DARPA is exploring the potential of growing large-scale biological structures (500+ meters) in microgravity, leveraging recent advances in metabolic engineering and biological self-assembly. The initiative aims to revolutionize space infrastructure by enabling the biological manufacturing of structures like space elevator tethers, orbital debris nets, and space station components.
Satellogic operates a constellation of earth observation microsatellites, providing global imagery with up to 5-minute revisit times through their 300-satellite target deployment, and recently launched an open satellite feed program called Satellogic EarthView.
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a mini data center to the moon as part of Lonestar Data Holdings' mission to establish lunar data storage facilities. The project aims to protect sensitive data from Earth-based hazards and bypass data sovereignty restrictions through space-based storage solutions. The initiative faces challenges like latency and maintenance but offers advantages including natural cooling and potential renewable power operations.
DARPA has issued a special notice for research and development in large bio-mechanical space structures, with responses due March 27, 2025. The contract focuses on basic research in national defense R&D services, specifically targeting physical, engineering, and life sciences applications.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope faces potential 20% budget cuts across all operations despite being at peak performance and high demand. The $317 million budget reduction would impact scientific operations starting October, affecting proposal reviews, data analysis, and observatory efficiency. The cuts come while JWST is only halfway through its primary mission and could operate for 20+ years.
Lox is a comprehensive astrodynamics API designed for space mission planning and analysis, offering both high-level interfaces and specialized tools. The framework provides Python bindings, extensive time management capabilities, and support for various orbital calculations and celestial body data.