Space Stakes: The Business of the New Space Race

Who Keeps NASA’s Spacecraft Connected as Its Relay Fleet Ages? — November 5, 2026

NASA’s Ka-band relay awards aim to develop commercial service compatible with existing spacecraft, but the work begins with concepts and later phases depend on options. T

Space’s Freedom Proclamation Meets the Funding Question — November 4, 2026

Today’s episode looks at the difference between declaring American space ambitions and funding the missions behind them. We also cover a supplier conflict raised by Globa

China Details Lunar Orbit Rendezvous Architecture as ESCAPADE — November 3, 2026

China has disclosed a two-launch architecture for a crewed lunar landing before 2030, with a sequence of uncrewed tests ahead. We also cover NASA’s ESCAPADE flybys, SES a

Northwood’s $375M Bet on the Ground Side of Space — November 2, 2026

Northwood Space raised $375M at a $2B valuation as it expands its shared ground-station network, with its existing Space Force work and a reported antenna test offering c

Artemis III: Blue Moon Goes First, SLS Waits — November 1, 2026

NASA's planned Artemis III sequence puts Blue Origin's lander checkout before the SLS and Orion crew launch, while NASA says an orbital rehearsal is needed even if the la

Weekend Bonus: 150 Launches Missing, and the Public Bets to Fill — October 31, 2026

This Weekend Bonus examines a launch-supply estimate, U.S. civil-space allocations and European bets on connectivity and orbital capability. It also looks at NASA’s reque

Who Gets to Orbit When Falcon’s Future Narrows? — October 30, 2026

SpaceX’s reported plans raise questions about launch access, while Telesat’s Lightspeed schedule and debt position put service delivery and financing in focus. The episod

Vulcan’s November 13 Return Puts Amazon and the Space Force on the Clock — October 29, 2026

ULA plans a November 13 return to flight for Vulcan, carrying Amazon Leo satellites as the company works to restore customer confidence after booster-nozzle failures. The

Galileo Adds Four Satellites—Europe’s Navigation Bet Gets Bigger — October 28, 2026

Amazon Secures FCC Approval for Globalstar Acquisition — Via SatelliteChina has tripled its satellite fleet since 2018 as expansion continues: DIA — Breaking DefenseUkrai

$150 Million for a Second Launch Pad — October 27, 2026

A conditional $150 million commitment from the Department of War would support Stoke Space’s second launchpad at Cape Canaveral, but the financing still has requirements

Who Controls Ukraine’s Starlink Connection? — October 26, 2026

Ukraine disputes Elon Musk’s claim that its military violated Starlink terms, raising questions about control of commercial communications during war. The episode also co

Artemis Moves the Landing to 2028—and Puts the Test in Orbit — October 25, 2026

NASA’s revised Artemis sequence makes Artemis III an orbital docking rehearsal and targets a crewed landing for Artemis IV in 2028. We also cover Rocket Lab’s Neutron del

Phobos Sample Bid, Contested Orbital Maneuvers and Starship Reuse Test — October 24, 2026

This week’s recap follows a Phobos sample-return launch, risky satellite maneuvers and Starship ambitions. Japan launching bold sample-return mission to Mars moon Phobos

Xona Raises Series D for Pulsar Navigation Network — October 23, 2026

Electron launches HawkEye 360 satellites — Yahoo FinanceStarship lunar refueling estimate — Ars TechnicaXona Series D — PayloadICEYE and Nokia explore Ukraine satellite c

Starship's Next Catch and the Price of Readiness — October 22, 2026

SpaceX is targeting a November Starship test flight with an attempt to catch both stages, while its weekly-launch ambition depends on flight results and FAA licensing. Th

SpaceX's $14.6B Quarter: AI Passes Starlink — October 21, 2026

SpaceX posted ~$14.6B in Q3 revenue with AI overtaking Starlink, Musk discussed a SpaceX-Tesla merger, plus Telesat and Eutelsat news. SpaceX’s AI Revenue Leads Q3 Earni

A Satellite Shadow, and the Stakes of Sharing Orbit — October 20, 2026

A Russian satellite’s maneuvers near ICEYE-X36 raise questions about commercial spacecraft and security in orbit. We also cover direct-to-device spectrum decisions, Amazo

Japan’s Phobos Sample Return: A Launch, Then Five Years of Work — October 19, 2026

Japan's MMX mission is scheduled to launch toward Phobos, where it aims to collect material and return it to Earth in 2031. The episode also covers a reported close appro

Who Holds the Switch on Ukraine’s Starlink? — October 18, 2026

Ukraine's Starlink slowdown prompts competing claims from Zelenskyy and Rubio, while the cause remains unresolved. Also: a planned Starfall demonstration, JAXA's MMX laun

Weekly Recap: Control, Cadence and the Cost of Clearing Orbit — October 17, 2026

This weekly recap follows the week's debate over control of military satellite communications, alongside tests and targets for launch and connectivity systems. It also lo