2025 Week 13 | Collection of this Various News from the Past Week

I. Tracking

Our team is away on a consulting mission and will not be providing major insights this week, but stay tuned for an upcoming article about space weather and its uses for various players in the space industry.

II. Quote of the Week

“The growth trajectory for the entire enterprise depends on the federal contract... otherwise Blue is dead in the water.”

An anonymous longtime adviser to Jeff Bezos cautioning Blue Origin's future in an article from the Financial Times, particularly in the face of the Musk-Trump relationship and in an industry still very much dependent on government dollars.

III. Immediate Awareness

1 Spanish startup Pangea Aerospace has raised 23 million euros to advance its aerospike rocket engine development, promising to maintaining a business model focused on propulsion systems rather than enter the very crowded full launch system market.

2 Star Catcher Industries successfully completed its first ground test of space-based power beaming technology, advancing its goal to create an in-space energy grid for existing satellites, although use cases still remain elusive to many in industry.

3 MaiaSpace has secured its first commercial customer, signing a multi-launch agreement with Exotrail to launch its Spacevan orbital transfer vehicle to low Earth orbit starting in 2027.

4 Space Forge (not to be confused with AstroForge) has received approval to launch its ForgeStar-1 satellite, aimed at demonstrating in-space manufacturing for semiconductor crystals, one of the few companies that may soon provide a path for true commercial uses of the space environment, beyond communications.

5 In its Strategy 2040 publication, the ESA has called for a funding boost to achieve its long-term goals, boosting European competitiveness, and ensuring autonomy in the face of growing geopolitical challenges.

6 Charter Space launched a new, much needed space insurance product in collaboration with major insurers to make insurance more accessible for small satellite companies, hopefully lowering premium costs.

7 Space Industries is aiming to revolutionize satellite assembly, while also attempting an increasingly unique business model that will not depend directly from government funds or grants.

8 NordSpace has launched the SHARP program to enhance Canada's hypersonic capabilities with three new products aimed at defense, research, and reconnaissance, while also supporting national sovereignty and Arctic security.