SES adds to the O3b mPOWER constellation.

Summary

T-Minus Space Daily: SES Enhances O3b mPOWER Constellation

Published on July 23, 2025
Host: Alice Carruth, N2K Networks

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Introduction

On the July 23, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Alice Carruth delivers a comprehensive analysis of significant developments in the global space industry. The episode delves into SES's expansion of its O3b mPOWER constellation, NASA's recent launch challenges, New Zealand's new space infrastructure regulations, BlackSky's strategic contracts, and groundbreaking wildfire monitoring technology from the Earth Fire Alliance.

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SES Expands O3b mPOWER Constellation

Timestamp: [02:14]

SES has progressed notably in its planned acquisition of Intelsat, marking a strategic enhancement of its global satellite network. The latest addition to the O3b mPOWER constellation involves the launch of two new satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida.

Key Points:

• Enhanced Coverage: The new satellites extend global coverage and increase capacity within SES's second-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) system.
• Advanced Technology: These satellites feature software-defined, digitally formed beams optimized for military-grade resilience against jamming, interception, and interruption.
• Strategic Importance: Positioned as pivotal in digital infrastructure defense, the O3b mPOWER satellites support NATO, U.S., and allied government operations, ensuring secure mobility and strategic connectivity.
• Future Deployment: With five O3b mPOWER satellites currently in operation, three more are slated for launch in 2026, aiming for full constellation deployment by 2027.

Notable Quote: "These satellites incorporate software defined digitally formed beams hardened for military grade use, featuring resiliency against jamming, interception and interruption," explained Alice Carruth. (02:30)

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NASA's Tracers Mission Launch Postponed

Timestamp: [02:14]

NASA's Tracers mission, alongside other payloads, faced a last-minute launch postponement. Originally scheduled for July 22 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the launch was scrubbed due to a regional power outage affecting telecommunications at the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control center.

Key Points:

• Reason for Delay: The FAA cited a regional power outage in Santa Barbara as the cause for the postponement, prioritizing public safety.
• Rescheduled Launch: SpaceX has rebooked the launch for the following day, aligning it with a similarly timed SpaceX Falcon 9 mission.

Notable Quote: "The FAA postponed the SpaceX Falcon 9 tracers launch to ensure the safety of the traveling public," reported Carruth. (02:50)

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New Zealand Implements Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Regulations

Timestamp: [02:14]

In response to national security concerns, New Zealand has enacted the Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill, effective July 29. This legislation mandates oversight and security safeguards for ground-based space infrastructure, including satellite tracking stations and telemetry systems.

Key Points:

• Regulatory Measures: Operators of ground-based infrastructure must demonstrate appropriate security arrangements and conduct due diligence on their partners.
• Government Statement: Space Minister Judith Collins emphasized the dual role of ground-based systems in supporting space activities and posing potential security risks without proper regulation.

Notable Quote: "Ground based infrastructure in New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting global satellite operations and space activities, but without regulation, it can also pose risks to national security and other national interests," stated Collins. (03:45)

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BlackSky Secures Contract for Latin American Defense and Intelligence

Timestamp: [02:14]

BlackSky has secured a pivotal contract to provide monitoring services for defense and intelligence agencies in Latin America, targeting transnational organized crime.

Key Points:

• Enhanced Capabilities: The contract enables end-users to implement AI-enabled automated tasking across BlackSky's Gen 2 and Gen 3 satellite platforms.
• Data Access: Clients gain access to BlackSky's extensive archiving imagery, analytics data, and the ability to procure third-party commercial constellation data through BlackSky's tasking and analytics platform.
• Strategic Impact: According to Brian O'Toole, BlackSky's CEO, the integration of diverse space-based data sources enhances persistent visibility into activities such as irregular migration and unauthorized movements of vehicles, vessels, and aircraft.

Notable Quote: "By increasing the speed, volume, and diversity of space-based data sources, end users gain persistent visibility into patterns of life anomalies," stated Brian O’Toole. (04:15)

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Earth Fire Alliance Launches Wildfire Monitoring Satellite

Timestamp: [02:14]

The global nonprofit Coalition Earth Fire Alliance, in collaboration with Muon Space and Google Research, has unveiled the first wildfire images captured by the firesat Proto Flight satellite.

Key Points:

• Early Detection: The firesat satellite successfully identified a small, previously undetected fire in Oregon, demonstrating its capability to catch wildfires at early stages.
• Community Impact: These advancements aim to provide first responders with critical insights to assess and mitigate wildfire threats before they escalate into significant public safety issues.
• Technological Innovation: Firesat offers a new dimension in wildfire monitoring, complementing existing satellite-based systems by delivering higher-resolution and more timely data.

Notable Quote: "The images highlight the opportunity firesat presents to deliver insights missed by other space-based systems," Carruth noted. (05:00)

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Additional Industry Headlines

Timestamp: [06:59]

Producer Liz Stokes highlights three additional stories featured in the episode's selected reading section:

1. Environmental Regulations: Reports indicate that the Trump administration is considering reductions in environmental protection rules related to rocket launches.

2. EU Space Act Stakeholder Input: NOAA's Office of Space Commerce and the Department of State's Office of Space Affairs are gathering perspectives from U.S. stakeholders on the provisions of the EU Space Act.

3. Poland's Investment in EISI: Poland is reportedly exploring the acquisition of a stake in the European Space Infrastructure and Services Initiative (EISI).

Notable Instruction: Carruth encourages listeners to access the full articles via the show's website for in-depth information. (07:30)

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NASA's Suits Challenge Empowers Future Space Innovators

Timestamp: [10:17]

NASA's Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students, known as the Suits Challenge, concluded its annual event at the Johnson Space Center. Over 100 students from 12 universities participated, developing interactive user interfaces for future spacesuits and rovers.

Key Points:

• Real-World Testing: Teams underwent a week-long trial in NASA's simulated moon and Mars environment, the Rockyard in Houston.
• Expert Engagement: Participants received guidance from NASA coordinators, guest speakers, and had the opportunity to pitch their innovations to a panel that included astronaut Denise Burnham and Flight Director Garrett Heinrich.
• Awards and Recognition:
  • Innovation Award: Team Jarvis
  • Pay It Forward Award: Celine from Midwestern State
  • Artemis Educator Award: Faculty champion Maggie Schoonover
• Future Opportunities: Activity Manager Jamie Semple emphasized the program's role in equipping students with essential STEM skills and providing a pathway into future Artemis missions and space careers.

Notable Quote: "They're all so creative and wonderful. Definitely something that could be implemented in the future," praised astronaut Denise Burnham regarding the students' projects. (10:45)

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Conclusion

The episode of T-Minus Space Daily offers an insightful overview of current advancements and strategic movements within the space industry. From SES's robust satellite deployments to NASA's collaborative educational initiatives, the broadcast underscores the dynamic interplay between technology, security, and international collaboration shaping the future of space exploration and utilization.

For more detailed information on these stories and additional headlines, listeners are encouraged to visit the show’s website at space.n2k.com and explore the selected reading sections provided in the episode's show notes.

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This summary was crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the episode for those who may not have the opportunity to listen. It highlights key discussions, insights, and expert opinions shared during the broadcast.

Transcript

[Maria Valmarzes]

You're listening to the N2K Space Network. And now a word from our sponsor, ThreatLocker, the powerful Zero Trust Enterprise Solution that stops ransomware in its tracks. Allow Listing is a deny by default software that makes application control simple and fast. Ring Fencing is an application containment strategy ensuring apps can only access the files, registry key keys, network resources and other applications they truly need to function. Shut out cybercriminals with world class endpoint protection from Threat locker.

[Alice Carruth]

Today is July 23rd, 2025. I'm Alice Carruth and this is T minus.

[Maria Valmarzes]

T minus 20 seconds. Go for dep.

[Alice Carruth]

Earth Fire alliance released the first wildfire images captured by firesat Proto Flight satellite. Blacksky has won a contract to provide monitoring services for Latin American defence and intelligence customers in the fight against transnational organized crime. New Zealand has passed legislation to regulate the use of ground based space infrastructure following concerns about foreign actors using it to harm national security. FAA postponed the SpaceX Falcon 9 tracers launch on Tuesday due to a regional power outage. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched two new SES OB3 Mpower satellites to medium Earth orbit. Happy hump day y'. All. Thanks for sticking with me this week while Maria is on vacation, you can voice your complaints about the strange British accent to spaceout in2k.com, you'll get me, but the option.

[Maria Valmarzes]

Foreign.

[Alice Carruth]

Let'S dive into today's Intel Briefing, shall we? Hot off the news of its planned acquisition of Intelsat, SES has made more progress in space launching the latest O3B MPower satellites. The latest pair of spacecraft were launched from Florida last night on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SCS says these two new satellites enhance global coverage and bring incremental capacity to scale up Services provided by SCS's 2nd Generation Ms. Medium Earth Orbit system. The satellites incorporate software defined digitally formed beams hardened for military grade use, featuring resiliency, against jamming, interception and interruption. This positions O3B M power satellites as a key player in digital infra defence, supporting NATO, US and allied government operations, secure mobility and strategic connectivity. The two new satellites launched will join the 8003 BM Power spacecraft already in operation. The remaining three O3B M Power satellites are currently being manufactured and are scheduled for launch in 2026. The additional satellites will bring up the threshold increase in availability capacity by 2027 when the entire O3B MPower constellation is fully deployed. NASA's tracers mission, along with other payloads were due to lift off Yesterday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, but the launch was scrubbed last minute due to airspace issues. In a statement to Spaceflight now, the FAA said a power issue was to blame for the scrub. An FAA spokesperson said a regional power outage in the Santa Barbara area disrupted telecommunications at the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control center, which manages air traffic over the Pacific Ocean. As a result, the Faa postponed the SpaceX Falcon 9 tracers launch on Tuesday, July 22. The FAA took this action to ensure the safety of the traveling public. SpaceX has rescheduled the launch for today around the same time as US Publishing. We will bring you more on that launch after it happens over to New Zealand now and the government has passed legislation to regulate the use of ground based space infrastructure following concerns about foreign actors using it to harm national security. Space Minister Judith Collins said in a statement that the Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment bill would take effect on July 29 and from then ground based space infrastructure such as satellite tracking stations and telemetry systems would be subject to oversight and safeguards. Collins said that ground based infrastructure in New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting global satellite operations and space activities, but without regulation it can also pose risks to national security and other national interests. Under the new law, anyone operating ground based space infrastructure will need to confirm with the government that they have appropriate security arrangements in place and due diligence systems to assess any Partners Earth Observation Co. Blacksky has won a contract to provide monitoring services for Latin American defense and intelligence customers in the fight against transnational organized crime. The agreement gives the unnamed end users the ability to set up AI enabled automated tasking for BlackSky's Gen 3 and Gen 2 satellites. Access to Blacksky archiving imagery and analytics data, plus the ability to order third party commercial constellation data through the company's tasking and analytics platform. Brian O', Toole, BlackSky's CEO, added that by increasing the speed, volume and diversity of space based data sources, end users gain persistent visibility into pattern of life anomalies such as irregular migration or vehicle, vessel and aircraft movements. Criminals Beware. Big Brother is watching the global nonprofit Coalition Earth Fire alliance, in collaboration with Muon Space and Google Research, released the first Wildfire images captured by the firesat Proto Flight satellite. It's hoped that the images demonstrate the impact firesat will have on communities and firefighters who protect them worldwide. Among the first images is a small fire in the U.S. state of Oregon that was undetected by existing satellites. The image highlights the opportunity firesat presents to deliver insights missed by other space based systems. The satellite aims to help first responders identify more fires in their early stages, assess their potential impact, and act before fires escalate into public safety threats. That wraps up today's top five space industry stories. As always, we include more in our show notes. N2K producer Liz Stokes joins us now with other stories making today's headlines. Liz, what do you have for us?

[Liz Stokes]

There are three additional stories linked in today's selected Reading section of the Episode Show Notes. There's reports that the Trump administration is looking to reduce environmental protection rules for rocket launches. NOAA's Office of Space Commerce and Department of State Office of Space affairs are collecting US Stakeholder perspectives and input regarding the provisions of the EU Space act. And Poland is reportedly looking to purchase a stake in eisi.

[Alice Carruth]

And please remind us where can we find those links.

[Liz Stokes]

We include the original source to all the stories mentioned throughout the show in the Show Notes and on our website, space.n. every episode has its own page. Just scroll down to find the selected.

[Alice Carruth]

Reading section at Minus Crew if you find this podcast useful, please do us a favor and share a five star rating and a short review in your favorite podcast app. It helps other space professionals like you find the show and join the T minus crew. Thank you. We really appreciate it.

[Maria Valmarzes]

Foreign.

[Alice Carruth]

We'Ll be right back with more on NASA suits.

[Maria Valmarzes]

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[Alice Carruth]

Foreign.

[Maria Valmarzes]

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[Alice Carruth]

NASA's spacesuit user interface Technologies for Students or Suits Challenge at Johnson Space center just wrapped up its annual event. Over 100 students from 12 universities united in a real world test environment. For months, these teams designed interactive user interfaces for future spacesuits and rovers and were put to the ultimate test in a week long trial on NASA's simulated moon and Mars surface, the famous Rockyard. In Houston. The students immersed themselves in NASA's ecosystem with visits from experts, guest speakers, and invaluable insights from NASA coordinators. They pitched their innovations to a panel including astronaut Denise Burnham and Flight Director Garrett Heinrich. Burnham noted how impressed she was saying that quote, they're all so creative and wonderful. Definitely something that could be implemented in the future. The interactions push students to refine their ideas and envision real mission applications. In a spirited awards ceremony, NASA honored three standout contributions. Team Jarvis earned the Innovation Award, Celine from Midwestern State took home the Pay It Forward Award and an Artemis Educator Award celebrated the faculty champion Maggie Schoonover. Activity Manager Jamie Semple emphasized how suits not only equip students with essential STEM teamwork and AI skills, it also offers a tangible path into future Artemis missions and space careers. So here's your notice. Do you know a student that could benefit from this experience? Next year's challenge reopens this August, so dream big, design boldly and get ready to explore. And that's it for today's T miners. Brought to you by N2K CyberWire we'd love to know what you think of this podcast. Your feedback ensures we deliver the insights that keep you a step ahead in the rapidly changing space industry. We're conducting our annual audience survey to learn more about our listeners. We're collecting your insights until August 31st of this year. Please see a link in our show. Notes we're proud that N2K CyberWire is part of the daily routine of the most influential leaders and operators in the public and private sector. From the Fortune 500 to many of the world's preeminent intelligence and law enforcement agencies, N2K helps space and cyber security professionals grow, learn and stay informed. As the nexus for discovery and connection, we bring you the people, technology and ideas shaping the future of secure innovation. Learn how at N2K. N2K's producer is Liz Stokes. We're mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Our executive producer is Jennifer Ivan. Peter Kilpe is our publisher. Our host is Maria valmarzes and I'm N2K senior producer Alice Carruth. Thanks for listening.

[Maria Valmarzes]

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