Russia to Deploy Gigachat LLM to ISS, Space Supply Chain Council Formed, Planet Labs Reports Growth

Russia's AI in Space Initiative

• 🚀 Russia plans to integrate its homegrown Gigachat artificial intelligence model into IT systems on the International Space Station (ISS).
• 💡 Developed by Sparebank, Gigachat is one of Russia's large language models (LLMs) and will assist the crew in processing satellite imagery, enhancing resolution from 1 meter to half a meter per pixel.
• 🤖 Sparebank is also focusing on developing AI agents, which are goal-directed generative AI systems designed for autonomous information processing and decision-making.
• 🛰️ The next ISS mission this autumn will deliver the necessary components for Gigachat's functionality, following Booze Allen's deployment of a generative AI LLM on the ISS last year.

Commercial Space Federation's New Council

• 🤝 The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) has established a new Space Supply Chain Council (S2C2) to strengthen the commercial space supply chain.
• 🎯 S2C2 will convene manufacturers, logistics providers, and innovators to define industry priorities, recommend policy positions, and address topics impacting CSF members.
• 📈 This initiative joins CSF's six existing councils, covering areas such as launch and re-entry, commercial low Earth orbit, and remote sensing.

Planet Labs Financial Performance

• 📊 Planet Labs reported a 10% year-over-year increase in first-quarter revenue, reaching a record $66.3 million for the period ended April 30, 2025.
• 💰 The Earth Observation company's cash reserves grew to approximately $226.1 million, reflecting continued success in securing international contracts.
• ✨ New product offerings include an aircraft detection analytic feed and new hyperspectral data from the Tener 1 and Pelican 2 satellites, expanding their space-based intelligence insights.

Other Space Industry Updates

• 💰 Voyager Technologies secured a $200 million syndicated credit facility led by JP Morgan to scale its defense, national security, and space solutions businesses.
• 🌕 The iSpace Resilience lunar probe's landing on the moon was anticipated, with future shows planned to cover the mission's outcome.
• 🚀 Eta Space is developing a cryogenic propellant depot in LEO to address boil-off issues, while NASA's Roman Space Telescope core components passed major shake tests.
• 🕊️ The segment also paid tribute to former astronaut and minister Marc Garneau, who passed away at 76, remembering his contributions to space exploration and public service.

Aldrin Family Foundation's Educational Mission

• 🌟 Dr. Andy Aldrin discussed the Aldrin Family Foundation's work, which aims to bring the excitement of space into classrooms for students, particularly in underserved communities.
• 🛰️ The foundation's SQ program (Student Satellites in Space) allows students to participate in building and even flying spacecraft over a two-to-three-year curriculum, teaching coding, software development, and space science.
• 🎓 The program offers industry and state certifications, with opportunities for dual enrollment at Embry Riddle University, providing students with valuable technical and soft skills for future careers.
• 🚀 A recent award from the state of Texas will enable hundreds of students to participate, with a competition to select which student-built satellite will be launched to the ISS and ejected.
• 🌍 The long-term vision is to expand these programs to every state, ensuring widespread access to space education, especially for underserved youth.