--- title: Now offering satellite imagery resolutions in meters, centimeters, and smoots. description: SDA announces Tranche 2 Transport Layer- Alpha contracts worth $1.3B. US SSC launches its accelerator program. Three taikonauts return to Earth. And more. image: https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/T-Minus_featured%20image.png --- TALENT DEVELOPMENT # Now offering satellite imagery resolutions in meters, centimeters, and smoots. SDA announces Tranche 2 Transport Layer- Alpha contracts worth $1.3B. US SSC launches its accelerator program. Three taikonauts return to Earth. And more. [ Maria Varmazis ](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/author/maria-varmazis) Oct 31, 2023 [TALENT DEVELOPMENT](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/tag/talent-development) ### Share the intelligence [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/147&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/147&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/147&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/147&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) ### Follow ### Subscribe ![](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/T-Minus_featured%20image.png) - [![Apple Podcasts](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/ApplePodcasts-1.png) ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t-minus-space-daily/id1676944102) - [![Google Podcasts](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/GooglePodcasts-1.png) ](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vdC1taW51cy1zcGFjZS1kYWlseQ) - [![Spotify](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Spotify-1.png) ](https://open.spotify.com/show/63SMcWF9DYVKgBedA9HEvS) - [![iHeart Media](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/iheart.png) ](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-t-minus-space-daily-110660221/) - [![Castbox](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Castbox-1.png) ](https://castbox.fm/channel/T-Minus-Space-Daily-id5376113) - [![RSS](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/RSS-1.png) ](https://feeds.megaphone.fm/t-minus-space-daily) - [![Overcast](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Overcast-1.png) ](https://overcast.fm/itunes1676944102/t-minus-space-daily) - [![Podcast Addict](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/PodcastAddict.png) ](https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4374056) - [![Pocket Cast](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Website%20Materials/Imported_Blog_Media/PocketCast-Sep-19-2023-05-08-15-6259-PM.png) ](https://pca.st/ysgb04mq) - [![Apple Podcasts](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/ApplePodcasts-1.png) ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t-minus-space-daily/id1676944102) - [![Google Podcasts](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/GooglePodcasts-1.png) ](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vdC1taW51cy1zcGFjZS1kYWlseQ) - [![Spotify](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Spotify-1.png) ](https://open.spotify.com/show/63SMcWF9DYVKgBedA9HEvS) - [![iHeart Media](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/iheart.png) ](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-t-minus-space-daily-110660221/) - [![Castbox](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Castbox-1.png) ](https://castbox.fm/channel/T-Minus-Space-Daily-id5376113) - [![RSS](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/RSS-1.png) ](https://feeds.megaphone.fm/t-minus-space-daily) - [![Overcast](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Overcast-1.png) ](https://overcast.fm/itunes1676944102/t-minus-space-daily) - [![Podcast Addict](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/PodcastAddict.png) ](https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4374056) - [![Pocket Cast](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Website%20Materials/Imported_Blog_Media/PocketCast-Sep-19-2023-05-08-15-6259-PM.png) ](https://pca.st/ysgb04mq) - [![Apple Podcasts](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/ApplePodcasts-1.png) ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t-minus-space-daily/id1676944102) - [![Google Podcasts](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/GooglePodcasts-1.png) ](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vdC1taW51cy1zcGFjZS1kYWlseQ) - [![Spotify](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Spotify-1.png) ](https://open.spotify.com/show/63SMcWF9DYVKgBedA9HEvS) - [![iHeart Media](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/iheart.png) ](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-t-minus-space-daily-110660221/) - [![Castbox](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Castbox-1.png) ](https://castbox.fm/channel/T-Minus-Space-Daily-id5376113) - [![RSS](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/RSS-1.png) ](https://feeds.megaphone.fm/t-minus-space-daily) - [![Overcast](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Overcast-1.png) ](https://overcast.fm/itunes1676944102/t-minus-space-daily) - [![Podcast Addict](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/PodcastAddict.png) ](https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4374056) - [![Pocket Cast](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Website%20Materials/Imported_Blog_Media/PocketCast-Sep-19-2023-05-08-15-6259-PM.png) ](https://pca.st/ysgb04mq)   Summary The Space Development Agency has announced two new contracts for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha totaling $1.3 billion to Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems. US Space Systems Command has launched its technology accelerator program at its newest Technology, Applications, and Process Lab (TAP). Three Chinese Taikonauts have returned to Earth after their five-month stay on the Tiangong space station, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, [Signals and Space](https://space.n2k.com/newsletters/signals-and-space), and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/TMinusDaily) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/n2k-space/). Show Notes Transcript ## T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Alejandro Roman Molinas, General Director of Aerospace Development at the Paraguayan Space Agency / Agencia Espacial del Paraguay (AEP). You can connect with Alejandro on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-j-roman-molinas-12a67832/) and learn more about AEP on their [website](https://www.aep.gov.py/). ## Selected Reading [Pentagon awards $1.3 billion in contracts to Northrop Grumman and York for 100 satellites](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/30/pentagon-awards-satellite-contracts-to-northrop-grumman-york.html) [Air Force, Space Force raise max enlistment age to 42](https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2023/10/30/air-force-space-force-raise-max-enlistment-age-to-42/) [World's first commercial space plane soon headed from Colorado to Ohio](https://www.denver7.com/follow-up/worlds-first-commercial-space-plane-soon-headed-from-colorado-to-ohio) [Microbes, Mucus, and Brain Organoids--Experiments to Prevent and Treat Disease Launching on Next Space Station Resupply Mission](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microbes-mucus-and-brain-organoidsexperiments-to-prevent-and-treat-disease-launching-on-next-space-station-resupply-mission-301971945.html) [3 astronauts return to Earth after 6-month stay on China's space station - ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/3-astronauts-return-earth-after-6-month-stay-104499062) [Rocket Lab plans launch of Venus mission as soon as late 2024 - SpaceNews](https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-plans-late-2024-launch-of-venus-mission/) [FACT SHEET: President Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence- The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/30/fact-sheet-president-biden-issues-executive-order-on-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-artificial-intelligence/) [The Cyber-Space Connection: Why It's Imperative For Our Future](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/10/31/the-cyber-space-connection-why-its-imperative-for-our-future/) [AWS in Orbit series premieres on the T-Minus Space Daily podcast](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aws-in-orbit-series-premieres-on-the-t-minus-space-daily-podcast-301971673.html) ## T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our [4 question survey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BL5NFPW). It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. ## Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our [media kit](https://docsend.com/view/ung56qbvknfbj9z2). Contact us at [space@n2k.com](mailto:space@n2k.com) to request more info. ## Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to [space-editor@n2k.com](mailto:space-editor@n2k.com) and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © 2023 N2K Networks, Inc. Coming Soon... ## Similar posts SCIENCE & RESEARCH ### [Europe’s satellite megafactory gets a boost.](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/592) Aerospacelab has raised €94M. SpaceX to launch an EO-exclusive Falcon 9 mission. York completes its spacecraft for SDA’s Tranche 1 transport layer.... Maria Varmazis Aug 26, 2025 LAUNCH ### [Astronaut, crew, or spaceflight participant?](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/98) The FAA and DoT propose new rules for government and commercial space launches. Northrop and Lockheed share SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer contract.... Maria Varmazis Aug 21, 2023 POLICY & LAW ### [Europe sets a new space funding record.](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/656) ESA Member States commit €22.1B in spending. Vega C launches a Korean Earth-observation satellite. Falcon 9 launched the Transporter 15 mission. And... Alice Carruth Dec 1, 2025 ### Stay in the loop on new releases.  Subscribe below to receive information about new blog posts, podcasts, newsletters, and product information. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Maria Varmazis", "url" : "https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/author/maria-varmazis" }, "dateModified" : "2023-11-14T02:47:49.141Z", "datePublished" : "2023-10-31T13:55:00.000Z", "headline" : "Now offering satellite imagery resolutions in meters, centimeters, and smoots.", "image" : [ "https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/T-Minus_featured%20image.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/147", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/N2K%20Favicon.webp" }, "name" : "N2K Networks" } } ```