T-Minus Space Daily: Space for Reusable Hypersonics
Host: Maria Varmazas
Guest: Chuck Cinnamon, President of Telesat Government Solutions
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Source: N2K Networks
Podcast Link: N2K Networks

Introduction

In the May 6, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazas delivers a comprehensive intelligence briefing on the latest developments within the global space industry. The episode focuses on advancements in reusable hypersonics, strategic partnerships, and innovative technologies shaping the future of space exploration and satellite communications.

1. Hypersonic Flight Developments

Stratolaunch's Talon A2 Success

Stratolaunch's Talon A2 vehicle marked a significant milestone in reusable hypersonic technology by successfully completing its second hypersonic flight and subsequent recovery last month. This achievement builds on the vehicle's first flight in December 2024, reaffirming its reusability and performance capabilities.

• Performance Highlights:
  • Speed: Surpassed Mach 5 during its trajectory, breaking the previous speed record set in December.
  • Engine: Utilized Ursa Major's Hadley liquid rocket engine for hypersonic tests.
  • Historical Significance: Represents the United States' return to reusable hypersonic flight testing, the first since the X-15 program concluded in 1968.

Notable Quote:

"Demonstrating the reuse of fully recoverable hypersonic test vehicles is an important milestone for Mach TV," said George Rumford, Director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center. (Timestamp: 03:30)

The successful flights were conducted under the Test Resource Management Center Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Testbed (Mach TB) program, in partnership with Lidos, aiming to accelerate testing across commercially available hypersonic platforms.

2. Strategic Partnerships and Updates

a. Deorbit's Expansion with SpaceX

Italian aerospace company Deorbit has secured a contract with SpaceX for additional launch capacity on upcoming Transporter rideshare missions. This agreement provides Deorbit with 16 ports across multiple missions, enabling the company to scale its last mile delivery services and in-orbit demonstration opportunities for third-party payloads. Deorbit already has four launches scheduled for 2025, signaling robust growth and increased operational capacity.

b. Bravada Space and Pulsar Solutions Collaboration

Bravada Space and Pulsar Solutions have announced a partnership focused on delivering secure connectivity solutions across various sectors, including commercial, maritime, agritech, enterprise, and government markets. Pulsar will leverage Rivada's Outernet to enhance data connectivity resiliency and bolster cybersecurity for clients operating in environments with limited or no local infrastructure. The Outernet satellite constellation is slated for initial deployment this year, with full operational capacity expected by mid-2028.

c. Rocket Lab's Dedicated Mission for IQPS

Rocket Lab has revealed its next dedicated mission for Japan's Institute for Kyushu Pioneers of Space (IQPS), scheduled for May 17. The mission, named Sea God Seas, will launch the QPS SAR10 synthetic Aperture Radar imaging satellite, nicknamed Wadatsumi 1, into a 575-kilometer circular Earth orbit. This satellite will integrate into the IQPS constellation, enhancing global high-resolution imaging and Earth monitoring capabilities.

d. Ispace's Resilience Lunar Lander

Ispace's Resilience Lunar Lander is set to enter lunar orbit on May 7. Launched earlier this year aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the mission includes the micro rover and various customer payloads. The lander has already completed a flyby of the Moon and is currently preparing for its Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver. Successful confirmation of LOI will mark the seventh milestone of the mission, with further updates expected in the next episode.

3. Guest Interview: Chuck Cinnamon on Telesat's Lightspeed Constellation

Maria Varmazas interviews Chuck Cinnamon, President of Telesat Government Solutions, at the Space Symposium to discuss the latest advancements and strategic directions of Telesat's Lightspeed Constellation.

Key Highlights:

• Purpose and Design:

  • Lightspeed is tailored for enterprise, government, and defense users rather than consumer markets.
  • Cybersecurity Integration: "It's not a bolt-on after the fact," Cinnamon emphasizes the collaboration with MDA Space to embed US government security requirements from the outset. (Timestamp: 10:11)

• Innovative Service Offerings:

  • Introduction of capacity pools, allowing customers to own and operate leased bandwidth, enhancing flexibility and control.
  • Early commitments from entities like Orange and Space Norway, indicating strong market interest and adoption.

• Market Trends and Strategic Shifts:

  • Transitioning from Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to reduce latency and improve security.
  • Adoption of multi-orbit and multi-frequency capabilities to enhance network resilience and interoperability.
  • Utilization of optical intersatellite links to facilitate efficient, low-latency data transmission akin to an Ethernet standard.

Notable Quotes:

"Lightspeed was specifically built or being built for enterprise, government and defense users," Cinnamon stated, highlighting the constellation's strategic focus. (Timestamp: 10:11)

"The ability to have something like a capacity pool that now they can share and use as contribution, you know, to a joint operation in the future... game-changing versus just leasing satellite or bandwidth," he added. (Timestamp: 12:57)

Future Outlook: Cinnamon anticipates the next 18 to 24 months to be pivotal for Lightspeed, citing ongoing challenges and the complex nature of the system but expressing confidence in the team's ability to deliver.

4. Technology Spotlight: Japan's Americium-Based Radioisotope Battery

Maria Varmazas highlights a breakthrough from Japan's Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in developing a radioisotope battery utilizing americium.

Americium's Advantages:

• Properties:

  • Element Number: 95 on the periodic table.
  • Half-Life: Over 400 years, providing a long-term heat source.
  • Safety: Emits steady heat without requiring heavy shielding, unlike plutonium-238.

• Applications:

  • Space Missions: Ideal for probes venturing beyond Jupiter and rovers operating through extended lunar nights.
  • Durability: Compact and maintenance-free, capable of withstanding harsh conditions such as moon dust, extreme temperature fluctuations, and potential rocket explosions.

Development Milestones:

• Current Work: Successfully demonstrated an Americium-powered LED.
• Future Goals: Aims to produce a space-ready prototype by 2029, positioning americium as a viable alternative to traditional radioisotope power sources in deep space exploration.

Notable Quote:

"Americium could become a compact, maintenance-free power source that can survive moon dust, temperature swings and even a rocket explosion," Maria explains the potential impact of this technology. (Timestamp: 18:32)

Conclusion

The episode of T-Minus Space Daily provides an insightful overview of significant advancements in hypersonic technology, strategic aerospace partnerships, and innovative power solutions for space missions. With leaders like Chuck Cinnamon at Telesat spearheading secure and resilient satellite communications, and Japan's pioneering work in radioisotope batteries, the space industry continues to push the boundaries of technology and collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analyses in upcoming episodes.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information on the topics discussed:

• Visit space.n2k.com and navigate to today's episode title in the show notes for related links and further reading.

Acknowledgments

• Production Team:

  • Senior Producer: Alice Carruth
  • Producer: Liz Stokes
  • Mix Engineers: Elliot Peltzman & Trey Hester
  • Executive Producer: Jennifer Ibin
  • Publisher: Peter Kilby

• Original Music: Elliot Peltzman

Thank you for listening to T-Minus Space Daily. Stay informed and connected with the latest in space intelligence and analysis.