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SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present: The Space Café Podcast #91: Bridging Science and Indigenous Knowledge with Dr Laurie Rousseau-Nepton, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto. Episode 091 features special guests: Dr Laurie Rousseau-Nepton. In this episode, host Markus unravels an enriching conversation with Laurie Rousseau-Nepton a scientist and indigenous advocate, whose life's work interweaves her science, cultural roots and a strong passion for astronomy. The dialogue unfolds Laurie's unique perspective on education, tradition, and our relationship with the cosmos.

The European Space Agency ESA and Axiom Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaborative opportunities in human spaceflight, science, technology, and commercialization. ESA and Axiom Space signed the MoU in Paris last week. The MoU addressed various key areas, including wider collaboration, astronaut missions, and innovation in spacesuits. Through the MoU, both organizations have expressed the intent to foster science and technology development, potentially collaborating on Axiom Space missions to the International Space Station

In this episode of Space Café Radio, SpaceWatch.Global’s publisher, Torsten Kriening, has an exciting conversation with Prof Bertrand Goldman, Associate Professor and Research Facilitator of the International Space University and a resident faculty on the Central Campus, about the news from ISU and the new program. Bertrand has contributed as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator to various observing astronomy projects related to the study of brown dwarfs

Voyager Space announced on the 4th of October that they plan to enter a teaming agreement with Northrop Grumman. The agreement will include developing a fully autonomous rendezvous and docking technology for Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft. Voyager will provide cargo resupply services for the Starlab space station, which will be built and operated under a transatlantic joint venture between Voyager and Airbus Defence and Space. 

NASA has selected seven companies to provide commercial data in support of the agency’s Earth science research. The Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition Program will acquire Earth observation data and related services from commercial sources for NASA. This fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract will be effective for a period of five years with an option to extend services for an additional six months. The maximum potential value is a cumulative $476 million among all contractors NASA selected.

Axiom Space has announced a collaboration with Prada on NASA's lunar spacesuits for the Artemis III mission. As a result, Prada’s engineers will work alongside the Axiom Space systems team throughout the design process, developing solutions for materials and design features to protect against the unique challenge of space and the lunar environment.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space may soon end a corporate partnership they formed years ago to build Orbital Reef, a commercial space station. n 2021, Blue Origin announced its partnership to build what it envisioned as a "business park in space" with Sierra Space, a spinoff from defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp.

Capella Space Corp, an American space technology company, announced the moving into a new facility. The new 32,000 square foot facility is in Louisville and will be able to accommodate more than 150 employees.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC)’s Enforcement Bureau has announced a settlement of its investigation into DISH for failure to properly deorbit its EchoStar-7 satellite. This marks a first in space debris enforcement by the Commission. The settlement includes an admission of liability from the company and an agreement to adhere to a compliance plan and pay a penalty of $150,000.

NASA has selected SpaceX and its Falcon 9 rocket to provide the launch service for the agency’s TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission. The mission comprises a pair of small satellites that will study space weather and how the Sun’s energy affects Earth’s magnetic environment or magnetosphere.