A really good overview of how to think about "commercial" space, past and present: bhavyalal.substack.com/p/class-6-wh...

I still do not see a viable, self-sustaining lunar economy happening any time soon. Look at who is funding all of the lunar exploration: States and organisations such as ESA.

Will we be ready for a planetary defense emergency? At #UNCOPUOS 2026, Judith Delany interviews #ESA’s Paolo Martino on the high-speed race to launch the #RAMSES mission ahead of the 2029 #Apophis #asteroid flyby. 🎥 https://youtu.be/hoeJaa2Q--A #SpaceCafeClip

I’d like go for the Leak 1800, as alluring as the Pioneer and Wharfedale are. I always find Pioneer audio to be a bit harsh. Wharfedale are lovely speakers but their amps never quite deliver. For a transistor based amp - the warmth of the Leak for me.

My first few years on Twitter were brilliant. I was a reasonably early adopter (2008) and it was fantastic for a good few years. Made some amazing friends and it helped me in my career.

For the first time ever, Ariane 6 with four P160C boosters stands tall on the launchpad, awaiting for the big moment. Launch is set for 17 June 2026, 08:53–09:22 local time, 13:53–14:22 CEST. Don't forget to tune in live: www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...

The good news is that the altitude is low enough for aerodynamic drag to cause most of the Zhuque-2E debris to reenter the atmosphere within a matter of months.

Is Germany preparing for war in orbit? Torsten Kriening reports from #ILA on #Germany extending its #military focus to #cislunar space. 🔗 https://spacewatch.global/2026/06/spacewatchgl-opinion-from-hobby-to-high-ground-germany-maps-its-military-space-all-the-way-to-the-moon/ #SpaceWatchGLOpinion

Katalyst Space raises $12 million for GEO servicing demo mission Satellite servicing startup Katalyst Space Technologies has raised $12 million for a geosynchronous orbit demonstration as its mission to boost the orbit of a NASA observatory nears launch....

Are European astronauts destined for the Moon? Torsten Kriening speaks with #ESA DG Josef Aschbacher at #ILA 2026 on active #NASA moon negotiations and the Zero Debris Charter expansion. 🔗 https://youtu.be/8ealPvrfgVY #SpaceCafeClip #Astronauts

I had a number of friends ask me about investing in SpaceX. My reply was simple: I have nine (9) copies of Star Trek: The Motion Picture in different formats. I do not know how to spend my own money. Do not take any financial advice off me. Also, I know a Ponzi scheme when I see one.

I had some thoughts on the press coverage of the SpaceX IPO

Two US operations against Iran, nine months apart, offer NATO opposite models of command at machine speed and a clear lesson about which to adopt. Read the latest RUSI Commentary by Burak Oktenli.

Wow! Helium-3 season is getting earlier every year. "Demand is forecast to soar" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tianwen-2 makes series of burns on approach to asteroid, according to radio tracking  China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft has carried out a series of small propulsive maneuvers following a main burn June 7, setting up an asteroid rendezvous in July....

Remember Kosmic's First Law of Space Announcements. Anything announced further than 3 years in the future with no prototype is not going to happen.

I have a PhD student looking at circularity in Cis-Lunar and there is a post-doc at Durham looking at the business case in LEO. The big problem is that it is an expensive thing to start. So businesses will not do it. That, in turn, shapes normative behaviour which makes it increasingly unlikely.

Watching CNBC this morning for their SpaceX IPO coverage, and have to conclude they’re not go for launch since that is not a SpaceX rocket.

The space insurance market is (and stop me if I'm getting too technical here) an absolute dog's dinner. LEO is virtually uninsurable and very little in LEO is insured anyway (any insurance will be for service/assets. Almost no TPL). This, from GEO, shows the state of that high value market.

AAC Clyde Space wins ESA contract to complete maritime-monitoring constellation SAN FRANCISCO – The European Space Agency awarded AAC Clyde Space a 10.9 million euro ($12.6 million) contract to complete development and demonstrate VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) satellites for the Inflecion…

"I've thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it's become clear now is the right time." Kane Williamson retires from international cricket

Kane Williamson retiring is surprising but, blimey, what a batter he has been. Easily NZ's greatest ever and, by all accounts, an absolutely top fella as well. He has been amazing and I hope he has fun on his next adventure. #cricket

There's probably never been a better time to remind you that when David Hockney first took his Mum to California she remarked 'all this lovely weather and nobody puts their washing out'.

Now on @sciam.bsky.social: China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft is prepping for a close encounter on July 4 with near-Earth asteroid and “quasi-moon” Kamo‘oalewa. Tianwen-2 will seek to grab samples from the small, enigmatic space rock for return to Earth in 2027. www.scientificamerican.com/article/chin...

The news is so terrible at the moment, I am going to lay down in a darkened room and listen to the new McCartney album again. Blimey it's such a good album. That opening track has me hooked.

Interesting...

See, a proper book, (little book, but a proper one) with an ISBN number and everything. Cover reveal and ordering details coming soon-ish. And yes, there is an-anti piracy, anti LLM curse embedded in the text. It is Hookland – you'd expect nothing less.

This is very good.

Some news: 🇺🇦 Next month I'm driving to Ukraine. 🇺🇦 I'll be delivering an evacuation vehicle, specially modified for saving lives in areas of the highest danger. But that's only possible if I can fundraise enough - £3,500. I'd be so grateful for any support you can give. donorbox.org/johnoxleydu

UK Space Minister unveils more than £19 million at #LondonTechWeek to support British companies developing next-generation space tech - including: 🛰️ £10m for Space Forge’s Pridwen heat shield 🚀 £9.25m for space startups www.gov.uk/government/n... #LTW @ukspace.bsky.social @fasikcl.bsky.social

This is exactly how I feel about the involvement of him and his companies in all space activity. He wants to destroy everything I love about my country.

Once again, a great report from @sciguyspace.bsky.social on the ups and downs of #ArtemisIII

Another wonderful article by @kennen11.bsky.social - this time from the past looking to the future of life in space.

Artemis-3 : face aux critiques, la NASA défend le choix d’un équipage entièrement masculin

As always, wonderfully written and forward looking.

This is a clear and obvious area where the UK can move closer with the EU and show genuine collaboration. This aligns squarely with UKSA ambitions.

Set it in a chip shop. Doctor Who is the head fryer and she/he specialises in white bait. First season is all about deciding whether or not to get a pizza oven.

“It’s gone straight into the confectionary stall and out again”

There truly is one born every minute.

Jordon Cox gives the ball a proper tap #cricket

There was a very brief mention of testing the Axiom suits, one during Artemis 3 and more on the ISS

SpaceX's Jessica Jensen just confirmed our scoop from earlier this year: SpaceX's Starship will be doing the translunar injection burn with Orion attached www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Despite some of the issues with the mission. You cannot argue with the fact that Luca is an absolute bloody legend!

Never thought I would be glad the world has a pope.

So, #ArtemisIII the announcement of Luca Parmitano is a good thing. The fact that all four Astronauts are male, not so good.

So NASA are looking at adapting Orion for LEO rendezvous with Starship. This is also interesting.

If this level of direct scrutiny had been available during the Apollo programme I don't doubt it would have felt similarly 'wobbly'. But for all of this to come together in 2 years, especially given the funding challenges seems... optimistic. #ArtemisIII

What's it actually feel like to live through the decline and fall of mass Higher Education in Britain? Today I've written about this from the inside here... Hope you like it, and hope you find it useful. isrf.org/blog/what-do...

Isar Aerospace raises 270 million euros for global launch expansion European launch company Isar Aerospace has raised 270 million euros ($312 million) to support its global expansion as it prepares for its next launch attempt....