Space News for Friday, March 06, 2026

In this episode, we aggregate and summarize today's top space news stories. Enjoy!(00:10) Podcast Introduction(00:23) China designates space sector an “emerging pillar industry,” sets deep space ambitions in new economic blueprint(00:58) Poland-based Liftero will provide chemical propulsion for Indian firm OrbitAID’s in-orbit servicing mission(01:38) NASA deputy administrator nominee sails through confirmation hearing(02:19) Terran Orbital Appoints Kwon Park as Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations(02:53) General Galactic aims to become “the galaxy’s energy and logistics company”(03:34) Times Microwave Systems Launches Levitate™ Ultra-Lightweight Cables for UAV and Defense Avionics(03:57) Sierra Space Secures $550 Million Series C to Scale Defense-Tech and Dream Chaser Operations(04:37) Axian Telecom and AST SpaceMobile to Launch Africa’s First Direct-to-Device Mobile Network(05:07) Orbital Edge AI: Axelera AI and ESA Partner to Standardize Space-Based Inference(05:32) Rohde & Schwarz and Qualcomm Validate Advanced 5×5 MIMO for Wi-Fi 8 Networking(05:46) Ailing “Megaberg” Sparks Surge of Microscopic Life(06:28) About Air Traffic Management and Safety Project(06:47) About Advanced Air Mobility Pathfinders Project(07:05) About Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP)(07:48) NASA Wallops Supports First Rocket Lab HASTE Launch of 2026(08:30) Seraphim Space Investment Trust Posts Record Results(09:07) Exclusive: Viasat and Space42 Share Strategy for Equatys JV(09:25) FCC Wants ‘Weird Space’ Missions To Get Spectrum, Too(10:05) Sierra Space Closes $550M Series C(10:40) Vast Secures $500M, Including $300M Series A(11:37) Watch Japan's 1st HTV-X cargo craft leave the International Space Station today(12:28) Rocket Lab launches mystery satellite for 'confidential commercial customer'(13:06) Good news for the moon: Famous asteroid 2024 YR4 won't smash into it in 2032(13:44) Making hummus on the moon? Scientists just grew chickpeas in simulated lunar dirt(14:26) Astronomers unveil largest 3D universe map of its kind, illuminating 'hidden' cosmic structures