Mid-Week Space News Roundup: Axiom Space, iSpace, Portal Space, Skyrora, SpaceForest & Starlab

In this week’s space news, Axiom Space works on orbiting data centres. iSpace signs a number of agreements on future lunar missions. Portal Space Systems tests its solar thermal propulsion system. Starlab shows a mockup of its station at the IAC in Australia. First images of 3I/Atlas from ESA’s Mars satellite. SpaceForest aims to capture 70% of Europe’s sub-orbital missions and Skyrora partners with ViaSat on a telemetry system for launches.

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00:00 Intro
00:12 Axiom Space
01:59 iSpace & Magna Petra
07:16 Telespazio and ispace Partner on Lunar Transport and Navigation Services
09:03 ispace and UEL Sign Agreement to Transport Rovers to the Moon
10:16 Kurita & ispace partner for lunar water treatment demo payload
11:48 Portal Space Systems brings its solar thermal propulsion system up to full power during test
14:12 Starlab partners unveil full-scale mockup of commercial space station
17:14 First images of comet 3I/Atlas from Europe's Mars orbiters
20:12 SpaceForest Aims to Capture 70% of European Demand for Suborbital Flights
22:08 Viasat Working with Skyrora on Upcoming Mission After UK Grants Launch License

Sources:

Memorandum signed to foster collaboration between Axiom Space and Slovak space sector: https://www.axiomspace.com/news/memorandum-signed-to-foster-collaboration-between-axiom-space-and-slovak-space-sector

ispace and Magna Petra Corp. sign Payload Service Agreement to deliver NASA’s MSOLO instrument to the Moon: https://ispace-inc.com/news-en/?p=7993

Telespazio and ispace Partner on Lunar Transport and Navigation Services: https://www.moondaily.com/reports/Telespazio_and_ispace_Partner_on_Lunar_Transport_and_Navigation_Services_999.html

ispace and UEL Sign Interim Payload Service Agreement to Transport Rovers to the Moon: https://ispace-inc.com/news-en/?p=7932

Kurita & ispace partner for lunar water treatment demo payload: https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/kurita-water-industries/kurita-ispace-partner-lunar-water-treatment-demo-payload

Portal Space Systems brings its solar thermal propulsion system up to full power during test: https://www.geekwire.com/2025/portal-space-solar-thermal-propulsion-system-test/

Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Technology with Starlab Commercial Space Station: https://news.northropgrumman.com/cygnus/Northrop-Grumman-Demonstrates-Autonomous-Rendezvous-and-Docking-Technology-with-Starlab-Commercial-Space-Station

Starlab partners unveil full-scale mockup of commercial space station: https://x.com/SpaceNews_Inc/status/1974003336614457469

Viasat Working with Skyrora on Upcoming Mission After UK Grants Launch License: https://www.viasat.com/news/latest-news/government/2025/viasat-working-with-skyrora-upcoming-mission/

SpaceForest Aims to Capture 70% of European Demand for Suborbital Flights: https://europeanspaceflight.com/spaceforest-aims-to-capture-70-of-european-demand-for-suborbital-flights/

First images of comet 3I/ATLAS from Europe's Mars orbiters: https://x.com/esascience/status/1975574655764472200

'Closest view' yet of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captured by Mars orbiter: https://www.livescience.com/space/comets/closest-view-yet-of-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-captured-by-mars-orbiter