Space Unveiled: Power Outages, New Laws, and Big Deals in Galactic Ventures

Recent developments in the space sector include a postponed SpaceX launch due to a power outage, new New Zealand laws for space infrastructure regulation, and iRocket's move to go public through a $400 million SPAC deal. These moves reflect ongoing challenges and advancements in science and space exploration.

A recent power outage in the Santa Barbara area disrupted telecommunications at the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center, leading to the postponement of SpaceX's Falcon 9 TRACERS launch. The Federal Aviation Administration emphasized that the delay was necessary to ensure public safety as it manages trans-Pacific air traffic.

In legislative news, New Zealand has introduced new governance measures for its space infrastructure. Intended to prevent foreign exploitation that could jeopardize national security, the new regulations take effect on July 29. This legislation will regulate ground-based infrastructures such as satellite tracking stations, providing new oversight and security mechanisms.

In business developments, Innovative Rocket Technologies, or iRocket, plans to go public via a $400 million SPAC merger with BPGC Acquisition. SPAC deals, which had previously cooled, are witnessing a resurgence in 2025, driven by economic uncertainties and hurdles in traditional public offering avenues.

(With inputs from agencies.)