Space News for Tuesday, August 25, 2026

In this episode, we aggregate and summarize today's top space news stories. Enjoy!
(00:10) Podcast Introduction
(00:21) Robotics and the future of on-orbit labor
(00:45) Aerospace demonstrates DiskSats in low-Earth orbit
(01:22) Spirit Electronics Adds Texas Instruments and Microchip Technology Space Grade Components to Online Store Ahead of SmallSat 2026
(01:48) The Fuel for the Next Generation of Cislunar Exploration? Technology and Talent.
(02:25) Silicon Sensing Launches Zenith Closed-Loop MEMS Accelerometer for Spacecraft Stabilization
(03:02) T-Mobile CFO Cites Physical Laws Limiting Satellite Direct-to-Device Networks to Complementary Coverage
(03:44) Silicon Valley Space Week Speaker Focus: Dr. David Denhard, U.S. Space Command
(04:25) Shield AI and Sedaro Validate On-Orbit AI Pilot and Edge Autonomy Onboard LEO Satellite
(05:06) Kongsberg NanoAvionics Unveils 500 kg MP42D Platform and Defense-Focused Gen-2 Satellite Lineup
(05:29) NASA Sets Coverage for Roman Space Telescope Launch from Florida
(06:18) Perseverance Captures Another Phobos Transit
(06:59) NASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman at Freedom 250 Grand Prix
(07:31) MAIA Air Sensor at Work in Addis Ababa
(08:19) Launch Preview: Falcon Heavy to launch Roman telescope, Falcon 9 to launch Starlink satellites
(08:39) Exclusive: OrbitAID to Launch RPO Demo in 2027
(09:19) Watch 2 astronauts replace failed ISS antenna during spacewalk today
(09:34) Goodbye, Falcon 9: SpaceX planning to retire workhorse launcher when Starship is up and running
(09:52) SpaceX will set rocket-reuse record on 100th Falcon 9 launch of the year early Aug. 25: Watch it live
(10:14) Why do we care so much that Pluto isn't a planet?
(11:01) Buyer beware: Those mummified remains might carry toxic spores