Panelists at the Smallsats at the Tactical Edge session represented companies working in propulsion, sensing, and space compute technologies.

Muon Space positions latency reduction as a core requirement for architectures that track both wildfires for first responders and missile trucks for the Space Development Agency.

Commercial sensors are being integrated into operational military architectures prior to armed conflict.

The panel concluded that the distinction between commercial satellites and military assets has effectively evaporated.

Innoflight advocates for trusted, high-assurance on-orbit computing to move decision loops into space and close latency gaps.

A Defense Innovation Unit solicitation exists for technologies to de-orbit unprepared satellites.

Technologies developed for active debris removal are dual-use and can enable on-orbit capabilities to disable or manipulate adversary satellites.

High-power GPUs launched into orbit create significant thermal management challenges, according to research associated with Andy Kwas at Northrop Grumman.

The first Starlink-equipped Southwest aircraft is set to enter service this summer.

Starlink will replace the Anuvu system that is installed on older Southwest aircraft.

Southwest plans to rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet.

In May 2022, Southwest signed a deal with Viasat for Viasat’s next-generation Ka-band satellite IFC system to be factory-installed on all new aircraft deliveries starting in the first quarter of 2023.

Southwest currently works with Viasat and Anuvu for in-flight connectivity service.

Southwest expects Starlink to be available on more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026.

Southwest plans to upgrade all its aircraft with high-speed, low Earth orbit satellite technology and views the Starlink agreement as a major step in that plan.

Southwest Airlines reached a deal to integrate SpaceX’s Starlink in-flight connectivity service on Feb. 11.

In June 2022, Southwest signed a deal with Anuvu for Anuvu to modernize in-flight connectivity equipment across 350 of Southwest’s 737NG aircraft.

Starlink service on Southwest will be free to loyalty members through a partnership with T-Mobile.

The Southwest-Starlink agreement will impact Anuvu’s work on Southwest aircraft.

ViaSat’s system will continue to be line-fit installed on all of Southwest’s brand-new B737 MAX aircraft.

Auxilium will provide orbital 3D bioprinting and biofabrication capabilities aboard the Starlab space station to support advanced research, device development, and manufacturing workflows in regenerative medicine, implantable medical technologies, and complex tissue engineering applications.

Starlab is building an expansive network dedicated to advancing life sciences research and biomanufacturing in orbit.

Through joint venture partners, customers can conduct research on the International Space Station today and transition seamlessly to Starlab for future advancements.

Auxilium’s proprietary AMP-1 3D bioprinter demonstrated mass production of implantable medical devices and complex structures, including perfusable blood vessels, in microgravity aboard the International Space Station.

With Starlab, Auxilium will accelerate translation from experimental biology to manufacturable products and position AMP-1 as a production facility for next-generation life science technologies in space.

Microgravity enables enhanced protein crystallization, 3D cell growth and disease modeling that better replicate human biology, and advanced stem cell research with applications for treating Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Starlab has a single-launch, no-assembly-required design that enables full certification and operation within weeks.

Starlab Space and Auxilium signed a partnership agreement to provide 3D bioprinting and biofabrication capabilities in orbit.

Starlab’s market-driven business model aims to reduce costs, complexity, and risks for researchers and commercial partners.

The Ariane 64 is a four-booster, enhanced version of the Ariane 6 rocket.

A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket lifted off from Florida at 4:22am carrying a Space Force spacecraft to geosynchronous orbit.

Deep Space Energy was founded in 2022 and is developing a radioisotope power generation system optimized for spaceflight.

The USSF-87 mission included hardware to improve space situational awareness in geostationary orbit and research and training systems for Space Force Guardians.

SpaceX delayed its Mars plans in favor of focusing on the Moon.

United Launch Alliance will work with the U.S. government to review flight data and collect debris if necessary before Vulcan’s next mission.

A social media video appears to show a flame plume coming through the Vulcan rocket motor.

The Vulcan launch was the rocket’s second mission under the National Security Space Launch program.

Deep Space Energy secured €930,000 (US$1.1 million) to develop a radioisotope power generation system intended for lunar missions.

Arianespace’s Ariane 64 rocket conducted its first launch from French Guiana at 8:45am carrying 32 Amazon low-Earth-orbit satellites.

Vulcan suffered a significant performance anomaly in one of its four solid rocket motors shortly after launch.

Orbital Paradigm’s KID reentry vehicle survived long enough to transmit valuable data despite ISRO’s PSLV failing during launch.

Ariane 64’s four boosters increase payload mass to orbit to more than double that of the baseline Ariane 6.

Canada Rocket Company raised C$6.2 million (US$4.5 million) in a seed round and plans to develop sovereign light- and medium-lift launch capabilities for Canada.

Deep Space Energy’s design uses a dynamic converter and a modified Stirling engine intended to be more efficient than typical radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

Stoke Space raised an additional $350 million in its Series D fundraising.

The lunar night lasts approximately 14 Earth days.

The Vulcan rocket delivered the satellite to its intended orbit.

The performance deadline for the joint research between Ebara Corporation and JAXA is March 31, 2026.

JAXA envisions using OTVs to efficiently transport satellites, probes, and supplies to deep-space destinations like the Moon and Mars.

JAXA is considering adopting electric pumps for OTVs to enable simpler engine systems and easier thrust output control and to support infrastructure for future reusable exploration vehicles.