: The union of SES and Intelsat is expected to enhance their market presence and operational efficiencies in the global satellite communications sector.

Notable Quote:

"The transaction would not raise competition concerns in the European economic area." – European Commission (00:12:00)

4. BAE Systems and Hanwha Systems’ Memorandum of Understanding

BAE Systems and Hanwha Systems have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop a multi-sensor satellite system targeting international markets. This collaboration merges BAE’s expertise in ultra-wideband RF sensors with Hanwha’s proficiency in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

Key Points:

• Project Goals: Develop an advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform that integrates RF and SAR data, processes it onboard using edge computing, and utilizes machine learning for intelligence delivery.
• Strategic Partnership: The MoU underscores the strategic alignment between the UK and South Korea, aiming to expand their roles in the global space economy.
• Future Plans: BAE Systems also announced the upcoming launch of its first satellite cluster, Azalea, scheduled for next year. This mission is designed to enhance threat awareness from low Earth orbit and reflects BAE’s commitment to international space collaboration.

Notable Quote:

"The collaboration supports growing demand for space-based surveillance capabilities." – BAE Systems Leader (00:10:15)

5. FAA Closes Investigation on SpaceX Starship Flight 8 Mishap

Maria Varmazas provides an update on the SpaceX Starship Flight 8 mishap following a recent incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially closed the investigation, citing no public injuries or property damage.

Key Points:

• Mishap Cause: The FAA report attributes the loss of the Starship vehicle to a hardware failure in one of the Raptor engines, which led to inadvertent propellant mixing and ignition (00:15:30).
• Corrective Actions: SpaceX has identified eight corrective measures to prevent future occurrences. The FAA verified that these actions were implemented before the upcoming Starship Flight 9 mission.
• Future Missions: The investigation into Flight 9 is still ongoing, and clearance for Starship Test Flight 10 depends on its conclusion.

Notable Quote:

"The probable root cause for the loss of the Starship vehicle was a hardware failure in one of the Raptor engines." – FAA Report (00:16:45)

6. Weekly Space Traffic Report

Alicia Siegel presents the Weekly Space Traffic Report, highlighting recent and upcoming launches:

Recent Launches:

• June 7, 2025: Falcon 9 launched the SXM10 satellite for SiriusXM into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Unlike typical Falcon 9 missions to GTOs, this mission included a deorbit burn of the second stage for targeted reentry over the Pacific Ocean due to the satellite’s heavy mass of approximately 6.4 metric tons (08:45).

• June 8, 2025: Falcon 9 deployed 26 Starlink V2 mini satellites into low Earth orbit. The first stage, B1088, successfully landed on SpaceX’s drone ship after its seventh flight (09:05).

• June 10, 2025: Another Falcon 9 mission launched a mixed batch of Starlink V2 mini and Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites. The first stage, flying for the 12th time, successfully landed on the deck of the drone ship (09:20).

• June 11, 2025: Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket launched the QPS SAR 11 satellite into low Earth orbit from New Zealand’s Launch Complex 1. This marks the fourth QPS SAR satellite for the Japanese Earth Observation Co. (09:35).

• Late June 2025: Falcon 9 from Vandenberg launched additional Starlink V2 mini satellites with the first stage B1081 achieving its 15th flight (09:50). The final Falcon 9 launch of the week saw booster B1078 reach its 21st flight, successfully landing on the drone ship (09:55).

Upcoming Launches:

• Next Week’s Highlights:
  • More Starlink launches are expected.
  • Potential launch of the Axiom 4 mission to the ISS.
  • Atlas V by United Launch Alliance targeting June 16th for the second batch of Amazon’s Kuiper satellites.
  • Possible Angara launch from Russia and additional launches from China.

Notable Quote:

"15s and the fifth and final Falcon nine of the week happened not long after from the other coast of the United States." – Alicia Siegel (09:40)

Conclusion

The episode of "T-Minus Space Daily" encapsulates pivotal movements within the space industry, from significant program delays and strategic acquisitions to international collaborations and the bustling activity in space launches. The insights provided by Maria Varmazas and Alicia Siegel offer listeners a thorough understanding of current trends and future expectations in the rapidly evolving space sector.

For more detailed information and continuous updates, listeners are encouraged to visit N2K Networks and explore the show notes available on the website.

This summary is intended for those who have not listened to the episode, providing a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and developments covered in "Orbit Delayed, Deals Made."