Max Q: Firefly Aerospace is making moves

• Albedo, an Earth observation startup, is opening a new 10,000-square-foot facility to support the manufacturing of three-four satellites at once. (Albedo)
• Hydrosat, a climate tech company that uses satellite sensors to measure water stress and drought, acquired Irriwatch and its irrigation management software. (SpaceNews)
• NASA is spending $45 million to seed hundreds of small aerospace businesses, with awardees pursuing everything from in-space transportation to microbial monitoring for spacecraft. (TechCrunch)
• Nuview has raised $15 million so far for its lidar satellite constellation, from investors including actor Leonardo DiCaprio. (TechCrunch)
• SpaceX launched a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station carrying a pair of new solar panels, scientific research and fresh fruit (among other things). (TechCrunch)
• United Launch Alliance conducted a key test of the integrated Vulcan rocket, firing up two Blue Origin-built BE-4 engines. (ULA)