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.
Interlune Plans Robotic Helium-3 Harvesting on Moon with $18M Seed Funding, Aiming for 2026 Prospecting Mission
Seattle-based startup Interlune revealed plans to build a robotic harvester to extract helium-3 from the moon, aiming for a prospecting mission by 2026 and commercial operations in the 2030s. The company raised $18 million in seed funding led by Seven Seven Six, with the goal of enabling advanced technologies like quantum computing and fusion power.
Bellevue Startup Lumen Orbit Raises $2.4M to Launch 300 Satellites for AI Data Processing in Space
Lumen Orbit, a Bellevue-based startup, raised $2.4 million in a pre-seed round to launch a constellation of about 300 satellites aimed at processing data in space using onboard AI before downlinking it to Earth. The company’s founders include ex-McKinsey associate Philip Johnston, Oxford Space Systems and Airbus engineer Ezra Feilden, and former SpaceX software engineer Adi Oltean.
Cecilia Aragon, First Latina U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team Member, Becomes UW Data Scientist and Startup Co-founder
Cecilia Aragon, the first Latina on the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team and author of 'Flying Free,' shared her journey from stunt pilot to data scientist and Seattle startup co-founder at the Bellevue Women’s Leadership Conference.
Blue Origin Raises New Glenn Rocket on Florida Pad for First Time Ahead of Tests Led by Jeff Bezos
Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos and CEO Dave Limp, successfully raised its orbital-class New Glenn rocket on Florida's Launch Complex 36 for the first time, marking a key milestone before a series of upcoming tests. The rocket will undergo tanking tests without engines and is designed as a heavy-lift, reusable vehicle named in honor of astronaut John Glenn.
IonQ Expands Bothell Quantum Computer Factory to 100,000 Sq Ft with $80M Investment Planned in 2024
IonQ has expanded its quantum computer factory in Bothell, Washington, increasing its space from 65,000 to 100,000 square feet and plans to invest about $80 million in the area this year as part of a $1 billion decade-long commitment. The facility, the first dedicated quantum computer manufacturing center in the U.S., hosts research, development, and a second quantum data center.
Interlune, Co-Founded by Former Blue Origin President Rob Meyerson, Raises $17.7M to Harvest Moon Resources
Interlune, a startup co-founded by former Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson, is raising $17.7 million to develop technology for harvesting lunar resources to use on Earth. The company, founded in 2020, has received $15.6 million from 18 investors and a $246,000 NSF grant for moon dirt sorting research.
Amazon Exec Dave Limp Named New CEO of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Space Venture
Dave Limp, Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and services, will become CEO of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture starting December. The current CEO Bob Smith is retiring but will remain through January to support the transition.
Blue Origin Conducts Rare Layoffs in HR Amid Rapid Workforce Growth
Blue Origin has conducted layoffs, mainly affecting human resources and talent acquisition staff, marking an uncommon move amid the company's rapid growth. Despite this, the space venture continues hiring for technical roles and development projects.
Integrate Raises $3.4M Led by Hyperplane and Wins $1.25M U.S. Space Force Contract for Program Management Software
Integrate, a Seattle-based startup, raised $3.4 million led by Hyperplane and secured a $1.25 million contract with the U.S. Space Force to enhance its program management software. The funding will support team expansion and development to better serve hardware development programs, with Firefly Aerospace as a new customer.
Olis Robotics Raises $4.1M Led by PSL Ventures to Expand Secure Remote Robot Management Tools
Seattle-based Olis Robotics raised $4.1 million led by PSL Ventures to expand its Olis Connect system, enabling secure remote monitoring and control of industrial robots without cloud connection. This technology aims to reduce costly robot downtime by allowing operators to react swiftly from any browser-capable device.
NLM Photonics Secures $1M from Tokyo Ohka Kogyo and Hamamatsu to Boost Hybrid Electro-Optic Technology Commercialization
Seattle-based NLM Photonics raised $1 million in funding led by Japanese companies Tokyo Ohka Kogyo and Hamamatsu Photonics to advance commercialization of its hybrid electro-optic modulation technology. The investment aims to accelerate development of semiconductors that handle more data with less power and includes collaboration on shelf-stable inks using NLM’s proprietary materials.
Starfish Space's Otter Pup Satellite Spins After June 12 Anomaly on Launcher Orbiter SN3 During Docking Test
Starfish Space's Otter Pup satellite embarked on a June 12 rideshare mission but was spun uncontrollably following an anomaly with its mothership, Launcher’s Orbiter SN3. Emergency deployment allowed Otter Pup to remain operational and communicate, though its planned docking maneuvers were disrupted.
Echodyne Teams with Hyundai's Supernal with Minority Investment to Enhance Safety of eVTOL Air Mobility Systems
Echodyne, a radar company backed by Bill Gates, has partnered with Supernal, a Hyundai subsidiary, to enhance the safety of Supernal's eVTOL air mobility systems. Supernal is also making a minority investment in Echodyne to support in-flight and ground-based radar tracking for its electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.
Relativity Space Launches First 3D-Printed Terran 1 Rocket from Cape Canaveral on March 23, 2023, but Fails to Reach Orbit
Relativity Space launched its first 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket on March 23, 2023, at Cape Canaveral, but the test flight fell short of reaching orbit due to technical challenges despite successful liftoff and engine performance.
OceanGate's Stockton Rush Leads Crewed Submersible Dives to Titanic, Plans Expanding Deep-Sea Exploration Frontiers
OceanGate's president Stockton Rush has pioneered crewed submersible dives to the Titanic wreck, aiming to inspire public interest in ocean exploration. The company plans to expand its deep-sea ventures beyond Titanic expeditions, combining scientific research with commercial tourism.
Zeva Aero Develops Redesigned Z2 Electric Flying Vehicle with Enhanced Stability and Advanced Batteries
Zeva Aero is advancing its electric flying saucer concept with a redesigned Z2 vehicle aimed at vertical takeoff and horizontal flight, improving stability and incorporating new battery technology. The Tacoma-based startup's prototype development follows milestone tests of its earlier Zeva Zero model designed for the GoFly Prize competition.
University of Washington Launches Vilya with $50 Million to Develop Membrane-Permeable Peptide Drugs
University of Washington researchers developed custom peptides that penetrate cell membranes, enabling a new class of drugs with combined benefits of small molecules and protein therapeutics. They founded Vilya, backed by $50 million from Arch Venture Partners, to commercialize this drug platform described in Cell.
Echodyne Secures $135M Funding Led by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford to Expand Next-Gen Radar Production
Echodyne, a radar technology company backed by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford, secured $135 million in funding to expand production of its advanced radar systems used in drones, law enforcement, and infrastructure monitoring. The funding boosts its total investment to $195 million as it prepares to launch its next-generation radar with triple the range of its current product.
Bill Gates Leads $84M Funding Round to Expand Kymeta's Flat-Panel Antenna Production and Market Reach
Bill Gates led an $84 million funding round for Kymeta, a mobile connectivity startup specializing in flat-panel antennas that provide hybrid cellular-satellite connectivity. The investment will support production acceleration and market expansion, especially for defense and satellite broadband users.
Xplore says it has raised $16.2M to back ‘Space as a Service,’ with $4M in non-dilutive agency contracts
Xplore, a Redmond startup founded in 2017, reports it has raised $16.2 million in venture funding and contracts to support its 'Space as a Service' satellite program, including about $4 million in non-dilutive awards from agencies like the Air Force, NASA and NOAA. The company of roughly 20 employees is preparing its first mission, scheduled for late this year, supported by investors such as Alumni Ventures and Dylan Taylor.
Roei Ganzarski named president and CEO of Alitheon to lead FeaturePrint digital fingerprinting venture
Roei Ganzarski, former CEO of MagniX and executive chairman of Eviation Aircraft, has been named president and CEO of Alitheon, a Bellevue startup that uses its FeaturePrint image-based technology to create digital fingerprints for physical products and fight counterfeiting.
Zeva conducts first untethered flight of full-scale Zero eVTOL on Jan. 9 after tethered tests
Tacoma-based Zeva conducted the first untethered, controlled flight tests of its full-scale Zero eVTOL 'flying saucer' on Jan. 9 in a Pierce County pasture, completing four sorties totaling over four minutes of hovering, taxiing and limited climbs. The electric VTOL, designed for a single pilot, pairs four rotor sets, targets 160 mph and a 50-mile range, and follows prior tethered tests, trade-show appearances and a state aerospace grant.
C5 Acquisition Corp. closes $287.5M IPO with ex-Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson as CEO
C5 Acquisition Corp., led by former Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson, completed a $287.5 million IPO by selling 28.75 million units at $10 each and will seek business combinations focused on space, cybersecurity and energy transition tied to national security.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates) leads $65M funding for Stoke Space’s fully reusable-rocket program
Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures is leading a $65 million investment in Stoke Space to support development of fully reusable rockets aimed at cutting launch costs and enabling faster, lower-cost access to satellites for climate-monitoring applications.
Electric Sky wins $225,000 DARPA SBIR to build first Whisper Beam transmitter for wirelessly powering drones
Electric Sky received a $225,000 DARPA Phase I SBIR award to build and test a lab-bench Whisper Beam transmitter that provides tightly focused wireless power to drones, aiming to adapt the system to power swarms and inform upgrades for higher power and longer range.
Organizations
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Cosmic Log Journalist · current
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Fiction Science podcast current
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GeekWire Journalist · current
