Theresa Cross

Satellite-based mineral exploration company Fleet Space Technologies, located in Adelaide, South Australia, recently secured $100 million in Series D funding. The funding round was led by Teachers’ Venture Growth, a division of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. 

On December 16, NASA hosted a select group of media representatives inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, for an exclusive briefing on the ambitious Artemis program. The event provided updates on mission preparations, challenges, and progress as NASA works toward its goal of returning humans to the Moon and landing at its South Pole.

The University of Central Florida in Orlando is launching a pioneering space medicine program, reflecting its commitment to advancing human health in extraterrestrial environments. This initiative is particularly significant for those aspiring to specialize in space medicine, as it offers a comprehensive educational pathway in this emerging field.

Known for his contributions to cryptocurrency, Jed McCaleb has shifted his focus to outer space with his company Vast Space. By exploring artificial gravity habitats and commercial space ventures, McCaleb is expanding his reach into industries shaping the future. His journey spans from blockchain innovation to the frontiers of space exploration.

Lunar Outpost, established in 2017 and headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, specializes in space robotics, lunar surface mobility, and space resources. The company is developing a range of advanced robotic systems, including the Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover series, designed for exploration and resource utilization on the Moon, as well as terrestrial applications.

NASA is moving forward with critical decisions on its Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, aiming to reduce costs and expedite the return of samples from the Red Planet. On October 15, NASA received the final reports from 12 studies commissioned to explore alternative architectures.

This week, a significant event is unfolding as leading figures in space architecture gather in Milan. The aim is to formally establish space architecture as a discipline. Interest in space-related architecture has been growing rapidly in recent years, as developments in off-Earth construction methods, zero-gravity design, and academic programs dedicated to this field have gained traction. 

HALO Space, a Spanish startup focused on near-space tourism, is preparing to expand its testing and assembly operations to Saudi Arabia. The company plans to conduct a series of test flights for its Aurora capsule, a stratospheric balloon system designed to carry passengers to the edge of space. 

For the next couple months, Earth will have a temporary “mini-moon.” Known as asteroid 2024 PT5, this small celestial body is approximately 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter and was only detected on August 7 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in South Africa. It was captured by Earth’s gravity September 29 and is expected to remain bound to the Earth-Moon system until November 25 before continuing on its heliocentric trajectory.

Agile Space Industries is making strides in the space propulsion sector, securing a new round of investment led by Lockheed Martin Ventures. The funds are set to fuel the expansion and development of Agile’s Mobile Payload Processing Center, with the potential for additional matching support from the Air Force Work Project, which if granted could further accelerate the development of these mobile processing units.

The Polaris Program, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, is a series of three private space flights designed to push the boundaries of human space exploration. These missions aim to explore new frontiers while advancing technologies, reaching higher orbits, and preparing for deep space missions to destinations like the Moon and Mars. Central to the program’s vision are values like diversity, sustainability, and inspiration, all of which have become hallmarks of private space exploration.

NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, set to launch in October, is designed to investigate Jupiter’s moon Europa and its potential to harbor life. Europa is of particular interest to scientists because beneath its thick ice shell lies a massive saltwater ocean, which could contain the necessary ingredients for life: water, chemical elements, and energy sources.

Rocket Lab, under the leadership of its founder and CEO Peter Beck, continues to expand its influence and capabilities in the global space industry. Known for its Electron rocket, a leading small satellite launch vehicle, the company is now venturing into more ambitious territories with the development of the Neutron rocket and the upcoming Venus Life Finder mission. 

Maritime Launch Services (MLS) recently announced a partnership with Voyager Space, which has been named the first “Owner Authorized Representative” for Spaceport Nova Scotia. This collaboration appears to signal a new phase in the development of Canada’s first commercial spaceport, potentially opening doors for expanded cooperation in the space industry.

This week, SpaceX is set to launch the first mission of the Polaris Program, named “Polaris Dawn,” marking a significant milestone in the evolution of human space exploration. This Crew Dragon mission, funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, who previously commanded the private all-civilian Inspiration4 mission, is designed to push the boundaries of what is possible in space. The Polaris Program is a series of human spaceflight missions focused on advancing technology, conducting cutting-edge scientific research, and preparing for future deep space missions. 

On August 6, China launched a Long March 6A rocket, which successfully deployed 18 satellites as part of the country’s “Thousand Sails” megaconstellation project. However, shortly after completing its mission, the rocket’s upper stage experienced an anomaly that led to a significant debris event. 

Capella Space, a U.S. company established in 2016, has played a role advancing Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, satellite technology. SAR is widely regarded for its capability to provide high-resolution Earth observation even under challenging conditions such as cloud cover or darkness, where traditional optical satellites may struggle. The company’s focus on this technology looks to position it as a leader in the growing market for continuous, all-weather Earth monitoring.

The U.S. Army is exploring the establishment of a specialized space career field for enlisted soldiers, a move that could significantly enhance national security by bolstering the military’s space expertise. This initiative, endorsed by Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commander of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command, was highlighted during the Space and Missile Defense Conference in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Researchers Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer, from the University of Trento in Italy, have identified evidence of a significant lunar cave by reanalyzing data from advanced radar technology collected more than a decade ago. Located in Mare Tranquillitatis, the region of the Apollo 11 landing, this discovery reveals critical insights into the Moon‘s subsurface structure. 

A new approach to spacesuit technology promises to revolutionize astronaut life support systems, ensuring sustainability and self-sufficiency in the harshest environments of space. Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University are addressing a significant challenge in space travel: water reclamation. Inspired by the “stillsuits” from Frank Herbert’s “Dune” novels, the new spacesuit system prototype aims to extend spacewalks and improve astronaut hygiene by recycling expelled urine into drinkable water.

An internal NASA analysis has surfaced with concerning estimates as the agency advances toward a crewed lunar landing during the Artemis 3 mission, currently set for no earlier than September 2026. The analysis indicated a nearly one-in-three chance the lander, being developed by SpaceX, may be delayed by at least a year and a half.