How a tiny nuclear CubeSat could change the future of space exploration

interestingengineering.com Jul 14, 2026

How a tiny nuclear CubeSat could change the future of space exploration

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 14, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

City Labs’ BOHR (Betavoltaic Orbital High‑Reliability) satellite became the world’s first commercial nuclear‑powered CubeSat when it was deployed into low‑Earth orbit on July 7 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter‑17 rideshare mission. The 6U CubeSat, built around a betavoltaic power source, marks the inaugural use of a nuclear system for a commercial payload, joining 80 other satellites on the Falcon 9 launch. BOHR’s design promises long‑duration, high‑reliability power for small spacecraft, potentially extending mission lifespans far beyond conventional solar arrays. The launch, overseen by Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column, underscores a growing convergence of advanced energy technologies and private‑sector space initiatives, highlighting regulatory and policy considerations for nuclear use in orbit.

💡 Why It Matters

· A nuclear‑powered CubeSat could keep tiny satellites operational for years without sunlight, unlocking persistent services in low‑light or deep‑space environments.

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Dhruva Space bags maiden funding from Antariksh Venture Capital Fund

Dhruva Space, an Indian spacetech firm providing end‑to‑end engineering solutions, secured ₹60 crore from the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF), the fund’s inaugural investment. The capital injection brings Dhruva’s pre‑Series B round to a total of ₹275 crore, split between ₹150 crore in equity and ₹125 crore in debt. AVCF, a ₹1,600 crore fund anchored by IN‑SPACe and managed by SIDBI Venture Capital, aims to back space‑tech startups across development stages. Dhruva’s co‑founder Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy said the funding will accelerate infrastructure, expand satellite manufacturing, and fulfill a domestic and international order book exceeding ₹500 crore. The announcement was made at the 10th IN‑SPACe Industry Connect in Ahmedabad.

💡 The deal validates government‑linked capital’s confidence in India’s emerging satellite supply chain, positioning Dhruva as a key player in meeting soaring global demand for space‑based services.

moneycontrol.com · Jul 14

From Mount Everest To ISS: Who is Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon…

Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon will launch aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS‑29 on July 14, heading to the International Space Station for an eight‑month stay that spans Expeditions 74 and 75. The three‑person crew—Menon, Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina—will lift off from Baikonur and return in April 2027. Menon, a Minneapolis‑born emergency‑medicine physician and U.S. Space Force colonel, joined NASA in 2014 as a flight surgeon, later building SpaceX’s medical program and contributing to Starship development. Selected as an astronaut candidate in 2021, he completed two years of training. In orbit he will study microgravity’s effects on blood circulation, test IV‑fluid production from ISS water, and grow semiconductor crystals using augmented‑reality‑guided ultrasound.

💡 The mission’s biomedical and manufacturing experiments aim to solve critical health and supply challenges for future deep‑space travel, directly informing crew safety on lunar and Martian voyages.

spacenews.com · Jul 14

Flexell Space raises $20 Million in Series A round

Flexell Space, a South Korean developer of next-generation space solar technology, has secured $20 million in a Series A funding round. The investment, led by existing and new Korean institutional investors, brings the company’s total funding to $25 million. The capital will support technology development, production readiness, and global expansion as Flexell Space aims to commercialize lightweight, high-efficiency solar solutions for satellites, space stations, and deep-space missions.

💡 The funding underscores South Korea’s growing role in the global space economy, as Flexell Space advances cutting-edge solar technology that could redefine power systems for future satellite constellations and deep-space exploration.

space.com · Jul 14

Russia’s launching a NASA astronaut and 2 cosmonauts to the International Space…

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina will launch aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 14. The crew is scheduled to lift off at 10:47 a.m. EDT, docking with the International Space Station after just two orbits. This marks Menon’s first spaceflight, while Dubrov and Kikina return for their second missions. The trio will join seven existing crew members for an eight-month stay. Menon, a former SpaceX flight surgeon, will conduct experiments on semiconductor crystal production and augmented reality ultrasound techniques. His wife, Anna Menon, previously flew on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission. Kikina, Russia’s only active female cosmonaut, previously traveled to the ISS on a SpaceX Crew vehicle. Live coverage of the launch and docking is available via NASA and Space.com. The mission underscores continued international cooperation in low Earth orbit, with the crew focusing on scientific research that could advance medical devices and AI hardware manufacturing capabilities for future deep-space exploration efforts.

💡 The mission features a unique personal and professional dynamic, as Anil Menon joins his wife, a former SpaceX employee, in space exploration. It also demonstrates the enduring reliance on Russian launch vehicles for ISS crew rotation despite shifting geopolitical landscapes.

spacenews.com · Jul 14

Poland to host new ESA center as government boosts investments in space

Poland will host the first European Space Agency center in an eastern flank member state, focusing on civil security and resilience. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher announced the facility in Warsaw on July 13. The center will conduct dual-use research, marking Poland’s emergence as a European space leader. Concurrently, Poland is significantly increasing its financial commitment to ESA. The government raised its contribution tenfold, committing 51 million euros for 2023-2025 and 550 million euros for 2026-2028. Total contributions for the latter period will reach 731 million euros. Finance Minister Andrzej Domański stated the nation aims to double space sector expenditure. A new state-run fund exceeding 500 million zloty will support prospective space companies. Local firms like Creotech Instruments are expanding capacities. Pre-operational activities for the center are scheduled to begin in 2027. This investment underscores Poland’s strategic pivot toward space technology, science, and security infrastructure within the broader European framework.

💡 Poland’s massive financial injection transforms it from a peripheral participant into a critical hub for European civil security and dual-use space technology. This shift directly strengthens the EU’s eastern flank resilience against geopolitical instability.

space.com · Jul 14

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 launch updates: SpaceX sets target date for next…

SpaceX has announced that its Starship rocket is scheduled for its 13th test flight no earlier than Thursday, July 16, at 6:45 p.m. EDT. The launch will originate from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. This mission marks the second launch of the Starship Version 3 configuration, which features significant upgrades in size and power compared to earlier designs. The flight profile is expected to closely resemble that of Flight 12. A 90-minute launch window has been established for the attempt. SpaceX will provide a live webcast of the event, beginning approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled liftoff. The stream will be available on the company’s official mission page, its X profile, and through Space.com. This upcoming test follows the debut of the V3 configuration less than two months ago. The company aims to continue validating the vehicle’s performance and reliability through these iterative test flights. Detailed updates regarding system upgrades and specific test flight goals are being provided alongside the launch schedule announcement.

💡 The successful execution of Flight 13 validates the enhanced Version 3 hardware, accelerating the timeline for orbital refueling demonstrations essential for deep-space missions.