Space Stakes: The Business of the New Space Race
The money, missions, and power shaping space. Space Stakes is a daily briefing on the business of the new space race — launches, contracts, constellations, and the capital behind them. Every episode cuts through the industry's hype: signed contracts vs. paper constellations, funded orders vs. "up to" ceilings, launch dates vs. track records. Who pays, who profits, and who actually delivers — told so both aerospace insiders and curious newcomers finish feeling it was made for them. Space Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, created and built by a real human, Brian Lampert. Nothing on this show is financial advice. Also from Brian Lamp...
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Rocket Lab Books $515 Million in Neutron Launches Before First Flight — November 12, 2026
<p>Rocket Lab has booked eight more Neutron launches at a higher base price before the rocket's first flight, which is now targeted for 2027. We also cover a SpaceX launch, Pentagon awards and loans, and Anduril's reported infrared satellite-sensor demonstration.</p>Rocket Lab Q3 2026: Neutron orders pile up before first flight — SpaceQ Media Inc.Falcon 9 launches USSF-627 — SpaceX on XSpaceX wins Pentagon deal to test Starlink lasers for missile tracking — defence-blog.comDoD pushes out 3 loans totaling $450M to bolster US space companies — Breaking DefenseAnduril demos night-vision sensor for tracking satellites in darkness — Ars Technica<p>Source links</p>space.comspace.com<p>Spac...
Who Gets to Own the Connection in Space? — November 11, 2026
SpaceX spectrum application — proven news breaker @SawyerMerritt on XSINGULUS Technologies supply contract with SpaceX — SINGULUS TechnologiesFrance awards IRIS satellite contract — Breaking DefenseStarlink Mini 2 — TeslaOracle<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headlines</p><p>00:43 FCC accepted SpaceX spectrum application</p><p>02:53 Hype Check: SpaceX spectrum deal</p><p>04:39 Neutron bookings ahead of 2027 debut</p><p>05:21 SINGULUS solar cell line for SpaceX</p><p>06:50 France awarded IRIS satellite contract</p><p>08:32 Starlink Mini 2 portable terminal</p><p>Source links</p>@defpostmedia on X@spcxGOD on X@TrumpDailyPosts on Xsatellitetoday.com<p>Space Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a real person...
Japan Creates Venture to Procure and Operate Direct-to-Device Network — November 10, 2026
Rocket Lab conditional loan commitment — U.S. Department of WarSpaceX Starbase proposal — Stocktwits reportingMAX POWER aerospace expo — NASAUK government stake in SaxaVord — European Spaceflight<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headlines</p><p>00:33 Rocket Lab Neutron conditional loan</p><p>02:16 SpaceX proposed Starbase power plant</p><p>03:48 NASA MAX POWER expo and Artemis III</p><p>05:32 UK government stake in SaxaVord</p><p>06:47 Rakuten AST direct-to-device network</p><p>09:02 Rakuten AST expected funding and risk</p><p>Source links</p>@NASAKennedy on X@spacenews_inc on Xeuropeanspaceflight.commorningstar.comspacenews.comtelecoms.com<p>Space Stakes is an AI-voiced podcast, built and run by a rea...
SpaceX’s Revenue Mix Tilts Toward AI Computing — November 9, 2026
<p>SpaceX’s reported revenue mix is shifting toward AI computing, with Anthropic named as its biggest customer and an exit provision from early 2027. We also cover RFA’s revised launch target, Europe’s Zero Debris Charter, Starship Flight 15 and NASA’s Moon Base plans.</p>RFA Confirms Inaugural RFA ONE Launch Has Slipped to 2027 — European SpaceflightCelebrating three years of the Zero Debris Charter — ESAStarship Flight 15 Targets November 13 Launch And First Dual Catch — Aero-News NetworkNASA Updates Moon Base Plan Spanning Rover to Rides — Aviation WeekMusk says government work will be under 10% of SpaceX revenue — thenextweb.com<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headlines<...
NASA’s $10B Moon Base Plan Puts Task Orders in Focus — November 8, 2026
<p>NASA's Moon Base program combines a $10 billion CLPS 2 ceiling with specific rover and transport awards, while the episode separates future competition from contracted work. We also cover a proposed Starship double catch, Alphabet's quarter-end SpaceX holding, Firefly's CLPS 2 vendor status and NASA's reopened astronaut applications.</p>NASA Awards Moon Base Transportation, Technology, Science Projects — NASAAlphabet Added 3.85M SpaceX Shares in Q3, 13F Filing Shows — FourWeekMBAFirefly selected as vendor for NASA's $10 Billion Commercial Lunar Payload Services — Firefly AerospaceNASA Seeks Next Generation of Explorers to Join Astronaut Corps — NASA<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headlines</p><p>00:50 Starship upper stage tower catch at...
Weekend Bonus: The $115M Hub, a Satellite Compatibility Gap — November 7, 2026
<p>This Weekend Bonus examines a Space Force data-network integration award and reported satellite compatibility problems, alongside Redwire's VLEO test contract, ESA's reusable-booster demonstrations and changes in U.S. congressional oversight of space budgets.</p>DoD taps Viasat to field operations ‘center’ for Golden Dome satellite data relay network — Breaking DefenseKey Space Force satellites can’t talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources — Breaking DefenseRedwire Wins $20M DARPA Contract for Second VLEO Demo — PayloadESA to Support Industry-Led Reusable Booster Flight Demonstrations — European SpaceflightMidterm elections shift space power to Democrats, with stakes for Canada — SpaceQ<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headline...
CesiumAstro Raises $730 Million to Build Its Own Satellite Network — November 6, 2026
<p>CesiumAstro has closed a $730 million Series D and announced a planned 737-satellite constellation, while today’s other stories cover Blue Origin engine targets, a Starship launch target, completed ISS solar-array work, and AST SpaceMobile’s subcontractor role in a Space Force development effort.</p>Blue Origin says it is building a higher-performing rocket engine at 1/4 the cost — Ars TechnicaSpaceX Starship Flight 15 Launch Date Targets Nov. 13 — TeslaNorthAstronauts finish installing next-gen ISS solar arrays — Space.comAST SpaceMobile joins U.S. Space Force sensing effort — MuggleheadCesiumAstro secures $730 million and announces Synchronicity — SpaceNews<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headlines</p><p>00:50 Northstar engine cost and thrus...
Who Keeps NASA’s Spacecraft Connected as Its Relay Fleet Ages? — November 5, 2026
<p>NASA’s Ka-band relay awards aim to develop commercial service compatible with existing spacecraft, but the work begins with concepts and later phases depend on options. The episode also covers SpaceX’s terrestrial network plans, a conditional LeoLabs loan commitment, and concerns over Russian satellite approaches.</p>NASA Announces Ka-Band Satellite Relay Awards for Space Communications — NASAViasat, SES, and Astranis Win NASA Ka-band Relay Contracts — Via SatelliteSpaceX Strikes Deal with Qualcomm for Terrestrial Component of Starlink Mobile Network — Via SatelliteSpaceX and Qualcomm post — @business on XDepartment of War's Office of Strategic Capital Signs $150 Million Conditional Loan Commitment With LeoLabs, Inc. — U.S...
Space’s Freedom Proclamation Meets the Funding Question — November 4, 2026
<p>Today’s episode looks at the difference between declaring American space ambitions and funding the missions behind them. We also cover a supplier conflict raised by Globalstar, an AT&T–AST network handoff test and Sceye’s agreement with SoftBank.</p>The American Declaration of Freedom in Space — The White HouseGlobalstar Questions Supplier Relationship With Rocket Lab When Iridium Acquisition Closes — Via SatelliteAT&T and AST SpaceMobile Demonstrate Handoff Between Cellular, D2D Networks — Via SatelliteExclusive: Sceye Signs Deal to Fly HAPS Fleet for SoftBank — PayloadStatement on Starlink-like systems — @ZelenskyyUa on X<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Today's headlines</p><p>00:44 Rocket L...
China Details Lunar Orbit Rendezvous Architecture as ESCAPADE — November 3, 2026
<p>China has disclosed a two-launch architecture for a crewed lunar landing before 2030, with a sequence of uncrewed tests ahead. We also cover NASA’s ESCAPADE flybys, SES airline connectivity deals and Tumbleweed’s reentry-vehicle funding.</p>China Plans “Two Launches, Lunar Orbit Rendezvous” to Land Taikonauts on Moon — SpacePolicyOnline.comFlight 99, 100% mission success — Peter Beck on XNASA ESCAPADE Probes Attempt First-Ever Powered Earth Flyby on Way to Mars This Week — Tech TimesESCAPADE Trans-Mars Injection post — Rocket Lab on XSES Wins Multi-Orbit IFC Deals for Finnair and Air Astana — Via SatelliteTumbleweed Raises €6.9M to Build its Own Reentry Vehicle — Payload<p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 T...
