Collabs in space, discord on Earth

It's Wednesday, Baltimore. And look, the sun's finally out!

Today, we've got our eye on a few elevation-transcending pieces of news related to Johns Hopkins — you know, that esteemed private institution with signs and properties all over the city and region. Today, the university announced that its School of Advanced International Studies has a new partnership with the US Space Force (USSF). The military agency is working with Hopkins to develop new service-based developmental education programs. A press release said that such a project "fulfills the aspirational vision set by the Chief of Space Operations to align the USSF with a fresh approach on talent management."

Closer to home, the university has reached the seeming end of a difficult discussion with another institutional partner. The Baltimore Banner reported today that the Johns Hopkins Medicine network wrapped weeks-long and strained negotiations for a new contract with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. The contract, according to the Banner, lets "thousands of Hopkins providers" remain in CareFirst's network, which also helps many with CareFirst insurance avoid out-of-pocket payments for outpatient procedures and other fees.

Are you impacted by either piece of news? Have any thoughts on Hopkins' relationships on Earth or beyond? Let us know by responding to this email or sending another to baltimore@technical.ly.

— Technical.ly editor Sameer Rao (sameer@technical.ly)