T-Minus Space Daily — "Plane launch to rescue a falling NASA telescope"

Host: Maria Varmazis
Date: November 20, 2025
Podcast: T-Minus Space Daily by N2K Networks

Episode Overview

This episode provides in-depth coverage of significant new developments in space technology, industry partnerships, and policy, with a special focus on an innovative upcoming mission to rescue NASA’s Swift Observatory before it re-enters Earth's atmosphere. The show also features an interview with Derek Harris, Head of Business Development at Skyrora, about their new ESA contract for 3D printing advanced aerospace alloys. Additional news briefs cover European lunar cargo projects, sea-launch innovations, and strides in helium-3 extraction and advanced materials manufacturing for space applications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NASA Swift Observatory Rescue Mission (01:31 – 05:55)

• Background:
  • NASA’s Swift Observatory (officially, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) has studied gamma-ray bursts from low Earth orbit for 20 years.
  • Due to orbital decay, Swift is projected to crash back to Earth by late 2026, with no replacement mission planned.
• Rescue Mission:
  • NASA has commissioned Catalyst Space Technologies to lead a "robotic rescue" using the Lynx orbital servicing vehicle.
  • Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL air-launched rocket—dropped from a high-flying airplane—will deliver Lynx to Swift’s orbit.
  • The mission aims to raise Swift into a higher orbit, extending its operational life.
  • Catalyst has less than eight months to get Lynx ready for a scheduled June 2026 launch.
  • The Pegasus XL was chosen as the only system capable of meeting tight timeline and budget demands.

Memorable Quote:

“Catalyst Space Technologies has selected Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL Air launched rocket to deliver its robotic spacecraft to orbit for the upcoming NASA Swift rescue mission. ... The mission aims to reposition NASA's long-lived Neil Gehrel's Swift observatory into a higher orbit to extend its scientific operations.”
—Maria Varmazis (03:17 – 03:50)

2. European Lunar Descent Module Contracts (05:55 – 06:45)

• ESA's Argonaut Mission:
  • Thales Alenia Space solidified multiple contracts to define the team building the ESA Argonaut lunar descent element, targeting launches from the 2030s.
  • Responsible for mission architecture, entry, descent, and landing systems, and integration of propulsion and avionics across European partners (Italy, France, UK, OHB System AG, and Nammo).

3. Axiom Space’s Spacesuit Milestone for Lunar Missions (06:45 – 07:36)

• Significant Progress:
  • Axiom Space and KBR have completed the uncrewed thermal vacuum test of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit) designed for Artemis 3.
  • The testing in simulated space conditions is critical for suit qualification, especially for lunar south pole environment.

4. Offshore Launch Innovations: Via Space & Seagate Space (07:36 – 08:45)

• Partnership:
  • Collaboration aims to enable offshore, floating launch platforms for the Dauntless Hybrid rocket.
  • Targeting flexibility, mobile launch capabilities, and breaking dependence on fixed seaports.
• Regulatory Milestone:
  • Seagate Space's floating launch platform is on track to secure approval under the American Bureau of Shipping's Offshore Spaceport guidelines.

5. Interlune & Helium-3 Supply Chain Advances (08:45 – 09:26)

• Award:
  • Interlune secures an AFWorks contract to develop domestic helium-3 extraction tech, critical for quantum computing and defense.
  • Immediate plans focus on enhancing US helium infrastructure with sights on future lunar extraction.

6. Selected Reading Highlights (09:26 – 10:06)

• Industry News:
  • Collins Aerospace and Dutch Air Force open avionics service center.
  • Crossbow begins additive manufacturing of solid propellant.
  • BAE Systems unveils enhanced radiation-hardened integrated circuits.

7. Feature Interview: Skyrora’s ESA 3D Printing Contract

(12:00 – 22:59)

A. Origins of Skyrora’s 3D Printing Expertise (12:16 – 13:36)

• Skyrora developed its own large-format 3D printer (~2m x 2m build volume) capable of printing and machining rocket engines in one setup.
• Became the print partner of choice for the Made3D European consortium (includes Siemens, Safran).
• Specializing in bi-metallic engine printing—e.g., copper-on-Inconel for weight and heat resistance benefits.

Notable Quote:

"We have kind of got the reputation to go to for these sort of things. If you need to print something and are looking to do new or innovative alloys for that purpose, Skyrora seems to be the ones that people are coming to."
—Derek Harris (13:11 – 13:29)

B. ESA-Funded GSTP Project: Cambium Alloy (13:49 – 15:29)

• GSTP program focuses on new space sector advancements; project explores Cambium alloy.
• Cambium shows properties superior to traditional Inconel—better heat resistance, lighter, and potentially cheaper.
• Skyrora to 3D-print small "nuggets" for extensive material testing (thermal, brittleness, etc.).
• Goal: Enhance UK’s space sector independence and sovereign launch capabilities via material supply chain security.

C. Tanbium Alloy: Next-Generation Space Material (15:33 – 17:56)

• Tanbium features strengthened tensile capability and higher heat resistance compared to Inconel, expected to be pivotal for rocket engines.
• Hafnium-free tantalum-niobium base alloy, strategically significant as sourcing is possible from more geopolitically stable partners (e.g. Brazil), reducing reliance on Russia/China.
• Offers potential for “full engine weight” savings due to lighter, stronger composition.

Memorable Exchange:

Maria Varmazis: "Also feeds back into the idea of greater space sovereignty from beginning to end ... all the way back through the supply chain."
Derek Harris: "Being able to get these alloys and the individual elements much easier and from trusted allies is going to be huge ..."
(17:32 – 17:56)

D. Global Context & Future Prospects (17:56 – 21:03)

• New alloys are rare, and a generational leap in space materials is overdue.
• Material advances could save up to the weight of an entire engine per rocket stack.
• UK universities and industry expected to spearhead global R&D gambles on advanced manufacturing in the next 3–5 years.
• Grants like ESA’s GSTP “are an absolute must” for competitiveness versus US innovation.

E. Timeline for Results (21:03 – 22:11)

• Field reports to ESA within 8–12 months; hope for rapid prototyping, potential test-firing if results exceed expectations.

Ending Note:

"Hopefully next year I'll have a lot more fun that you can sit and watch. So everyone knows the fun part about rockets is watching the engines and watching things launch ... watch this space, and without the pun."
—Derek Harris (22:22 – 22:59)

8. Additional News: ESA-CAS SMILE Mission Approved (23:53 – 25:47)

• The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)—a joint ESA–Chinese Academy of Sciences mission—has cleared flight acceptance reviews.
• Will study Sun-Earth interactions using advanced particle, magnetic, UV, and X-ray instrumentation.
• SMILE launches April–May 2026 on a Vega C from French Guiana.

Notable Quote:

"That mission is the Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer. And the acronym is ... SMILE. No, that's not a directive from me. That is the name of the mission."
—Maria Varmazis (24:09 – 24:17)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "Catalyst has under eight months to get its Link spacecraft on orbit to rescue Swift."
  —Maria Varmazis (03:38)

• "Being able to get these alloys and the individual elements much easier and from trusted allies is going to be huge. ... It takes away the scarcity value on the open market..."
  —Derek Harris (16:58 – 17:53)

• "What you'll see over the next three to five years is huge, huge global gambles on different types of materials to be tested. ... The money that you can gain back or the savings you can gain back is just unbelievable for that purpose."
  —Derek Harris (19:43 – 20:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NASA Swift Rescue Mission: 01:31 – 05:55
• ESA Argonaut Lunar Descent: 05:55 – 06:45
• Axiom Spacesuit Test: 06:45 – 07:36
• Via & Seagate Offshore Launch: 07:36 – 08:45
• Interlune Helium-3 Contract: 08:45 – 09:26
• Selected Reading: 09:26 – 10:06
• Interview—Skyrora & ESA 3D Printing: 12:00 – 22:59
• SMILE Mission Update: 23:53 – 25:47

Closing Thoughts

This episode exemplifies the dynamic, international cooperation and technical ingenuity propelling the modern space industry. From ambitious spacecraft rescue missions to foundational advances in materials science, the stories highlighted reflect both pressing challenges (e.g., orbital decay, supply chain dependencies) and fresh solutions (e.g., orbital servicing, advanced alloys). The conversation with Derek Harris illustrates how innovation in manufacturing is tightly linked to both geopolitics and national aspirations for sovereignty and sustainability in space.