🔍 Space Logistics in Focus: Insights from NASA Program Leaders
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Happy Friday, Space Enthusiasts! 🚀
This week's big news was SpaceX 's successful catch of its Super Heavy booster after a successful fifth test flight of the company's Starship. The event marked a significant step toward reusable space vehicles and a milestone moment for the entire space industry.
The Space Impulse team recently attended the Space Logistics Conference, hosted by SAE Media Group Defence . While there, our Director, Robin Sie-Verbruggen had the opportunity to sit down with some of NASA's space logistics and innovation leaders to discuss the agency's strategy for deep space exploration and commercial partnerships.
As the space industry continues to evolve, NASA’s efforts in collaboration, innovation, and sustainability are paving the way for long-term missions to the Moon and Mars. Dr. Jeffrey Smith, Dr. Erica Rodgers, and Jason L. Kessler discussed the agency's approach to building a sustainable space logistics supply chain, the role of small businesses, and the integration of policy and technology.
Read on to learn more about key takeaways from our conversations with Dr. Smith, Dr. Rodgers, and Jason, and your weekly news round-up.
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Space News Highlight ✨
SpaceX Successfully Catches Super Heavy Booster During Starship's Fifth Test Flight
SpaceX completed its fifth Starship test flight, featuring the first-ever catch of the Super Heavy booster using giant mechanical arms. This catch marks a milestone in the development of a fully reusable system, crucial for future space exploration missions and NASA’s moon landings.
While the booster returned to its launch site, the second stage Starship continued its journey. The spacecraft cruised toward the Indian Ocean near Australia, performing a controlled splashdown after reentering Earth’s atmosphere. Despite a successful descent and upright landing, the Starship exploded shortly after touchdown. It is not yet clear whether the explosion was a planned event or caused by a malfunction.
🔍 Space Logistics in Focus: Insights from NASA Program Leaders
At the recent Space Logistics Conference, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration program leaders discussed key developments shaping the future of space logistics and exploration.
In a series of interviews, Dr. Jeffrey Smith , Enterprise Strategic Manager for NASA’s Gateway Logistics Element, Dr. Erica Rodgers, Director of Advanced Programs for NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, and Jason Kessler , Program Executive for NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, shared their perspectives on NASA’s logistics strategy, sustainability efforts, and the vital role of small businesses.
Each conversation provided a glimpse into NASA’s evolving approach to collaboration, innovation, and policy, all of which are critical to the success of the Artemis missions and beyond. Below are key takeaways from these insightful discussions.
Exploring the Future of Deep Space Logistics with Dr. Jeffrey Smith
Dr. Jeffrey Smith emphasized the need for innovation in deep space logistics. He discussed how NASA’s Gateway Program, under the Artemis missions, is not just about exploration—it is about creating sustainable operations to support long-term human presence in space.
According to Dr. Smith, partnerships are essential for success. He highlighted collaborations with both large aerospace firms and small businesses that are helping NASA build a sustainable supply chain for cislunar space and beyond.
When referring to sustainability, Dr. Smith notes that it's not just about the environment but a system that is cost-effective and viable for decades. Recycling, reusability, and autonomous systems are key priorities to reduce waste and increase crew efficiency.
Dr. Smith spoke of the importance of thinking not just about the immediate next mission but about what’s needed to support a growing presence in space.
“We need to start working with partners who can build that next capability or the next logistics vehicle.”
Integrating Policy and Technology: A Conversation with Dr. Erica Rodgers
Dr. Erica Rodgers discussed the growing intersection of policy and technology. With the commercial sector playing an increasing role, NASA is adapting its policies to ensure effective collaboration between government and industry.
“Talking about how we do things is just as important as why we do them—our policies must adapt to the rapidly changing space ecosystem.”
Dr. Rodgers emphasized the importance of shifting from government-owned to commercial platforms, pointing to programs like the Commercial Lunar Payload Services as examples of this shift. She explained how NASA's OTPS aligns technical strategies with policy decisions to guide the agency’s long-term goals.
Rodgers highlighted the significance of involving policymakers early in the process, ensuring that as NASA develops new technologies, the agency's policies evolve to support collaboration and innovation.
Driving Innovation with Jason Kessler: NASA’s SBIR/STTR Programs
Jason Kessler offered insights into the vital role small businesses play in advancing space technology. Kessler emphasized that small businesses are crucial to developing innovative subsystems that contribute to larger NASA missions.
Kessler pointed to the convergence of government funding and private investment as a powerful driver for small business success in the space industry. He highlighted SBIR/STTR as a gateway for startups to bring cutting-edge technology to the space logistics sector, from debris remediation to in-space manufacturing.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for small businesses to contribute meaningfully because there’s a lot of funding opportunity and a tremendous amount of need.”
Kessler’s key advice to entrepreneurs was simple: align your business goals with NASA’s technology needs. By understanding NASA’s priorities and preparing focused, well-aligned proposals, small businesses can effectively contribute to the future of space logistics.
Looking for more insights and resources to learn about commercial, government, and academic space entities? The Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform has captured data on the space tech industry's key companies, investors, universities and government organizations.
Space Industry Quote of the Week 🗣
“To achieve Artemis, to explore the Moon and Mars, there is no way NASA can do it alone. We need everybody to support this, and partnerships are the way we’re going to make it sustainable.”
- Dr. Jeffrey Smith, Enterprise Strategic Manager for NASA’s Gateway Logistics Element
Weekly Space News Roundup 🌌
D-Orbit has signed a €119.6 million contract with the European Space Agency - ESA under the Space Safety program. As part of the project, D-Orbit will design, launch, and demonstrate a vehicle capable of rendezvousing, docking, and managing the attitude and orbit control of other spacecraft. A central part of this initiative is the development of GEA, a new satellite platform that will demonstrate these capabilities in geostationary orbit.
This effort is backed by the Italian government through the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana and receives additional support from several European partners, including the UK Space Agency, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Swiss Space Office, and the Agencia Espacial Española.
Arkadia Space , a Castellón-based company specializing in green propulsion systems, has announced a partnership with D-Orbit for the validation of its first in-orbit propulsion module. This mission marks a historic milestone as Arkadia becomes the first Spanish company to launch a chemical propulsion system into space.
The scheduled launch is set for no earlier than March 2025 aboard SpaceX ’s Transporter 13 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
EarthDaily Analytics has acquired Descartes Labs (DL) and its subsidiary, Descartes Labs Government "DLG" , integrating DL’s expertise in insurance, energy, mining, and U.S. defense sectors into its existing Earth Observation offerings. The EarthDaily Constellation, set for 2025, will play a pivotal role in this strategy. It aims to deliver daily, high-quality imaging of global land and maritime areas. The company expects this data to support advanced AI applications, creating a robust tool for decision-makers in various industries.
OroraTech has closed a €25 million Series B funding round led by Korys , the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) , and existing investor Bayern Kapital . The new funding aims to drive OroraTech’s strategic expansion into key global markets and further develop its predictive AI capabilities and orbital sensor network. The funding round saw additional contributions from current investors, including Edaphon , Ananda Impact Ventures , ConActivity, and Findus Venture.
The company plans to invest in its thermal sensor network and enhance its AI capabilities to improve the accuracy and speed of wildfire detection. These advancements will help decision-makers make faster, data-driven decisions, improving their ability to manage wildfire risks effectively.
OHB SE has been selected by the European Space Agency as the prime contractor for the Harmony mission, also known as Earth Explorer 10. This €280 million contract involves developing two Earth observation satellites, part of ESA’s FutureEO program, to advance Earth and climate science. Scheduled for launch in 2029, the Harmony satellites will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at 693 kilometres above Earth.
This mission aims to enhance our understanding of ocean dynamics, sea ice, glaciers, and tectonic activities, providing critical data for climate research, land monitoring, and disaster management.
Airbus Defence and Space is moving forward with plans to restructure its division with up to 2,500 job cuts, citing a difficult business environment, particularly in the Space Systems segment. CEO Mike Schoellhorn attributed the decision to pressures the division faces, including disrupted supply chains, changing warfare dynamics, and increasing financial constraints.
The newly announced measures including workforce reduction will take place by mid-2026.
Axiom Space and Prada Group have revealed the flight design of the AxEMU spacesuit for NASA's Artemis III mission. This next-generation suit combines Axiom's engineering with Prada's expertise in materials and design. The partnership focused on making the suit both functional and visually inspiring, enhancing astronaut comfort and material performance.
The AxEMU spacesuit advances NASA’s previous design by increasing flexibility, performance, and safety. It is built to withstand the extreme temperatures of the lunar south pole, allows astronauts to perform spacewalks for at least eight hours, and accommodates a wide range of crew sizes, covering males and females from the first to 99th percentile.
The suit has undergone underwater simulations and reduced gravity tests at NASA facilities. It is nearing its final development stage and will enter the critical design review phase in 2025.
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