Payload

An increase in planet-warming greenhouse gas levels is having an unintended effect in LEO—extending how long space debris hangs around in orbit. https://lnkd.in/e4mbytrg

Italian space logistics firm D-Orbit is working with satcom provider Eutelsat Group on an ESA-funded geostationary satellite servicing mission set to launch in 2028, the companies announced yesterday. https://lnkd.in/ebnywutJ

Momentus Inc., a CA-based #space services company, is teaming up with Solstar Space Co. to demonstrate the first #WiFi hotspot in #LEO. https://lnkd.in/gApASVcm

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration is eliminating three offices and cutting the associated staff to comply with an order from the Trump administration, an agency spokesperson announced yesterday. https://lnkd.in/ghT7Z3Sn

Rivada Space Networks announced plans to fly its first demonstration mission in 2026 and offer connectivity services by 2027. https://lnkd.in/gHb8kUgb

Charter Space’s insurance product is open for early access, Yuk Chi Chan, CEO of Charter Space, announced at SXSW yesterday. https://lnkd.in/gzBq6bZk

Honored to lead a conversation at Maxar Technologies’ Orbital Edge event yesterday on the sidelines of SXSW. Huge thanks to Chris Morales, Cody Bronkar and Jackie Barbieri for their insightful thoughts on the future of the national security space enterprise. If you missed it, be sure to check out Payload’s Polaris on Tuesday for the top five takeaways. Now, it’s time to catch up on emails before jumping into SATELLITE Conference & Exhibition!

Who's coming to the Tectonic Defense Summit? This year’s summit brings together an unparalleled lineup of leaders shaping the future of defense technology and national security. From industry and institutional investment to senior government and military officials, it's going to be an extraordinary couple of days. Join us in Austin, TX on March 10 and 11 at the South Congress Hotel! (link ?? )

Intuitive Machines became the latest company to reach the Moon on Thursday when its Athena lander touched down near the lunar south pole. But it’s unclear if the lander is upright and ready to work, or if “off-nominal” positioning will interfere with the lander’s slate of missions, which includes searching for?lunar water ice. https://lnkd.in/eVjeKsjD

SpaceX lost its Starship second-stage vehicle nine minutes into its eighth test flight yesterday, raining debris over the Caribbean—a scene nearly identical to its last failed test flight in January. https://lnkd.in/eKnV9Evj