--- title: ESA Launcher Challenge stage one complete. description: European Launcher Challenge's shortlist announced. Dhruva Space to provide solar panels for Pixxel hyperspectral constellation. US Space Systems Command awards $2.8B in contracts for secure space communications. And more. image: https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Archive/social-suggested-images/space.n2k.comhubfst-minus%20episode%20art-2.png --- SATELLITE TECH # ESA Launcher Challenge stage one complete. European Launcher Challenge's shortlist announced. Dhruva Space to provide solar panels for Pixxel hyperspectral constellation. US Space Systems Command awards $2.8B in contracts for secure space communications. And more. [ Maria Varmazis ](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/author/maria-varmazis) Jul 7, 2025 [BUSINESS & INVESTING](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/tag/business-investing) [SATELLITE TECH](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/tag/satellite-tech) ### Share the intelligence [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/556&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/556&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/556&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/556&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) ### Follow ### Subscribe ![](https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Archive/social-suggested-images/space.n2k.comhubfst-minus%20episode%20art-2.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 European Launcher Challenge's shortlist announced. Dhruva Space to provide solar panels for Pixxel hyperspectral constellation. US Space Systems Command awards $2.8B in contracts for secure space communications, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/n2k-space/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/n2kspace/). Show Notes Transcript ## T-Minus Guest Aegis Space Law Attorney’s Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton bring you the [Aegis Space Law](https://aegis.law/) monthly segment. You can connect with [Bailey Reichelt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/baileyreichelt/) and [Jack Shelton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-shelton/) on LinkedIn, and send your questions to space@n2k.com. ## Selected Reading [N° 42–2025: European Launcher Challenge: preselected challengers unveiled](https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/European_Launcher_Challenge_preselected_challengers_unveiled) (European Space Agency)  [Dhruva Space set to power up Pixxel’s next constellation with Solis+ Space-grade Solar Panels](https://www.dhruvaspace.com/news/dhruva-space-set-to-power-up-pixxel-next-satellite-constellation-with-solis-space-grade-solar-panels) (Dhruva Space)  [Space Systems Command Awards $2.8B Contract to Deliver the First Two Satellites for Modern](https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4235257/space-systems-command-awards-28b-contract-to-deliver-the-first-two-satellites-f) (US Space Force)  [France joins European push for satellite internet on trains](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/france-joins-european-push-satellite-internet-trains-2025-07-04/) (Reuters)  [NASA Mission Monitoring Air Quality from Space Extended](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/tempo/nasa-mission-monitoring-air-quality-from-space-extended/) (NASA) [Space auction: Sally Ride memorabilia collection sells for $145,000](https://share.google/g0rJRlmSByVLtEZrf) (Space.com) [China accelerates toward lunar goals as reusability programs gain momentum - NASASpaceFlight.com](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/07/china-roundup-070525/)  [OroraTech opens Greek headquarters to accelerate wildfire constellation and boost national innovation](https://ororatech.com/resources/news-blog/ororatech-opens-greek-headquarters-to-accelerate-wildfire-constellation-and-boost-national-innovation) (OroraTech)   ## T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our [annual audience survey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JDV3B73) before August 31. ## 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/5ncb2vvpz2ntg95q). 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. © N2K Networks, Inc. Coming soon... ## Similar posts SPECIAL EDITION ### [MGySgt Scott Stalker from US Space Command: goals and risks in the space operating environment.](https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/ds1) How the combatant command is adapting to new challenges in the digital era of space operations, new operational concepts, and building the force to... 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Maria Varmazis May 24, 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" : "2025-07-07T20:30:44.018Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-07T20:30:44.000Z", "headline" : "ESA Launcher Challenge stage one complete.", "image" : [ "https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/Archive/social-suggested-images/space.n2k.comhubfst-minus%20episode%20art-2.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/556", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://space.n2k.com/hubfs/N2K%20Favicon.webp" }, "name" : "N2K Networks" } } ```