Space Stakes: The Business of the New Space Race

SpaceX (SPCX) Faces FAA Review On 76 Cape Canaveral Starship Launches — finance.yahoo.comESA, CAS release first images from SMILE; officially begin science operations — NASASpaceFlight.comAirbus and OHB to Lead ESA Studies on Future European Orbital Outpost as ISS Era Nears End — SpaceWatch.GLOBAL@SawyerMerritt on X — X/@SawyerMerrittChapters00:00 Today's headlines00:31 FAA seeks comments on Starship scope02:08 SMILE mission captures ring of auroras04:22 Airbus and OHB lead planning studySpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.Fol...

U.S. intelligence selects Falcon Heavy for a classified mission for the first time — universemagazine.comESA to pursue crew transport and space stations as European launchers come online — NASASpaceFlight.comWeekly ISS update: Joshua Kutryk aboard after record-fast docking — SpaceQ Media Inc.Chapters00:00 Today's headlines00:35 ESA investigating European-led space station02:13 Crew-13 arrives at the space station03:44 Falcon Heavy's first reconnaissance mission05:33 Falcon Heavy's classified payload questionSource linksnasa.gov@globeandmail on X@nasaspaceflight on X@SpaceX on Xspaceflightnow.comSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built...

A week of launches and crew operations sat alongside changes in military-space leadership and satellite connectivity and Europe's small-launch plans. This recap separates completed events from ventures and vehicles that still have to demonstrate delivery.Starship's first orbital flight — @SpaceX on XFalcon launches and Dragon docking — @SpaceX on XFalcon Heavy set to launch classified NROL-97 to high-energy orbit — NASASpaceFlight.comVerizon, AT&T and T-Mobile Formally Establish Joint Venture for D2D Services — Via SatelliteBerkowitz out at DoD Space Policy office — Breaking DefensePortugal's Omnidea Acquires Orbex Assets, Plans PrimeNEO Rocket — European SpaceflightChapters00:00 Today's headlines01:30 Falc...

Iceye Moves into Satcom With Nokia Partnership — Via Satellite@elonmusk on XNorwegian Government Proposes Paying for Second Andøya Launch Pad — European SpaceflightChapters00:00 Today's headlines00:33 Crew-13 reaches station in fast trip01:39 ICEYE and Nokia plan sovereign satellites03:26 Norway proposes funding second launch pad04:38 Falcon Heavy classified mission06:56 What the mission shows about Falcon HeavySource linksnasa.govnasa.gov@SpaceX on X@SpaceX on Xbehindtheblack.comspacenews.comSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this...

The FCC voted to open satellite spectrum and change its environmental-review approach for certain space activities; the practical effects depend on final rules. Varda, Crew-13, and Astranis also feature in today's episode.Varda Raises $251M Series D — PayloadCrew-13 astronauts set for launch to ISS after weeks of delays — NASASpaceFlight.comAstranis lands $468M financing to boost MicroGEO satellite manufacturing — SpaceQFCC Continues Deregulation Push with Environmental Regulations and More Spectrum — Via SatelliteChapters00:00 Today's headlines00:30 Varda has closed a $251M Series D01:57 Astronauts scheduled to launch on repaired Dragon03:07 Astranis gets credit f...

NASA faces a consequential crew-transport question if SpaceX follows through on reported plans to retire Crew Dragon after International Space Station support. The episode also covers AT&T's challenge to SpaceX's cellular strategy, Blue Origin's New Glenn 9x4 contract eligibility, Astro Digital's proposed SPAC merger, and Northrop Grumman's satellite delivery.NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers — Ars TechnicaAT&T CEO remarks on SpaceX cellular strategy — @SawyerMerritt on XNASA Adds Blue Origin New Glenn 9×4 to Launch Services Contract — NASAAstro Digital Takes SPAC Deal to Scale Satellite Manufacturing — Via Satellite21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer Satellite...

NASA and Boeing outlined an uncrewed Starliner test and planned steps toward a crewed return. The episode also covers Meridian Space’s reported separation from SpinLaunch, new Artemis Accords signatories, and a Starship claim circulating on X.NASA, Boeing Share Update on Commercial Starliner Development Plans — NASAExclusive: Meridian Space Spins Out from SpinLaunch — Payload reportingNASA Celebrates as Artemis Accords Surpasses 75 Signatories — NASA@CynicalPublius on XSource links@SpaceNews_Inc on Xpayloadspace.comspacepolicyonline.comSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.More fro...

We revisit NASA's Artemis update promise, PRIMA's move into Phase B, and a reported SpaceX tracking-data arrangement.EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX given unique access to classified DoD space tracking data, sources say — Breaking DefenseItaly to Spend Over $5 Billion to Send Two Astronauts to the Moon — European SpaceflightIsaacman Promises ‘Artemis Acceleration’ Update Next Month — PayloadNASA Selects Far-Infrared Telescope as First in New Mission Class — NASAIsaacman Doubles Down on New NASA Model for International Partnerships — PayloadSource linksSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.More from Br...

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman promised an early-October Artemis timing update as he described the stakes of the lunar competition. The episode also covers Hubble Network's Series C, Starfish Space's Otter inspection mission, and a European rover's Blue Moon ride agreement.Hubble Network Raises $200M Series C at $1.6B Valuation — PayloadStarfish Space's Otter servicing vehicle — NASASpaceFlight.com@SawyerMerritt on X — X/@SawyerMerrittEuropean Lunar Rover Secures Spot Aboard Blue Origin Blue Moon Mission — European SpaceflightIsaacman Promises ‘Artemis Acceleration’ Update Next Month — PayloadSource linksarstechnica.compayloadspace.comSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person...

A reported exchange between SpaceX and the Space Force raises questions about collision safety, classified tracking data and competition in commercial space surveillance. We also cover Starship testing, a funded Viasat task order, NASA’s PRIMA telescope and European support for launch infrastructure.SpaceX and classified DoD tracking data — Breaking Defense reportingShip 41 and Booster 21 pre-flight test — NASASpaceFlight.comNASA selects PRIMA — NASAESA funding for SaxaVord infrastructure — European SpaceflightSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.More from Brian Lampert: Quickly Quantum, the daily quantum co...

Italy commits over $5B to a lunar habitat for two Moon landings under NASA's good-deals doctrine, plus FCC environmental review vote, Planet's Berlin factory, HEO's $25M raise, and Starship tile reuse.Italy to Spend Over $5 Billion to Send Two Astronauts to the Moon — European SpaceflightFCC to Vote on Waiving NEPA Review for Space Ops — PayloadPlanet Opens New Berlin Manufacturing Facility for Pelican Build-Out — Via SatelliteHEO Raises $25M Series B to Fuel GEO Expansion — PayloadShip 41 rolls to Pad 2 carrying two flown tiles from Ship 40 — NASASpaceFlight.comSource linksarstechnica.comspacewatch.globalspacewatch.globalSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced...

Viasat says its ViaSat-3 trio is fully operational, plus Starfall bookings on Starship, and five launches this week.Final ViaSat-3 Satellite Enters Service, Completing High-Capacity Trio — Via SatelliteExolaunch, Space Cargo book Starship Starfall missions — NASASpaceFlight.comLaunch Preview: Electron, Falcon 9, and Starship set for launches — NASASpaceFlight.comSource linkspayloadspace.comSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.More from Brian Lampert: Quickly Quantum, the daily quantum computing briefing, and Concrete Compute, the daily AI infrastructure briefing. Transcripts and every episode: space...

Ariane 6 faces year-end delays over a reported turbopump issue and Canada-France pitch shared space infrastructure.ESA Acknowledges Ariane 6 Delays Following Reports of Turbopump Issue — European SpaceflightCarney, Macron direct new Canada-France space push — SpaceQ Media Inc.Space Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.More from Brian Lampert: Quickly Quantum, the daily quantum computing briefing, and Concrete Compute, the daily AI infrastructure briefing. Transcripts and every episode: space-stakes.kngoworld.chatgpt.site.

This week's recap: NASA's $5.92 billion Commercial Crew total after a new SpaceX award, a slipping Starship launch date, Boeing's Starliner comeback, the Pentagon's first public admission of orbital weapons, Rocket Lab's near-$2 billion Iridium raise, and new moves in Earth observation, GEO surveillance, and space-domain-awareness software — plus the interstate fight over the new US Space Academy.NASA Awards SpaceX Three Crew Flights to Space Station — NASAStarship's Upcoming Missions: Waiting on Orbit, Building Toward the Cape — NASASpaceFlight.comAfter Being Sidelined, Boeing's Starliner to Get Starring Role — Ars TechnicaFor the First Time, the US Military Confirms It Has Deployed Weapons in Orbit...

A bonus introduction from Space Stakes to Quickly Quantum, another daily show created by Brian Lampert. This cross-promotion features a short recommendation in this show’s voice, followed by the Quickly Quantum trailer.Listen and subscribe to Quickly Quantum for its regular episodes.This is a bonus introduction. The regular Space Stakes briefing remains on its usual schedule.

NASA is reportedly preparing to order more Starliner missions and help fix Boeing's capsule despite a 'Type A' mishap finding — because SpaceX has signaled Crew Dragon's retirement is coming. Plus: European startups win real contracts in Paris, Impulse Space's raise tops eight hundred million dollars, Starship's orbital debut slips again, and Telesat lights up its first European gateway.NASA to order more Starliner missions and help certify a new rocket to keep it flying — Ars TechnicaEuropean Space Startups Steal the Show in Paris — PayloadImpulse Space Raises $308M Series D Extension — PayloadStarship's upcoming missions: Waiting on Orbit, Building toward the Cape...

Launch rivals at World Space Business Week say the price-per-kilo era is ending as Falcon 9 winds down and Starship ramps up — plus a wave of European satellite funding, a new Pentagon radar program, and Starship's next orbital attempt.The Era of Cheap, Price-Per-Kilo Launch is Over, Launchers Say — Via SatelliteEnduroSat Raises $205M, Notches Vantor Sat Win — PayloadViasat and Space42 Commit Up to $1B to Equatys Joint Venture — PayloadSpace Force's GMTI program gets a name, with Northrop as prime — Breaking DefenseStarship to Attempt First Orbital Flight Next Week — SpacePolicyOnline.comSource links@Arianespace on X@BreakingDefense on Xeuropeanspa...

Starship's fourteenth flight is the first real shot at orbit, and the FAA's reentry review is the actual gate. Plus: Space Force budget risk, LeoLabs sells radar directly to allies, and a tight rideshare market.SpaceX sets launch date for first Starship orbital flight — Ars TechnicaBudget impasse imperils 1 in 10 Space Force programs, new chief says — Breaking DefenseLeoLabs moves to sell new mobile space radar directly to allies — Breaking DefenseMaverick books 10 Kepler sats to fill excess capacity on Portal's dedicated launch — PayloadSource linksaviationweek.comspace.comspaceq.castarlust.orgtechtimes.comSource links@chet_wiltshire on X@SciGuy...

The Air Force secretary confirms, for the first time on record, that the U.S. has weapons deployed in orbit — with almost no specifics attached. Plus: a Vega C mission delivers two European science satellites, Iceye chases sovereign satellite contracts across six new markets, Open Cosmos closes a €300 million round, and the Pentagon wants AI to make sense of space threats.For the first time, the US military confirms it has deployed weapons in orbit — Ars TechnicaAvio Launches Second Successful Vega C Flight of 2026 — European SpaceflightIceye's global presence expands to address sovereign demand — SpaceNewsOpen Cosmos Raises €300M Funding Round — Payl...

SpaceX launches 3 telecom satellites to orbit on 700th Falcon mission of all time — Space.comSophia Space, SLI Set Terms for $300M Satellite Leasing Deal — PayloadNOAA Expands Use of Commercial Satellite Data — NOAANOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework — SpaceWatch.GLOBALVega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou — NASASpaceFlight.comSirius Space Fires Complete STAR-1 Rocket Engine for the First Time — European SpaceflightSource links@CopernicusEU on X@ESA_transport on X@SpaceX on X@spacex on Xarchyde.comgeekwire.comnewsy-today.comprnewswire.comsatellitetoday.comspaceflightnow.comSpace Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and ru...