Avengers assemble (5/2/23)

Good morning. Payload is excited to announce the launch of our newest editorial product next week. The first issue of Polaris, a space policy-focused newsletter covering DC and beyond, will publish May 9. Sign up now to be sure you don’t miss it!

In today's edition...
🎙 Pathfinder #0046
🦝 Redwire, Marvel team up
🔬 US, Philippines plan for first space dialogue
🔁 On the move

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Launching the Space Consultancy & Pathfinder #0045 with Kim Crider & Eddie Papczun

An influential trio—Kim Crider, Eddie Papczun, and Mike Dickey—is launching Elara Nova, a consulting firm designed to cater to the growing space industry. The three shared the news of their new venture exclusively in this week’s Pathfinder.

The why: The team has a long history in the national security space community. Kim, a retired Space Force major general, served as the service’s chief technology innovation officer; Mike, a retired Air Force colonel, served as the Space Force chief architect; and Eddie is a consultant at the Air & Space Forces Association. They decided to build their firm to fill a critical void that was not being met by existing consultants.

The vision: Bolster the space industry, fortify national security, and aid companies in cultivating international alliances.

Elara Nova, a nod to the ancient navigational instrument used by sailors to locate and track the North Star, will offer an extensive range of services, including strategic planning, market engagement, technology scouting, capital investment advice, M&A support, regulatory navigation, and much more.

The who: To bring their vision to life, they’ve assembled what we’re calling “the Avengers of the space industry,” which includes:

• Roger Teague (senior partner): Retired Air Force major general who last served as the director of strategic plans, programs, and analysis of Air Force Space Command.

• John Hyten (senior principal advisor): Retired Air Force general who served as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2021.

• Lester Lyles (senior principal advisor): Retired four-star who last served as Air Force vice chief.

A sneak peek into our discussion

For today’s Pathfinder episode, Mo interviews Kim and Eddie where they discuss:

• The origins of Elara Nova

• Why a space-focused consultancy?

• Range of services and target clients

• The importance of data for a company’s space strategy

• Navigating private vs. government funding

• The threat posed by China

• And much more…

Where to find Pathfinder #0045?

Watch now on YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify, or desktop!

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What Everybody's Listening to on Earth Nowadays

An eclectic group is teaming up to save the galaxy bring real-life space technology to students across the country.

Ahead of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie release Friday, Redwire ($RDW) announced yesterday that it’s partnering with Microsoft ($MSFT) and Marvel to 3D print a Microsoft Zune music player, like the one Star-Lord uses in the movie, in the ISS’ microgravity.

Space goes mainstream: There’s not a lot that gets kids talking about space like a blockbuster action movie. To direct some of the excitement that goes along with a major Marvel release towards real-life space endeavors, Redwire is demoing 3D-printing a Zune in microgravity along with releasing educational materials about gravity and additive manufacturing.

“The American aerospace sector is facing an enemy far worse than Thanos; specifically, we’re in the midst of a workforce crisis,” Mike Gold, Redwire’s chief growth officer, told Payload via email. “The Marvel Studios brand generally, and the Guardians of the Galaxy in particular, are extraordinarily popular and provided Redwire with a singular opportunity to reach a vast and diverse array of students with our STEM message.”

The specifics: Redwire plans to use its ISS-based Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), which is usually used to pump out spare pieces for the space station, to build the Zune out of the same plastic material used to make Legos.

“The Zune will also be brought back down to Earth and will be part of an upcoming public engagement activity where it will continue its mission of educating students on the importance of manufacturing in space,” Gold said.

US, Philippines Join Forces in Orbit

The US and the Philippines announced plans on Monday to increase cooperation in space on SSA and maritime domain awareness, according to a White House readout of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to DC.

“Recognizing the importance of enhancing and sustaining joint efforts in outer space activities, the leaders also welcome their countries’ plan to prioritize and strengthen bilateral space cooperation,” President Joe Biden and Marcos wrote in a joint statement.

Teamwork makes the dream work: The two countries are planning to hold their first US-Philippines Civil Space Dialogue, the White House said. Officials are also working to boost bilateral cooperation in space in areas such as:

• Disaster management and emergency response

• Healthcare

• Monitoring pollution

• Deforestation

• Infrastructure planning

• Image sharing under the Landsat program

Three makes a trend: The agreement with the Philippines is the second of three international space partnerships expected from the Biden administration in the span of a week. The others:

• US and South Korean officials signed a joint statement of intent to increase cooperation in orbit during Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit on April 26.

• Czech officials are also expected to be at NASA HQ on Wednesday to become the newest signatory to the Artemis Accords.

In Other News

• Environmental groups sued the FAA on Monday, alleging that Starship launches at Boca Chica harm wildlife like birds and sea turtles.

• Rep. Eric Sorensen, the top Dem on the House space subcommittee, introduced a bill to allow NASA and DOE to collaborate on research without Congressional approval.

• Japan’s space agency is pursuing a mission to bring comet samples back to Earth in the 2040s.

• SatixFy ($SATX) revenue declined by over 50% YoY in 2022 driven by supply chain related delays and cancellations.

• Velo3D ($VLD) Q1 revenue increased 120% YoY to $27M.

The View from Space

NASA extended Voyager 2’s mission for up to 3 years by tapping into backup power. Here’s a throwback to a stunning picture it captured of Neptune. Keep chugging, little buddy.