Alan Boyle
Alan Boyle is an award-winning science writer, author of The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference, and a contributor to GeekWire who is involved with the Fiction Science podcast.
Starfish Space to Launch 660‑lb Otter on SpaceX Transporter‑18 Oct. 1 for NASA’s $15M SSPICY Satellite‑Inspection Mission
Starfish Space will launch its full-size Otter on SpaceX's Transporter-18 no earlier than Oct. 1 from Vandenberg to demonstrate close-up inspection of inoperable satellites for NASA’s $15 million SSPICY mission; the 660-pound vehicle follows two prototype tests and will approach selected decommissioned satellites after commissioning. The company says Otter is built, has a customer and mission, and insights will inform future servicing operations.
Interlune raises $5M SAFE to fund lunar infrastructure and helium-3 mining ahead of priced round
Seattle-based Interlune raised $5 million via a SAFE to fund development of lunar infrastructure and mining technologies, marking a second $5M SAFE after an earlier round this year. The startup, founded in 2020 and led by CEO Rob Meyerson, is expanding from helium-3 extraction into space infrastructure and survival services and has partnerships such as an expanded deal with Vermeer for lunar construction tools.
Stoke Space raises roughly $1B in Series E to fund Nova rocket scale-up, Pathfinder launch targeted for early 2027
Stoke Space raised about $1 billion in a Series E round led by Point72 Ventures and Spark Capital to prepare for the first launch of its fully reusable Nova rocket and to scale up the vehicle and test facilities. The Seattle-area startup aims for a Pathfinder flight in early 2027 and plans a larger Nova Block 2 debut in 2029 as it expands capacity amid rising launch demand.
Portal Space Systems to Launch Starburst-1 in October; Developing 1,100‑lb Supernova with Solar Thermal Propulsion
Portal Space Systems is preparing to ship its first Starburst-1 satellite to Florida for an October launch on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 rideshare while advancing plans for a larger, 1,100-pound Supernova spacecraft that will use solar thermal propulsion for greater orbital maneuverability.
Interlune demonstrates Cold Capture to extract 99% pure helium-3 from industrial helium, aims to scale for lunar mining
Seattle startup Interlune says it produced 99% pure helium-3 from industrial-grade helium using a cryogenic distillation process called Cold Capture, a technique it plans to scale for lunar extraction. The company argues helium-3’s rarity and suitability for quantum computing, detectors and future fusion makes lunar-sourced supply potentially profitable, and demonstrated the process at small scale in early 2025.
TerraByte AI launches TerraByte News map and adds SkyFi high-resolution imagery partnership, images from $15
TerraByte AI expanded its Earth Search Engine with a TerraByte News interactive map that links to news, social posts and satellite imagery, and added high-resolution images via a partnership with SkyFi offering images from 300+ sources starting at $15. Founded by Rishi Madhok and Fuxun Yu after Microsoft geospatial work, the startup recently grew its team and aims to make Earth intelligence as easy as a web search.
Pulse Space Wins $40 Million Space Force Award to Develop Laser Power-Beaming and Orbital Tracking Systems
Bellevue startup Pulse Space won a $40 million U.S. Space Force award to develop laser-based power beaming and orbital tracking technologies, building on prior Air Force work and plans for a satellite constellation that can transmit nearly 29.7 kW to targets at 1,000 km.
Space Northwest and Commercial Space Federation Launch Accelerator for Early-Stage Space Companies in Kent, WA
Space Northwest and the Commercial Space Federation are launching a regional space business accelerator in Kent, Washington, aimed at supporting up to 10 early-stage space companies with local support from the City of Kent, a hub for space industry businesses like Blue Origin and Stoke Space. The program will begin with an executive roundtable this summer, followed by a 12-week accelerator starting in autumn, focusing on investment readiness, tech commercialization, and integration into the global space supply chain.
Starfish Space to Demonstrate Autonomous Docking with Australian Gilmour Space ElaraSat Nearly One Year After Launch
Starfish Space is preparing its Otter Pup 2 satellite for an autonomous docking demonstration with Australia's Gilmour Space ElaraSat, nearly a year after their joint launch. This mission aims to test technologies for Starfish's full-scale Otter spacecraft designed for satellite servicing and disposal.
Starfish Space Raises $110M Series B to Fund Satellite Servicing Missions and Scale Operations
Starfish Space raised $110 million in a Series B funding round led by Point72 Ventures to support its first satellite servicing missions and scale operations. Founded by Blue Origin veterans, the company developed the Otter vehicle for on-orbit satellite servicing and has conducted technology demonstrations and tests.
Portal Space Systems' Mini-Nova Demonstration Payload Launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 for Maneuverable Spacecraft Tests
Portal Space Systems launched its first orbital payload, Mini-Nova, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 during the Transporter-16 rideshare mission to test technologies for maneuverable space vehicles. The payload will remain attached to Momentus’ Vigoride-7 for six months to validate critical systems for future spacecraft focused on rapid orbital maneuvering and space servicing.
Portal Space Systems and Paladin Space Launch Debris Removal Service to Tackle Orbital Junk Starting 2024
Portal Space Systems and Paladin Space are partnering to offer Debris Removal as a Service (DRAAS), using Portal’s maneuverable spacecraft and Paladin’s Triton payload to track and remove small-to-medium sized orbital debris. Starburst-1 is set to launch this year, with the larger Supernova platform debuting in 2027, aiming to reduce space junk threats for satellite operators.
Stoke Space Raises $350M More in Series D, Totals $860M to Ready Reusable Nova Rocket for First 2024 Launch
Stoke Space Technologies has raised an additional $350 million in its Series D round, totaling $860 million, to support completion of its Florida launch complex and production of its reusable Nova rocket. The medium-lift Nova vehicle is expected to launch for the first time from Cape Canaveral later this year.
Interlune Develops Lunar Excavator for Helium-3 Extraction and Moon Construction Under $150,000 NASA Contract
Interlune is using a $150,000 NASA contract to develop a lunar excavator, called SILT, aimed at extracting helium-3 and supporting moon construction projects. The technology could aid NASA’s Artemis program by enabling lunar trenching, road building, and habitat infrastructure preparation.
Interlune Raises $5 Million SAFE to Advance Lunar Helium-3 Mining with Leadership from Former Blue Origin and Apollo 17 Astronaut
Interlune is raising $5 million through a SAFE offering to fund its lunar resource extraction plans, including harvesting helium-3. The Seattle-based startup, founded in 2020 by former Blue Origin leaders and Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, aims to advance technical milestones before its next funding round.
Blue Origin Reveals 5,408-Satellite TeraWave Network Offering Up to 6 Tbps Speeds, Launching from 2027
Blue Origin announced TeraWave, a satellite network with up to 6 Tbps symmetrical speeds over 5,408 laser-linked satellites planned to launch starting in late 2027. The network targets high-throughput data center and enterprise customers, posing competition to SpaceX Starlink and Amazon Leo services.
Washington Allocates $350K to Portal Space Systems for 50,000-Sq-Ft Satellite Factory Expansion in Bothell
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is allocating $350,000 to support Portal Space Systems' expansion of a 50,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility in Bothell, aiming to produce four spacecraft per month by 2027 and create over 700 jobs by 2030.
Lumotive Opens Oman and Taiwan Offices to Commercialize $59M-Funded Miniaturized 3D Sensor Chips
Lumotive, after raising $59 million in venture capital, has opened offices in Oman and Taiwan to advance commercialization of its miniaturized 3D sensor chips. The company, specializing in lidar technology for robotics and other applications, has also expanded its management team with senior industry leaders.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Explored Investing in Seattle’s Stoke Space for Orbital Data Centers to Challenge SpaceX in 2024
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman explored investing in Seattle startup Stoke Space to develop orbital data centers, aiming to compete with SpaceX and other tech giants in space-based AI data processing. Talks occurred in 2024 but are currently inactive, reflecting a growing tech interest in off-Earth data infrastructures.
Portal Space Systems to Launch Starburst Maneuverable Spacecraft in 2026 on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 Mission
Portal Space Systems is launching Starburst, a rapid-maneuverability spacecraft leveraging technologies from its Supernova platform, with a first mission planned for 2026 on SpaceX’s Transporter-18. Starburst aims to enhance satellite constellation operations for national security and commercial use.
Radical Flies Full-Size 120-Foot-Wingspan Evenstar Solar Drone Prototype in First Low-Altitude Flight
Seattle-based Radical successfully conducted the first low-altitude flight of its full-size Evenstar solar-powered drone prototype, featuring a 120-foot wingspan and weighing only 240 pounds. This test at Oregon's Tillamook UAS Test Range sets the stage for planned high-altitude stratospheric flights next year lasting months using solar power.
Stoke Space Raises $510M Series D and $100M Debt to Accelerate Reusable Nova Rocket Development
Stoke Space Technologies raised $510 million in a Series D funding round led by Thomas Tull's US Innovative Technology Fund, alongside a $100 million debt facility, to accelerate development of its fully reusable Nova rocket. The company aims to complete development and demonstrate the rocket's first flight by next year, targeting reusability of both rocket stages to reduce launch costs.
Jeff Bezos Predicts Orbital Gigawatt Data Centers Powered by Solar Energy Within 20 Years to Support AI
Jeff Bezos predicts gigawatt-scale orbital data centers powered by continuous solar energy will be the future for efficiently supporting AI and tech industry growth, with a transition expected over the next 10-20 years. These space-based centers aim to surpass terrestrial data centers in cost-effectiveness, continuing space's role in benefiting Earth.
Hubble Network Raises $70M Series B to Expand Satellite Bluetooth IoT Network to 60 Satellites by 2028
Hubble Network raised $70 million in Series B funding led by Ryan Swagar to expand its satellite-powered Bluetooth IoT network, aiming to grow from 7 to 60 satellites by 2028. The Seattle-based company leverages Bluetooth Low Energy technology for global, low-power connectivity and has partnerships with Life360 and Tile covering over 90 million devices.
Hubble Network Launches Satellite-Based Bluetooth Low Energy Tracking for Global Device Monitoring
Hubble Network, a Seattle startup, has launched a satellite system that uses Bluetooth Low Energy signals to track devices globally, providing a low-cost, low-power GPS alternative for applications like supply chain monitoring, pet tracking, and wildfire detection.
Organizations
-
Cosmic Log Journalist · current
-
Fiction Science podcast current
-
GeekWire Journalist · current
