Sirotin Intelligence Briefing: May 19-24, 2025: Golden Dome Gets $25B in 215-214 Vote, China's Space Supercomputer Goes Live, Scientists Warn of Catastrophic Solar Storms

This week's space intelligence highlights: The House narrowly approves $25 billion for Golden Dome missile defense as Gen. Saltzman warns the Space Force lacks resources for its expanding mission portfolio, while China's deployment of the world's first orbital AI supercomputer constellation signals a new era in space-based computing dominance. Geopolitical tensions escalate with Beijing warning that Golden Dome could spark a space arms race, as the UK faces uncomfortable truths about its "extreme dependence" on American space capabilities amid Trump's isolationist rhetoric. On the technology front, quantum breakthroughs promise direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets, while scientists warn we remain dangerously unprepared for extreme space weather that could cripple satellites and power grids with only 1-2 hours notice. Commercial developments surge forward as SpaceX identifies Starship's engine failure ahead of Flight 9, Virgin Galactic confirms 2026 customer flights at premium prices, and Dawn Aerospace opens orders for its revolutionary runway-to-space vehicle. Meanwhile, ESA's pivot toward defense-oriented Earth observation marks a fundamental shift from its traditional civil focus, reflecting Europe's recognition that it must close the gap with global powers investing 50% of space budgets in military capabilities. Join us on May 29th as Chris McGinty, creator of the McGinty Equation, discusses how fractal geometry might unify quantum mechanics with relativity while enabling hyperfluid AI and zero-point energy extraction for next-generation space propulsion.

🛡️ Defense Highlights

• Space Force General Tapped to Lead $175 Billion Golden Dome Project: President Trump named Gen. Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, to oversee development of the Golden Dome missile defense shield, with initial funding of $25 billion requested in Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill." "This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defense capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term," Trump said. "So we'll have it done in about three years." The space-based interceptor system aims to protect the continental U.S. from hypersonic missiles and advanced threats, though Congressional Budget Office estimates suggest costs could reach $542 billion over 20 years, far exceeding Trump's projections.
• China Warns Golden Dome Could Spark Space Arms Race: Beijing expressed "grave concerns" about the U.S. missile defense project, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning alleging that orbital interceptors violate peaceful space use principles. "The project will heighten the risk of turning the space into a war zone and creating a space arms race, and shake the international security and arms control system," she said. A new Air Force report found only two factors effectively deter Chinese space actions: U.S. military superiority and China's growing reliance on its own satellite constellations.
• Space Force Chief Says Service Underfunded for New Missions: Gen. Saltzman warned Congress that despite rising threats, the Space Force faces shrinking resources while being assigned new responsibilities including space control, Golden Dome, and ground/air target indicators. "We are not adequately funded for new missions that I've been given in space superiority," Saltzman told senators, noting that 78% of the Space Force budget supports joint force capabilities, leaving less than a quarter for developing space control capabilities from scratch.
• U.S. Tests Minuteman III ICBM in Pacific Range Demonstration: The military launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, sending a reentry vehicle 4,200 miles to Kwajalein Atoll as part of routine nuclear deterrence demonstration. The test, planned months in advance and "not a response to current world events," showcased the readiness of America's ground-based nuclear triad component ahead of the Minuteman III's planned 2030 replacement by Northrop Grumman's LGM-35 Sentinel.
• Space Force and NGA Sign Agreement on Commercial ISR Roles: Gen. Chance Saltzman and Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth signed a memorandum delineating responsibilities for the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT) program. "It's an incredible tool, both for making decisions but also for building relationships and trust," Saltzman said, noting the agreement ensures agencies won't overlap in data collection efforts while enabling direct access to commercial imagery for combatant commanders.
• Raytheon Secures $380M GPS Control System Extension: The Space Force awarded Raytheon a $379.7 million contract extension for the long-delayed Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), bringing the total contract value to approximately $4.6 billion. The system, originally scheduled for 2016 delivery, is now expected to reach operational readiness by 2026 as the Pentagon shifts toward agile, software-first procurement approaches to avoid future delays.
• House Approves $25 Billion for Golden Dome Despite Resource Concerns: The House passed the reconciliation bill in a 215-214 vote that includes first funding for Golden Dome, though Gen. Saltzman warned of resource constraints. "With about 3 percent of the DOD budget and less than 1 percent of the personnel, the Space Force is a great value proposition," Saltzman testified, noting the service has lost 14% of civilian personnel due to workforce cuts while being assigned new missions including Golden Dome, space control, and increased launch tempo.

🌐 Policy, Geopolitical & Legal Developments

• EU-UK Summit Calls for Space Security Cooperation Without Specifics: The first EU-UK Summit concluded with a resolution to deepen space-based security and defense cooperation but failed to produce concrete agreements on synergies between their respective investments. Notably absent was any coordination between the UK's future Skynet 6 military satcom program and Europe's Iris2 multi-orbit secure communications network, leaving potential collaboration opportunities unexplored despite both programs being in early development stages.
• UK "Extremely Dependent" on US for Space Security, Lords Hear: Dr. Bleddyn Bowen told Parliament's House of Lords that Trump administration's isolationist rhetoric is "concerning" for the UK's space and defense capabilities. "We are extremely dependent on the Americans, so maintaining that relationship whilst we are so dependent is of supreme importance," Bowen testified, warning that deteriorating UK-US relations would create "structural problems" given the deep integration of Anglo-American defense companies and UK Space Command's reliance on US Space Force cooperation.
• ESA Seeks Funding for Defense-Oriented Earth Observation System: Director General Josef Aschbacher revealed ESA will request member state funding at November's ministerial conference for a "security and resilience" satellite system providing intelligence imagery every 30 minutes or less. "I've been asked to build up a system that allows a much better intelligence of the situation around the world," Aschbacher said, marking a shift from ESA's traditional civil focus as European defense space spending lags at 15% compared to 50% globally.

🛰️ Technology & Commercial Developments

• SpaceX Dragon Departs ISS with Critical Research Samples: NASA's SpaceX 32nd commercial resupply mission is returning to Earth with nearly 6,700 pounds of scientific cargo after undocking from the International Space Station on Friday, May 23. The Dragon spacecraft will splash down at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, off the coast of California. Key returning experiments include MISSE-20 materials testing exposed to space radiation, the Astrobee-REACCH robotic grasping demonstration for future debris removal capabilities, and OPTICA technology that advances ultra-high-resolution hyperspectral imagery transmission from space.
• China Launches World's First Orbital AI Supercomputer Constellation: Beijing deployed 12 satellites on May 14 as the first phase of its ambitious "Three-Body Computing Constellation," marking humanity's inaugural attempt to build a supercomputer network in space. Once complete, the constellation would support real-time, in-orbit data processing with a total computing capacity of 1,000 peta operations per second (POPS) – or one quintillion operations per second. Each satellite performs 744 trillion operations per second with 8-billion-parameter AI models, connected via laser links at 100 gigabits per second, potentially revolutionizing space-based cloud computing with significant strategic implications for data processing and military applications.
• Quantum Technology May Enable Direct Imaging of Earth-Like Exoplanets: Scientists at the University of Arizona and University of Maryland are developing a "quantum-sensitive" coronagraph that could capture direct images of exoplanets by using spatial mode sorting to filter out starlight in real-time. By using an optical device called a "spatial mode sorter," which is a cascade of carefully designed diffractive phase masks, the team was able to separate the incoming light, allowing them to isolate photons coming specifically from the exoplanet below the sub-diffraction limit. The technology surpasses traditional telescope resolution limits and could complement future missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory in detecting potential biosignatures on distant worlds.
• Lithuanian Startup Astrolight Secures €2.8M for Laser Communications: Vilnius-based Astrolight closed a seed round to accelerate development of its end-to-end optical communication platform connecting satellites to Earth, with funding led by frontier tech investor Balnord. They are developing a dual-use communication architecture that can handle both space-to-space and space-to-ground optical links. The company aims to address the "missing link between space and Earth" as over 70,000 LEO satellites are expected to launch in the next five years, with laser communications offering 100 times faster data rates than traditional radio frequencies.
• Samsung Eyes Space Infrastructure with Launch Pad Development: The South Korean tech giant is reportedly developing a "space plant" project that includes rocket launch facilities and spacecraft components, partnering with Seoul National University's Department of Aerospace Engineering. Samsung is reportedly going to be testing its in-house designed semiconductors in the high-radiation environment of space's high Earth orbit. The company has signed agreements with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute to test next-generation semiconductors aboard NASA's Artemis II mission, marking Samsung's strategic entry into the rapidly growing space infrastructure market.
• Virgin Galactic On Track for 2026 Customer Flights at Higher Prices: The space tourism company confirmed its new Delta-class spaceplanes remain on schedule for commercial service next year, with research flights beginning summer 2026 and private astronaut flights following in fall. "We continue to expect our first [Delta] research spaceflight will take place in summer of 2026, with private astronaut flights following in fall of 2026," CEO Michael Colglazier said, noting ticket prices will exceed the previous $600,000 level when sales resume in Q1 2026.
• SpaceX Attributes Starship Flight 8 Failure to Engine Hardware: The company revealed that March's test flight failure resulted from a hardware failure in one of the center Raptor engines, causing "inadvertent propellant mixing and ignition" that led to loss of control. Unlike Flight 7's harmonic response issues, Flight 8's failure prompted new reliability improvements including additional preload on key joints and a new nitrogen purge system, with Flight 9 scheduled for May 27.
• FAA Clears Starship Flight 9 with Expanded Safety Zones: The Federal Aviation Administration approved SpaceX's return to flight after determining the company "satisfactorily addressed the causes of the mishap," with expanded aircraft hazard areas extending 1,600 nautical miles east to protect against debris. Flight 9 will feature the first reuse of a Super Heavy booster from Flight 7 and test new flight profiles before splashing down offshore rather than attempting a tower catch.
• Dawn Aerospace Opens Sales for Aurora Suborbital Spaceplane: The New Zealand company began taking orders for its runway-capable vehicle that can carry 6kg payloads to 100km altitude, with first deliveries targeted for 2027. "This is an aircraft with the performance of a rocket, not a rocket with wings," CEO Stefan Powell said, projecting $100,000 per-flight pricing and the capability to fly above the Kármán Line twice in one day with four-hour turnarounds.
• PiLogic Secures $4M for Satellite AI Diagnostics: The California startup raised seed funding to develop bespoke AI models that can diagnose satellite electrical power system issues and enable autonomous remediation without ground intervention. "It will contact the operators saying: 'I've done this, I think there's a failure in this sensor, I think space debris has hit it,'" CEO Johannes Waldstein explained, with the first satellite equipped with their "exact AI" model launching this year.
• Impulse Space Signs Multi-Launch Deal with SES: The companies announced Impulse's Helios kick stage will transport a four-ton SES satellite from LEO to GEO within eight hours starting in 2027, marking the first commercial contract for dedicated Helios missions. "We believe MEO and GEO play a critical role in the space economy, but operators today face the challenges of slow, expensive, and inflexible access to these essential orbits," said CEO Tom Mueller.
• Scientists Warn We're Unprepared for Extreme Space Weather: Solar physicist Valentín Martínez Pillet predicts it will take 50 years for space weather forecasting to match Earth weather accuracy, warning that current systems only provide 1-2 hours' notice of dangerous solar storms. "We don't know how bad it could get," Martínez Pillet told Space.com, noting that while we can track CME speeds and arrival times, the critical magnetic field orientation (Bz component) that determines storm severity remains unknowable until the last moment, leaving power grids and satellites vulnerable to Carrington Event-scale disasters.
• UAE's Space42 Pioneers AI-Driven Space Intelligence Platform: The merged entity of Bayanat and Yahsat is leveraging its GIQ AI analytics platform to process massive satellite data volumes for real-time intelligence across defense, climate resilience, and autonomous mobility sectors. "What differentiates us is our end-to-end approach. We unify satellite communications, AI-powered analytics and geospatial data in a single sovereign platform," says CEO Hasan Al Hosani, highlighting recent flood response capabilities during 2024 UAE rainstorms.
• Space Accelerator Backs 10 Global Startups with Dual-Use Potential: Seraphim Space Enterprise selected its Mission 15 cohort featuring companies from the U.S., India, Italy, Germany, UK, and Mongolia—the accelerator's first Mongolian investment. Notable startups include Ethereal Exploration Guild developing a reusable launch vehicle targeting $350-2000/kg costs, LambdaVision manufacturing artificial retinas in microgravity, and Ravee Optics creating compact laser communications for small satellites.
• NASA Seeks Disruptive Tech Through 2025 SBIR Ignite Program: The space agency announced its Small Business Innovation Research solicitation seeking technologies with strong commercial relevance in advanced manufacturing, AI, radar, and robotics. Requirements include real-time monitoring for additive manufacturing, AI-enabled space hardware automation, low-cost radar for planetary vehicles, and scalable robotic tools, with selected companies receiving up to $150,000 for Phase I and $850,000 for Phase II commercialization.

💭 A Word From Christophe Bosquillon

In a week dominated by Golden Dome statements, two significant global events occured.The first event, the US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis, led by CEO Ronda Schrenk, took place at a pivotal moment for the GEOINT community changing political, technological, and collaborative landscapes. DNI Tulsi Gabbard  signaled a shift in U.S. intelligence collection priorities, emphasising border security. As the Trump 2.0 administration reshapes priorities in GEOINT, it creates new opportunities for alignment between government and industry: SI Imaging Service, Wyvern, Ursa and Palantir.

GEOINT is central to broader intelligence efforts, with advances in satellite technology and AI-driven data analysis enhancing capabilities, such as Project Maven with Palantir. By capitalising on AI-human pairing, from maritime security with Kuva Space to natural disasters, especially fires, rapid response systems are improving through optimized sensors and predictive analytics. USGIF plays a key role in fostering innovation, international collaboration (NATO), and education. While USSF and NGA sorted out their new intelligence agreement to sharpen the intelligence flow to battlefield commanders, a new NGA facility in St. Louis is opening in September 2025. 

The second event, Europe, Luxembourg-based Space Resources Week 2025, signaled a tipping point in the emerging ISRU field, making it work in ways commercially credible, financially sustainable, and politically viable. Orbitfab detailed how it enables a circular space economy by developing an in-space propellant supply chain. To “mine” space, business sense stemming from terrestrial resources extraction and industrial manufacturing suggests to focus on scalable solutions with incremental value chain build-up. Such pragmatism is illustrated by startups like Main Belt Company, focused on mining raw materials, starting with orbital and cislunar debris to be recycled in solid metal propellants. Cash flow generated from satellite propellant markets enables the company to tackle small asteroids next. 

Orbital and cislunar refuelling should matter to the Space Force once it transitions from a “Brown” to a “Blue Navy” force. Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, testified to the SASC that the USSF, with only 3% of DoD budget, “is not adequately funded for the new missions that I've been given in space superiority."  

Have a great space week ahead!

🎤 Our Next Guest: Chris McGinty

Thursday, May 29th – Chris McGinty on Unifying Quantum Fields Through Fractal Geometry and Revolutionizing AI

Chris McGinty, founder of McGinty AI and creator of the McGinty Equation (MEQ), joins us to discuss his groundbreaking framework that unifies quantum mechanics with relativity through fractal mathematics, and its implications for defense, AI, and space propulsion technologies.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• How a corporate sales executive's fascination with fractal art led to discovering the mathematical bridge between quantum fields and fractal geometry
• Why the McGinty Equation succeeds where traditional unified field theories have struggled for nearly a century
• The revolutionary concept of Hyperfluid AI that models cognition as flowing waves rather than token sequences
• How Cognispheric Language enables 10,000:1 data compression and cross-dimensional AI communication
• Strategies for extracting zero-point energy from the quantum vacuum using fractal scaling techniques
• The development of quantum fractal alloys like Nyrrite for space propulsion and energy harvesting
• Why folding space-time might require "only" a trillion ZPE nodes working in concert
• How NATO defense strategists are adopting his framework for battlefield decision-making and quantum sensing

The critical balance between visionary physics and practical applications in defense and aerospace. Don't miss this insightful conversation with a uniquely qualified innovator who combines artistic intuition with AI-assisted mathematical discovery. McGinty brings his unconventional background to illuminate how fractal patterns in nature might hold the key to humanity's next technological leap.

📚 Essential Intel from Our Archives

Missed a beat? These groundbreaking conversations are must-reads:

"I'm on a Crusade to Expand the Domain of Life"

Space pioneer Rick Tumlinson reveals how he created the NewSpace movement, his work with Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill, and his 40-year mission to expand humanity beyond Earth through commercial space ventures.

"Space Law Is The First Domain Where Nations Agreed On Rules Before Having Practice" 

Military JAG-turned-attorney Trevor Hehn explains how Cold War-era space treaties meet modern commercial ventures, highlighting the challenges of resource utilization, dual-use technologies, and regulatory navigation for companies expanding beyond Earth's atmosphere.

"The Unprotected Power Grid Will Be Our Civilization's Death Warrant If We Don't Act"

Doug Ellsworth, Co-Director of the Secure the Grid Coalition, warns about America's vulnerability to electromagnetic pulse attacks and advocates for urgent power grid protection to prevent catastrophic infrastructure collapse.

"When AI Designs Components, They Sometimes Defy Textbook Engineering"

Space Force Lt. Colonel Thomas Nix reveals how 3D printing and AI are creating revolutionary spacecraft designs, with parts that are stronger and lighter than what human engineers could develop using traditional methods.

"The Gaps in Our Lunar Knowledge Are Enormous"

Extraterrestrial Mining Company Chief Scientist Dr. Ruby Patterson describes the urgent need for more lunar geological data before making commercial decisions, while offering a balanced view on helium-3 mining and advocating for inclusive international cooperation in cislunar space.

"We're Building the Railroads of the Space Gold Rush"

Space Phoenix Systems CEO Andrew Parlock positions his company as "FedEx for space," creating an infrastructure that helps businesses launch and return payloads from orbit with minimal friction.

"Our Nuclear Shield Was Killed For Political, Not Technological Reasons"

Reagan's SDI Director Ambassador Henry Cooper argues that effective missile defense technology developed during the Reagan-Bush years was abandoned for political reasons when the Clinton administration "took the stars out of Star Wars."

"Every Country Has a Border with Space"

UK Space Agency CEO Dr. Paul Bate is developing Britain's space industry through initiatives like spaceports in Scotland's Shetland Islands to establish the UK as Europe's premier satellite launch destination.

"We're Treating Satellites Like They're Still In The 1990s" 

Niha Agarwalla, Director of Commercial Space, explains why traditional satellites are obsolete and how resilient constellations will transform space economics.

"When People See Space Guardians in Uniform, They Ask If They're Real" 

Colonel Bill Woolf, 25-year space defense veteran, reveals his mission to build public support for the newest military branch defending America's orbital assets.

"One Kilogram of Helium-3 Is Worth $50 Million" 

Jeffrey Max, Magna Petra CEO, explains how lunar resource extraction could revolutionize Earth's energy production and fuel humanity's expansion across the solar system.

"I'm Building a Rocket Engine That Could Reach Alpha Centauri" 

Michael Paluszek, Princeton Satellite Systems President, reveals how fusion propulsion could reduce travel times throughout our solar system and enable humanity's first interstellar missions.

"Space Has a Scottish Accent"

Chris Newlands, CEO of Space Aye, discusses how his company's satellite technology is revolutionizing wildlife conservation and helping to combat illegal fishing and poaching.

"I Learned From the Last Generation of Manhattan Project Veterans”

Patrick McClure, former Kilopower Project Lead at Los Alamos National Laboratory, explains how small nuclear reactors could power future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

"We're Being Attacked Every Day" 

Christopher Stone, Former Pentagon Space Advisor, warns about America's vulnerabilities in orbit and explains why China's "attack to deter" doctrine makes space conflict more likely than many realize.

"I Helped SpaceX Secure Their First Commercial Contracts" 

Serial entrepreneur Robert Feierbach discusses building billion-dollar space ventures across four continents and developing North America's newest spaceport.

"We Can Fly 8,000 Miles In 2 Hours" 

Jess Sponable, Ex-DARPA PM & President of NFA, explains how rocket-powered aircraft will revolutionize global travel through simplified hypersonic technology.​​ 

"This Could Be Our Biggest Economy"

Kevin O'Connell, Former Space Commerce Director, reveals how space is transforming from a government domain to a $1.8 trillion market.

​​"How Do You Win a War in Space?" 

Ram Riojas, Ex-Nuclear Commander and Space Defense Expert, explains why the next war will start in space and how nations are preparing their defenses.

"First Day on the Job, Hubble Was Broken" 

Mike Kaplan, James Webb Space Telescope Pioneer, reveals how early setbacks with Hubble shaped NASA's approach to complex space missions and discusses the commercial revolution transforming space exploration.

The Future of Human Space Habitation 

Jules Ross reveals how her journey from artist to space visionary is reshaping human adaptation to space through Earth's first artificial gravity station.

Space Law's New Frontier 

Attorney Michael J. Listner unpacks the complex legal challenges facing modern space activities. From resource rights to orbital debris management

Making Oceans Transparent From Space

Navy Legend Guy Thomas, inventor of S-AIS, shares how his invention transformed global maritime surveillance and security.