Archives for July 2025

With the rapid expansion of satellite constellations in LEO, the risk of orbital collisions is rising at an unprecedented pace. The proliferation of objects in space—ranging from active satellites to defunct assets and debris—poses serious challenges for operators striving to maintain the safety and sustainability of their missions.

As daily data volumes grow and conjunction warnings become more frequent, the space community faces mounting pressure to adopt more advanced and reliable collision avoidance solutions.

In this context, GMV has been awarded a new R&D contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) under its Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Core Competitiveness program within ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications. The initiative aims to develop an advanced collision avoidance service tailored to the needs of large-scale telecommunications constellations.

Building upon the success of GMV’s proven Focusoc platform, the new service—FOCUSOC NXTGEN—will deliver faster and more accurate collision risk assessments by integrating a wide array of data sources and enhancing response strategies. This next generation solution is designed to empower satellite operators with smarter, more agile tools to safeguard their assets in an increasingly congested orbital environment.

A key innovation of the project is the creation of a new conjunction assessment center in the United Kingdom. This centre will serve operators both in the UK and globally, offering expanded capabilities beyond current services. Thanks to a complete system redesign, the platform will support significantly higher data processing volumes, with a scalable and dynamic infrastructure that adapts to user demands.

While the current service can process constellations of tens of satellites, the goal is to accommodate the new key players: large-sized constellations that feature hundreds of them. FOCUSOC-NXTGEN is aiming to assess conjunctions for more than 1,000 satellites. Nevertheless, the standout feature of the project is its horizontal scalability, which allows the system to expand as user demands grow.

This significant leap not only enhances computational capacity, but also requires improved user interfaces to provide real-time global insights, specifically optimized for large-constellation operations.

FOCUSOC-NXTGEN tackles the growing challenge of managing vast volumes of orbital data—now reaching over 7 GB daily—by filtering out false positives and pinpointing genuine threats with greater precision. The system will deliver timely and highly relevant maneuver recommendations, helping operators avoid unnecessary disruptions to their missions.

Among its standout features, the service will include a dedicated database of conjunctions to support long-term trend analysis, a maneuver testing environment leveraging GMV’s renowned Flight Dynamics Systems expertise, and seamless API integration for operational efficiency. Redundant system architecture will ensure uninterrupted 24/7 availability.

The new service is scheduled for official launch in the summer of 2026, with ongoing developments in close collaboration with leading industry stakeholders. With FOCUSOC-NXTGEN, GMV reinforces its position at the forefront of safe and sustainable space operations.

By contributing to the development of FOCUSOC NXTGEN, ESA is helping tackle a critical issue: the risk of orbital collisions,” said Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. “The success and long-term sustainability of space activities rely heavily on orbital safety; ensuring satellites and space assets remain free from collision risks. This service will be instrumental in enabling other ESA-supported innovations to thrive, delivering fast and reliable communications without interruption.”

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL) has committed to a multi-year contract expansion with the Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi (IGAC), in partnership with Planet geospatial intelligence partner Procalculo.

With this contract, IGAC will continue leveraging Planet’s technology for national land management, now incorporating the Planet Insights Platform and the AI-powered change detection service for roads and buildings. These tools will enhance analysis and decision-making in urban planning, infrastructure, and environmental management.

IGAC is the governmental entity in Colombia responsible for generating, managing, and disseminating geographic and cartographic data. In 2023, Planet signed a contract with IGAC to provide advanced access to SkySat tasking and daily monitoring with PlanetScope, thereby strengthening land-use planning and risk management throughout the country.

With this expanded data access and collaboration with Procalculo, IGAC is strengthening its ability to enforce regulations, identify and monitor risks such as floods and landslides, and carry out land management efforts throughout Colombia. By integrating Planet’s data into its government platform, the Observatorio de la Tierra y el Territorio (OTT), IGAC is able to efficiently support various organizations aiming to conduct AI-enabled change analysis, monitor infrastructure, support urban planning, and evaluate land-use over time—becoming a key input for informed decision-making.

With the expansion of the contract, IGAC leverages a comprehensive ecosystem of Planet solutions, including the Planet Insights Platform for geospatial data analysis and management, SkySat Flexible Tasking, PlanetScope Monitoring, Planet Change Detection: Roads and Buildings, and the Education & Research package, aimed at supporting government-led research initiatives.

By working in collaboration with IGAC and our partner Procalculo, we’re excited to see how Planet’s data is being used for nationwide disaster response, monitoring public policy compliance, and detecting changes through artificial intelligence across Colombia,” said Ashley Johnson, Planet President and CFO. “By leveraging our platform and AI-powered analytics, IGAC will continue advancing near-daily broad area land management at scale.”

Planet offers a unique combination of satellite data and analytical capabilities that we can integrate into our national management systems to provide decision-makers with up-to-date data and information that ensure reliable insights about the territory,” said Anderson Puentes Carvajal, Director of the Dirección de Gestión de Información Geográfica at IGAC. “By leveraging Procalculo’s expertise along with Planet’s advanced data and analytical tools, we’re making significant progress in change detection and the implementation of public policies at both national and local levels across the country.”

L3Harris recently demonstrated a cutting-edge Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solution for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command that is adaptable to different platforms, is fully reprogrammable on-orbit, and is scalable to support additional signals and increased power to address evolving threats.

This ready-now solution can provide the USSF with the ultimate flexibility to efficiently field smaller, multi-launch capable satellites to augment or disaggregate the constellation.

During a two-day event, the company conducted a comprehensive Design Concept Review (DCR) showcasing a Resilient-GPS (R-GPS) prototype that performed beyond current requirements. The session demonstrated the ability to accelerate the existing USSF R-GPS roadmap for a more resilient PNT infrastructure.

Using their Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) reprogrammable payload and National Security Agency-certified reprogrammable cryptography, L3Harris successfully simulated the commanding of an R-GPS satellite to transmit navigation signals that were acquired and tracked by a monitor station receiver, as well as Military User Equipment and commercial receivers, signifying that R-GPS can seamlessly and efficiently be integrated into the existing GPS infrastructure.

L3Harris followed a “prototyping with purpose” approach, which is much more than a laboratory demonstration. The review showcased maturity far beyond a traditional Preliminary Design Review, translating into a low-risk, achievable plan for future development phases of the R-GPS program. The L3Harris R-GPS design includes capabilities aligned to future Lite Evolving Augmented Proliferation, providing an opportunity for roadmap acceleration and reduction in lifecycle costs.

The DCR conveyed how the L3Harris R-GPS satellite will minimize impact on the Control Segment and maintain backward compatibility with current and in development user equipment to ensure operational compatibility. L3Harris is the only company to support the entire GPS enterprise across all operational segments. As a critical contributor, the company has provided navigation technology for every U.S. GPS satellite ever launched.

In 2024, L3Harris was selected to design concepts for Phase 0 of the R-GPS program through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) vehicle, managed by National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). The new, agile R-GPS satellite program will dramatically reduce costs by launching eight smaller, more capable space vehicles at one time. This enables the U.S. to quickly and affordably augment, modernize, and upgrade the GPS space layer for resiliency, significantly increased power to combat terrestrial jamming and enhanced security and cryptography.

Our team transmitted, tested, and validated the core set of R-GPS signals across the entire enterprise to showcase a fully reprogrammable, resilient PNT solution for the Department of Defense,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “We leveraged best in class commercial technology in the payload and spacecraft bus and the government’s investment in cutting-edge NTS-3 PNT technologies. Conducting an end-to-end demo using fielded Space Force user equipment in just six months is an unprecedented accomplishment. Using NTS-3’s advanced technology, L3Harris’ R-GPS solution is the most advanced capability offering supporting PNT proliferation to augment or disaggregate the constellation.”

Zoiss added, “Our approach supports satellite design verification, proves compatibility with the Control Segment and User Equipment, and allows for early enterprise integration opportunities. As a global PNT leader for more than five decades, we understand the challenges in aligning three segments of the GPS enterprise (Space, Control and User), so we showcased a holistic, aligned approach.”

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has connected their new high-speed-inflight connectivity system, JetWave X, over the Viasat satellite network.

With Honeywell’s JetWave X system, business jets owners and operators have access to uninterrupted coverage globally, delivering the sort of reliable, consistent, high-speed connectivity typically found in homes and offices. This new offering supports Honeywell’s alignment of its portfolio to three compelling megatrends, including the future of aviation.

Honeywell continues to support the current generation of JetWave systems that are operating today on approximately 2,000 business jets, and it expects these existing systems will experience a performance boost from higher speeds with the recently-announced JetXP experience plans. Existing JetWave customers will also benefit from faster installation times and an economical upgrade path to JetWave X.

JetWave X has already been selected by Bombardier and Dassault with specific availability dates by platform to be announced in the near future. Availability of JetWave X on additional business jet platforms is expected to be announced in the second half of 2025.

By successfully passing traffic over the Viasat network, JetWave X has reached a major milestone in our progress to complete its development and certification by the fourth quarter of this year,” said Jason Wissink, President, Services and Connectivity, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “JetWave X will unlock the full capabilities of Viasat’s global network, including existing and future ViaSat-3 and GX satellites, to provide consistent, high performance and fully redundant connectivity, all backed by Honeywell’s global field support team. For OEMs and MROs, the simplified product architecture will also make the new system even easier and faster to install than the current-generation JetWave system.”

As long-standing partners in the business aviation industry, Viasat and Honeywell have a successful track record of constantly innovating and delivering world-class connectivity that stays ahead of customer needs,” said Kai Tang, Head of Business Aviation, Viasat. “The combination of JetWave X and our JetXP service will deliver an even greater standard of consistent, reliable and seamless in-flight broadband, complemented by Honeywell’s white-glove customer service and 24/7 support.”

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has completed their acquisition of Capella Space Corporation, a space tech company with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications.

The closing marks a significant step in IonQ’s mission to develop the world’s first space-to-space and space-to-ground satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) network, enabling quantum-secure global communications.

With the acquisition now finalized, IonQ will begin developing a space-based QKD network by integrating Capella’s satellite infrastructure with its quantum technology. Once complete, this QKD network will enable secure communications that prevents encryption keys from being intercepted or copied without detection.

It will also serve as a platform for additional quantum networking and sensing growth vectors. Capella customers will have access to rapid, ultra-secure SAR and remote sensing through the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform.

This acquisition, along with the previously announced ID Quantique agreement, strengthens IonQ’s position in advancing quantum networking technologies that are essential for building the quantum internet. This news builds on recent quantum networking contracts with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet, where global QKD will play a foundational role in enabling secure communications,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “The integration of Capella’s advanced space-based platform and proven constellation of deployed satellites – along with IonQ’s quantum technologies – is expected to bolster commercial applications, global defense, and intelligence missions.”

Capella has been a long-time pioneer in space technology and we can now take actionable steps to push the boundaries further by building the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform,” said Frank Backes, CEO of Capella. “We’re excited to be joining the IonQ team on this new journey.”

July 11th saw the clearest indication that the long wait for SES to receive its permissions to acquire rival Intelsat is coming to an end, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) giving its approval to the transfer “of the control of licenses from Intelsat to SES.” This, in effect, ends the FCC’s oversight of the deal. SES has already received approval for the deal from the UK and European regulators.

The FCC said, “Based on our review of the record before us, we do not find any material public interest harms arising from the proposed transfers of control. Further, we find that the proposed transaction is likely to generate certain public interest benefits, including lower costs due to synergies and elimination of double marginalization, improved network quality, increased investment, national security benefits, and the creation of a more vigorous satellite competitor. Accordingly, we find that the transaction will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.“

On May 1st, 2024, SES and Intelsat entered into a share purchase agreement pursuant to which SES would acquire 100 per cent of the outstanding shares and assets of Intelsat for $3.1 billion plus certain contingent value rights. The transaction will be financed from existing cash and equivalents and the issuance of new debt.

The FCC document added, “SES will control the combined company, and no parties have raised issues with respect to the basic qualifications of the Applicants. Accordingly, pursuant to Commission precedent, we find that there is no reason to reevaluate the requisite citizenship, character, financial, technical, or other basic qualifications of SES or Intelsat under the Act or our rules, regulations, and policies. We also find that the Transaction will not violate any statutory provision or Commission rule.”

The document reveals that Eutelsat complained that the combined business “would control almost all satellite media distribution in the United States.” However, the Commission responded by saying that both Telesat and Eutelsat have contiguous U.S. (CONUS) C-band coverage and substantial C-band satellite capacity available to serve media service customers.

The filing also shows that SES is prepared to clear a further 100 MHz or more of C-band capacity for relocation by the FCC.

The FCC concluded, “After carefully reviewing the record in this proceeding, we find that the proposed transaction will not violate the Act or the Commission’s rules. We further find that it is unlikely to have adverse competitive effects in the market segments in which the Applicants compete. At the same time, we find that the proposed transaction will generate various public interest benefits, including lower costs, improvements to network quality, investment, and national security, and the creation of a more vigorous satellite competitor. Accordingly, we find that approval of this transaction will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.”

Satellites are used for GPS, weather forecasts, and more. Generally, satellites have to be small and tough enough to withstand launch. Repairing or upgrading them involves sending people to space—so they usually aren’t made to be serviced. In-space robotic servicing could change this and open the door to other advances, like in-space assembly and manufacturing. However, the technology is mostly unproven in space. Companies and U.S. agencies are hesitant to commit resources to it.

We offered policy options to address this and other challenges. For example, requiring satellites to be serviceable could create a user base for in-space service companies.

Space is increasingly important to the daily lives of Americans, to the economy, and to national defense. The number of active satellites in space providing critical services increased from 1,400 in 2015 to more than 11,000 in 2025. An additional 18,000 or more are projected to be launched by 2030, according to market analyses.

In-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technology has the potential to improve current satellite capabilities and to open new capabilities, such as orbital debris removal, space-based solar energy, larger space telescopes, and human deep-space space exploration.

In 2022, the Office of Science and Technology Policy published a national strategy and an implementation plan to guide federal ISAM activities. The plan named various agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to lead these activities. DOD and NASA have spent more than $2 billion developing in-space servicing demonstration missions over the past decade, according to agency documentation and officials. Other countries are also developing and demonstrating ISAM technologies.

Definitions of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing

While astronauts have repaired the Hubble Space Telescope and assembled and maintained the International Space Station, robotic ISAM functions are less mature. Robotic in-space servicing is not routinely used and has only been demonstrated on a handful of missions, but it is more mature than assembly and manufacturing.

Development of ISAM technology faces challenges largely related to what experts called a chicken-and-egg problem. Potential ISAM service providers are hesitant to develop the technology into servicing products (e.g., a satellite that can bring fuel to other satellites) until there is a user base (e.g., a refuelable satellite). Similarly, potential users are hesitant to design and deploy satellites that can be serviced until those products are available.

GAO identified four challenges contributing to this situation:

• Government agencies and industry have differing priorities for ISAM technology, and a single technology is unlikely to meet all priorities. This situation fragments demand for any given technology.

• Government and private satellite operators are generally not requiring that satellites be designed for future servicing, such as refueling or upgrading.

• Few in-space test opportunities are available for developers to test ISAM technology. As a result, ISAM providers have generally not demonstrated the capability to perform satellite servicing, which deters risk-averse satellite operators from committing to purchasing such servicing.

• Regulations and standards are unclear or emerging, both for space activities broadly and ISAM specifically.

GAO developed five policy options that could help address these challenges. These policy options are not recommendations. GAO presents them to help policymakers consider and choose options appropriate to the goals they hope to achieve. Policymakers may include legislative bodies, government agencies, standards-setting organizations, and industry.

Policy options to help address challenges with in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technology development and use

Policy Option Opportunities Considerations

Maintain status quo efforts (report p. 24)

For example, federal agencies, ISAM providers, and other policymakers could sustain current planned demonstration missions and ISAM community efforts.

• Current efforts may address some challenges without additional resources.

• Resources that would have been allocated to further developing ISAM could be used for other opportunities.

• Current efforts are not likely to address all challenges, such as not being able to promptly respond to changing mission needs or satellite failures.

Evaluate, and potentially promote serviceability (report p. 25)

For example, federal agencies could study the economic benefits and costs of serviceability and then take actions, such as requiring that satellites be serviceable to enable repair, maintenance, or future technology upgrades.

• Evaluations of benefits could clarify whether and when serviceability can generate return on investment, which would help inform decisions about which other policy options to pursue.

• Requirements could establish a user base and incentivize servicing providers.

• Could be relatively inexpensive compared to the overall cost of a satellite.

• Historical data may not be sufficient to generate reliable evaluations.Some benefits of satellite servicing may not be easily quantifiable.

Support technology development and testing (report p. 27)

For example, the ISAM community could take steps to support testing opportunities on the ground and in space.

• More testing could enable smaller companies and academic research groups to participate in developing ISAM capabilities.

Could reduce technical risk, satisfy many potential users, and encourage adoption.

Resources dedicated to test facilities and demonstrations would not be available for other agency or company priorities.

Demonstrations would not guarantee adoption by users.

Develop or clarify regulations and standards (report p. 28)

For example, government agencies and standards organizations could clarify licensing or promulgate standards.

• Could lower barriers for ISAM providers.

• Government and industry may not be prepared to specify regulations or standards.

• The ISAM industry is still developing, and regulations may inadvertently create unnecessary barriers to developing technology.

Designate a government champion (report p. 29)

For example, Congress or the White House could designate a government champion to support ISAM development and coordinate with the Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities.

• The government champion could oversee and coordinate activities described in the ISAM National Strategy and the National ISAM Implementation Plan, and the policy options identified in this report.

• A government champion without sufficient authority, resources, and clear direction could be ineffective.

Why GAO Did This Study
ISAM technology and capabilities could change the paradigm of how spacecraft are designed, built, operated, and discarded. Since the advent of artificial satellites, almost all have been “single use”: assembled on Earth, sustained in space with no outside intervention beyond communication, and discarded or abandoned when no longer functional. ISAM could reduce cost and risk, increase flexibility, and help to better address failures after launch.

NASA and others have used ISAM capabilities for more than 40 years, but largely involving crewed missions rather than uncrewed robotic missions. For example, astronauts repaired or upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope five times between 1993 and 2009.

This report describes potential benefits and status of ISAM capabilities as well as challenges facing their development and use. It also identifies options policymakers could consider that might help realize benefits and address challenges.

To conduct this technology assessment, GAO searched the relevant literature; reviewed documents and reports; interviewed federal officials, industry representatives, and stakeholders in academia and at federally funded research and development centers; conducted site visits; attended conferences and workshops; and convened a 2-day meeting of 20 experts from government, industry, academia, and federally funded research and development centers. GAO excluded sensitive and classified information. GAO is identifying policy options in this report.

View the PDF report at this direct link…

Would-be global satellite broadband operator AST SpaceMobile has made a satellite modification request to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its operational fleet of satellites.

The modification was submitted a month ago by its AST & Science subsidiary and proposes two new 14-satellite shells (98.13° inclination @ 685 km) alongside its already approved 520 km & 690 km LEO shells.

AST is asking the FCC to approve its request “this summer,” as it moves on with the manufacture, launch, and operation of its satellites.

Within the application, AST says it is now ramping up to building six satellites per month this year.

These manufacturing and orbital launch schedules support continuous cellular broadband coverage goals in key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, the U.S. Government and other strategic markets during 2026,” said AST.

Space Forge launched and confirmed on-orbit communication with ForgeStar®-1, the UK’s first in-space manufacturing satellite, developed entirely in Wales.

The launch marks a major breakthrough for British-built space hardware and the next chapter in space-based industrial capability. This is the first time the UK has sent a spacecraft into orbit with the purpose of producing new materials in the unique conditions of space. Space Forge will also validate their re-entry technology that will eventually bring these materials home.

ForgeStar-1 launched aboard the Transporter-14 rideshare mission from SpaceX’s facilities at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. In the hours that followed, the satellite successfully activated and made contact with the Space Forge Mission Operations Centre in Cardiff, UK.

This successful launch marks the completion of more than four years of design, testing and regulatory milestones. The ForgeStar-1 satellite was built and qualified in-house by Space Forge’s Cardiff team. It became the first UK satellite to receive an in-space manufacturing license from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and was shipped across the Atlantic for integration and launch.

This first-of-its-kind in-orbit manufacturing demo is designed to prove the viability of producing advanced materials in the unique environment of space. The conditions in LEO offer advantages that are simply unattainable on Earth – from microgravity to ultra-clean vacuum conditions—and pave the way for scalable, returnable space-based manufacturing in the near future.

ForgeStar-1’s manufacturing platform, once fully operational, will enable Space Forge to test manufacturing techniques for next-generation semiconductors. As ForgeStar-1 completes its payload objectives, the mission will shift focus to testing a suite of pioneering return-enabling technologies. This includes the deployment of Pridwen, Space Forge’s proprietary heat shield; on-orbit aerodynamic control to steer and decelerate the satellite; and real-time orbital tracking paired with predictive re-entry mapping using the company’s Aether software.

While ForgeStar-1 won’t return to Earth, its mission will provide the critical test data, telemetry, and confidence needed to unlock future manufacturing missions—ones that will forge materials in space and bring them home.

Joshua Western, CEO and Co-founder, Space Forge, said, “We’ve built and launched Britain’s first manufacturing satellite and it’s alive in orbit, that’s a massive technical achievement. Now, we take the next step: proving that we can create the right environment for manufacturing in space. This is the start of a new era for materials science and industrial capability.”

Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, which has previously supported Space Forge with funding, said, “This isn’t just another satellite—it’s a testament to British engineering and our commitment to developing in-space manufacturing technologies that can benefit life here on Earth. ForgeStar-1 exemplifies how the UK space sector is pushing boundaries in sustainable space technology, with its ability to return to Earth for refurbishment and reuse. This approach aligns directly with our ambitions to develop environmentally responsible access to space while creating high-skilled jobs across the UK. I’m immensely proud of the Space Forge team in Cardiff, and all those who supported this mission, demonstrating that the UK space sector is thriving and ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

Indra Group completed the engineering development for the mission involving the Startical IOD-2 satellite—all within two years. The company was created by ENAIRE and Indra to provide communication and surveillance services via space and improve air traffic management.

The demo satellite, launched via the SpaceX Transporter-14 mission, will contribute to the development and design of the future constellation of more than 200 low-orbit satellites set to provide global coverage and transform aviation, delivering greater efficiency, capacity and sustainability around the world.

The payload is based on an advanced high-power VHF amplifier that’s key to enabling long-range satellite communications, particularly in oceanic and remote areas without any current coverage. The amplifier, developed by Indra Group, will facilitate new tests as part of the IOD-2 mission. With its VHF antenna measuring nearly four meters, the largest ever built and launched into space, the aim of the Startical-led mission is to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the system for real-time voice, data and aeronautical surveillance communications via space.

With the creation of Indra Space, the company will be able to cover the entire value chain of a space project, from mission design to satellite development and manufacturing, ground segment deployment and mission operations.

This project for IOD-2 not only reflects the technological maturity of Indra Group’s solutions for a sector as highly demanding as space, it also shows that we’re fully capable of taking on the leadership of comprehensive space missions, with critical technologies validated and qualified for the purpose. This milestone offers proof of our status as a reliable and internationally competitive strategic integrator,” said Fernando García Martínez-Peñalver, Indra’s director of Space.