Payload

Our focus is on the business and policy aspects of the space sector. We release Payload, a daily newsletter every weekday at 9am ET, along with the Pathfinder podcast. Additionally, we offer Parallax, a weekly newsletter dedicated to science in the space industry.

International

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#414606

United States

#219804

Finance/Finance

#2739

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Intuitive Machines Says The Moon Is Still Go

1 day ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus is a fan of the White House’s plan for space, telling investors on a first quarter earnings call that “the president’s recent NASA budget request signals continued support for deep space initiatives that Intuitive Machines [is] built to serve.”Does it?
The Eternal Return of the National Space Council?

3 days ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

If the Trump administration’s space policy seems scattershot to you, you’re not the only one noticing. Amid clamor from industry for more coordination, it appears the National Space Council (or something like it) is coming back. No duh: Talk of advancements in space science, discovery, and warfighting doesn’t match proposed budget cuts that threaten the sector. One reason why? There aren’t voices in the executive branch who care about space writ large. “[There is] no space council, no space person.
Rocket Lab Wins Point-to-Point Demo Contract for Neutron

6 days ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

AFRL hired Rocket Lab to perform “a Rocket Cargo survivability experiment” in 2026 with the reusable Neutron rocket it hopes will fly this year.
mPower Technology Raises $21M Series B

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Jacqueline Feldscher

Space solar power startup mPower Technology closed a $21M Series B to help scale production of its mini solar cells. Razor’s Edge Ventures led the round, which also included participation from Shield Capital. The funding allows mPower to expand its automated manufacturing line for its flexible solar array tech as well as grow its workforce, CEO Kevin Hell told Payload in a statement. “The entire space ecosystem is on the cusp of transformational growth, and nothing happens in space without power.
IonQ Buys Capella Space For Quantum Comms Gambit

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

Capella Space, a CO-based company that operates a constellation of synthetic aperture radar satellites, is set to be purchased by IonQ, a quantum computing firm that plans to use Capella’s technology as the basis for a space-based quantum communications network. The all-stock deal valued Capella at $311M, according to SEC filings and yesterday’s $IONQ closing price. It’s expected to close in the second half of the year.
FAA OKs More Starship Launches at Starbase

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Jacqueline Feldscher

SpaceX received the environmental all-clear to ramp up Starship launch operations in Boca Chica, according to an FAA report released on Tuesday. The new approval will allow SpaceX to launch 25 times each year. In addition, it can conduct 50 annual landings—25 of Starship, and 25 of Super Heavy. Up to three of the launches can take place at night—and any landings after dark can only happen offshore, on an autonomous ship platform.
Ursa Major Had A Hot Week

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

Colorado rocket engine builder Ursa Major announced a new contract and successful flight tests this week, showing how the propulsion firm is carving out a niche in the fields of highest interest to the Pentagon. Fire one: The AFRL will pay Ursa to continue developing the Draper engine for responsive space, hypersonic, and on-orbit propulsion. Now, the company will build a demonstration vehicle—essentially, a missile—to perform flight tests.
International Partners Wrestle With Skinny Budget Fallout

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Jacqueline Feldscher

The effects of the White House’s top level budget proposal are starting to ripple around the world. There’s been lots written about what the budgetary plan means for the commercial space industry, space science, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. But now that we’ve had a few days to digest the White House’s initial budget proposal, we’re left wondering—what becomes of international partners in orbit when the programs they’re working on get canned?
Europe’s Space Defense Industry Sees Opportunity in Discord

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

Amid major shifts in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump, European governments have unshackled budget rules and funded a five year rearmament plan, including a €800B ($905B) investment in defense technologies that will benefit space contractors. Invent it: Paris-basedDark was founded in 2022 by former defense industry engineers, CEO Clyde Laheyne and CTO Guillaume Orvain.
Trump's "Skinny" Space Budget Winners and Losers

1 week ago | payloadspace.com | Tim Fernholz

It’s time to play the game again! On Friday, the White House released top-line budget numbers that covered key space spenders at DoD and NASA. While there’s no guarantee this is what the final budget looks like, here’s our guide to the people, companies and concepts that stand to gain, and those that are in trouble. The high-level budget proposal reflects who has leverage in Trump world.