SpaceX Launches, Blue Origin's Orbital Data Centers, and Space Stock Market Update

This week in space news features SpaceX completing three major missions, including a classified national security launch and the Transporter-8 rideshare carrying Alphabet's orbital computing prototype. The discussion also covers Blue Origin's strategy for massive solar-synchronous data centers, Boeing's Starliner updates, and the impact of rising interest rates on space sector stocks.

■ Recent Launch Activity
- SpaceX executes Crew-13 mission to ISS with NASA astronauts
- Classified national security launch using Falcon Heavy
- Transporter-8 rideshare deployment featuring 130 payloads from various agencies

■ Orbital Computing and Infrastructure
- Alphabet and Planet Labs test Google TPUs in orbit via Sun Catcher project
- Redwire partners with Sofia Space and controversial startup Star Cloud
- Star Cloud secures launch agreement with Firefly Aerospace

■ Blue Origin's Strategic Vision
- CEO Dave Limp outlines plan for thousands of orbital data centers
- Proposal involves 56,000 satellites in near-polar synchronous orbits for 97-98% sunlight exposure
- Focus on inference workloads linked via TerraWif satellite network
- FCC filing details expansion from hundreds to thousands of annual launches

■ Market Performance and Industry Updates
- Boeing stock declines despite positive news flow regarding Starliner service entry
- Publicly traded partners like Planet Labs, Alphabet, Redwire, and Firefly show weekly losses
- SpaceX shares see slight increase following pre-market trading movements
- Overall space sector faces pressure from rising interest rates

Gain insights into the evolving landscape of orbital infrastructure, the technical strategies behind next-generation space-based computing, and current financial trends affecting key players in the commercial space industry.