COSMIC August Newsletter
This is a shortened version of our non-member newsletter. If you would like the complete newsletter in the future, sign up here. If you are interested in full access to COSMIC news and programming, find out how to join here.
COSMIC in GAO
On July 10th, 2025, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report entitled In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing: Benefits, Challenges, and Policy Options.
This new document serves as the latest validation that ISAM capabilities can and will provide a tremendous value in future space architectures and does so with a sober acknowledgement of the difficulties that have yet to be overcome.
We at COSMIC are honored to have been singled out by the GAO as the preeminent partner for federal ISAM coordination moving forward. Read More Here
ISAM and COSMIC News
COSMIC in 3D Print: Arkisys and the Bosuns Locker: Bringing Hands-On Space Engineering to Students Across the U.S.
ISAM in Breaking Defense: It’s more than fuel: Why the Space Force needs in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing
COSMIC Member in Reuters: Strong US defense spending draws investors to space startups, report says
ISAM in Ars Technica: China jumps ahead in the race to achieve a new kind of reuse in space
COSMIC Members in Payload: SpaceWorks to Fly In-Orbit Manufacturing Tech in 2026
On COSMICspace(dot)org: NASA Expanding Commercial ISAM Testing, New Agreement Signed
Upcoming COSMIC Programming
August COSMIC Working Meetings
The Workforce Development Focus Area meeting will be held on Thursday, August 7th at 2:00pm ET/ 11:00am PT.
The Research & Technology Focus Area meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 20th at 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT.
The Policy & Regulation Focus Area meeting will be held on Thursday August 21st at 2:00pm ET/ 11:00am PT.
September COSMIC Workshops
The Future ISAM Spectrum Allocations
Hosted by Policy & Regulations,
Online and In-person in DC
Monday, September 8th from 10am-12:30pm ET
Regulations 102: NOAA CRSRA Satellite Imaging Licensing and ISAM Operations
Hosted by Policy & Regulations
Online and In-person in DC
Monday, September 15th from 12-2pm ET
Cost and Value Modeling Methodologies for On-Orbit Servicing
Hosted by Missions & Ecosystems, Online
Open to non-COSMIC members!
Tuesday, September 16 and
Thursday September 18 from 12-3pm ET
COSMIC Opportunities to Participate
C3 Recruitment
We’re excited for the 2025-26 COSMIC Capstone Challenge (C3) — a dynamic design competition for U.S.-based college students to develop conceptual missions and spacecraft operations designs, ranging from in-space assembly to lunar infrastructure. Already Virginia Tech, Univ. of South Carolina, Univ. of South Florida, Univ. of Hawaii-Manoa, California State Univ. Northridge, Kennesaw St., Embry-Riddle Univ., and more have signed up.
Read more and share with prospective universities, students, and mentors at cosmicspace.org/c3/
Walk the Cosmic Crossroads
In just one month, the new 13-minute documentary, Cosmic Crossroads: Building the Space Superhighway has racked up nearly 20,000 views. Watch the video and help us share the message by sharing the video far and wide.
Share on LinkedIn — Share on Facebook — Share on Twitter
Submit Your Public ISAM News
Do you have new content that COSMIC should be sharing with the broader ISAM community? You can submit information to be shared by our communications team using this link.
Join COSMIC
Are you interested in or actively working on ISAM capabilities as a user, provider, or researcher? Join COSMIC today!
Upcoming ISAM Conference Sessions and Panels
CHIPS in Space: An Alliance for Pioneering Space-Based Semiconductor Manufacturing to Advanced Science and Establish US Preeminence in Semiconductors: The Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute (TSI) will present a special track addressing novel technology opportunities and challenges for space manufacturing at the Space Industry & Government Expo, August 28-29, in National Harbor, MD.
You can get 20% if you use the code “TSI20” at checkout thanks to our friends at Texas A&M. Find out more and register here.
2025 Value of Space Summit, September 9-11 in Colorado Springs, CO hosted by Space ISAC and co-hosted by the Aerospace Corporation. The theme is The Secure Space Ecosystem: Fostering Economic Growth, Global Partnerships, and Workforce Innovation. Find out more here.
AI for Contested Space Workshop, September 23-25. Contact AIContestedSpace@ll.mit.edu for more information
Satellite Innovation Conference, Oct 28 in Mt. View, CA will hold a panel led by COSMIC member Andrew Kwas entitled “Building a Responsive Space Architecture: ISAM, Logistics, and Autonomy.”
Find out more information and register here.
Spacepower Conference, December 10-13 in Orlando, FL hosted by Space Force Association. Find out more at ussfa.org/spacepower-conference-2025/