The Rimae Bode candidate-site selection process narrowed an initial pool of 106 sites to a shortlist of 14 locations.

SpaceX has progressively updated the Raptor design through multiple versions, with Raptor 3 representing the latest generation to be tested.

Starbase is SpaceX’s primary development and test site for next-generation launch vehicles.

The planned tests include verification of the ramp system and launch support operations.

SpaceX posted on X on March 9, 2026 that it will conduct tests in the coming days to activate Pad 2 at Starbase.

Propellant loading exercises are included in the test activities to validate processes for loading propellants into vehicles before launch.

Pad 2 at Starbase will be brought to operational status as part of the planned test activities.

The planned test campaign will verify aspects of launch infrastructure and onboard systems at Starbase.

SpaceX posted on X on March 9, 2026 that it will exercise new propellant loading operations during the upcoming tests.

The Raptor family is a series of methane and liquid oxygen engines developed by SpaceX for its reusable launch systems.

The planned tests will validate systems associated with new ramp operational configurations and propellant management.

Raptor 3 engines will be central to a new series of operational tests at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas.

SpaceX posted on X on March 9, 2026 that it will operate a vehicle equipped with Raptor 3 engines for the first time during the upcoming tests.

SpaceX has integrated supplier data into internal digital systems that link material certifications, inspection records, and production histories for rapid traceability and anomaly evaluation.

NASA has expanded expectations for data transparency across major programs, including Artemis, to support integration of commercial partners, international agencies, and multiple prime contractors.

Some mid-sized aerospace component manufacturers provide customers direct access to inspection data and batch histories through secure portals to reduce audit friction and shorten approval cycles.

Commercial constellations now deploy satellites in batches measured in dozens or hundreds.

Cybersecurity practices and vulnerability management for supplier-provided firmware, control boards, and digital components have become integral to assessments of hardware quality in spacecraft systems.

NewSpace Brand Builders provides strategic consultancy services in brand strategy, public affairs, and community strategy development for space organizations.

Smaller manufacturers face capital and expertise burdens to implement cloud-based quality management systems, digital traceability tools, and cybersecurity protocols to meet transparency requirements.

Mike Daily will write a new column called Brand: Space about branding for the space industry.

Large integrators and government agencies are embedding transparency requirements into supplier contracts.

Model-based systems engineering initiatives rely on digital threads that require accurate supplier data to connect design, manufacturing, and operations.

Transparent supplier networks enable organizations to map dependencies and identify single points of failure to support resilience planning.

Supplier scorecards now evaluate responsiveness to data requests, completeness of traceability, and proactive risk disclosure in addition to defect rates and delivery timeliness.

Michael Daily is the President of NewSpace Brand Builders, a strategic consultancy focused on branding, marketing, and communications for the global space industry.

The acquisition builds on Leonardo’s provision of next-generation cyber solutions in Italy, within NATO, and across European defense.

The acquisition is expected to increase Leonardo’s positioning in the United Kingdom and strengthen cyber defenses across the Five Eyes countries.

Bernard Parsons is Chief Executive Officer of Becrypt.

Roberto Cingolani is Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Leonardo.

Becrypt was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in London.

The transaction advances Leonardo’s Zero Trust solutions by integrating Becrypt’s capabilities in secure data transfer, endpoint security, and secure cloud.

The acquisition will consolidate collaboration between Leonardo UK Ltd, the UK Government, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to protect the United Kingdom’s most sensitive environments.

Becrypt will provide endpoint security and secure data transfer solutions to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and other government departments.

Leonardo, through its subsidiary Leonardo UK Ltd, signed a binding agreement to acquire British company Becrypt.

Leonardo’s recent industrial cybersecurity partnerships and acquisitions in Europe include Axiomatics for Attribute-Based Access Control, SSH Communication for Privileged Access Management and post-quantum encryption, and Arbit for data diode and cross-domain solutions.

Leonardo was assisted by PwC as financial advisor and by GOP as legal advisor for the transaction.

Becrypt develops technologies designed to protect data up to Top Secret classification.

Becrypt employs approximately 100 people.

The closing of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected by the second quarter of 2026.

Becrypt’s portfolio includes systems for secure operations, protected collaborations, secure data transfer, and mobile device management platforms tailored for UK Defence multi-domain integration.

ISSA J1 is designed to inspect two satellites located in different orbits during a single mission.

A multi-target inspection approach like ISSA J1 can reduce the need to launch dedicated vehicles for each satellite requiring inspection, potentially increasing servicing efficiency and scalability.

Orbital inspection missions collect images and data to assess the technical status of operational or inactive satellites.

ISSA J1 aims to demonstrate that a single spacecraft can perform inspection operations on multiple objects in orbit.

On March 10, 2026, Astroscale posted on X a first look at ISSA-J1 and presented a demonstrator spacecraft designed to inspect two satellites in different orbits during a single mission.

Astroscale intends for ISSA J1 to expand the operational model beyond traditional single-target inspection missions by servicing two distinct orbital targets.

Astroscale plans to release further details on the full ISSA J1 mission concept and the client involved at a later date.

Astroscale is developing the ISSA J1 orbital inspection program.

Astroscale is an on-orbit services company active in sustainable satellite management.