An unknown ship manufacturer has published this image (or "an image" if you're listening to the podcast) on social media, with the caption: "The surface is calling. Discover the Galaxy's next new vessel. Full Concept Reveal - 2 June 2026". Is it a ship, or something else?

Radicoida plants were used to prepare alien warriors for battle, according to a leading specialist in xeno-technology. Engineer Ram Tah has revealed that Radicoida seed pods may have been used by the ancient Guardians.

The Pilots' Federation has announced a final, exact date for the launch of the new Operations mission system, and they've described in step-by-step detail how one of the missions will work. Plus, there's some good news for Commanders who long for the days when the galaxy was so much more colourful than it is now.

Starports in the Lhou Mans system are working again, but there's no word yet about what might be happening in Colonia. And a Trailblazers colony has been established (just) more than 10,000 LY from Sol.

The Galactic community is anticipating a new Community Goal in Colonia, after bartender Jaques dropped hints that he would be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the most famous misjump in Galactic history.

Closing image by Dr Nagi, Distant Worlds 3 organiser.

With almost all the tourists rescued and the pirates driven off, it's time to repair the damaged starports in Lhou Mans. And there are, of course, rewards on offer. Everyone that registers at Ryman Enterprise and takes part, as long as they contribute at least one tonne, will be awarded a Panther Clipper Zorgon Peterson Red paintjob and one each of the Class 5 and Class 6 pre-engineered cargo racks, which can carry 35% more cargo than a normal cargo rack of the same size. The Class 5 rack can therefore carry 43 tonnes of goods, while the Class 6 can carry 86 tonnes. That's a total of 33 extra tonnes every trip.

It's been a big week for news in the more distant parts of the Galaxy. The Distant Worlds 3 expedition is coming to the end of its 15-stop tour of the Galaxy, and colonisation crews working for Project Galtea have started preparing for their next push, which will create colonies more than 10,000 LY from Sol.

The mastermind behind the pirate attacks in Lhou Mans has been named. According to Mira Bukowski of Vox Galactica, sources in the crime underworld have named the owner of the crossed axe symbol as "Lady Zi", a pirate admiral commanding a coalition fleet of many pirate factions all under a single command.

The Dodec Starport has finally been made generally available, with a half-price offer to cut out the hauling.

Pirates have returned to the Lhou Mans system, to the delight of Commanders, after taking a brief holiday.