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.
Zeno Power Advances Strontium-90 Nuclear Batteries with Full-Scale Demo Set for 2026 and Commercial Launch in 2027
Zeno Power is developing scalable nuclear batteries using strontium-90 at their Seattle facility, aiming for full-scale demonstration in 2026 and commercial delivery by 2027. These batteries are designed for long-term power in extreme environments including oceans, the Arctic, and lunar missions.
Integrate Secures $25M U.S. Space Force Contract for Secure Multiplayer Project Management Software
Seattle-based startup Integrate won a $25 million U.S. Space Force contract to deploy its secure multiplayer project management software for space missions and contractors, enhancing transparency and speed. The tool is designed for classified environments and builds on a prior $1.25 million launch management contract awarded in 2023.
Interlune Partners with Vermeer and US DOE to Develop Moon Excavator and Supply Lunar Helium-3 by 2029
Interlune announced partnerships for moon mining equipment development and plans to supply lunar helium-3 by 2029, aiming to commercialize helium-3 extraction from the moon. The startup revealed a prototype excavator built with Vermeer Corp. and agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy and Maybell Quantum Industries for helium-3 supply.
Interlune Awarded $4.84M Texas Grant to Build Lunar Regolith Center at NASA Johnson Space Center
Seattle-based Interlune received a $4.84 million grant from the Texas Space Commission to establish a lunar regolith simulant center at NASA's Johnson Space Center, part of the Texas A&M University Space Institute. The company aims to develop technology to harvest moon soil for resources like helium-3, with support from prominent former NASA and Blue Origin leaders.
Portal Space Systems Raises $17.5M to Develop Solar Thermal Propulsion Spacecraft with 2026 Launch
Portal Space Systems raised $17.5 million in seed funding led by AlleyCorp to develop its Supernova spacecraft, which uses solar thermal propulsion for rapid orbital maneuvers. The company plans to demonstrate the technology with a launch scheduled for mid-2026.
U.S. Space Force Adds Stoke Space and Rocket Lab to $5.6B National Security Launch Program
The U.S. Space Force has added Stoke Space and Rocket Lab USA as providers for its $5.6 billion national security launch program, awarding each a $5 million task order to assess their launch capabilities. Both companies, along with Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance, can compete for launch contracts through mid-2029, using their respective rockets still in development.
Starcloud Raises $10M More, Totaling $21M Seed to Launch Solar-Powered Orbital Data Centers
Starcloud, formerly Lumen Orbit, has raised a total of $21 million in seed funding to develop space-based data centers powered by large solar panel arrays. These orbital data centers aim to reduce terrestrial data center impacts and improve processing of satellite data by handling computations in space.
Eviation Lays Off Majority of Staff and Pauses Development of Electric Alice Airplane After 2022 Flight Test
Eviation Aircraft has laid off most employees and paused development of its electric Alice airplane after its first flight test in 2022. The company is focusing on securing long-term partnerships to continue advancing electric regional commercial flight.
Seattle Venture Firm Fuse Launches $1M Space Startup Program Backed by $250M Fund in 2023
Seattle-based venture capital firm Fuse has launched the Fuse Space Program to invest $1 million or more in promising early-stage space startups, focusing on the Seattle space ecosystem. Backed by a $250 million fund raised in 2023, Fuse plans to support around 10 companies, leveraging expertise from leaders of Lumen Orbit and Quindar.
Stoke Space Raises $260M to Advance Fully Reusable Nova Rocket and Build Florida Launch Site
Stoke Space has raised $260 million in a Series C funding round to advance the development of its fully reusable Nova rocket and build a launch complex in Florida, bringing total funding to $480 million. The company recently completed a key test firing of its Zenith rocket engine and aims for a first orbital test flight of the Nova rocket this year.
Starfish Space Secures $29M to Launch Otter Orbital Servicing Vehicles for U.S. Space Force, NASA, and Intelsat
Starfish Space raised $29 million led by Shield Capital to develop its first three Otter orbital servicing vehicles aimed at servicing satellites for the U.S. Space Force, NASA, and Intelsat. The funding will enable launching the Otters, which use innovative docking technologies to inspect, service, and safely dispose of satellites in orbit.
Archon Biosciences Raises $20M to Develop AI-Optimized Antibody Cages for Disease Treatment
Archon Biosciences has emerged from stealth with $20 million in seed funding led by Madrona Ventures to develop Antibody Cages, computationally designed protein structures optimized with AI for treating cancer and other diseases. The technology builds on protein design research linked to a recent Nobel Prize awarded to University of Washington biochemist David Baker.
Former Blue Origin Vets Chris Le and Andrew Woodfield Launch Actuate Ventures to Fund and Support Space and Deep-Tech Startups
Former Blue Origin employees Chris Le and Andrew Woodfield launched Actuate Ventures, a venture studio focused on space and deep-tech startups, currently raising a $25 million fund. The studio combines incubation and investment to actively support emerging companies with specialized resources and expertise.
Starfish Space Raises Nearly $21M to Advance Otter Spacecraft for Satellite Servicing Contracts with U.S. Space Force, Intelsat, and NASA
Starfish Space has raised nearly $21 million in a new funding round as it prepares its Otter spacecraft for satellite inspection and servicing missions, including contracts with the U.S. Space Force, Intelsat, and NASA. The company plans to begin on-orbit life extension and inspection missions starting in 2026 and 2027.
Starfish Space Wins $15 Million NASA Contract for 2027 Satellite Inspection Mission
Starfish Space has been awarded a $15 million NASA contract for a three-year mission using its Otter spacecraft to inspect defunct satellites in orbit starting in 2027. This mission aims to advance satellite servicing and orbital debris mitigation as part of NASA's Space Sustainability Strategy.
Lamina1, Weta Workshop and Neal Stephenson Collaborate on Blockchain-Based Virtual World Platform Artefact
Lamina1 is partnering with Weta Workshop and sci-fi author Neal Stephenson to launch Artefact, a blockchain-based platform for immersive virtual worlds inspired by Stephenson's vision of the metaverse. The collaboration aims to engage creators and fans in expanding digital content through interactive experiences starting this fall.
Federal Judge Overturns $72 Million Jury Award to Zunum Aero in Boeing Trade Secrets Dispute
A federal judge in Seattle overturned a jury verdict that required Boeing to pay $72 million to Zunum Aero, an aviation startup Boeing once supported, ruling that Zunum failed to prove key claims in its lawsuit. Zunum plans to appeal the decision.
Mars Society Advances Seattle Startup Incubator Targeting AI and Biotech to Develop Technologies for Mars Colonies
The Mars Society is advancing plans to launch a startup incubator in Seattle focused on AI and biotechnology to develop technologies for Mars settlements. The incubator, modeled after Y Combinator, aims to generate profits and licenses from innovations supporting a future Mars colony.
Mars Society Hosts 27th Annual Convention in Seattle Highlighting Commercial Space Startups and Mars Technology Institute Plans
The Mars Society's 27th annual convention in Seattle gathers hundreds to discuss Mars exploration, emphasizing commercial space startups and announcing plans for a Mars Technology Institute to foster innovation and investment in space technologies.
First Mode Plans Layoffs of Up to 50% of Workforce Starting August 2024 Amid Strategy Shift
Seattle-based clean-tech company First Mode has warned employees of a significant layoff affecting up to 50% of its global workforce, with notifications starting the week of August 5, 2024. The layoffs follow a strategic shift from hydrogen to hybrid diesel-battery powertrains as part of ongoing business optimizations.
NASA Awards $348,000 Grant to Seattle's Interlune to Test Lunar Soil-Processing Tech on Reduced-Gravity Flights
Interlune received a $348,000 NASA grant to test its CRUMBLE lunar soil-processing system during reduced-gravity flights aimed at harvesting moon resources such as helium-3. The Seattle-based company plans to complete these tests by year-end as part of NASA’s TechFlights program supporting space technology development.
Seattle Federal Jury Awards Zunum Aero $72 Million From Boeing for Trade Secret Theft and Business Interference
A Seattle federal jury ruled that Boeing must pay $72 million to electric-airplane startup Zunum Aero for misappropriating trade secrets and interfering with its business, with the potential for tripling the damages. Boeing plans to challenge the verdict, while Zunum's legal team views the outcome as a significant vindication after years of litigation.
Starfish Space Wins $37.5M U.S. Space Force Contract After Successful Otter Pup Satellite Rendezvous Test
Starfish Space successfully completed a satellite rendezvous with its Otter Pup spacecraft despite thruster failure, leading to a $37.5 million contract from the U.S. Space Force for further rendezvous and docking technology development.
Gravitics Secures $1.7M Contract to Adapt Space Station Modules for U.S. Space Force Rapid Response
Gravitics will collaborate with Rocket Lab USA and others under a $1.7 million contract to adapt its commercial space station architecture for rapid response orbital platforms for the U.S. Space Force. This initiative is part of the 2023 SpaceWERX Tactically Responsive Space Challenge, with potential module deliveries starting in 2026.
Former Amazon Prime Air Founders Raise $4.5M for Radical’s Solar-Powered Autonomous Aircraft Startup
Seattle-based startup Radical, founded by ex-Amazon Prime Air employees James Thomas and Cyriel Notteboom, raised $4.5 million to develop autonomous solar-powered aircraft for long-duration stratospheric flights to provide connectivity and imaging services. They recently demonstrated a prototype that flew nonstop for over 24 hours and plan to expand their team and capabilities.
Organizations
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Cosmic Log Journalist · current
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Fiction Science podcast current
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GeekWire Journalist · current
