Olivier Vortex

We have shipped our 20kW satellite - Gravitas - to the launch site. Given the supply chain to operate at this power regime doesn’t exist, we had to build 85% of the satellite in-house. This includes building our own large solar arrays, high power propulsion system, large batteries, large reaction wheels and much more. This launch will represent the first time all of these systems are test on orbit together. Internally at @K2SpaceCo, we’ve thought about a few levels of success for this mission - we expect mission success to fall somewhere along this spectrum: - Tier 1 (Baseline mission success): Deploy solar arrays, establish comms, operate the satellite —> we’ve now got an operational 20kW satellite on orbit - Tier 2: Power on the payloads, activate the 20kW propulsion system —> we’re completing payload missions and have fired the highest power hall thruster ever flown on orbit - Tier 3: Orbit raise the satellite, test performance in high radiation environments (like 2,000km) —> we’ve collected massive amounts of data on the performance of the platform in very very difficult environments More than anything, Gravitas represents the start of an iterative journey, where we will take the data we receive from this first satellite and incorporate it into the next wave of satellites launching next year. We’re excited to start this journey, we’ll report back as we get more data. Thanks to Tim for covering our story on TechCrunch techcrunch.com/2026/03/19/k2-…

Robotics research is moving fast, and being able to modify and improve upon hardware is crucial to maintaining velocity. That’s why Menlo Research has started working on their own open-source humanoid project, Asimov @asimovinc. And they are moving fast. It’s been roughly six months since they started the project, and they already have full humanoid with arms, legs, and a head, which can walk forwards and backwards. @selim__1903 and @AlexE_00 of Menlo Research join us to talk about the development of this open-source humanoid. Watch episode 67 of RoboPapers, with @chris_j_paxton and @DJiafei, now! And follow @asimovinc for daily updates on humanoid robot development.

NEWS: Starting today, owners of Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Maserati EVs in North America can now officially use @Tesla's Supercharger network with more than 27,500 charging stalls. Updated list of automakers that have access to Tesla's Supercharger network: • Acura • Audi • BMW • Ford • General Motors • Genesis • Honda • Hyundai • JLR • Kia • Lucid • Mercedes • Nissan • Polestar • Porsche • Rivian • Stellantis • Subaru • Toyota • Volkswagen • Volvo

What is holding Russia back from meaningfully supporting Iran? foreignaffairs.com/russia/why-rus…

Launching ambitions. At constellation scale. 🚀 The next generation of connectivity from space is being built through constellations of telecommunications satellites in low Earth orbit. Deploying these systems requires launchers capable of placing large numbers of satellites into orbit efficiently and reliably. With its four boosters and high lift capacity to low Earth orbit, Ariane 64 is designed to support these large-scale deployments, enabling multiple satellites to be launched together in a single mission. Because today, launching a single satellite is not always enough. From Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, Arianespace helps these ambitious systems take shape in orbit. #LaunchingAmbitions

Now's your chance to be a cybercrime sleuth! Join our Cyber Crimes Division and defend NASA’s critical information systems from cyber threats. This GS-1811 position is at Johnson Space Center, and the application deadline is 3/23. Don't wait—apply today: usajobs.gov/job/861538800

#LeonardoAeronautics’ Simulation & Training Systems team designs, develops and delivers advanced Flight Simulation Training Devices (#FSTD) for the #C27J #Spartan, certified up to @EASA Level D (the highest fidelity standard in flight simulation), while continuously expanding internal expertise in Qualification Test Guide (#QTG)development. Our solutions range from basic procedural trainers to Full Flight Simulators (#FFS), which feature cockpit replicas, realistic flight controls feedback, and high-fidelity motion, visual and sound cues. The result is a fully immersive #training for normal operations, emergencies, and tactical scenarios. Thanks to a flexible hardware and software architecture, cockpit layouts can also be reconfigured and customised to match specific C-27J customer operational requirements — ensuring a training solution aligned with real mission needs.

Humanoid robots on the factory floor. For real, not a pilot. @wsj covered Agility's Digit deployed at @Schaeffler. on.wsj.com/41i3y5D h/t @JohnKeilman

Parrot : commande de microdrones pour l’OTAN air-cosmos.com/article/parrot…