Better Futures Dispatch
Weekly Briefing from the Frontier of Space and Deep Tech Issue Three, July 21, 2025
This Week’s Insight
Understanding the Type of Risk in Emerging Tech
In emerging sectors like space, deep tech, and advanced systems, organizations often ask how much risk they face. But the more important question is what kind of risk they are dealing with. Two tools can help leaders assess this. The Tier Method evaluates the readiness of a technology, from fully operational to theoretical. The Supported versus Unsupported Environment framework examines whether the surrounding ecosystem is equipped to help that technology succeed.
If a project is both early stage and in an unsupported environment, the challenge is not just building a product but also shaping the conditions that make it viable. This has major implications for funding, partnerships, and timelines. By understanding both your tier and your environment, you can make clearer decisions, avoid false starts, and plan with greater confidence.
Week’s Top Stories
This Week’s Top Space Stories
Bearings in Space Systems
Bearings are essential for motion control in spacecraft and planetary rovers. Engineers are creating advanced coatings and materials that allow these components to perform in the vacuum of space, withstand radiation, and endure extreme temperature shifts without traditional lubrication.
Reconfigurable Payload Interfaces
Okika Devices has released a compact analog interface that allows spacecraft to reconfigure sensor inputs during missions. This flexibility supports a range of applications and reduces the need for redesigns, making satellites more adaptive and efficient in orbit.
Artificial Intelligence in Mission Operations
Artificial intelligence is becoming central to space operations, enabling autonomous navigation, robotic maintenance, and real-time data analysis. Future missions to the Moon and Mars will rely on AI to make fast, reliable decisions with minimal support from Earth.
Space Rider Achieves Precision Landing Milestone
The European Space Agency’s Space Rider has completed successful drop tests using a guided parafoil system. The reusable vehicle landed within 150 meters of the target, demonstrating progress toward a new class of orbital return vehicles for scientific and commercial use.
Rocket Lab Builds Sea Platform for Neutron Rocket
Rocket Lab is converting a 400-foot barge into a recovery platform named Return on Investment. This sea-based landing site will enable first-stage recovery for the Neutron rocket and help the company increase its launch frequency by the end of 2025.
Financial and Market Highlights
Maxar Signs Two Hundred Five Million Dollar Contract Package
Maxar has secured two hundred five million dollars in multi-year agreements with government clients in the Middle East and Africa. These contracts include satellite imagery, terrain modeling, and analytics services that support defense, urban planning, and intelligence operations.
Boeing Wins Two Point Eight Billion Dollar Satellite Deal
Boeing has been awarded a two point eight billion dollar contract by the U.S. Space Force to develop and deliver secure communication satellites. These will replace the aging AEHF network and support critical national defense operations including nuclear command systems.
Poland Plans to Invest in Iceye Satellite Firm
Poland is finalizing an investment in Iceye, a Finnish company known for real-time radar imaging. The deal would give Poland access to advanced satellite manufacturing and monitoring capabilities, with potential applications in defense and disaster response.
Rocket Lab Stock Reaches Record Highs
Rocket Lab’s stock has surged to all-time highs as investors show confidence in the company’s growth strategy. Analysts forecast strong revenue from launch contracts and anticipate up to twenty Neutron missions per year by 2029. Shares are up seventy-five percent this year.
Podcast Preview
This Week on The Unknown Quantity
July 21 – Michelle Hanlon
Michelle L.D. Hanlon is a leading voice in space law and ethics, known globally as the "Godmother of Space Law." She is Executive Director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi, Editor-in-Chief of both the Journal of Space Law and the Journal of Drone Law and Policy, and co-founder of For All Moonkind, a nonprofit working with the United Nations to protect humanity's heritage in space. She also leads the Institute on Space Law and Ethics and is a founding partner of ABH Aerospace, advising global space actors. Her mission is to ensure legal systems keep pace with rapid innovation in space and drone technologies.
July 24 – Eva Blaisdell
Eva Blaisdell, also known as Lady Rocket, is a third-generation space visionary and founder of CopernicSpace and Lady Rocket Media. With a background as a Fortune 20 executive in both Silicon Valley and international markets, she brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial ambition and strategic leadership to the commercial space economy. Eva is a strong advocate for expanding space access, digital assets, and public engagement through media and innovation.
Available on Spotify Podcasts
Coming Soon:
The Orbital Beacon
A weekday audio news show covering commercial space headlines with clarity and speed. Each morning and evening episode runs thirty minutes and delivers timely briefings for industry professionals and policy watchers.
Ask an MBA
A weekly series that offers clear, practical business guidance for navigating space and advanced technology ventures. Hosted by an experienced MBA with a focus on solving real-world strategy challenges. We will soon announce when and where to send your questions to be answered on the show.
Later This Year
Telemetry
A weekday audio news show delivering concise, high-clarity updates on deep tech breakthroughs including robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and energy systems.
Call to Action
Have a podcast idea or want to sponsor one
Better Futures Inc. builds and distributes compelling audio and video content for leaders in the space and deep tech sectors. Sponsor a show or let us help you produce your own series tailored to your brand or organization.
Reach out to the author at Sean Key MBA | LinkedIn to get started
Sector Reports and Infographics
Better Futures Inc. provides custom research, visualizations, and intelligence briefings across emerging industries
Investor-focused sector reports
Branded and sellable infographics
Policy-ready briefings and market maps
Available on a project basis or through annual subscriptions
Looking Ahead
As infrastructure builds and technology scales, new economic pathways are opening across the commercial space and deep tech sectors. At Better Futures Inc., we track these developments to help you stay informed and ready to act.
The future is not determined by those that predict but by those that create, let’s create
Better Futures Inc.