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Jeff Foust

@jfoust.bsky.social

3.9K followers 110 following 270 posts

Senior Staff Writer, SpaceNews. Tips? Email [email protected] or contact on Signal: jfoust.58.

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Jeff Foust @jfoust.bsky.social · 11d

Asked to predict 10 years out in a on-stage interview at #IAC2025, NASA acting administrator Sean Duffy projects "sustained human life" on the Moon and making "leaps and bounds" for humans to Mars.

Jeff Foust @jfoust.bsky.social · 11d

Some impressive LEGO models of the solar system and the SLS on display in the convention center lobby for this year’s IAC. #iac2025

LEGO SLS

LEGO solar system

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 12d

NASA Marshall director steps down

The director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has abruptly stepped down, becoming the third NASA center director to leave in recent months.

NASA Marshall director steps down

The director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has abruptly stepped down, becoming the third NASA center director to leave in recent months.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 12d

Purdue University to fly dedicated suborbital research mission with Virgin Galactic

Purdue University will conduct a dedicated suborbital research flight with Virgin Galactic in 2027 carrying a professor, student and alumni.

Purdue University to fly dedicated suborbital research mission with Virgin Galactic

Purdue University will conduct a dedicated suborbital research flight with Virgin Galactic in 2027 carrying a professor, student and alumni.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 12d

Blue Origin to increase New Shepard flight rate and consider new spaceports

Blue Origin plans to significantly increase the launch rate of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle and is weighing the addition of new spaceports.

Blue Origin to increase New Shepard flight rate and consider new spaceports

Blue Origin plans to significantly increase the launch rate of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle and is weighing the addition of new spaceports.

Jeff Foust @jfoust.bsky.social · 12d

In a talk at an international spaceport forum this (Sunday) morning ahead of IAC in Sydney, Blue Origin's Phil Joyce says the company plans to ramp up New Shepard flights in the next couple of years to once a week, and is considering additional launch sites.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 14d

NASA modifies Dream Chaser ISS cargo contract as Sierra Space shifts to defense work

Sierra Space and NASA have sharply revised a contract to use the company’s Dream Chaser vehicle to deliver cargo to the ISS as the company pivots to defense applications.

NASA modifies Dream Chaser ISS cargo contract as Sierra Space shifts to defense work

Sierra Space and NASA have sharply revised a contract to use the company’s Dream Chaser vehicle to deliver cargo to the ISS as the company pivots to defense applications.

Jeff Foust @jfoust.bsky.social · 14d

Congrats to Rocket Lab for their breakthrough in subspace communications.

Rocket Lab @rocketlabcorp.com · 14d

Imagine astronauts calling home from Mars or scientists sharing discoveries in real time. 🌎➡️🔴

That future begins by implementing a modern Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, the communications infrastructure Rocket Lab is ready to build. 🔗https://bit.ly/41NH6lV

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 14d

NASA awards Katalyst Space contract to reboost Swift spacecraft

NASA has awarded a $30 million contract to a startup to attempt to boost the orbit of an astronomy satellite before it reenters next year.

NASA awards Katalyst Space contract to reboost Swift spacecraft

NASA has awarded a $30 million contract to a startup to attempt to boost the orbit of an astronomy satellite before it reenters next year.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 14d

Artemis 2 could launch as soon as February

NASA’s Artemis 2 mission around the moon could launch as soon as early February, as both agency officials and the mission’s four-person crew say they are ready for the flight.

Artemis 2 could launch as soon as February

NASA’s Artemis 2 mission around the moon could launch as soon as early February, as both agency officials and the mission’s four-person crew say they are ready for the flight.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 18d

Possible failed orbital launch attempt at about 1500 UTC Sep 18 of an IRGC Zoljanah launch vehicle from Semnan, Iran. Vehicle is thought to have reached only a few km altitude. Not fully clear if this was a 3rd suborb test or a first orb attempt for Zoljanah.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 19d

NASA safety panel warns Starship lunar lander could be delayed by years

NASA safety advisers say they doubt the lunar lander version of SpaceX’s Starship will be ready to support the Artemis 3 mission as planned in 2027.

NASA safety panel warns Starship lunar lander could be delayed by years

NASA safety advisers say they doubt the lunar lander version of SpaceX’s Starship will be ready to support the Artemis 3 mission as planned in 2027.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 28d

Cailabs raises $67 million to scale up production of optical ground stations

Cailabs, a French company that manufactures optical ground stations for satellite communications, has raised 57 million euros ($67 million) to scale up production.

Cailabs raises $67 million to scale up production of optical ground stations

Cailabs, a French company that manufactures optical ground stations for satellite communications, has raised 57 million euros ($67 million) to scale up production.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 28d

Apex reaches billion-dollar valuation with Series D funding round

Satellite manufacturer Apex has raised $200 million in a new funding round that values the company at more than $1 billion.

Apex reaches billion-dollar valuation with Series D funding round

Satellite manufacturer Apex has raised $200 million in a new funding round that values the company at more than $1 billion.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

Casey Dreier @caseydreier.bsky.social · 27d

[DATA UPDATE]: The rate of new grants at NASA increased in August, but the agency is still on track to award nearly 20% fewer grants in 2025 vs 2024:

Reposted by Jeff Foust

Harry Stranger @spacefromspace.com · 29d

A few KH-9 spy satellite images of the World Trade Center from over the years.

February 5, 1974
July 13, 1978
June 27, 1979
July 6, 1982

A black and white declassified KH-9 HEXAGON spy satellite picture of Lower Manhattan's Financial District, including the World Trade Center on February 5, 1974.

A black and white declassified KH-9 HEXAGON spy satellite picture of Lower Manhattan's Financial District, including the World Trade Center on July 13, 1978.

A black and white declassified KH-9 HEXAGON spy satellite picture of the World Trade Center on June 27, 1979

A black and white declassified KH-9 HEXAGON spy satellite picture of Lower Manhattan's Financial District, including the World Trade Center on July 6, 1982

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 29d

House appropriators offer support to threatened NASA missions

House appropriators offered support, but no specific funding, for several NASA missions slated for cancellation in the administration’s 2026 budget proposal.

House appropriators offer support to threatened NASA missions

House appropriators offered support, but no specific funding, for several NASA missions slated for cancellation in the administration’s 2026 budget proposal.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · Sep 10

Ramses asteroid mission on track ahead of key funding

A European-led mission to the asteroid Apophis is on schedule ahead of key funding decisions in the coming months in both Europe and Japan.

Ramses asteroid mission on track ahead of key funding

A European-led mission to the asteroid Apophis is on schedule ahead of key funding decisions in the coming months in both Europe and Japan.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · Sep 10

Musk confident Starship will start launching 100 tons to orbit next year

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk says he is confident that Starship can start delivering 100 tons of payload to orbit next year while reusing both stages.

Musk confident Starship will start launching 100 tons to orbit next year

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk says he is confident that Starship can start delivering 100 tons of payload to orbit next year while reusing both stages.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 29d

Rendezvous Robotics raises funding to develop technology for self-assembling space structures

A startup has raised an initial round of funding to commercialize a technology that could create large structures in orbit.

Rendezvous Robotics raises funding to develop technology for self-assembling space structures

A startup has raised an initial round of funding to commercialize a technology that could create large structures in orbit.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 29d

NASA highlights potential evidence of past life in Martian rock

Scientists have found potential evidence of past life on Mars in a rock sample collected by a NASA rover, even as a proposed budget cancels plans to return those samples.

NASA highlights potential evidence of past life in Martian rock

Scientists have found potential evidence of past life on Mars in a rock sample collected by a NASA rover, even as a proposed budget cancels plans to return those samples.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · Sep 10

Short-duration space station missions not part of NASA’s long-term plans

The inclusion of a 30-day demonstration mission in revised plans by NASA to support development of commercial space stations does not represent a permanent shift to shorter missions.

Short-duration space station missions not part of NASA’s long-term plans

The inclusion of a 30-day demonstration mission in revised plans by NASA to support development of commercial space stations does not represent a permanent shift to shorter missions.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · Sep 9

Office of Space Commerce loses 40% of budget in rescission

The Commerce Department has moved to rescind 40% of the current-year funding for the Office of Space Commerce.

Office of Space Commerce loses 40% of budget in rescission

The Commerce Department has moved to rescind 40% of the current-year funding for the Office of Space Commerce.

Reposted by Jeff Foust

SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · Sep 9

Airbus CEO ‘very committed’ to combination of European space businesses

The chief executive of Airbus says he is still “very committed” to combining his company’s space business with those of two other European firms.

Airbus CEO ‘very committed’ to combination of European space businesses

The chief executive of Airbus says he is still “very committed” to combining his company’s space business with those of two other European firms.

Jeff Foust @jfoust.bsky.social · Sep 9

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said after an appearance at the Global Aerospace Summit this morning that talks with Thales and Leonardo about a combination of their space businesses is ongoing, including antitrust considerations. "Still very committed to the project."