Blue Origin's Big Push on the Space
Coast (Source: Florida Today)
Blue Origin is racing to return to flight in Florida. But its
5,000-plus Sunshine State employees and whopping $3 billion-plus
infrastructure push are engineering a more-ambitious goal: Support
multiple New Glenn rocket launches per week by the end of the decade.
Bezos said Blue Origin will develop four launch pads. In tandem, the
company is developing a super-heavy New Glenn 9x4 version capable of
carrying 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit.
The Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority approved a contract on Thursday,
Oct. 15, for Blue Origin to lease 509,585 square feet of hangar, apron
and grassy space at Space Coast Regional Airport — and Director of
Airports Kevin Daugherty told board members "they'll start mobilizing
tomorrow." To the east, key activity is centered at the
1.37-million-square-foot Rocket Park manufacturing campus on north
Merritt Island, where a $330 million expansion is scheduled for
completion in summer 2027.
This expansion will enable annual production of up to 150 upper stages
of New Glenn 9x4 rockets. These huge rockets will lift off from an
upcoming Launch Complex 36B, while the rebuilt pad for today's New
Glenn will debut as 36A. Crews are building the metal skeleton of a
vertical integration facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for
the 9x4 rockets. This booster-processing facility's personnel will
receive recovered first stages, then perform inspections and prepare
them for refurbishment and future missions. (10/16)
New Research Reveals How Long Stays in
Space Affects the Human Genome (Source: Universe Today)
Our data show that the genome, its organization, and dynamics are
incredibly robust and seem unaffected by gravity, or lack thereof,
after 24 hours. Similarly, these results suggest that the physical
organization of the human genome may change little in outer space over
comparable timeframes. However, such changes could occur during longer
exposures and due to DNA damage occurring in space. (10/17)
Mars May Pose a Serious Risk to the
Human Heart: What a New Space Radiation Study Reveals (Source:
Breezy Scroll)
Researchers associated with the Medical College of Wisconsin
investigated how space-like conditions affect the heart and blood cells
over time. Their findings suggest that exposure to high-energy
radiation can trigger scarring around the blood vessels supplying the
heart, while the combination of radiation and simulated microgravity
may compromise important immune defenses. (10/14)
Russian Satellite Approaches U.S.
Spacecraft Serving Ukraine’s Military (Source: Axios)
A Russian satellite has moved close to a U.S. satellite in a
constellation that supports Ukraine’s military, raising concerns about
Moscow’s intent. The report provides no further details on the
spacecraft, the proximity or any operational effect, leaving the
encounter’s immediate consequences unclear. (10/17)
Saudi Space Agency, JAXA Sign
Cooperation Memorandum in Space Sector (Source: Spa.gov)
The Saudi Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA) have signed a memorandum of cooperation on space activities and
the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. It aims to strengthen
cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in several areas, including
space applications, the use of the space environment, space science and
exploration, space transportation, research and development, the
advancement of space industries, education and awareness, human capital
development, and training. (10/17)
Russia Turns to Turkish Mafia for
Starlink Sabotage Attack in Poland (Source: United 24)
Russian intelligence services may have recruited a Turkish organized
crime group to carry out an arson attack on a Starlink ground station
in Poland, potentially signaling a shift in Moscow’s sabotage
operations across Europe. According to German magazine Der Spiegel on
October 17, intelligence agencies from several countries are
investigating possible links between the September 23 attack and the
Daltons, a Turkish criminal organization operating across Europe.
(10/18)
Russia’s Starlink Substitute Poses a
Security Threat Far Beyond Ukraine (Source: Atlantic Council)
The Rassvet project is being managed by Bureau 1440, an aerospace
company owned by Yadro CEO Alexy Shelobkov. It is intended as a major
upgrade for Russian military communications in Ukraine after Starlink
disabled unauthorized terminals used by Kremlin forces at the start of
2026. Moscow has positioned Rassvet as “sovereign” satellite
technology, but to accelerate deployment, Russia has contracted Chinese
satellite manufacturing through Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology
(SSST). Rassvet is part of a broader axis of technological
interdependence together with China, Iran, and North Korea.
For the Kremlin, genuine technological sovereignty is not essential.
The main aim is to produce a network that is independent from Western
control for use during military operations in Ukraine. China and SSST
will oblige, within the framework of established bilateral agreements.
A Chinese satellite network controlling Iranian-designed drones is
perfectly acceptable to the Russian authorities, as long as it can be
used to target Ukrainians. (10/15)
Northrop Grumman Touts
Space-Surveillance Experience as Space Force Opens In-Orbit Monitoring
to New Competitors (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman is emphasizing its longstanding role in military space
surveillance as the U.S. Space Force opens the in-orbit surveillance
market to newer companies. The shift introduces competition in a
mission area where established defense contractors bring experience,
while new entrants seek a share of emerging government demand. (10/16)
NASA Develops Batteries to Power
Humanity’s Return to Moon (Source: Douglas Messier)
NASA researchers are working to develop a battery that could function
in the brutal cold of the Moon’s South Pole, where nighttime
temperatures plunge to minus 328 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 200
Celsius). For future lunar operations, a battery will need to work
immediately when warmed up and be able to power everything from an
astronaut’s emergency kit to a rover capable of exploring the Moon’s
darkest craters — all without posing a fire hazard. The project is
called Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience
in Space (SPEARS). (10/17)
Rescuing Astronomy From its Satellite
Megaconstellation Crisis (Source: Space News)
As megaconstellations continue to proliferate into the hundreds of
thousands of satellites in coming years, astronomers may find
themselves backed into a corner as there are fewer and fewer "dark sky"
sites to seek out. So, something else needs to be done, according Alan
Stern, a planetary scientist, astronaut and former member of the U.S.
National Science Board.
He advocates for a new wave of off-world astronomy, and specifically
called for funding it by imposing taxes on megaconstellation operators
in an attempt to offset the damage their light pollution would cause.
"Let us, as both astronomers and members of the public, not try to stop
the inevitable proliferation of satellite constellations," he wrote.
"Instead, let’s work to find a new astronomical prosperity in that
proliferation, by once again moving astronomy’s major ground-based
research facilities to dark sky locales in space, paid for with a tiny
fraction of the revenues the new satellite constellations will earn."
(10/16)
Astronomer Leads Global Team on NASA
Mission to Create Unprecedented View of the Early Universe
(Source: Phys.org)
A University of Missouri astronomer is leading a team of 130
researchers from 62 institutions on an ambitious mission to capture an
unprecedented view of the early universe. Haojing Yan heads the
international team behind the Roman eXtreme Deep Field (RXDF), a
project that will use NASA's newest flagship space observatory, the
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, to create one of the deepest and
widest views of the early universe ever made.
And NASA is giving Yan and the team 386 hours of observation time to do
it. Their goal is to help answer one of astronomy's most fundamental
questions: How did the universe evolve from its earliest moments into
the vast collection of stars, galaxies and planets we see today? By
looking billions of years into the past, the team expects to study
thousands of early galaxies, exploding stars, giant black holes and
other cosmic mysteries. (10/16)
Musk Approached Trump to Slow Down
Starlink in Ukraine, Trump Denies (Sources: Telegraph, BBC)
Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down
Starlink in Ukraine, The Telegraph can reveal. He approached the US
president with the proposal to introduce speed limits on the system,
which hampered Ukraine’s drone defenses, according to four sources
familiar with the discussions. One of the sources said Mr Trump
“agreed” with Mr Musk’s suggestion, paving the way for the Pentagon to
execute the slowdown on Starshield, the military-grade version of the
satellite communications system.
Mr. Musk had previously blamed Mr. Trump for the chaos, claiming any
changes would have been decided by the US military and ultimately the
president. Trump denied limiting Ukraine's access to Starlink's sister
internet network Starshield after it restricted drone speed, hampering
Kyiv's ability to protect itself from Russian attacks. "It wasn't me
and I don't think it was [Starlink owner] Elon [Musk]," Trump said.
(10/16)
After Pumping Hundreds of Millions
into Texas Politics, State Considers Selling a Beloved State Park to
Elon Musk’s SpaceX (Source: Texas Monthly)
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has been discussing the sale of
Boca Chica State Park, Texas Monthly has learned. The deliberations
were far along enough that the commission planned to take up the sale
of “1,300 acres” in Cameron County during a closed-door executive
session at a meeting on November 5, two days after the election,
according to a draft agenda of the commission meeting. Two sources
familiar with internal discussions of the potential sale said SpaceX is
the prospective buyer and confirmed that the 1,300-acre property in
question is the beachfront state park, which is adjacent to Musk’s
burgeoning Starbase facility.
Sources said the item could be taken up by the nine commissioners—all
appointees of Governor Greg Abbott—after November 5. The move comes as
Abbott, Ken Paxton, and other Texas Republicans face unusually close
races, with polls showing Abbott’s opponent, Democrat Gina Hinojosa,
within striking distance. Musk, the world’s richest man, has pumped a
reported $158 million into a super PAC backing Paxton’s flailing
campaign. Musk’s own super PAC is also instructing canvassers to tar
Hinojosa over her record on transgender issues. (10/16)
Japan’s MMX Mission Aims to Swipe Soil
Samples From Mars’ Moon Phobos (Source: The Conversation)
A Japanese space mission is about to launch towards Mars. But it will
not land on the planet itself. Instead, the Martian Moons Exploration
(MMX) mission will focus on Phobos, the bigger of Mars’s two small
moons. The mission will lift off on Monday on an H3 rocket from the
Tanegashima Space Center, in the south of Japan. MMX is led by the
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa), in collaboration with the
US, France, Germany and the European Space Agency (Esa). The overall
science objective is to unravel the origins of the two Martian moons,
the smaller of which is called Deimos. Mission scientists also want to
examine the wider evolution of Mars and its local environment in space.
(10/16)
JAXA, Innovative Space Carrier
Collaborate On Reusable Rocket Studies (Source: International
Business Times)
Japan's space agency JAXA and Tokyo-based rocket developer ISC said
they had begun joint work on reusable-rocket technology, combining test
data and computer modeling to support the development of commercial
space transportation services. The collaboration started in September
under the JAXA Space Innovation through Partnership and Co-creation
program, known as J-SPARC, which supports the creation of space-related
businesses. Launched in May 2018, the program has undertaken about 60
projects and activities. The partners aim to enable more frequent,
lower-cost transportation and broaden access beyond research
organizations to users including universities and startups. (10/16)
October 17, 2026
Blue Origin Targets Multiple New Glenn
Launches Weekly by End of Decade (Source: Reuters)
Blue Origin is targeting multiple flights per week of its New Glenn rocket by the end of the decade, a company executive said on Friday, as it spends billions of dollars on infrastructure needed to match rival SpaceX's launch dominance. Jeff Bezos' space firm also plans to add more launch and landing pads in Florida for New Glenn, its flagship heavy-lift orbital rocket that has been grounded for the year since exploding on the company's only launchpad in May.
Blue Origin has invested over $3 billion to date in its sprawling Florida production and rocket integration facilities that span roughly 31 acres with some 5,000 employees, said Ian Richardson. A $330 million expansion to those facilities will support production of a heavier-lift version of the rocket, New Glenn 9x4, and is targeted for completion in the summer of 2027, Richardson said, adding it will allow annual production of up to 150 upper stages of the rocket.
"These investments are centered on one goal: building the capacity to support more missions, more reliably, and more efficiently," Richardson said. "As we look ahead, this infrastructure is designed to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade." (10/16)
Could Russia Be Poised to Use an On-Orbit Weapon Against a Commercial Satellite? (Source: CSIS)
As of October 15, 2026, based on commercial space situational awareness data, a Russian satellite called Cosmos 2612 is on a trajectory that will bring it into very close proximity to a U.S.-registered commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. The satellite, which supports Ukraine, is operated by ICEYE, a company founded in Finland. Given Russia’s history of testing on-orbit weapons, policymakers should assume Cosmos 2612 could take an action that threatens the commercial satellite.
But the risk extends beyond just one satellite. A Russian counterspace activity in the vicinity of Western satellites should be assessed within the context of aggressive Russian gray zone activities targeting U.S. and European interests. To date, neither the United States nor Europe has been able to deter Russia from expanding the scope and frequency of these gray zone actions. As Russia appears poised to increase hostile actions in outer space to test Western resolve, the United States and Europe should decide how they would respond to a hostile act in space and make that response clear. (10/15)
Small Lunar Missions, Big Ambitions (Source: ESA)
ESA's small missions initiative, renamed Moon Explore, began with an open call for affordable lunar mission concepts with scientific or exploration value, attracting over 60 ideas from across Europe. By accepting a higher level of risk in exchange for lower cost and faster development, the initiative aims to deliver valuable results within just a few years while helping European teams develop new capabilities for future exploration.
The first small mission is already taking shape. Planned for launch in 2029, MAGPIE is set to become the first European rover to explore the Moon. The rover is developed by ispace-Europe in Luxembourg and will operate near the lunar south pole to search for water and other volatile resources for around 10 days using a drill, neutron detector, volatile analyzer and ground-penetrating radar. (10/16)
NASA Langley Transforms Boeing 777 into a Flying Science Lab (Source: WAVY)
NASA Langley Research Center is preparing to take Earth science research to new heights with a Boeing 777 transformed from a commercial airliner into a flying laboratory designed to help scientists better understand the planet. The aircraft will give researchers more room for scientific instruments, longer flight times and the ability to collect different types of measurements during the same mission. NASA plans to use it to study atmospheric conditions, improve satellite observations and develop technology that could help scientists better understand everything from severe winter weather to air pollution. (10/15)
Maritime Launch Services Closer to Listing on Toronto Stock Exchange (Source: Maritime Launch Services)
Maritime Launch Services, developer of Spaceport Nova Scotia, announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved the listing of the company's common shares, subject to the Company satisfying the customary listing requirements of the TSX and receiving final approval. The Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the TSX under the symbol "MAXQ" and will continue to trade on Cboe Canada until trading commences on the TSX. (10/15)
Governor Newsom Visits Space Beach (Source: Gov. Gavin Newsom)
Governor Gavin Newsom visited Long Beach — also known as “Space Beach” — a dynamic hub for modern commercial and aerospace manufacturing with a deep legacy in the field. From Space Beach to Silicon Valley, California’s commercial space ecosystem is powering America’s next generation of exploration. At “Space Beach,” Governor Newsom toured Rocket Lab, a leading California aerospace company that manufactures designs and manufactures orbital rockets, spacecraft, satellites, and other components.
California’s Space Economy spans launch, testing, R&D, tracking and communications, and defense infrastructure across every region of the state. The Golden State is home to one-third of the nation’s space technology companies and has more aerospace engineers and defense personnel than any other state. California ranks #1 in corporate aerospace R&D spending and #1 in space-technology venture capital. Together, these reflect the nation’s highest concentration of aerospace talent, with California alone accounting for roughly 40% of all U.S. space-technology patents.
California Community Colleges (CCC), California State University (CSU), and the University of California (UC) form the nation’s most productive public pipeline for aerospace talent. Alongside private institutions such as Stanford, USC, and Caltech, this engine helps California produce more aerospace engineers than anywhere in the U.S. California has over 96,000 aerospace manufacturing jobs, more than any other state. (10/15)
Brain Tissue Sent to ISS for Research (Source: Independent)
Lab-grown human brain tissue arrived at the ISS as part of an unusual experiment. The three-dimensional miniature human brain models called miBrains contain lab-grown neural tissue. Scientists will look for cellular and genetic changes induced by microgravity and radiation, which could impact human aging and neurological disease. (10/15)
NASA's SkyFall Helicopters Will 'Show Us Parts of Mars We've Never Seen Before' (Source: Space.com)
NASA is accelerating the development of three helicopters that will be deployed into the sky above Mars after a voyage aboard NASA's Space Reactor‑1 Freedom spacecraft. Slated for launch in 2028, SR-1 Freedom is the first fission nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft and is assigned the duty of dropping off the SkyFall entry capsule loaded with the trio of aerial vehicles at the Red Planet. SR-1's trajectory will deliver the SkyFall helicopters in Mars' northern hemisphere during the planet's spring season to avoid dust storms.
Each low-flying helicopter is outfitted with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) instrument, one that can detect layering in the near surface, at depths unobservable by orbital radar. Those layers could be assembled from rocky material, buried ice, or combinations of the two. Detection of near-surface ice is of interest both scientifically as well as in support of future human expeditions to Mars. (10/15)
Seraphim Space Investment Trust Doubled its Value in 2026 (Source: Payload)
Seraphim Space Investment Trust published its FY26 financials yesterday, revealing a valuation of £605.5M (€716.3M)—more than double its value in June 2025. Seraphim’s major holdings—ICEYE, ALL.SPACE, D-Orbit, HawkEye 360, and Xona Space Systems, which together represent more than 75% of the firm’s portfolio—all had a great year, and that success has trickled upwards. However, Seraphim has also benefitted heavily from a favorable macroeconomic environment, as government spending on space continues to increase and VC interest in the sector grows. (10/16)
Scientists Discover 'Chemical Starter Kit' for Life in Planetary Birthplaces (Source: Space.com)
Methanol, coming as part of the 'chemical starter kit' around young stars, has produced some unexpected surprises that could ultimately reveal some of the conditions in which planets and potentially life form around protostars. The methanol discoveries were made by astronomers using ALMA (the Atacama Large millimeter/submillimeter Array) in the Atacama Desert in Chile, as part of a project called COMPASS (the Complex Organic Molecules in Protostars with ALMA Spectral Surveys). (10/15)
SDA Transport Satellite Constellation Grows Larger As Integration Lags (Source: Aviation Week)
With more than 80 satellites in orbit, the U.S. Space Development Agency’s nascent orbital mesh network is still proving elusive to establish. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) fourth plane of Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites—the first such batch from Northrop Grumman—to low Earth orbit on Oct. 10.
That mission was originally slated to launch Oct. 5, but the Falcon 9’s automated systems halted the initial countdown just before liftoff. The launch was then pushed off two more times as SpaceX conducted extra safety checks on the vehicle and worked with the U.S. Space Force to deconflict with other mission deployments. (10/16)
Martian Soil Map Defines 2000 Classes and Names One Most Promising for Crops (Source: Sky Nightly)
Mars has a best soil for growing crops, at least on paper, and it covers 0.14 percent of the planet. A University of Sydney team calls it Nohibareth, and in a proof-of-concept test it scored 0.93 on a zero-to-one scale for plant production. The modelled average profile behind that score is a pH of 6.8, 72 percent clay, little sand or gravel, and an estimated 202 millimeters of water held per meter of soil. Nohibareth is one of 2000 classes in the Provisional Polythetic Areth Classification System, or PPACS, which Daniel Irving, a PhD student, built from orbital observations and models.
The name comes from Irving's proposed term for Martian soil classes, areths, after Ares, the Greek name for Mars. The system sorts almost 800 million locations into 10 realms, 100 assemblages and 2000 forms by properties including texture, mineralogy, pH and profile thickness, and a companion map covers 92 percent of the surface. The university calls it the first comprehensive classification system and map of Martian soils.
The next step is on Earth. The team proposes mixing Mars-like substrates to match the mapped classes and growing crops in them under controlled conditions, with added nutrients and managed water, to compare growth, water use and the treatment each mixture needs to be made safe. Plants have grown in simulant before: in 2014 Wieger Wamelink of Wageningen raised 14 species in NASA-supplied Mars and Moon regolith simulant over 50 days. The map gives such mixtures something specific to match. After that the check moves back to Mars, where rover measurements and samples would show whether Nohibareth really lies where the models put it, on that 0.14 percent of the planet. (10/16)
China Plans Tiangong Test Flights for Mengzhou Ahead of its 2030 Moon Landing Goal (Source: Beyond LEO)
China's spacecraft for its planned crewed Moon landing has yet to reach orbit. The Mengzhou prototype flew on February 11 atop a prototype Long March-10, but the mission was a low-altitude test designed to demonstrate the spacecraft's ability to escape an ascending rocket under maximum aerodynamic stress. The capsule separated successfully and splashed down in the sea, marking an important milestone without testing orbital operations.
The Long March-10 heavy rocket, Mengzhou in orbit and the Lanyue lunar lander must still demonstrate their capabilities, while the complete mission will require two launches and multiple rendezvous and docking operations around the Moon. The next major step is closer to home. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) plans to send Mengzhou to the Tiangong space station in 2026, followed by repeated station flights intended to test the spacecraft and improve its reliability before it carries astronauts towards the Moon. The landing target remains 2030. The challenge is completing the flight-test program needed to make that date achievable. (10/16)
Blue Origin is targeting multiple flights per week of its New Glenn rocket by the end of the decade, a company executive said on Friday, as it spends billions of dollars on infrastructure needed to match rival SpaceX's launch dominance. Jeff Bezos' space firm also plans to add more launch and landing pads in Florida for New Glenn, its flagship heavy-lift orbital rocket that has been grounded for the year since exploding on the company's only launchpad in May.
Blue Origin has invested over $3 billion to date in its sprawling Florida production and rocket integration facilities that span roughly 31 acres with some 5,000 employees, said Ian Richardson. A $330 million expansion to those facilities will support production of a heavier-lift version of the rocket, New Glenn 9x4, and is targeted for completion in the summer of 2027, Richardson said, adding it will allow annual production of up to 150 upper stages of the rocket.
"These investments are centered on one goal: building the capacity to support more missions, more reliably, and more efficiently," Richardson said. "As we look ahead, this infrastructure is designed to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade." (10/16)
Could Russia Be Poised to Use an On-Orbit Weapon Against a Commercial Satellite? (Source: CSIS)
As of October 15, 2026, based on commercial space situational awareness data, a Russian satellite called Cosmos 2612 is on a trajectory that will bring it into very close proximity to a U.S.-registered commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. The satellite, which supports Ukraine, is operated by ICEYE, a company founded in Finland. Given Russia’s history of testing on-orbit weapons, policymakers should assume Cosmos 2612 could take an action that threatens the commercial satellite.
But the risk extends beyond just one satellite. A Russian counterspace activity in the vicinity of Western satellites should be assessed within the context of aggressive Russian gray zone activities targeting U.S. and European interests. To date, neither the United States nor Europe has been able to deter Russia from expanding the scope and frequency of these gray zone actions. As Russia appears poised to increase hostile actions in outer space to test Western resolve, the United States and Europe should decide how they would respond to a hostile act in space and make that response clear. (10/15)
Small Lunar Missions, Big Ambitions (Source: ESA)
ESA's small missions initiative, renamed Moon Explore, began with an open call for affordable lunar mission concepts with scientific or exploration value, attracting over 60 ideas from across Europe. By accepting a higher level of risk in exchange for lower cost and faster development, the initiative aims to deliver valuable results within just a few years while helping European teams develop new capabilities for future exploration.
The first small mission is already taking shape. Planned for launch in 2029, MAGPIE is set to become the first European rover to explore the Moon. The rover is developed by ispace-Europe in Luxembourg and will operate near the lunar south pole to search for water and other volatile resources for around 10 days using a drill, neutron detector, volatile analyzer and ground-penetrating radar. (10/16)
NASA Langley Transforms Boeing 777 into a Flying Science Lab (Source: WAVY)
NASA Langley Research Center is preparing to take Earth science research to new heights with a Boeing 777 transformed from a commercial airliner into a flying laboratory designed to help scientists better understand the planet. The aircraft will give researchers more room for scientific instruments, longer flight times and the ability to collect different types of measurements during the same mission. NASA plans to use it to study atmospheric conditions, improve satellite observations and develop technology that could help scientists better understand everything from severe winter weather to air pollution. (10/15)
Maritime Launch Services Closer to Listing on Toronto Stock Exchange (Source: Maritime Launch Services)
Maritime Launch Services, developer of Spaceport Nova Scotia, announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved the listing of the company's common shares, subject to the Company satisfying the customary listing requirements of the TSX and receiving final approval. The Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the TSX under the symbol "MAXQ" and will continue to trade on Cboe Canada until trading commences on the TSX. (10/15)
Governor Newsom Visits Space Beach (Source: Gov. Gavin Newsom)
Governor Gavin Newsom visited Long Beach — also known as “Space Beach” — a dynamic hub for modern commercial and aerospace manufacturing with a deep legacy in the field. From Space Beach to Silicon Valley, California’s commercial space ecosystem is powering America’s next generation of exploration. At “Space Beach,” Governor Newsom toured Rocket Lab, a leading California aerospace company that manufactures designs and manufactures orbital rockets, spacecraft, satellites, and other components.
California’s Space Economy spans launch, testing, R&D, tracking and communications, and defense infrastructure across every region of the state. The Golden State is home to one-third of the nation’s space technology companies and has more aerospace engineers and defense personnel than any other state. California ranks #1 in corporate aerospace R&D spending and #1 in space-technology venture capital. Together, these reflect the nation’s highest concentration of aerospace talent, with California alone accounting for roughly 40% of all U.S. space-technology patents.
California Community Colleges (CCC), California State University (CSU), and the University of California (UC) form the nation’s most productive public pipeline for aerospace talent. Alongside private institutions such as Stanford, USC, and Caltech, this engine helps California produce more aerospace engineers than anywhere in the U.S. California has over 96,000 aerospace manufacturing jobs, more than any other state. (10/15)
Brain Tissue Sent to ISS for Research (Source: Independent)
Lab-grown human brain tissue arrived at the ISS as part of an unusual experiment. The three-dimensional miniature human brain models called miBrains contain lab-grown neural tissue. Scientists will look for cellular and genetic changes induced by microgravity and radiation, which could impact human aging and neurological disease. (10/15)
NASA's SkyFall Helicopters Will 'Show Us Parts of Mars We've Never Seen Before' (Source: Space.com)
NASA is accelerating the development of three helicopters that will be deployed into the sky above Mars after a voyage aboard NASA's Space Reactor‑1 Freedom spacecraft. Slated for launch in 2028, SR-1 Freedom is the first fission nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft and is assigned the duty of dropping off the SkyFall entry capsule loaded with the trio of aerial vehicles at the Red Planet. SR-1's trajectory will deliver the SkyFall helicopters in Mars' northern hemisphere during the planet's spring season to avoid dust storms.
Each low-flying helicopter is outfitted with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) instrument, one that can detect layering in the near surface, at depths unobservable by orbital radar. Those layers could be assembled from rocky material, buried ice, or combinations of the two. Detection of near-surface ice is of interest both scientifically as well as in support of future human expeditions to Mars. (10/15)
Seraphim Space Investment Trust Doubled its Value in 2026 (Source: Payload)
Seraphim Space Investment Trust published its FY26 financials yesterday, revealing a valuation of £605.5M (€716.3M)—more than double its value in June 2025. Seraphim’s major holdings—ICEYE, ALL.SPACE, D-Orbit, HawkEye 360, and Xona Space Systems, which together represent more than 75% of the firm’s portfolio—all had a great year, and that success has trickled upwards. However, Seraphim has also benefitted heavily from a favorable macroeconomic environment, as government spending on space continues to increase and VC interest in the sector grows. (10/16)
Scientists Discover 'Chemical Starter Kit' for Life in Planetary Birthplaces (Source: Space.com)
Methanol, coming as part of the 'chemical starter kit' around young stars, has produced some unexpected surprises that could ultimately reveal some of the conditions in which planets and potentially life form around protostars. The methanol discoveries were made by astronomers using ALMA (the Atacama Large millimeter/submillimeter Array) in the Atacama Desert in Chile, as part of a project called COMPASS (the Complex Organic Molecules in Protostars with ALMA Spectral Surveys). (10/15)
SDA Transport Satellite Constellation Grows Larger As Integration Lags (Source: Aviation Week)
With more than 80 satellites in orbit, the U.S. Space Development Agency’s nascent orbital mesh network is still proving elusive to establish. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) fourth plane of Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites—the first such batch from Northrop Grumman—to low Earth orbit on Oct. 10.
That mission was originally slated to launch Oct. 5, but the Falcon 9’s automated systems halted the initial countdown just before liftoff. The launch was then pushed off two more times as SpaceX conducted extra safety checks on the vehicle and worked with the U.S. Space Force to deconflict with other mission deployments. (10/16)
Martian Soil Map Defines 2000 Classes and Names One Most Promising for Crops (Source: Sky Nightly)
Mars has a best soil for growing crops, at least on paper, and it covers 0.14 percent of the planet. A University of Sydney team calls it Nohibareth, and in a proof-of-concept test it scored 0.93 on a zero-to-one scale for plant production. The modelled average profile behind that score is a pH of 6.8, 72 percent clay, little sand or gravel, and an estimated 202 millimeters of water held per meter of soil. Nohibareth is one of 2000 classes in the Provisional Polythetic Areth Classification System, or PPACS, which Daniel Irving, a PhD student, built from orbital observations and models.
The name comes from Irving's proposed term for Martian soil classes, areths, after Ares, the Greek name for Mars. The system sorts almost 800 million locations into 10 realms, 100 assemblages and 2000 forms by properties including texture, mineralogy, pH and profile thickness, and a companion map covers 92 percent of the surface. The university calls it the first comprehensive classification system and map of Martian soils.
The next step is on Earth. The team proposes mixing Mars-like substrates to match the mapped classes and growing crops in them under controlled conditions, with added nutrients and managed water, to compare growth, water use and the treatment each mixture needs to be made safe. Plants have grown in simulant before: in 2014 Wieger Wamelink of Wageningen raised 14 species in NASA-supplied Mars and Moon regolith simulant over 50 days. The map gives such mixtures something specific to match. After that the check moves back to Mars, where rover measurements and samples would show whether Nohibareth really lies where the models put it, on that 0.14 percent of the planet. (10/16)
China Plans Tiangong Test Flights for Mengzhou Ahead of its 2030 Moon Landing Goal (Source: Beyond LEO)
China's spacecraft for its planned crewed Moon landing has yet to reach orbit. The Mengzhou prototype flew on February 11 atop a prototype Long March-10, but the mission was a low-altitude test designed to demonstrate the spacecraft's ability to escape an ascending rocket under maximum aerodynamic stress. The capsule separated successfully and splashed down in the sea, marking an important milestone without testing orbital operations.
The Long March-10 heavy rocket, Mengzhou in orbit and the Lanyue lunar lander must still demonstrate their capabilities, while the complete mission will require two launches and multiple rendezvous and docking operations around the Moon. The next major step is closer to home. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) plans to send Mengzhou to the Tiangong space station in 2026, followed by repeated station flights intended to test the spacecraft and improve its reliability before it carries astronauts towards the Moon. The landing target remains 2030. The challenge is completing the flight-test program needed to make that date achievable. (10/16)
October 16, 2026
NASA Accelerates Changes to
Communications and Digital Systems Under Trump’s “Super Intelligence”
Order (Source: Space.com)
Internal NASA documents and meeting recordings show agency officials pressing to implement President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming AI as “super intelligence.” The changes are affecting NASA communications and digital systems, while employees have raised concerns about the pace and pressure behind the effort.
Despite introducing the new name, the order retains the federal government's existing definition of artificial intelligence, which broadly covers machine-based learning systems capable of making predictions, recommendations or decisions. That means technologies already classified as AI can now be designated "super intelligence" without demonstrating any additional capabilities. (10/16)
Warnock Secures $97.1 Million for DoD Projects at 10 HBCUs, Including FAMU (Source: The Q Gentleman)
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock has announced $97.1 million in federal funding for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs across 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Department of Defense grants are designed to expand research infrastructure, enhance technical training, and build a pipeline for the next generation of Black scientists, engineers, and innovators. Tallahassee-based FAMU will receive $10 million.
Twenty-eight percent of all Black graduates with STEM degrees in the U.S. earn them at HBCUs. Nearly 50% of all Black engineers in the country graduate from an HBCU, and approximately 70% of Black doctors and dentists complete their undergraduate studies at one. HBCU alumni have long shaped scientific discovery, from NASA astronaut Dr. Ronald McNair, a North Carolina A&T graduate, to MIT nuclear engineering trailblazer Dr. Mareena Robinson Snowden, who attended FAMU. The federal investment builds on that legacy by directing resources to the institutions that have consistently produced the country’s leading Black scientists and engineers. (10/15)
RATLOG Wants to Cut ~90% of a Rocket Engine’s Parts (Source: Payload)
RATLOG launched this week—but not from a pad. The heavy-lift rocket startup debuted in Y Combinator as part of the Fall 2026 batch. As students in Dresden, Germany, the RATLOG founders were disappointed by the lack of ambitious job opportunities available after graduating—so they decided to build their own instead. RATLOG’s pitch diverges from the traditional approach to rocket-engine design—starting with eliminating ~90% of the engine’s parts.
RATLOG’s engine skips the turbopump and builds pressure by physically rotating the whole engine, the company says. In a rotating detonation engine, by contrast, only the flame spins. RATLOG is focused on moving quickly. The team landed its first funding—a €30k ($34k) grant from the German government—in April. With the money, it tested its first prototype in early September and joined Y Combinator a few weeks later. (10/16)
Stoke Readies Testing for Reusable Upper Stage (Source: Ars Technica)
The reusable upper stage for Stoke Space’s Nova rocket has left the company’s factory in Kent, Washington, for what would be the last time, Stoke wrote on X this week. Now at Stoke’s test facility in Moses Lake, the second stage will undergo cryo-proof testing and a hotfire campaign with its Andromeda engine. The milestone follows the completion of “proto-qualification” testing on Nova’s first stage earlier this year. Nova’s booster section is a rather conventional reusable first stage, but the upper stage is what sets the rocket apart. Stoke designed Nova for full reusability, with the upper stage protected by a regeneratively cooled heat shield and powered by a ring of 24 thrusters, an engine collectively named Andromeda.
Next stop, Cape Canaveral … The upcoming tests at Moses Lake will be a linchpin for Stoke’s ambition to launch the Nova rocket next year. If all goes according to plan, Stoke will ship the reusable rocket stage to Cape Canaveral, Florida, where it will meet the other elements of the rocket for final launch preparations. The medium-lift Nova is the only fully reusable Western rocket other than SpaceX’s Starship in an advanced stage of development. (10/16)
"Orbity Deorbitface"? UK Space Agency Opens Competition to Name Active Debris Removal Mission (Source: Spacewatch Global)
The UK Space Agency has opened a public competition to name its planned 2029 active debris-removal mission. The spacecraft is intended to capture two defunct satellites in orbit, making the mission a practical demonstration of efforts to remove debris from Earth orbit. (10/16)
China Urges RF Beacons on Every LEO Satellite to Reduce Collision Risk (Source: Space Intel Report)
China’s representative to the ITU Space Sustainability Forum proposed equipping every low Earth orbit satellite with radio-frequency identification beacons, likening the approach to aviation’s ADS-B and maritime AIS. He argued that universal beacons would be the most effective measure against orbital crowding and collision risk, even more so than sharing ephemeris data among satellite operators. (10/15)
Oman’s Durri Space Orders Three Optical Ground Stations From Cailabs (Source: Via Satellite)
Omani space communications company Durri Space has contracted Cailabs to supply three optical ground stations, according to an announcement Thursday. The deal expands ground infrastructure for optical communications in Oman, though the available reports do not disclose the contract value, delivery schedule or intended customer missions. (10/15)
BAE Systems to Develop RF Terminals for Space Force (Source: SatNews)
BAE Systems secured a contract with the US Space Force's Space Systems Command for the development of space-based data layer compact RF terminals. The agreement focuses on engineering flight-qualified terminals that will support resilient communications between satellites and ground stations, forming a key component of the military's expanding data relay architecture. The contract aligns with the Department of War's push for interconnected, jam-resistant communication. (10/15)
Leonardo Keeps Spot on NASA Enterprise Procurement List (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
Leonardo DRS has been awarded a 10-year prime contract under NASA's Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement VI, maintaining its role as a SEWP prime contractor since 2015. The contract allows Leonardo DRS to provide a range of technologies directly to federal agencies. (10/16)
Blue Origin Outlines New Glenn Launch Infrastructure Upgrades at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space News)
Blue Origin has outlined plans for additional launch pads and other facilities to support a much higher rate of New Glenn launches. In a statement Friday, a Blue Origin executive said the company is planning two pads at locations to be announced at Cape Canaveral, Florida, in addition to the rebuilt LC-36A pad and new LC-36B pad the company announced earlier this year. Blue Origin is also working on two more ships that will serve as landing platforms for New Glenn boosters. It is building additional facilities in and around the Space Coast, including one that will be able to produce as much as 150 New Glenn upper stages annually. Blue Origin said the infrastructure will enable multiple New Glenn launches each week by the end of the decade. (10/16)
SpaceX Aims for Environmental Approval to Launch Up to 100 Starships Annually, 200 Landings (Source: Space News)
SpaceX is seeking environmental approval for a sharp increase in Starship launches from Texas. The FAA announced this week it is starting an environmental impact statement for a two-phased increase in Starship launches from Starbase, Texas. The first phase would increase launches from the current limit of 25 per year to 100, along with as many as 200 landings of Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stages. The second phase would further increase that launch limit to 456 per year, but restrict launches to weekdays. The efforts by SpaceX and Blue Origin to increase launches come as the FAA is taking steps to streamline launch licensing procedures. (10/16)
More Chinese Launch Startups Plan Reusable Rockets (Source: Space News)
Three more Chinese launch startups are pursuing reusable rockets, using a variety of design approaches. Juneng Tianqing (Beijing) Space Technology Co. Ltd., which brands itself as Nexus in English, unveiled its Skyhold family of three reusable methalox rockets last week. The QT-1, QT-1M and QT-2 would all use a single in-house 160-ton-class oxygen-rich staged-combustion engine but for different applications, one involving a spaceplane.
Shanghai Jianqi Technology, also known as Rocket Nova, announced it had raised a cumulative $29.9 million (200 million yuan) since its founding in January that will fund initial work on Hujian-1, a "second-generation" reusable rocket that would reuse both stages. Shanghai Xuanwu Interstellar Aerospace, or Xuanwu Space, unveiled its Luduan-9 concept, a Falcon 9-like two-stage methalox launcher with nine engines on a recoverable first stage. The company presents itself primarily as a space computing provider. (10/16)
LEAP Plans Bighorn Small Launcher (Source: Space News)
An American startup is targeting a 2028 first flight of a small launch vehicle. LEAP is developing Bighorn, a launch vehicle the company plans to introduce with a payload capacity as much as 145 kilograms to low Earth orbit before increasing its performance in later versions. LEAP, founded in 2022 and legally incorporated as Pivotal Space Inc., has been financed largely with private capital, with ONE Bow River National Defense Fund, a private equity fund, as its primary backer. LEAP believes that demand for rapid satellite replacement, military missions and dedicated launches has strengthened the business case for smaller vehicles. (10/16)
Axiom Official Pleased with Adjustments to Space Station RFP (Source: Space News)
The CEO of commercial space station developer Axiom Space says he is largely satisfied with NASA's call for proposals for supporting such stations. Jonathan Cirtain said that the final RFP released last Friday for NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) program is something "that we can live with." He and others in the industry had raised concerns about an earlier draft RFP, including how it handles crew transportation and the number of requirements it levies on companies. Cirtain said he was still concerned in general that NASA and other government agencies were placing too many prescriptive requirements on companies, limiting innovation. He added that Axiom expects to have its station ready by the current ISS retirement date of 2030. (10/16)
SpaceX Launches California Classified Falcon 9 Mission on Thursday (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched another classified Space Force mission Thursday. a Falcon 9 lifted off at 8:01 p.m. Eastern from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a mission designated USSF-481. The Space Force did not reveal details about the payload, which appeared headed for a high-inclination orbit. The mission was also designated as "TH-2" in public notices; another Falcon 9 launched TH-1, or USSF-259, a month ago. (10/16)
Dragon Capsule Docks with ISS Cargo (Source: Space.com)
A Dragon cargo spacecraft docked with the ISS Thursday morning. The Dragon docked with zenith port on the station's Harmony module at 10:27 a.m. Eastern, about 52 hours after its launch from Cape Canaveral. The Dragon, flying the CRS-35 or SpX-35 mission, carries more than 2,800 kilograms of cargo for the station, including a new pair of solar arrays that will be installed on upcoming spacewalks. (10/16)
Space Command HQ in Alabama to Cost $4 Billion (Source: Space News)
The new headquarters for U.S. Space Command in Alabama will cost $4 billion. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is seeking a design-build contractor to deliver the headquarters and supporting data center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, according to a notice to industry published this week. The facility is intended to accommodate approximately 1,800 military and civilian personnel and be ready for operational use by December 2031. The $4 billion price tag is higher than earlier estimates for the headquarters project. The newer estimate covers not only design and construction but also outfitting the complex with communications and computing systems, installing equipment, testing the completed facility and obtaining the security accreditations required for classified operations. (10/16)
BlackSky Contracted to Provide Imagery of Satellites in Orbit (Source: Space News)
BlackSky has extended a contract to provide non-Earth imaging of other satellites and space objects for Australian company HEO. The seven-figure contract extension, announced Thursday, will enable HEO to acquire "fully automated, low-latency" information on space objects by combining data from BlackSky's Gen-2 and Gen-3 satellites with HEO software and analysis. HEO uses satellites from BlackSky and other companies to observe satellites and debris to identify and better characterize them. (10/16)
Space Coast Facility to Expand CesiumAstro’s Engineering and Manufacturing Capabilities (Source: EDC of Florida's Space Coast)
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced that CesiumAstro has selected Melbourne for a new engineering and manufacturing facility. The company will invest $25 million in capital improvements and create 100 new, high-paying jobs over the next 12 months. CesiumAstro develops and produces space and defense systems, from satellites and communications payloads to terminals and advanced computing systems. By bringing hardware, software, manufacturing, and testing together in-house, the company delivers integrated systems for commercial, government, and national security missions. (10/15)
Space Launch Delta 45 Hosts Spaceport of the Future Forum (Source: USSF)
Space Launch Delta 45 hosted a Spaceport of the Future forum Oct. 15, 2026, at the base auditorium, bringing together government, industry and utility partners to discuss the infrastructure, policies and operational coordination needed to support the growing launch demand on the Eastern Range. The forum featured question-and-answer sessions among SLD 45 leaders, launch service providers and regional utility partners, including Florida Power & Light.
Discussions focused on shared challenges and opportunities associated with increasing launch cadence, expanding infrastructure capacity and ensuring the long-term resilience of the nation’s busiest spaceport. Spaceport of the Future is an initiative designed to prepare USSF spaceport operations for increased capacity through enhanced capabilities, policies and processes. (10/15)
U.S. Space Industry Leaders Gather in Vienna, Launch $5 Million U.S. “Project Constellation” Space Initiative (Source: USDOC Office of Space Commerce)
The U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna is hosting the second annual U.S. Space Forum at the Vienna International Center, where the United States announced the launch of Project Constellation – a new $5 million initiative to foster partnerships with countries in space-related activities, advancing U.S. commercial and policy leadership in outer space. Project Constellation will connect American companies, researchers, and space experts with international partners through commercial diplomacy, fellowships, pitch competitions, study tours, and cooperation on the safe exploration and use of space. (10/15)
Venezuela's Conatel Authorizes Starlink Nationwide With Seven Ku-Band Concessions (Source: Mach 33)
Venezuela's telecom regulator Conatel said on October 9 that it had approved a general license and seven Ku-band concessions for SpaceX's local unit, authorizing Starlink satellite internet service nationwide. The release credited the policies of President Delcy Rodríguez and said Starlink would operate formally, with a domicile and oversight in the country. (10/9)
ANATEL Grants Starlink 15+15 MHz Of 2 GHz S-Band Spectrum For Direct To Cell In Brazil (Source: Mach 33)
Brazil's telecom regulator ANATEL voted on October 9 to grant Starlink 15+15 MHz of 2 GHz S-band spectrum for direct-to-cell service, half of the 30+30 MHz it first sought. The 4-1 decision covers 10+10 MHz through 2038 and an extra 5+5 MHz until June 2029, when EchoStar's rights in that block expire. (10/9)
EU Nations Back Military Space Project Worth up to $27 Billion, Propose Shared Tracking Data (Source: Space News)
European governments are preparing to invest up to 24 billion euros ($27 billion) in SPACE, a joint military space project spanning satellite communications, surveillance and missile warning. The initiative is part of a broader EU effort to expand its defense capabilities in orbit. SPACE will involve participation from 20 countries, including 18 EU member states, Norway and Ukraine. The project covers space-based early warning, satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, positioning, navigation and timing, navigation warfare and responsive space systems.
Participating countries will examine the development of a multi-mission constellation, with a focus on the common procurement of defense products and supporting infrastructure. Less than a day after SPACE was approved, 15 European Union countries agreed to establish a separate initiative to jointly access and share data used to track and characterize objects in orbit. (10/14)
Sidus Space Secures More Than $3 Million in Space and Defense Manufacturing Awards in Third Quarter (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced that it secured more than $3 million in space and defense hardware manufacturing contracts and purchase orders during the third quarter of 2026. The awards add to the Company's growing portfolio of space and defense hardware manufacturing contracts supporting government, defense, intelligence, and commercial customers. (10/14)
Spaceport Nova Scotia First Orbital Launch Target has Slipped From 2023 to 2028 (Source: Beyond LEO)
Maritime Launch has commissioned an onboard flight safety system for a spaceport that has not yet seen a launch. On Oct 7, 2026, at DEFSEC Atlantic in Halifax, Galaxia and Maritime Launch Services announced that Galaxia will develop and supply an Autonomous Flight Safety System, or AFSS, for launches from the site near Canso. The release gives no flight date, no vehicle, no contract value and no certification timeline. Isar Aerospace, which signed in July for a dedicated launch complex at the spaceport, is targeting first orbital launches there in 2028, five years after the first date Maritime Launch put on the event. (10/15)
What is China Doing With its Secret Spaceplane? (Source: Supercluster)
In June, it released a small satellite and captured it, probably with a robotic arm (although experts are not sure) three weeks later. In August, Shenlong again deployed a small satellite, retreated a few thousand miles into the void, only to return a few weeks later to chase the small-sat again, according to astronomer and space sustainability expert Jonathan McDowell. Many Western experts perceived the act as China’s demonstration of formidable technological prowess that could be used to take out other nations’ satellites. The technology, however, is also a key enabler for in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and in-space manufacturing.
What unsettles the Western security experts is the fact that no other nation has achieved such advanced levels of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) — that kind of close-range orbital maneuvering needed to inspect, dock with, and move other spacecraft. America’s own secretive spaceplane X-37B has released a series of satellites during its eight missions, some of them classified, but has never rendezvoused with another space object, as far as publicly available information goes. (10/6)
Space Sector Faced More Than One Cyberattack Per Day in 2025 (Source: Via Satellite)
By crawling through hundreds of Telegram channels, cybercriminal forums, and other open sources, 407 cyber operations against the space sector were identified in 2025, accounting for more than one attack per day.
The pattern was not random. Cyber activity surged alongside geopolitical crises, with notable spikes during tensions between Ukraine and the United States, the India-Pakistan crisis, and the Israel-Iran war. Out of 407 identified operations, 183 distinct space-related entities in 46 countries were identified as targets, many of which were targeted repeatedly. (10/14)
JAXA Taps ArkEdge for Two Lunar Navigation Demos (Source: Payload)
Today’s Moon explorers won’t have the luxury of GPS-like tech for navigation. But JAXA is trying to change that for future lunar visitors. The space agency tapped Japanese space startup ArkEdge Space for two projects designed to improve navigation on the Moon. These awards build on work the startup is already doing with the Japanese space agency, including designing a constellation of small satellites around the Moon to enable navigation. (10/15)
In Orbit Aerospace Pivots From Re-entry Vehicles to Spacecraft Autonomy (Source: Payload)
In Orbit Aerospace has swapped reentry vehicles for autonomy software, and NASA and the Space Force are funding the shift. The Torrance, CA-based startup has won new government contracts for its onboard AI system, which the company says can run a spacecraft’s operations without waiting on ground control. (10/14)
Solar Foods Joins Deep Space Food Consortium (Source: Solar Foods)
Solar Foods has joined the Deep Space Food Consortium as a foundational member. The consortium, established by the administrators and partners of the Deep Space Food Challenge organized by NASA and CSA, aims for the development and deployment of sustainable, evolvable space food systems that enable human exploration and habitation beyond Earth, while advancing resilient, efficient, and equitable food systems for life on Earth.
Solar Foods' Solein production technology offers an attractive value add to space habitat operators through substantial reduction in resupply needs of food and especially water, in addition to providing a fresh source of nutritious protein onboard. The company’s aim is to integrate the Solein fermentation technology with the onboard life support systems of future commercial space stations as well as future surface habitats on the Moon and eventually on Mars.
The Deep Space Food Consortium’s (DSFC) mission is to unify global space food research and development. The independent, technology-agnostic organization coordinates the emerging space food ecosystem, bringing together researchers, space agencies, food companies, technology developers, private space station companies, funders, and public sector partners to define shared priorities, identify implementation gaps, prioritize research and support the validation of food system technologies for both future low earth orbit and long-duration exploration missions. (10/15)
Internal NASA documents and meeting recordings show agency officials pressing to implement President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming AI as “super intelligence.” The changes are affecting NASA communications and digital systems, while employees have raised concerns about the pace and pressure behind the effort.
Despite introducing the new name, the order retains the federal government's existing definition of artificial intelligence, which broadly covers machine-based learning systems capable of making predictions, recommendations or decisions. That means technologies already classified as AI can now be designated "super intelligence" without demonstrating any additional capabilities. (10/16)
Warnock Secures $97.1 Million for DoD Projects at 10 HBCUs, Including FAMU (Source: The Q Gentleman)
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock has announced $97.1 million in federal funding for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs across 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Department of Defense grants are designed to expand research infrastructure, enhance technical training, and build a pipeline for the next generation of Black scientists, engineers, and innovators. Tallahassee-based FAMU will receive $10 million.
Twenty-eight percent of all Black graduates with STEM degrees in the U.S. earn them at HBCUs. Nearly 50% of all Black engineers in the country graduate from an HBCU, and approximately 70% of Black doctors and dentists complete their undergraduate studies at one. HBCU alumni have long shaped scientific discovery, from NASA astronaut Dr. Ronald McNair, a North Carolina A&T graduate, to MIT nuclear engineering trailblazer Dr. Mareena Robinson Snowden, who attended FAMU. The federal investment builds on that legacy by directing resources to the institutions that have consistently produced the country’s leading Black scientists and engineers. (10/15)
RATLOG Wants to Cut ~90% of a Rocket Engine’s Parts (Source: Payload)
RATLOG launched this week—but not from a pad. The heavy-lift rocket startup debuted in Y Combinator as part of the Fall 2026 batch. As students in Dresden, Germany, the RATLOG founders were disappointed by the lack of ambitious job opportunities available after graduating—so they decided to build their own instead. RATLOG’s pitch diverges from the traditional approach to rocket-engine design—starting with eliminating ~90% of the engine’s parts.
RATLOG’s engine skips the turbopump and builds pressure by physically rotating the whole engine, the company says. In a rotating detonation engine, by contrast, only the flame spins. RATLOG is focused on moving quickly. The team landed its first funding—a €30k ($34k) grant from the German government—in April. With the money, it tested its first prototype in early September and joined Y Combinator a few weeks later. (10/16)
Stoke Readies Testing for Reusable Upper Stage (Source: Ars Technica)
The reusable upper stage for Stoke Space’s Nova rocket has left the company’s factory in Kent, Washington, for what would be the last time, Stoke wrote on X this week. Now at Stoke’s test facility in Moses Lake, the second stage will undergo cryo-proof testing and a hotfire campaign with its Andromeda engine. The milestone follows the completion of “proto-qualification” testing on Nova’s first stage earlier this year. Nova’s booster section is a rather conventional reusable first stage, but the upper stage is what sets the rocket apart. Stoke designed Nova for full reusability, with the upper stage protected by a regeneratively cooled heat shield and powered by a ring of 24 thrusters, an engine collectively named Andromeda.
Next stop, Cape Canaveral … The upcoming tests at Moses Lake will be a linchpin for Stoke’s ambition to launch the Nova rocket next year. If all goes according to plan, Stoke will ship the reusable rocket stage to Cape Canaveral, Florida, where it will meet the other elements of the rocket for final launch preparations. The medium-lift Nova is the only fully reusable Western rocket other than SpaceX’s Starship in an advanced stage of development. (10/16)
"Orbity Deorbitface"? UK Space Agency Opens Competition to Name Active Debris Removal Mission (Source: Spacewatch Global)
The UK Space Agency has opened a public competition to name its planned 2029 active debris-removal mission. The spacecraft is intended to capture two defunct satellites in orbit, making the mission a practical demonstration of efforts to remove debris from Earth orbit. (10/16)
China Urges RF Beacons on Every LEO Satellite to Reduce Collision Risk (Source: Space Intel Report)
China’s representative to the ITU Space Sustainability Forum proposed equipping every low Earth orbit satellite with radio-frequency identification beacons, likening the approach to aviation’s ADS-B and maritime AIS. He argued that universal beacons would be the most effective measure against orbital crowding and collision risk, even more so than sharing ephemeris data among satellite operators. (10/15)
Oman’s Durri Space Orders Three Optical Ground Stations From Cailabs (Source: Via Satellite)
Omani space communications company Durri Space has contracted Cailabs to supply three optical ground stations, according to an announcement Thursday. The deal expands ground infrastructure for optical communications in Oman, though the available reports do not disclose the contract value, delivery schedule or intended customer missions. (10/15)
BAE Systems to Develop RF Terminals for Space Force (Source: SatNews)
BAE Systems secured a contract with the US Space Force's Space Systems Command for the development of space-based data layer compact RF terminals. The agreement focuses on engineering flight-qualified terminals that will support resilient communications between satellites and ground stations, forming a key component of the military's expanding data relay architecture. The contract aligns with the Department of War's push for interconnected, jam-resistant communication. (10/15)
Leonardo Keeps Spot on NASA Enterprise Procurement List (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
Leonardo DRS has been awarded a 10-year prime contract under NASA's Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement VI, maintaining its role as a SEWP prime contractor since 2015. The contract allows Leonardo DRS to provide a range of technologies directly to federal agencies. (10/16)
Blue Origin Outlines New Glenn Launch Infrastructure Upgrades at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space News)
Blue Origin has outlined plans for additional launch pads and other facilities to support a much higher rate of New Glenn launches. In a statement Friday, a Blue Origin executive said the company is planning two pads at locations to be announced at Cape Canaveral, Florida, in addition to the rebuilt LC-36A pad and new LC-36B pad the company announced earlier this year. Blue Origin is also working on two more ships that will serve as landing platforms for New Glenn boosters. It is building additional facilities in and around the Space Coast, including one that will be able to produce as much as 150 New Glenn upper stages annually. Blue Origin said the infrastructure will enable multiple New Glenn launches each week by the end of the decade. (10/16)
SpaceX Aims for Environmental Approval to Launch Up to 100 Starships Annually, 200 Landings (Source: Space News)
SpaceX is seeking environmental approval for a sharp increase in Starship launches from Texas. The FAA announced this week it is starting an environmental impact statement for a two-phased increase in Starship launches from Starbase, Texas. The first phase would increase launches from the current limit of 25 per year to 100, along with as many as 200 landings of Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stages. The second phase would further increase that launch limit to 456 per year, but restrict launches to weekdays. The efforts by SpaceX and Blue Origin to increase launches come as the FAA is taking steps to streamline launch licensing procedures. (10/16)
More Chinese Launch Startups Plan Reusable Rockets (Source: Space News)
Three more Chinese launch startups are pursuing reusable rockets, using a variety of design approaches. Juneng Tianqing (Beijing) Space Technology Co. Ltd., which brands itself as Nexus in English, unveiled its Skyhold family of three reusable methalox rockets last week. The QT-1, QT-1M and QT-2 would all use a single in-house 160-ton-class oxygen-rich staged-combustion engine but for different applications, one involving a spaceplane.
Shanghai Jianqi Technology, also known as Rocket Nova, announced it had raised a cumulative $29.9 million (200 million yuan) since its founding in January that will fund initial work on Hujian-1, a "second-generation" reusable rocket that would reuse both stages. Shanghai Xuanwu Interstellar Aerospace, or Xuanwu Space, unveiled its Luduan-9 concept, a Falcon 9-like two-stage methalox launcher with nine engines on a recoverable first stage. The company presents itself primarily as a space computing provider. (10/16)
LEAP Plans Bighorn Small Launcher (Source: Space News)
An American startup is targeting a 2028 first flight of a small launch vehicle. LEAP is developing Bighorn, a launch vehicle the company plans to introduce with a payload capacity as much as 145 kilograms to low Earth orbit before increasing its performance in later versions. LEAP, founded in 2022 and legally incorporated as Pivotal Space Inc., has been financed largely with private capital, with ONE Bow River National Defense Fund, a private equity fund, as its primary backer. LEAP believes that demand for rapid satellite replacement, military missions and dedicated launches has strengthened the business case for smaller vehicles. (10/16)
Axiom Official Pleased with Adjustments to Space Station RFP (Source: Space News)
The CEO of commercial space station developer Axiom Space says he is largely satisfied with NASA's call for proposals for supporting such stations. Jonathan Cirtain said that the final RFP released last Friday for NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) program is something "that we can live with." He and others in the industry had raised concerns about an earlier draft RFP, including how it handles crew transportation and the number of requirements it levies on companies. Cirtain said he was still concerned in general that NASA and other government agencies were placing too many prescriptive requirements on companies, limiting innovation. He added that Axiom expects to have its station ready by the current ISS retirement date of 2030. (10/16)
SpaceX Launches California Classified Falcon 9 Mission on Thursday (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched another classified Space Force mission Thursday. a Falcon 9 lifted off at 8:01 p.m. Eastern from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a mission designated USSF-481. The Space Force did not reveal details about the payload, which appeared headed for a high-inclination orbit. The mission was also designated as "TH-2" in public notices; another Falcon 9 launched TH-1, or USSF-259, a month ago. (10/16)
Dragon Capsule Docks with ISS Cargo (Source: Space.com)
A Dragon cargo spacecraft docked with the ISS Thursday morning. The Dragon docked with zenith port on the station's Harmony module at 10:27 a.m. Eastern, about 52 hours after its launch from Cape Canaveral. The Dragon, flying the CRS-35 or SpX-35 mission, carries more than 2,800 kilograms of cargo for the station, including a new pair of solar arrays that will be installed on upcoming spacewalks. (10/16)
Space Command HQ in Alabama to Cost $4 Billion (Source: Space News)
The new headquarters for U.S. Space Command in Alabama will cost $4 billion. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is seeking a design-build contractor to deliver the headquarters and supporting data center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, according to a notice to industry published this week. The facility is intended to accommodate approximately 1,800 military and civilian personnel and be ready for operational use by December 2031. The $4 billion price tag is higher than earlier estimates for the headquarters project. The newer estimate covers not only design and construction but also outfitting the complex with communications and computing systems, installing equipment, testing the completed facility and obtaining the security accreditations required for classified operations. (10/16)
BlackSky Contracted to Provide Imagery of Satellites in Orbit (Source: Space News)
BlackSky has extended a contract to provide non-Earth imaging of other satellites and space objects for Australian company HEO. The seven-figure contract extension, announced Thursday, will enable HEO to acquire "fully automated, low-latency" information on space objects by combining data from BlackSky's Gen-2 and Gen-3 satellites with HEO software and analysis. HEO uses satellites from BlackSky and other companies to observe satellites and debris to identify and better characterize them. (10/16)
Space Coast Facility to Expand CesiumAstro’s Engineering and Manufacturing Capabilities (Source: EDC of Florida's Space Coast)
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced that CesiumAstro has selected Melbourne for a new engineering and manufacturing facility. The company will invest $25 million in capital improvements and create 100 new, high-paying jobs over the next 12 months. CesiumAstro develops and produces space and defense systems, from satellites and communications payloads to terminals and advanced computing systems. By bringing hardware, software, manufacturing, and testing together in-house, the company delivers integrated systems for commercial, government, and national security missions. (10/15)
Space Launch Delta 45 Hosts Spaceport of the Future Forum (Source: USSF)
Space Launch Delta 45 hosted a Spaceport of the Future forum Oct. 15, 2026, at the base auditorium, bringing together government, industry and utility partners to discuss the infrastructure, policies and operational coordination needed to support the growing launch demand on the Eastern Range. The forum featured question-and-answer sessions among SLD 45 leaders, launch service providers and regional utility partners, including Florida Power & Light.
Discussions focused on shared challenges and opportunities associated with increasing launch cadence, expanding infrastructure capacity and ensuring the long-term resilience of the nation’s busiest spaceport. Spaceport of the Future is an initiative designed to prepare USSF spaceport operations for increased capacity through enhanced capabilities, policies and processes. (10/15)
U.S. Space Industry Leaders Gather in Vienna, Launch $5 Million U.S. “Project Constellation” Space Initiative (Source: USDOC Office of Space Commerce)
The U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna is hosting the second annual U.S. Space Forum at the Vienna International Center, where the United States announced the launch of Project Constellation – a new $5 million initiative to foster partnerships with countries in space-related activities, advancing U.S. commercial and policy leadership in outer space. Project Constellation will connect American companies, researchers, and space experts with international partners through commercial diplomacy, fellowships, pitch competitions, study tours, and cooperation on the safe exploration and use of space. (10/15)
Venezuela's Conatel Authorizes Starlink Nationwide With Seven Ku-Band Concessions (Source: Mach 33)
Venezuela's telecom regulator Conatel said on October 9 that it had approved a general license and seven Ku-band concessions for SpaceX's local unit, authorizing Starlink satellite internet service nationwide. The release credited the policies of President Delcy Rodríguez and said Starlink would operate formally, with a domicile and oversight in the country. (10/9)
ANATEL Grants Starlink 15+15 MHz Of 2 GHz S-Band Spectrum For Direct To Cell In Brazil (Source: Mach 33)
Brazil's telecom regulator ANATEL voted on October 9 to grant Starlink 15+15 MHz of 2 GHz S-band spectrum for direct-to-cell service, half of the 30+30 MHz it first sought. The 4-1 decision covers 10+10 MHz through 2038 and an extra 5+5 MHz until June 2029, when EchoStar's rights in that block expire. (10/9)
EU Nations Back Military Space Project Worth up to $27 Billion, Propose Shared Tracking Data (Source: Space News)
European governments are preparing to invest up to 24 billion euros ($27 billion) in SPACE, a joint military space project spanning satellite communications, surveillance and missile warning. The initiative is part of a broader EU effort to expand its defense capabilities in orbit. SPACE will involve participation from 20 countries, including 18 EU member states, Norway and Ukraine. The project covers space-based early warning, satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, positioning, navigation and timing, navigation warfare and responsive space systems.
Participating countries will examine the development of a multi-mission constellation, with a focus on the common procurement of defense products and supporting infrastructure. Less than a day after SPACE was approved, 15 European Union countries agreed to establish a separate initiative to jointly access and share data used to track and characterize objects in orbit. (10/14)
Sidus Space Secures More Than $3 Million in Space and Defense Manufacturing Awards in Third Quarter (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced that it secured more than $3 million in space and defense hardware manufacturing contracts and purchase orders during the third quarter of 2026. The awards add to the Company's growing portfolio of space and defense hardware manufacturing contracts supporting government, defense, intelligence, and commercial customers. (10/14)
Spaceport Nova Scotia First Orbital Launch Target has Slipped From 2023 to 2028 (Source: Beyond LEO)
Maritime Launch has commissioned an onboard flight safety system for a spaceport that has not yet seen a launch. On Oct 7, 2026, at DEFSEC Atlantic in Halifax, Galaxia and Maritime Launch Services announced that Galaxia will develop and supply an Autonomous Flight Safety System, or AFSS, for launches from the site near Canso. The release gives no flight date, no vehicle, no contract value and no certification timeline. Isar Aerospace, which signed in July for a dedicated launch complex at the spaceport, is targeting first orbital launches there in 2028, five years after the first date Maritime Launch put on the event. (10/15)
What is China Doing With its Secret Spaceplane? (Source: Supercluster)
In June, it released a small satellite and captured it, probably with a robotic arm (although experts are not sure) three weeks later. In August, Shenlong again deployed a small satellite, retreated a few thousand miles into the void, only to return a few weeks later to chase the small-sat again, according to astronomer and space sustainability expert Jonathan McDowell. Many Western experts perceived the act as China’s demonstration of formidable technological prowess that could be used to take out other nations’ satellites. The technology, however, is also a key enabler for in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and in-space manufacturing.
What unsettles the Western security experts is the fact that no other nation has achieved such advanced levels of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) — that kind of close-range orbital maneuvering needed to inspect, dock with, and move other spacecraft. America’s own secretive spaceplane X-37B has released a series of satellites during its eight missions, some of them classified, but has never rendezvoused with another space object, as far as publicly available information goes. (10/6)
Space Sector Faced More Than One Cyberattack Per Day in 2025 (Source: Via Satellite)
By crawling through hundreds of Telegram channels, cybercriminal forums, and other open sources, 407 cyber operations against the space sector were identified in 2025, accounting for more than one attack per day.
The pattern was not random. Cyber activity surged alongside geopolitical crises, with notable spikes during tensions between Ukraine and the United States, the India-Pakistan crisis, and the Israel-Iran war. Out of 407 identified operations, 183 distinct space-related entities in 46 countries were identified as targets, many of which were targeted repeatedly. (10/14)
JAXA Taps ArkEdge for Two Lunar Navigation Demos (Source: Payload)
Today’s Moon explorers won’t have the luxury of GPS-like tech for navigation. But JAXA is trying to change that for future lunar visitors. The space agency tapped Japanese space startup ArkEdge Space for two projects designed to improve navigation on the Moon. These awards build on work the startup is already doing with the Japanese space agency, including designing a constellation of small satellites around the Moon to enable navigation. (10/15)
In Orbit Aerospace Pivots From Re-entry Vehicles to Spacecraft Autonomy (Source: Payload)
In Orbit Aerospace has swapped reentry vehicles for autonomy software, and NASA and the Space Force are funding the shift. The Torrance, CA-based startup has won new government contracts for its onboard AI system, which the company says can run a spacecraft’s operations without waiting on ground control. (10/14)
Solar Foods Joins Deep Space Food Consortium (Source: Solar Foods)
Solar Foods has joined the Deep Space Food Consortium as a foundational member. The consortium, established by the administrators and partners of the Deep Space Food Challenge organized by NASA and CSA, aims for the development and deployment of sustainable, evolvable space food systems that enable human exploration and habitation beyond Earth, while advancing resilient, efficient, and equitable food systems for life on Earth.
Solar Foods' Solein production technology offers an attractive value add to space habitat operators through substantial reduction in resupply needs of food and especially water, in addition to providing a fresh source of nutritious protein onboard. The company’s aim is to integrate the Solein fermentation technology with the onboard life support systems of future commercial space stations as well as future surface habitats on the Moon and eventually on Mars.
The Deep Space Food Consortium’s (DSFC) mission is to unify global space food research and development. The independent, technology-agnostic organization coordinates the emerging space food ecosystem, bringing together researchers, space agencies, food companies, technology developers, private space station companies, funders, and public sector partners to define shared priorities, identify implementation gaps, prioritize research and support the validation of food system technologies for both future low earth orbit and long-duration exploration missions. (10/15)
October 15, 2026
ClearSpace Wins UK Government Contract
to Deorbit Smallsats (Source: Space News)
ClearSpace won a contract from the British government for a mission to deorbit two smallsats. Luxembourg-based ClearSpace beat out Japan-headquartered Astroscale and U.S.-based Starfish Space for the contract announced Thursday, worth around 61 million British pounds ($80 million). It covers the final phase of an Active Debris Removal (ADR) program that is more than five years in the making. The mission, scheduled for launch in 2029, will approach two undisclosed U.K.-licensed satellites and grapple them, then maneuver to a lower orbit and release them. The servicer is similar to the one ClearSpace's Swiss unit is helping develop to remove the Proba-1 imaging satellite from LEO for the European Space Agency, an OHB-led mission slated to launch in 2029 after the U.K. ADR mission. (10/15)
Rocket Lab Pushes Neutron Debut to 2027 (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab has pushed back the first launch of its Neutron rocket to sometime in 2027. The company said in an update posted after the markets closed Wednesday that it encountered a problem producing a large carbon composite structure called the forward dome for the rocket's first stage propellant tanks. Rocket Lab said it has identified and corrected the problem but that effort means the company won't be able to launch Neutron this year. The company will wait until after it has completed and tested the fully assembled first stage, a milestone planned for the first quarter of 2027, before setting a new launch date. This is the latest in a series of schedule slips for Neutron, Rocket Lab's medium-class reusable rocket, which was originally scheduled to start launching in 2024. (10/15)
Firefly and Voyager Detail Upcoming Lunar Lander Plans (Source: Space News)
Two companies are planning lunar lander missions that will attempt to touch down near other spacecraft. At a conference Wednesday, Firefly Aerospace said a Blue Ghost lander mission scheduled for 2028 will attempt to land near the site of its first lander, which successfully landed in March 2025. Voyager Technologies said two Peregrine landers scheduled for launch months apart in 2028 will attempt to land a few kilometers apart from each other. Those missions will test precision landing capabilities needed for NASA's lunar base plans but also will gather data on how the clouds of regolith kicked up by the landers' engine plumes could damage nearby spacecraft, a key concern for a lunar base. (10/15)
Army to Expand Space Operations Branch (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Army plans to expand the number of soldiers working on space systems as it builds capabilities to counter threats. The Army established its Space Operations Branch in June and formally launched the enlisted 40D Tactical Space Operations Specialist career field on Oct. 1, reclassifying more than 600 soldiers. That group could reach 1,000 enlisted personnel, said Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, commander of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. He said the service's role in space is expanding beyond using satellites to support ground combat operations into areas like navigation warfare and stratospheric warfare, the latter involving the use of high-altitude balloons. (10/15)
TrustPoint Tests C-Band Antenna (Source: Space News)
Satellite navigation startup TrustPoint said it has successfully tested a C-band antenna developed by Canadian technology company Calian. That antenna, the company said Wednesday, received and maintained reception of navigation signals transmitted by a TrustPoint satellite in orbit during multiple tests. The demonstration addresses one of the challenges facing TrustPoint as it develops its navigation network, ensuring that commercial equipment can receive signals transmitted at frequencies different from those used by conventional GPS receivers. (10/15)
Tests Confirm Improved Detection of Methane Plumes (Source: Space News)
Space-based instruments accurately detected methane plumes in large-scale tests led by researchers at Stanford University. Researchers found that instruments designed for methane monitoring from GHGSat and Planet correctly identified 92% to 100% of plumes released during testing. Other hyperspectral satellites and instruments repurposed to detect methane were successful 62% to 68% of the time. The results, scientists said, should give regulators and other government officials confidence in the capabilities of methane-monitoring satellites. (10/15)
China Launches 10 Satellites on Zhuque-2E (Source: Xinhua)
A Zhuque-2E launched 10 satellites on Wednesday. The rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan spaceport at 7:40 a.m. Eastern and placed the satellites into their planned orbits. Eight of the satellites are orbital data center spacecraft developed by Adaspace Technology Co., designed to test technologies needed for a future constellation of such spacecraft. (10/15)
Arianespace to Resume Amazon Leo Launches in November (Source: Arianespace)
Arianespace will resume launches of Amazon Leo satellites next month. Arianespace said its next Ariane 6 launch is scheduled for no earlier than November 23, carrying 36 Amazon Leo satellites. This will be the fifth Ariane 6 launch of the year, four of which have been for Amazon Leo. The launch had been expected in early October but was reportedly postponed by issues with the rocket's engines. (10/15)
ISS Spacewalks Planned to Install Solar Arrays (Source: NASA)
NASA will conduct two spacewalks in the coming weeks to install new solar arrays on the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk will perform one spacewalk Oct. 29 to install an IROSA array, with the two performing a second spacewalk a week later to install a second array. The arrays, being delivered to the station this week on a Dragon cargo spacecraft, will be the final two of eight IROSA arrays added to the station to increase its power output by 30%. (10/15)
Outlook Improves for Proposed NASA Venus Missions (Source: Ars Technica)
Prospects are improving for a pair of NASA missions to Venus that have faced years of budget uncertainty. NASA selected the DAVINCI and VERITAS missions in 2021 as part of its Discovery program, but both encountered delays and threats of cancellation in recent budget proposals. At a meeting last week, officials with both missions said they are now moving ahead, with DAVINCI working to move up its launch by a year to December 2030 while VERITAS is targeting a late 2032 launch. The progress on the two missions, though, comes at the expense of a planned NASA contribution to Europe's Envision Venus orbiter, with NASA canceling a radar it had planned to provide for that mission. (10/15)
Oklahoma Breaks Ground on $7.5 Million Aerospace Facility (Source: Fox 25)
State leaders joined Dawn Aerospace on Tuesday to break ground on a new mission control facility and spaceplane hangar at Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat. The $7.5 million project includes a 5,000-square-foot mission control and operations facility and a 10,000-square-foot hangar to support Dawn Aerospace and its reusable, rocket-powered Aurora spaceplane. (10/14)
China's Space Program Opens New Frontiers for International Collaboration (Source: People's Daily)
On Sept. 14, a special gift from the far side of the moon went on display at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Lunar regolith samples collected by China's Chang'e-6 mission, formally donated to the United Nations, will be permanently exhibited there. Brought back to Earth by a Chinese spacecraft, this carefully preserved material symbolizes humanity's collective pursuit of cosmic discovery. (10/15)
Here’s a “Good Deal” for NASA and the European Space Agency (Source: Ars Technica)
It’s no surprise that NASA’s new tack toward foreign partnerships—good deals only, please—is challenging preconceived notions of international cooperation in space. Without a massive budget hike, the US space agency’s emphasis on building a Moon Base and winning a competition for lunar real estate and resources with China will inevitably leave lesser priorities behind. Gone is the Lunar Gateway, considered an unnecessary distraction and expense as NASA goes all-in on placing a surface station near the Moon’s south pole.
NASA also canceled the Mars Sample Return mission after its budget ballooned beyond $10 billion. Both projects involved extensive cooperation with NASA’s international partners, but NASA was the leader on both. So what does a good deal in international spaceflight look like in the Trump era? Isaacman cited a couple of examples: Japan’s commitment to provide a pressurized rover for astronauts on the Moon and Italy’s agreement to build what will likely be the first habitat for the Moon Base.
Here’s another one. Scientists are in the early stages of developing the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, the world’s first space-based observatory for detecting and studying gravitational waves. As currently envisioned, the LISA mission will be led by the European Space Agency, with significant contributions from the United States. The mission will use three spacecraft flying in a triangle formation in heliocentric orbit, positioned nearly 1.6 million miles (2.5 million kilometers) apart to pick up the faint signals of low-frequency gravitational waves. Launch is scheduled for around 2035. (10/8)
Virgin Galactic and the Air Force Research Laboratory Enter Agreement to Advance Space Weather Science (Source: Virgin Galactic)
Virgin Galactic announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Space Warfare Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico — the Department of the Air Force's primary organization for space environment research and technology development. The 24-month agreement will explore the use of Virgin Galactic's next-generation Spaceship to capture space weather data and accelerate understanding of its effects on space-based infrastructure. Under the agreement, researchers will evaluate the integration of sensor systems with Virgin Galactic’s next-generation Spaceship to collect space weather data during flight. (10/14)
Massive New Industrial Park Planned Near Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
A developer plans to build a 720,000-square-foot industrial park in Cocoa, with construction expected to begin early next year. It sits near Interstate 95, Port Canaveral and the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Smith Development has acquired 46.5 acres and plans to build Space Coast Business Park, a five-building complex of Class A industrial space, a designation for the highest-quality commercial property. The park is designed for aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, logistics and distribution companies. (10/14)
Ukraine's Starlink Restrictions Raise Suspicions of Musk, Trump Retaliation (Sources: Axios, Politico, BBC)
The rupture between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over last week's diesel deal deepened Wednesday after an Elon Musk-owned satellite system used by Ukraine unexpectedly restricted service — undercutting Ukraine's fight against Russia. When Starlink doesn't operate at full capacity, Ukraine's ability to gather intelligence, use interceptor drones and conduct long-range strikes against Russia is impeded.
“This is comparable to a nuclear strike against us. All operations are on hold. This will cost many of us our lives,” an experienced Ukrainian officer said. “Since last night, all Starlink and Starshield terminals used by our forces have been subject to a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour,” the officer said.
Musk said that Starshield, the military-grade sister service to Starlink, is controlled by the US government, and "any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [the US president]". Musk had been responding to pleas from Ukrainian officials to restore connectivity. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told UK media: "I hope that it's a mistake, maybe [a] huge technical problem. I don't know, but we are asking to... switch [it] on." (10/14)
Ukraine Says Starlink Partially Restored After Zelensky Warned ‘People Will Die’ From Satellite Slowdown (Source: The Hill)
Ukraine’s former defense minister said on Wednesday afternoon that SpaceX was working to restore satellite speeds in the country after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of dire consequences following reported slowdowns in Starlink services. Mykhailo Fedorov announced SpaceX was reinstating speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. The former defense minister expressed hope that the company would next “remove Starshield’s speed limit entirely,” saying this move is “now critical for Ukraine’s defense.” (10/14)
Army’s Space Command Became a ‘Huge Believer’ on High-Altitude Surveillance Balloons (Source: Washington Examiner)
The head of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command is a “huge believer” in the service’s exploration and development of high-altitude surveillance balloons despite his initial skepticism. The idea of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance high-altitude balloons “sounded crazy to me,” said Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, commanding general of Space and Missile Defense Command. His opinion changed quickly after he and SDMC Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey Jackson went to Morocco for a training exercise on the ISR balloons a while back. (10/14)
Starlink Sabotage Suspected Again—This Time, 11 Antennas Set on Fire in Bulgaria (Source: United 24)
Bulgarian authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack targeting 11 of 17 antennas used to communicate with the Starlink satellite network near Sofia, raising concerns over the security of critical satellite communications infrastructure. Bulgarian lawmaker Ivaylo Mirchev of the Yes, Bulgaria party first reported the suspected attack before raising the issue in parliament. Mirchev demanded that Bulgaria's intelligence services and Interior Ministry clarify whether they had been aware of the incident, accusing the government of withholding information from the public. (10/14)
General Dynamics Awarded $138 Million Across Space Architecture And Navy R&D Contracts (Source: Pulse 2.0)
General Dynamics businesses received two U.S. defense contract awards with a combined value of approximately $138 million for work spanning space architecture and advanced naval research and development. General Dynamics Mission Systems received an $88.06 million ceiling increase modification to a previously awarded contract supporting the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. (10/13)
Starfighters Space Eyes Cecil Spaceport for December Rocket Test Flight (Source: Jacksonville Business Journal)
Starfighters Space is planning a December captive-carry flight to test its new STARLAUNCH 1 suborbital rocket design. The flight will run between the company’s Kennedy Space Center base and the FAA-licensed Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville. The inert hardware is due at the KSC hangar in November, after which the team will assemble and test the rocket-aircraft interface. The rocket stays attached to the F-104 the whole way, letting engineers study its aerodynamics and develop procedures for later flights. (10/13)
Act for More Sustainable Space (Source: ESA)
The ESA-sponsored Assessment and Comparison Tool (ACT), developed by a consortium led by the EPFL Space Center, can generate life cycle assessments for space hardware, spacecraft, launchers, ground stations and even complete missions. It can be used from the earliest design stages as well as later in a project’s lifetime. ACT combines data from life cycle assessments and incorporates guidelines such as the EU’s Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and provides expert advice on the development of ESA’s latest space system’s life-cycle assessment guidelines. (10/15)
Flying Under the Radar: Russia’s Tacit Reliance on Chinese SAR Satellites (Source: Space Review)
Russian companies have claimed to be operating radar-imaging satellites to fill gaps in limited Russian government systems. Bart Hendrickx examine the links between these companies and China’s commercial space industry. Click here. (10/13)
Bounders and RAMs: Satellites Track a Unique Bomber at the Soviet Ramenskoye Flight Test Center (Source: Space Review)
Reports in the late 1950s claimed that the Soviet Union was developing a nuclear-powered bomber. Dwayne Day and Harry Stranger explain that the bomber wasn’t nuclear powered, but it was a rare design whose whereabouts were closely tracked by spy satellites. Click here. (10/13)
The Tragedy of the Orbital Commons: Megaconstellations, Space Weapons, and Debris (Source: Space Review)
The US military’s announcement last month that it has deployed space control weapons has raised new concerns about conflicts that could litter orbits with debris. Alexander William Salter revisits an older paper of his to see how his assessment of the issue stood the test of time. Click here. (10/13)
UK Deepens Reliance on Musk's SpaceX, Spending Nearly $40 Million on Satellite Services (Source: Reuters)
Britain has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, deepening its reliance on Elon Musk's company for military communications despite growing European concerns about dependence on U.S. security infrastructure. The spending was disclosed to Reuters in response to a freedom of information request and makes Britain the first country outside the U.S. to publicly acknowledge adopting Starshield, SpaceX's service for military and intelligence missions. Starlink is marketed to consumer and commercial users. (10/10)
Starship’s Real Test May Begin After Launch (Source: Space Review)
As SpaceX’s Starship begins orbital launches, the space industry debates the impact the vehicle will have. Inna Galinger argues that will depend in part on how effectively the industry can use it. Click here. (10/13)
After the ISS: What Happens When Humanity Loses its shared Home in Space? (Source: Space Review)
The International Space Station is heading towards a retirement as soon as the end of the decade. Alex Kennedy ponders the effects of ending a decades-long experiment in international space cooperation. Click here. (10/13)
ArbaLabs Validates In-Orbit AI Verification Payload Aboard South Korea’s Nuri Rocket (Source: SatNews)
On October 13, 2026, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) confirmed that the SD-1 Sat nanosatellite established successful two-way ground communications on its initial attempt following an October 7 launch from the Naro Space Center. Orbiting aboard SD-1 Sat, a 3U CubeSat operated by Korean space startup Space & Bean, is ArbaLabs’ ArbaEdge payload—an edge-computing module conducting an in-orbit proof-of-concept demonstration for autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) verification. (10/13)
NASA Deputy Hints At Big Ambitions For Aeronautics Portfolio (Source: Aviation Week)
NASA may use its inaugural air show next month to reveal plans to revitalize its aeronautics portfolio, particularly around experimental aircraft, the agency’s No. 2 official said Oct. 13. Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson confirmed that the agency plans to bring the X-59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft to its inaugural MAX Power air show—to be held Nov. 7-8 at the Kennedy Space Center—while linking those comments to recent reports about plans to revive the SR-71 Blackbird.
Anderson stopped short of confirming the agency’s plans. “But that’s the type of things we’re working on,” he said, noting that he has spent more time in his new job than he expected working on classified projects with Administrator Jared Isaacman. “We are in the SCIF all the time, and a lot of that is in that portfolio,” he said, referring to a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. NASA is “leaning in” on national security efforts, while respecting the statutory and legal authorities that separate the U.S. military, intelligence and civil space agencies, he added. (10/13)
US Lawmakers Demand Pause to AI-Powered Air Traffic Management System (Source: Aerospace Global News)
Twenty-five US lawmakers want the FAA to suspend a new AI-powered air traffic management system, questioning whether it was adequately tested before entering service. The Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories (SMART) system began operating on 21 September at Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International airports.
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, the lawmakers demanded details of the safety assessments carried out before deployment. They also questioned whether air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel had received sufficient training. (10/14)
How Europe Plans to Squeeze Out Starlink (Source: Politico)
Stepping on stage at the International Space Summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron called on top European players to forge a new “alliance” to strengthen collective satellite capacity. The real target of the let’s-team-up message? Elon Musk’s Starlink. Macron’s speech last month was a public endorsement of a behind-the-scenes push that would see the bloc’s major telecoms companies make an aggressive play on direct-to-device connectivity — mobile signals beamed directly from satellites to phones.
The push would see Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone and Telefónica join forces to secure critical and coveted frequencies that will become available next year, as the European Commission eyes a new allocation procedure that would reserve frequencies for European players. With the EU set to reallocate the 2GHz satellite communications band in 2027, the proposal being discussed Tuesday would see the licensing process favor European operators. Legislators in Brussels are increasingly determined to make sure Musk doesn’t achieve his ambitions to dominate globally. (10/12)
ClearSpace won a contract from the British government for a mission to deorbit two smallsats. Luxembourg-based ClearSpace beat out Japan-headquartered Astroscale and U.S.-based Starfish Space for the contract announced Thursday, worth around 61 million British pounds ($80 million). It covers the final phase of an Active Debris Removal (ADR) program that is more than five years in the making. The mission, scheduled for launch in 2029, will approach two undisclosed U.K.-licensed satellites and grapple them, then maneuver to a lower orbit and release them. The servicer is similar to the one ClearSpace's Swiss unit is helping develop to remove the Proba-1 imaging satellite from LEO for the European Space Agency, an OHB-led mission slated to launch in 2029 after the U.K. ADR mission. (10/15)
Rocket Lab Pushes Neutron Debut to 2027 (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab has pushed back the first launch of its Neutron rocket to sometime in 2027. The company said in an update posted after the markets closed Wednesday that it encountered a problem producing a large carbon composite structure called the forward dome for the rocket's first stage propellant tanks. Rocket Lab said it has identified and corrected the problem but that effort means the company won't be able to launch Neutron this year. The company will wait until after it has completed and tested the fully assembled first stage, a milestone planned for the first quarter of 2027, before setting a new launch date. This is the latest in a series of schedule slips for Neutron, Rocket Lab's medium-class reusable rocket, which was originally scheduled to start launching in 2024. (10/15)
Firefly and Voyager Detail Upcoming Lunar Lander Plans (Source: Space News)
Two companies are planning lunar lander missions that will attempt to touch down near other spacecraft. At a conference Wednesday, Firefly Aerospace said a Blue Ghost lander mission scheduled for 2028 will attempt to land near the site of its first lander, which successfully landed in March 2025. Voyager Technologies said two Peregrine landers scheduled for launch months apart in 2028 will attempt to land a few kilometers apart from each other. Those missions will test precision landing capabilities needed for NASA's lunar base plans but also will gather data on how the clouds of regolith kicked up by the landers' engine plumes could damage nearby spacecraft, a key concern for a lunar base. (10/15)
Army to Expand Space Operations Branch (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Army plans to expand the number of soldiers working on space systems as it builds capabilities to counter threats. The Army established its Space Operations Branch in June and formally launched the enlisted 40D Tactical Space Operations Specialist career field on Oct. 1, reclassifying more than 600 soldiers. That group could reach 1,000 enlisted personnel, said Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, commander of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. He said the service's role in space is expanding beyond using satellites to support ground combat operations into areas like navigation warfare and stratospheric warfare, the latter involving the use of high-altitude balloons. (10/15)
TrustPoint Tests C-Band Antenna (Source: Space News)
Satellite navigation startup TrustPoint said it has successfully tested a C-band antenna developed by Canadian technology company Calian. That antenna, the company said Wednesday, received and maintained reception of navigation signals transmitted by a TrustPoint satellite in orbit during multiple tests. The demonstration addresses one of the challenges facing TrustPoint as it develops its navigation network, ensuring that commercial equipment can receive signals transmitted at frequencies different from those used by conventional GPS receivers. (10/15)
Tests Confirm Improved Detection of Methane Plumes (Source: Space News)
Space-based instruments accurately detected methane plumes in large-scale tests led by researchers at Stanford University. Researchers found that instruments designed for methane monitoring from GHGSat and Planet correctly identified 92% to 100% of plumes released during testing. Other hyperspectral satellites and instruments repurposed to detect methane were successful 62% to 68% of the time. The results, scientists said, should give regulators and other government officials confidence in the capabilities of methane-monitoring satellites. (10/15)
China Launches 10 Satellites on Zhuque-2E (Source: Xinhua)
A Zhuque-2E launched 10 satellites on Wednesday. The rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan spaceport at 7:40 a.m. Eastern and placed the satellites into their planned orbits. Eight of the satellites are orbital data center spacecraft developed by Adaspace Technology Co., designed to test technologies needed for a future constellation of such spacecraft. (10/15)
Arianespace to Resume Amazon Leo Launches in November (Source: Arianespace)
Arianespace will resume launches of Amazon Leo satellites next month. Arianespace said its next Ariane 6 launch is scheduled for no earlier than November 23, carrying 36 Amazon Leo satellites. This will be the fifth Ariane 6 launch of the year, four of which have been for Amazon Leo. The launch had been expected in early October but was reportedly postponed by issues with the rocket's engines. (10/15)
ISS Spacewalks Planned to Install Solar Arrays (Source: NASA)
NASA will conduct two spacewalks in the coming weeks to install new solar arrays on the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk will perform one spacewalk Oct. 29 to install an IROSA array, with the two performing a second spacewalk a week later to install a second array. The arrays, being delivered to the station this week on a Dragon cargo spacecraft, will be the final two of eight IROSA arrays added to the station to increase its power output by 30%. (10/15)
Outlook Improves for Proposed NASA Venus Missions (Source: Ars Technica)
Prospects are improving for a pair of NASA missions to Venus that have faced years of budget uncertainty. NASA selected the DAVINCI and VERITAS missions in 2021 as part of its Discovery program, but both encountered delays and threats of cancellation in recent budget proposals. At a meeting last week, officials with both missions said they are now moving ahead, with DAVINCI working to move up its launch by a year to December 2030 while VERITAS is targeting a late 2032 launch. The progress on the two missions, though, comes at the expense of a planned NASA contribution to Europe's Envision Venus orbiter, with NASA canceling a radar it had planned to provide for that mission. (10/15)
Oklahoma Breaks Ground on $7.5 Million Aerospace Facility (Source: Fox 25)
State leaders joined Dawn Aerospace on Tuesday to break ground on a new mission control facility and spaceplane hangar at Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat. The $7.5 million project includes a 5,000-square-foot mission control and operations facility and a 10,000-square-foot hangar to support Dawn Aerospace and its reusable, rocket-powered Aurora spaceplane. (10/14)
China's Space Program Opens New Frontiers for International Collaboration (Source: People's Daily)
On Sept. 14, a special gift from the far side of the moon went on display at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Lunar regolith samples collected by China's Chang'e-6 mission, formally donated to the United Nations, will be permanently exhibited there. Brought back to Earth by a Chinese spacecraft, this carefully preserved material symbolizes humanity's collective pursuit of cosmic discovery. (10/15)
Here’s a “Good Deal” for NASA and the European Space Agency (Source: Ars Technica)
It’s no surprise that NASA’s new tack toward foreign partnerships—good deals only, please—is challenging preconceived notions of international cooperation in space. Without a massive budget hike, the US space agency’s emphasis on building a Moon Base and winning a competition for lunar real estate and resources with China will inevitably leave lesser priorities behind. Gone is the Lunar Gateway, considered an unnecessary distraction and expense as NASA goes all-in on placing a surface station near the Moon’s south pole.
NASA also canceled the Mars Sample Return mission after its budget ballooned beyond $10 billion. Both projects involved extensive cooperation with NASA’s international partners, but NASA was the leader on both. So what does a good deal in international spaceflight look like in the Trump era? Isaacman cited a couple of examples: Japan’s commitment to provide a pressurized rover for astronauts on the Moon and Italy’s agreement to build what will likely be the first habitat for the Moon Base.
Here’s another one. Scientists are in the early stages of developing the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, the world’s first space-based observatory for detecting and studying gravitational waves. As currently envisioned, the LISA mission will be led by the European Space Agency, with significant contributions from the United States. The mission will use three spacecraft flying in a triangle formation in heliocentric orbit, positioned nearly 1.6 million miles (2.5 million kilometers) apart to pick up the faint signals of low-frequency gravitational waves. Launch is scheduled for around 2035. (10/8)
Virgin Galactic and the Air Force Research Laboratory Enter Agreement to Advance Space Weather Science (Source: Virgin Galactic)
Virgin Galactic announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Space Warfare Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico — the Department of the Air Force's primary organization for space environment research and technology development. The 24-month agreement will explore the use of Virgin Galactic's next-generation Spaceship to capture space weather data and accelerate understanding of its effects on space-based infrastructure. Under the agreement, researchers will evaluate the integration of sensor systems with Virgin Galactic’s next-generation Spaceship to collect space weather data during flight. (10/14)
Massive New Industrial Park Planned Near Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
A developer plans to build a 720,000-square-foot industrial park in Cocoa, with construction expected to begin early next year. It sits near Interstate 95, Port Canaveral and the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Smith Development has acquired 46.5 acres and plans to build Space Coast Business Park, a five-building complex of Class A industrial space, a designation for the highest-quality commercial property. The park is designed for aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, logistics and distribution companies. (10/14)
Ukraine's Starlink Restrictions Raise Suspicions of Musk, Trump Retaliation (Sources: Axios, Politico, BBC)
The rupture between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over last week's diesel deal deepened Wednesday after an Elon Musk-owned satellite system used by Ukraine unexpectedly restricted service — undercutting Ukraine's fight against Russia. When Starlink doesn't operate at full capacity, Ukraine's ability to gather intelligence, use interceptor drones and conduct long-range strikes against Russia is impeded.
“This is comparable to a nuclear strike against us. All operations are on hold. This will cost many of us our lives,” an experienced Ukrainian officer said. “Since last night, all Starlink and Starshield terminals used by our forces have been subject to a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour,” the officer said.
Musk said that Starshield, the military-grade sister service to Starlink, is controlled by the US government, and "any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [the US president]". Musk had been responding to pleas from Ukrainian officials to restore connectivity. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told UK media: "I hope that it's a mistake, maybe [a] huge technical problem. I don't know, but we are asking to... switch [it] on." (10/14)
Ukraine Says Starlink Partially Restored After Zelensky Warned ‘People Will Die’ From Satellite Slowdown (Source: The Hill)
Ukraine’s former defense minister said on Wednesday afternoon that SpaceX was working to restore satellite speeds in the country after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of dire consequences following reported slowdowns in Starlink services. Mykhailo Fedorov announced SpaceX was reinstating speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. The former defense minister expressed hope that the company would next “remove Starshield’s speed limit entirely,” saying this move is “now critical for Ukraine’s defense.” (10/14)
Army’s Space Command Became a ‘Huge Believer’ on High-Altitude Surveillance Balloons (Source: Washington Examiner)
The head of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command is a “huge believer” in the service’s exploration and development of high-altitude surveillance balloons despite his initial skepticism. The idea of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance high-altitude balloons “sounded crazy to me,” said Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, commanding general of Space and Missile Defense Command. His opinion changed quickly after he and SDMC Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey Jackson went to Morocco for a training exercise on the ISR balloons a while back. (10/14)
Starlink Sabotage Suspected Again—This Time, 11 Antennas Set on Fire in Bulgaria (Source: United 24)
Bulgarian authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack targeting 11 of 17 antennas used to communicate with the Starlink satellite network near Sofia, raising concerns over the security of critical satellite communications infrastructure. Bulgarian lawmaker Ivaylo Mirchev of the Yes, Bulgaria party first reported the suspected attack before raising the issue in parliament. Mirchev demanded that Bulgaria's intelligence services and Interior Ministry clarify whether they had been aware of the incident, accusing the government of withholding information from the public. (10/14)
General Dynamics Awarded $138 Million Across Space Architecture And Navy R&D Contracts (Source: Pulse 2.0)
General Dynamics businesses received two U.S. defense contract awards with a combined value of approximately $138 million for work spanning space architecture and advanced naval research and development. General Dynamics Mission Systems received an $88.06 million ceiling increase modification to a previously awarded contract supporting the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. (10/13)
Starfighters Space Eyes Cecil Spaceport for December Rocket Test Flight (Source: Jacksonville Business Journal)
Starfighters Space is planning a December captive-carry flight to test its new STARLAUNCH 1 suborbital rocket design. The flight will run between the company’s Kennedy Space Center base and the FAA-licensed Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville. The inert hardware is due at the KSC hangar in November, after which the team will assemble and test the rocket-aircraft interface. The rocket stays attached to the F-104 the whole way, letting engineers study its aerodynamics and develop procedures for later flights. (10/13)
Act for More Sustainable Space (Source: ESA)
The ESA-sponsored Assessment and Comparison Tool (ACT), developed by a consortium led by the EPFL Space Center, can generate life cycle assessments for space hardware, spacecraft, launchers, ground stations and even complete missions. It can be used from the earliest design stages as well as later in a project’s lifetime. ACT combines data from life cycle assessments and incorporates guidelines such as the EU’s Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and provides expert advice on the development of ESA’s latest space system’s life-cycle assessment guidelines. (10/15)
Flying Under the Radar: Russia’s Tacit Reliance on Chinese SAR Satellites (Source: Space Review)
Russian companies have claimed to be operating radar-imaging satellites to fill gaps in limited Russian government systems. Bart Hendrickx examine the links between these companies and China’s commercial space industry. Click here. (10/13)
Bounders and RAMs: Satellites Track a Unique Bomber at the Soviet Ramenskoye Flight Test Center (Source: Space Review)
Reports in the late 1950s claimed that the Soviet Union was developing a nuclear-powered bomber. Dwayne Day and Harry Stranger explain that the bomber wasn’t nuclear powered, but it was a rare design whose whereabouts were closely tracked by spy satellites. Click here. (10/13)
The Tragedy of the Orbital Commons: Megaconstellations, Space Weapons, and Debris (Source: Space Review)
The US military’s announcement last month that it has deployed space control weapons has raised new concerns about conflicts that could litter orbits with debris. Alexander William Salter revisits an older paper of his to see how his assessment of the issue stood the test of time. Click here. (10/13)
UK Deepens Reliance on Musk's SpaceX, Spending Nearly $40 Million on Satellite Services (Source: Reuters)
Britain has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, deepening its reliance on Elon Musk's company for military communications despite growing European concerns about dependence on U.S. security infrastructure. The spending was disclosed to Reuters in response to a freedom of information request and makes Britain the first country outside the U.S. to publicly acknowledge adopting Starshield, SpaceX's service for military and intelligence missions. Starlink is marketed to consumer and commercial users. (10/10)
Starship’s Real Test May Begin After Launch (Source: Space Review)
As SpaceX’s Starship begins orbital launches, the space industry debates the impact the vehicle will have. Inna Galinger argues that will depend in part on how effectively the industry can use it. Click here. (10/13)
After the ISS: What Happens When Humanity Loses its shared Home in Space? (Source: Space Review)
The International Space Station is heading towards a retirement as soon as the end of the decade. Alex Kennedy ponders the effects of ending a decades-long experiment in international space cooperation. Click here. (10/13)
ArbaLabs Validates In-Orbit AI Verification Payload Aboard South Korea’s Nuri Rocket (Source: SatNews)
On October 13, 2026, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) confirmed that the SD-1 Sat nanosatellite established successful two-way ground communications on its initial attempt following an October 7 launch from the Naro Space Center. Orbiting aboard SD-1 Sat, a 3U CubeSat operated by Korean space startup Space & Bean, is ArbaLabs’ ArbaEdge payload—an edge-computing module conducting an in-orbit proof-of-concept demonstration for autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) verification. (10/13)
NASA Deputy Hints At Big Ambitions For Aeronautics Portfolio (Source: Aviation Week)
NASA may use its inaugural air show next month to reveal plans to revitalize its aeronautics portfolio, particularly around experimental aircraft, the agency’s No. 2 official said Oct. 13. Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson confirmed that the agency plans to bring the X-59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft to its inaugural MAX Power air show—to be held Nov. 7-8 at the Kennedy Space Center—while linking those comments to recent reports about plans to revive the SR-71 Blackbird.
Anderson stopped short of confirming the agency’s plans. “But that’s the type of things we’re working on,” he said, noting that he has spent more time in his new job than he expected working on classified projects with Administrator Jared Isaacman. “We are in the SCIF all the time, and a lot of that is in that portfolio,” he said, referring to a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. NASA is “leaning in” on national security efforts, while respecting the statutory and legal authorities that separate the U.S. military, intelligence and civil space agencies, he added. (10/13)
US Lawmakers Demand Pause to AI-Powered Air Traffic Management System (Source: Aerospace Global News)
Twenty-five US lawmakers want the FAA to suspend a new AI-powered air traffic management system, questioning whether it was adequately tested before entering service. The Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories (SMART) system began operating on 21 September at Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International airports.
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, the lawmakers demanded details of the safety assessments carried out before deployment. They also questioned whether air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel had received sufficient training. (10/14)
How Europe Plans to Squeeze Out Starlink (Source: Politico)
Stepping on stage at the International Space Summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron called on top European players to forge a new “alliance” to strengthen collective satellite capacity. The real target of the let’s-team-up message? Elon Musk’s Starlink. Macron’s speech last month was a public endorsement of a behind-the-scenes push that would see the bloc’s major telecoms companies make an aggressive play on direct-to-device connectivity — mobile signals beamed directly from satellites to phones.
The push would see Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone and Telefónica join forces to secure critical and coveted frequencies that will become available next year, as the European Commission eyes a new allocation procedure that would reserve frequencies for European players. With the EU set to reallocate the 2GHz satellite communications band in 2027, the proposal being discussed Tuesday would see the licensing process favor European operators. Legislators in Brussels are increasingly determined to make sure Musk doesn’t achieve his ambitions to dominate globally. (10/12)
October 14, 2026
Physics Nobel Highlights Antarctica’s
Role in Exploring the Cosmos (Source: The Conversation)
When Belgian American particle physicist Francis Halzen was awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in physics “for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin,” it was a reminder that for more than a century, scientists have treated Antarctica’s environments as windows onto worlds beyond Earth.
Antarctica has offered scientists a means of reaching and researching beyond Earth without leaving it. Various harsh and challenging Antarctic environments have served as testing sites for equipment destined for the Moon, Mars and beyond. Its ice has collected meteorites that arrive from extraterrestrial sources. And it is one of the best places on Earth from which to observe the universe. (10/12)
Jay Stratton: We Are Not Alone in the Universe (Source: Douglas Messier)
Jay Stratton discussed his bombshell memoir, “Revealing the Truth About Non-Human Intelligent Life,” on Fox News. Stratton is a former high-level Defense Intelligence Agency who claims: We’re not the only intelligent life in the universe; We don’t know the intent of the non-human beings; Alien craft fly in ways that exceed our capabilities; U.S. government and contractors have recovered alien flying vehicles; U.S. government has recovered non-human beings; United States is in “a secret Cold War race” with China and Russia to reverse engineer advanced alien technologies; The government has been hiding the truth for the past eight decades; and Extreme efforts have been taken to silence whistleblowers. (10/13)
SpaceX Eyes 456 Starship Launches From Starbase (Source: Douglas Messier)
The FAA has announced plans to conduct a programmatic environmental impact statement on a SpaceX plan to launch 456 Starship rockets from the company’s Starbase spaceport in Texas. SpaceX is currently authorized to conduct up to 25 Starship launches and 50 landings at Starbase. The FAA notice said the expansion would be done in two phases.
“Phase 1 would include up to 100 annual launches and up to 200 annual landings (100 of the Starship and 100 of the Super Heavy). Launches and landings could occur at any day or time of the week,” the FAA said. “Phase 2 would include up to 456 launches originating from, and 912 annual landings at the Boca Chica Launch Site at Starbase, TX. Launches could occur at any time of day, but would only occur Monday through Friday.” (10/13)
Texas Vying for NASA-Led Space Academy, Pentagon's 'Base of the Future' (Source: San Antonio Express-News)
Texas is chasing two of the Trump administration’s newest space and defense projects: a NASA-led Space Academy and a futuristic military installation that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls the “Next Great American Base.” Though details about what the government wants for both projects are scarce, Gov. Greg Abbott has named a team to build the state’s pitch for the Space Academy. And the Texas Space Commission has discussed devoting $100 million to the effort. (10/12)
Korea Joins ESA Mission to Track Jupiter Probe JUICE (Source: Seoul Economic Daily)
South Korea's radio telescopes will be deployed in an international mission to precisely track the position of the European Space Agency's Jupiter probe, JUICE. The observational data to be gathered will be used for joint research and academic papers. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is signing a memorandum of understanding to that effect with the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE). JUICE is an ESA probe launched in April 2023 to explore Jupiter's icy moons. Its mission is to investigate whether oceans exist beneath the surface of those moons and whether they offer conditions that could support life. (10/13)
Amazon Leo Tested for US Army (Source: Space News)
Amazon Leo demonstrated its satellite internet service for the U.S. Army in recent tests. The demonstration, hosted by the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, used Amazon Leo's customer antenna to establish a connection with satellites in low Earth orbit. The system achieved peak download speeds exceeding 400 megabits per second, according to Amazon. The test comes as Amazon seeks to break into a military satellite communications market overwhelmingly dominated by SpaceX's Starlink network and defense-focused Starshield. (10/14)
Capacity Crunch Drives Investment in Launchers (Source: Space News)
A looming launch capacity shortage is helping drive record investment in the space economy. Stoke Space and other "pure launch" providers have collectively raised a record $7.8 billion over the first nine months of the year, according to figures released Tuesday by early-stage investor Space Capital. The venture capital firm tracked 58 funding rounds in this category, already matching last year's record. Companies the report classifies as infrastructure have raised $40.8 billion so far this year, nearly double the amount from all of 2025. (10/14)
US Startup Reflect Orbital Buys Two Launches From India's Skyroot (Source: Space News)
Reflect Orbital announced Wednesday it is buying two launches from Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian company whose Vikram-1 small launch vehicle reached orbit on its first launch in July. One launch will be on a Vikram-1 and the other on an upgraded Vikram-1U. The companies did not disclose the schedule for the launches or financial terms. Reflect Orbital, which is developing a constellation of satellites that will redirect sunlight to specific locations on the ground, cited a "real launch capacity shortage" as part of its decision to launch with Skyroot. Reflect Orbital's first satellite is scheduled to launch in the near future on a SpaceX rideshare mission. (10/14)
Australia's HEO Snaps Images of Satellogic Spacecraft in Orbit (Source: Space News)
Australian non-Earth imagery company HEO has taken images of a new Satellogic spacecraft. The companies released the images Tuesday of Merlin.01, a Satellogic high-resolution imaging satellite launched earlier this month on the Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The images of Merlin.01 were taken by NewSat-47, another Satellogic spacecraft that HEO uses to perform non-Earth imaging of satellites and debris, as a demonstration of the use of that technology to help in checkouts of satellites after launch. (10/14)
Ukraine Says SpaceX is Now Throttling Starlink Access (Source: Reuters)
The Ukrainian military claims that SpaceX has put new limitations on its use of Starlink. Military officials said Wednesday that SpaceX imposed restrictions that prevent the use of Starlink on platforms traveling more than 160 kilometers per hour. That limits how Starlink can be used for controlling some drones, impacting military operations. SpaceX has not disclosed why it imposed the new limitations, but they come as the U.S. government has been pressuring Ukraine to halt its strikes on Russian oil facilities. [Reuters]
India's Mittal Says OneWeb Closer to Indian Approval Than Starlink (Source: Bloomberg)
The Indian billionaire who helped rescue OneWeb from bankruptcy says that system is ahead of Starlink in getting approval from the Indian government. Sunil Bharti Mittal said he believed Eutelsat OneWeb was "significantly ahead" of Starlink in getting approval from Indian regulators to operate in the country. Mittal invested in OneWeb as part of its bankruptcy restructuring and holds a stake in Eutelsat OneWeb. His comments come as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk continues to criticize India for delaying approval of Starlink. (10/14)
Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Passes Tests at JPL (Source: Voyager Technologies)
The Griffin-1 lunar lander is one step closer to launch. Voyager Technologies said Tuesday that the lander successfully completed acceptance testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, confirming it will operate in the space environment. The lander is being shipped back to the Pittsburgh facility where it was built for final preparation before going to Cape Canaveral for launch on a Falcon Heavy late this year. (10/14)
Kock Named NASA's Acting Deputy Chief Engineer (Source: NASA)
An Artemis 2 astronaut has a new job in NASA. The agency announced Tuesday that it named Christina Koch acting deputy chief engineer, effective Nov. 1. She will succeed Katherine Van Hooser, who is retiring from NASA later this month after 35 years at the agency. Koch, who started her career at NASA as an electrical engineer before becoming an astronaut, was a mission specialist on the Artemis 2 mission in April. Koch is the only crewmember from that mission still on active service, after fellow NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover became "emeritus" astronauts last month, along with the retirement of Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. (10/14)
Starfighters Space Advances STARLAUNCH 1 Toward Planned December Flight (Source: Starfighters Space)
Starfighters Space announced it is advancing STARLAUNCH 1 toward a planned December captive-carry flight. STARLAUNCH is the Company’s air-launch program, with STARLAUNCH 1 serving as its initial suborbital development vehicle.
Starfighters has finalized the STARLAUNCH 1 airframe design and has ordered the flight hardware from Italian engineering company RME. The December flight would be conducted between Starfighters’ base at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the FAA-licensed Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, expecting to provide a demonstration of the rocket’s flight characteristics while also allowing the Company to test aircraft integration and establish procedures for future STARLAUNCH missions.
With STARLAUNCH 1 attached under one wing, the flight may provide an opportunity to fly the Company’s recently-completed Wind Tunnel in the Sky™ hardware under the other wing on a customer-funded rideshare mission, while also serving as a counterweight to improve aerodynamic stability. Data and experience from the December flight will also support work by Starfighters’ propulsion partner, Vaya Defense & Space, in their development of a hybrid rocket motor aligned with the STARLAUNCH 1 flight-hardware specifications. (10/13)
Amazon Leo to Debut Satellite Broadband This Year (Source: Advanced Television)
Amazon Leo plans to launch its initial broadband-by-satellite service before the end of the year after completing its 1,000th satellite. The company is waiting for launchers to become available, including United Launch Alliance's Vulcan and Blue Origin's New Glenn. (10/12)
SwRI Adds 12-Foot Thermal Vacuum Chamber to Space Systems Integration Facility (Source: SwRI)
Chamber can depressurize in approximately one hour to simulate vacuum, heat and cold of space
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has added a 12-foot-diameter, 10-foot-long thermal vacuum (TVAC) chamber to simulate the vacuum and extreme temperatures of space to ensure spacecraft can survive that harsh environment. The chamber, which weighs roughly 40,000 pounds, is the newest edition to SwRI’s 74,000-square-foot Space Systems Integration Facility in San Antonio. (10/13)
SwRI-Led Team Develops Improved Model for Mapping the Sun (Source: SwRI)
A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)-led team has developed an improved model for predicting solar events that incorporates activity on the far side of the Sun. The team studied near-simultaneous maps of the whole solar surface from 2010 to 2014, combining Earth observations with data from space-based assets showing the opposite side. The resulting framework constructs surface flux transport (SFT) models that are more complete and accurate than any previous model. (10/13)
JAXA’s MMX Mission Will Include the First Wheeled Rover to Drive in Ultra-Low Gravity (Source: Aerospace America)
The first surface rover to attempt wheeled locomotion on an ultra-low-gravity celestial body is slated to begin its voyage across the solar system next week, when the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launches its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe. The 4,200-kilogram spacecraft is scheduled to lift off at 4:41 a.m. Japan Standard Time on Oct. 20. (10/13)
CSG Sets Sights on Space With Around $434 Million Stake in Canada’s MDA Space (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Czech arms maker CSG said became the largest shareholder in Canadian space technology company MDA Space with a stake worth around $434 million as it looks to venture into the space sector. CSG said Tuesday that it bought a 9.5% stake in MDA Space, which builds robotics and satellite systems for space. (10/13)
The Architectural Imperative of Connecting Orbit and Surface (Source: Aerospace America)
NASA’s evolution from lunar return to sustained lunar evolution and human Mars missions makes the relationship between orbit and surface newly consequential. The central issue is no longer simply how a spacecraft reaches the moon, but how an interconnected architecture can support occupancy — first on the moon and ultimately on Mars. Click here. (10/9)
ispace and ALTEC Partner for Lunar Rover Testing and Mission Simulations (Source: SatNews)
On October 12, 2026, Luxembourg-based ispace-EUROPE S.A. and Italian space engineering firm ALTEC S.p.A. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on lunar rover testing, mission simulations, and operator training. (10/13)
Celeste In-Orbit Results Confirm LEO Ranging Performance (Source: Inside GNSS)
Early in-orbit measurements from ESA’s Celeste Pathfinder A mission are confirming the ability of a Septentrio receiver prototype to acquire and track dual-frequency ranging signals from low Earth orbit. The Pathfinder A demonstration comprises two satellites, IOD-1 from GMV and IOD-2 from TAS, operating at roughly 510 km altitude. Launched March 28, 2026, from New Zealand, the mission provides an opportunity to test LEO-PNT technology under actual orbital conditions. (10/12)
York Space Systems to Support Interoperability Demonstration for Space Data Network (Source: Via Satellite)
York Space Systems will support a multi-vendor interoperability demonstration as part of a recent U.S. Space Force award for the Space Data Network (SDN). York Space was one of five companies selected in August for demonstrations for the SDN. York will support part of an in-orbit demonstration. The first phase of which will define the bus-to-payload interfaces and payload-integration planning associated with the Space Exchange Point (SEP) demonstration. This will also include planning toward a later on-orbit prototype. (10/12)
Bolivia Prepares Waskiri-Sat, Its First Homegrown Satellite, and a Framework Space Law (Source: Aviacionline)
The Waskiri-Sat, the first satellite developed in Bolivia, and a framework law on civil space policy are the core of the two agreements that the Bolivian Space Agency (ABE) and the Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB) will sign on Tuesday, October 13, at the Amachuma Ground Station, in El Alto. The signing will take place during the event “Hacia el Espacio por Bolivia”, where the agency will present the first results of its institutional restructuring.
According to the ABE, the UCB will lead the development and operation of the satellite. The agency will contribute its ground infrastructure, the backing of its technical team and internships for students. The satellite will also be used for data exchange in the fight against forest fires. The project already has a track record. In July 2025, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Exolaunch selected the Waskiri-Sat for a funded launch under the Access to Space for All initiative.
On the regulatory front, the UCB will join the ABE’s efforts for a framework law on civil space policy, which the Plurinational Legislative Assembly has already declared a priority. According to the agency, the regulation will seek to attract foreign investment, provide the State with satellite information for food security, risk management and forest monitoring, and maximize the value of its space assets. (10/12)
Space Force Establishes Special Operations Headquarters (Source: Axios)
The U.S. Space Force has stood up a new special operations headquarters, a move intended to further integrate the service branch into future high-level missions. It wasn't immediately clear where the Space Force's new component field command will be based. (10/13)
Varda Has Two Spacecraft in Orbit and Plans Eight More Missions Over the Next Year (Source: Space.com)
Varda Space Industries is currently operating two spacecraft in Earth orbit and plans eight additional missions in the coming year, signaling a rapid expansion of its in-space manufacturing and reentry cadence. The plans put execution, spacecraft availability and recovery operations at the center of the company’s next phase. (10/13)
In Space, No One Can Hear Your Data Center Scream (Source: Bloomberg)
Proposals to move data centers into orbit seek access to abundant solar energy and room to expand, including for military operations. But concentrating computing infrastructure in space could expose it to missile attacks, jamming and cyberattacks, raising questions about the security and resilience of the concept. (10/13)
Bezos and Musk: Battle of the Galactic Overlords (Source: The Atlantic)
For most of human history, “the power to decide where a civilization went next belonged to governments, monarchs, or despots. It’s a measure of how much has changed that a retail executive from Seattle and a South African–born engineer are well positioned to exercise that power. Nobody voted for either of them. And they may be the only ones who can check the other’s power.” Needing Bezos’s extraordinary concentration of private power to mitigate Musk’s extraordinary concentration of private power is probably not what the Founders had in mind.
Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, when asked whether he trusted either man completely, Kelly replied, “Kind of a loaded question.” Kelly says he wants SpaceX to “continue to be a successful company because it is in our national-security interest that that’s the case. I also want to see Blue Origin be successful.” The pragmatist’s position, shared by most of the national-security community, is that one company capable of getting you to space is better than none, and two is better than one. But even if Bezos is the less mercurial billionaire, Blue Origin is not yet a reliable substitute for SpaceX. So the government can’t use Blue Origin as leverage.
Bezos and Musk have a shared vulnerability: Both say they would like to go to the moon—for their empires, for glory, and because their youthful love of space has never settled into something more rational. To put it in terms they and the president would all understand, the moon is leverage.” And in their race to the moon, most people I spoke with have reached the same conclusion: On this, Blue Origin is ahead. (10/13)
Balerion Surpasses $200 Million Goal for Second Space Fund (Source: Payload)
Balerion has raised more than $200 million for its second fund, exceeding its target. The firm had closed about $90 million as of May, according to Venture Capital Journal; co-founder and General Partner Daniel Kleinmann attributed subsequent momentum to portfolio companies reaching milestones and raising up-rounds that resonated with limited partners. (10/13)
STAR.VISION Unveils Four AI Satellites for Orbital Computing and Earth Observation (Source: Spacewatch Global)
STAR.VISION has unveiled four satellites combining orbital computing with Earth-observation capabilities at the 2026 International Astronautical Congress. The program includes a partnership with Oman Lens, linking the satellite deployment to an Omani Earth-observation effort. (10/13)
When Belgian American particle physicist Francis Halzen was awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in physics “for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin,” it was a reminder that for more than a century, scientists have treated Antarctica’s environments as windows onto worlds beyond Earth.
Antarctica has offered scientists a means of reaching and researching beyond Earth without leaving it. Various harsh and challenging Antarctic environments have served as testing sites for equipment destined for the Moon, Mars and beyond. Its ice has collected meteorites that arrive from extraterrestrial sources. And it is one of the best places on Earth from which to observe the universe. (10/12)
Jay Stratton: We Are Not Alone in the Universe (Source: Douglas Messier)
Jay Stratton discussed his bombshell memoir, “Revealing the Truth About Non-Human Intelligent Life,” on Fox News. Stratton is a former high-level Defense Intelligence Agency who claims: We’re not the only intelligent life in the universe; We don’t know the intent of the non-human beings; Alien craft fly in ways that exceed our capabilities; U.S. government and contractors have recovered alien flying vehicles; U.S. government has recovered non-human beings; United States is in “a secret Cold War race” with China and Russia to reverse engineer advanced alien technologies; The government has been hiding the truth for the past eight decades; and Extreme efforts have been taken to silence whistleblowers. (10/13)
SpaceX Eyes 456 Starship Launches From Starbase (Source: Douglas Messier)
The FAA has announced plans to conduct a programmatic environmental impact statement on a SpaceX plan to launch 456 Starship rockets from the company’s Starbase spaceport in Texas. SpaceX is currently authorized to conduct up to 25 Starship launches and 50 landings at Starbase. The FAA notice said the expansion would be done in two phases.
“Phase 1 would include up to 100 annual launches and up to 200 annual landings (100 of the Starship and 100 of the Super Heavy). Launches and landings could occur at any day or time of the week,” the FAA said. “Phase 2 would include up to 456 launches originating from, and 912 annual landings at the Boca Chica Launch Site at Starbase, TX. Launches could occur at any time of day, but would only occur Monday through Friday.” (10/13)
Texas Vying for NASA-Led Space Academy, Pentagon's 'Base of the Future' (Source: San Antonio Express-News)
Texas is chasing two of the Trump administration’s newest space and defense projects: a NASA-led Space Academy and a futuristic military installation that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls the “Next Great American Base.” Though details about what the government wants for both projects are scarce, Gov. Greg Abbott has named a team to build the state’s pitch for the Space Academy. And the Texas Space Commission has discussed devoting $100 million to the effort. (10/12)
Korea Joins ESA Mission to Track Jupiter Probe JUICE (Source: Seoul Economic Daily)
South Korea's radio telescopes will be deployed in an international mission to precisely track the position of the European Space Agency's Jupiter probe, JUICE. The observational data to be gathered will be used for joint research and academic papers. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is signing a memorandum of understanding to that effect with the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE). JUICE is an ESA probe launched in April 2023 to explore Jupiter's icy moons. Its mission is to investigate whether oceans exist beneath the surface of those moons and whether they offer conditions that could support life. (10/13)
Amazon Leo Tested for US Army (Source: Space News)
Amazon Leo demonstrated its satellite internet service for the U.S. Army in recent tests. The demonstration, hosted by the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, used Amazon Leo's customer antenna to establish a connection with satellites in low Earth orbit. The system achieved peak download speeds exceeding 400 megabits per second, according to Amazon. The test comes as Amazon seeks to break into a military satellite communications market overwhelmingly dominated by SpaceX's Starlink network and defense-focused Starshield. (10/14)
Capacity Crunch Drives Investment in Launchers (Source: Space News)
A looming launch capacity shortage is helping drive record investment in the space economy. Stoke Space and other "pure launch" providers have collectively raised a record $7.8 billion over the first nine months of the year, according to figures released Tuesday by early-stage investor Space Capital. The venture capital firm tracked 58 funding rounds in this category, already matching last year's record. Companies the report classifies as infrastructure have raised $40.8 billion so far this year, nearly double the amount from all of 2025. (10/14)
US Startup Reflect Orbital Buys Two Launches From India's Skyroot (Source: Space News)
Reflect Orbital announced Wednesday it is buying two launches from Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian company whose Vikram-1 small launch vehicle reached orbit on its first launch in July. One launch will be on a Vikram-1 and the other on an upgraded Vikram-1U. The companies did not disclose the schedule for the launches or financial terms. Reflect Orbital, which is developing a constellation of satellites that will redirect sunlight to specific locations on the ground, cited a "real launch capacity shortage" as part of its decision to launch with Skyroot. Reflect Orbital's first satellite is scheduled to launch in the near future on a SpaceX rideshare mission. (10/14)
Australia's HEO Snaps Images of Satellogic Spacecraft in Orbit (Source: Space News)
Australian non-Earth imagery company HEO has taken images of a new Satellogic spacecraft. The companies released the images Tuesday of Merlin.01, a Satellogic high-resolution imaging satellite launched earlier this month on the Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The images of Merlin.01 were taken by NewSat-47, another Satellogic spacecraft that HEO uses to perform non-Earth imaging of satellites and debris, as a demonstration of the use of that technology to help in checkouts of satellites after launch. (10/14)
Ukraine Says SpaceX is Now Throttling Starlink Access (Source: Reuters)
The Ukrainian military claims that SpaceX has put new limitations on its use of Starlink. Military officials said Wednesday that SpaceX imposed restrictions that prevent the use of Starlink on platforms traveling more than 160 kilometers per hour. That limits how Starlink can be used for controlling some drones, impacting military operations. SpaceX has not disclosed why it imposed the new limitations, but they come as the U.S. government has been pressuring Ukraine to halt its strikes on Russian oil facilities. [Reuters]
India's Mittal Says OneWeb Closer to Indian Approval Than Starlink (Source: Bloomberg)
The Indian billionaire who helped rescue OneWeb from bankruptcy says that system is ahead of Starlink in getting approval from the Indian government. Sunil Bharti Mittal said he believed Eutelsat OneWeb was "significantly ahead" of Starlink in getting approval from Indian regulators to operate in the country. Mittal invested in OneWeb as part of its bankruptcy restructuring and holds a stake in Eutelsat OneWeb. His comments come as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk continues to criticize India for delaying approval of Starlink. (10/14)
Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Passes Tests at JPL (Source: Voyager Technologies)
The Griffin-1 lunar lander is one step closer to launch. Voyager Technologies said Tuesday that the lander successfully completed acceptance testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, confirming it will operate in the space environment. The lander is being shipped back to the Pittsburgh facility where it was built for final preparation before going to Cape Canaveral for launch on a Falcon Heavy late this year. (10/14)
Kock Named NASA's Acting Deputy Chief Engineer (Source: NASA)
An Artemis 2 astronaut has a new job in NASA. The agency announced Tuesday that it named Christina Koch acting deputy chief engineer, effective Nov. 1. She will succeed Katherine Van Hooser, who is retiring from NASA later this month after 35 years at the agency. Koch, who started her career at NASA as an electrical engineer before becoming an astronaut, was a mission specialist on the Artemis 2 mission in April. Koch is the only crewmember from that mission still on active service, after fellow NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover became "emeritus" astronauts last month, along with the retirement of Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. (10/14)
Starfighters Space Advances STARLAUNCH 1 Toward Planned December Flight (Source: Starfighters Space)
Starfighters Space announced it is advancing STARLAUNCH 1 toward a planned December captive-carry flight. STARLAUNCH is the Company’s air-launch program, with STARLAUNCH 1 serving as its initial suborbital development vehicle.
Starfighters has finalized the STARLAUNCH 1 airframe design and has ordered the flight hardware from Italian engineering company RME. The December flight would be conducted between Starfighters’ base at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the FAA-licensed Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, expecting to provide a demonstration of the rocket’s flight characteristics while also allowing the Company to test aircraft integration and establish procedures for future STARLAUNCH missions.
With STARLAUNCH 1 attached under one wing, the flight may provide an opportunity to fly the Company’s recently-completed Wind Tunnel in the Sky™ hardware under the other wing on a customer-funded rideshare mission, while also serving as a counterweight to improve aerodynamic stability. Data and experience from the December flight will also support work by Starfighters’ propulsion partner, Vaya Defense & Space, in their development of a hybrid rocket motor aligned with the STARLAUNCH 1 flight-hardware specifications. (10/13)
Amazon Leo to Debut Satellite Broadband This Year (Source: Advanced Television)
Amazon Leo plans to launch its initial broadband-by-satellite service before the end of the year after completing its 1,000th satellite. The company is waiting for launchers to become available, including United Launch Alliance's Vulcan and Blue Origin's New Glenn. (10/12)
SwRI Adds 12-Foot Thermal Vacuum Chamber to Space Systems Integration Facility (Source: SwRI)
Chamber can depressurize in approximately one hour to simulate vacuum, heat and cold of space
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has added a 12-foot-diameter, 10-foot-long thermal vacuum (TVAC) chamber to simulate the vacuum and extreme temperatures of space to ensure spacecraft can survive that harsh environment. The chamber, which weighs roughly 40,000 pounds, is the newest edition to SwRI’s 74,000-square-foot Space Systems Integration Facility in San Antonio. (10/13)
SwRI-Led Team Develops Improved Model for Mapping the Sun (Source: SwRI)
A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)-led team has developed an improved model for predicting solar events that incorporates activity on the far side of the Sun. The team studied near-simultaneous maps of the whole solar surface from 2010 to 2014, combining Earth observations with data from space-based assets showing the opposite side. The resulting framework constructs surface flux transport (SFT) models that are more complete and accurate than any previous model. (10/13)
JAXA’s MMX Mission Will Include the First Wheeled Rover to Drive in Ultra-Low Gravity (Source: Aerospace America)
The first surface rover to attempt wheeled locomotion on an ultra-low-gravity celestial body is slated to begin its voyage across the solar system next week, when the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launches its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe. The 4,200-kilogram spacecraft is scheduled to lift off at 4:41 a.m. Japan Standard Time on Oct. 20. (10/13)
CSG Sets Sights on Space With Around $434 Million Stake in Canada’s MDA Space (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Czech arms maker CSG said became the largest shareholder in Canadian space technology company MDA Space with a stake worth around $434 million as it looks to venture into the space sector. CSG said Tuesday that it bought a 9.5% stake in MDA Space, which builds robotics and satellite systems for space. (10/13)
The Architectural Imperative of Connecting Orbit and Surface (Source: Aerospace America)
NASA’s evolution from lunar return to sustained lunar evolution and human Mars missions makes the relationship between orbit and surface newly consequential. The central issue is no longer simply how a spacecraft reaches the moon, but how an interconnected architecture can support occupancy — first on the moon and ultimately on Mars. Click here. (10/9)
ispace and ALTEC Partner for Lunar Rover Testing and Mission Simulations (Source: SatNews)
On October 12, 2026, Luxembourg-based ispace-EUROPE S.A. and Italian space engineering firm ALTEC S.p.A. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on lunar rover testing, mission simulations, and operator training. (10/13)
Celeste In-Orbit Results Confirm LEO Ranging Performance (Source: Inside GNSS)
Early in-orbit measurements from ESA’s Celeste Pathfinder A mission are confirming the ability of a Septentrio receiver prototype to acquire and track dual-frequency ranging signals from low Earth orbit. The Pathfinder A demonstration comprises two satellites, IOD-1 from GMV and IOD-2 from TAS, operating at roughly 510 km altitude. Launched March 28, 2026, from New Zealand, the mission provides an opportunity to test LEO-PNT technology under actual orbital conditions. (10/12)
York Space Systems to Support Interoperability Demonstration for Space Data Network (Source: Via Satellite)
York Space Systems will support a multi-vendor interoperability demonstration as part of a recent U.S. Space Force award for the Space Data Network (SDN). York Space was one of five companies selected in August for demonstrations for the SDN. York will support part of an in-orbit demonstration. The first phase of which will define the bus-to-payload interfaces and payload-integration planning associated with the Space Exchange Point (SEP) demonstration. This will also include planning toward a later on-orbit prototype. (10/12)
Bolivia Prepares Waskiri-Sat, Its First Homegrown Satellite, and a Framework Space Law (Source: Aviacionline)
The Waskiri-Sat, the first satellite developed in Bolivia, and a framework law on civil space policy are the core of the two agreements that the Bolivian Space Agency (ABE) and the Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB) will sign on Tuesday, October 13, at the Amachuma Ground Station, in El Alto. The signing will take place during the event “Hacia el Espacio por Bolivia”, where the agency will present the first results of its institutional restructuring.
According to the ABE, the UCB will lead the development and operation of the satellite. The agency will contribute its ground infrastructure, the backing of its technical team and internships for students. The satellite will also be used for data exchange in the fight against forest fires. The project already has a track record. In July 2025, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Exolaunch selected the Waskiri-Sat for a funded launch under the Access to Space for All initiative.
On the regulatory front, the UCB will join the ABE’s efforts for a framework law on civil space policy, which the Plurinational Legislative Assembly has already declared a priority. According to the agency, the regulation will seek to attract foreign investment, provide the State with satellite information for food security, risk management and forest monitoring, and maximize the value of its space assets. (10/12)
Space Force Establishes Special Operations Headquarters (Source: Axios)
The U.S. Space Force has stood up a new special operations headquarters, a move intended to further integrate the service branch into future high-level missions. It wasn't immediately clear where the Space Force's new component field command will be based. (10/13)
Varda Has Two Spacecraft in Orbit and Plans Eight More Missions Over the Next Year (Source: Space.com)
Varda Space Industries is currently operating two spacecraft in Earth orbit and plans eight additional missions in the coming year, signaling a rapid expansion of its in-space manufacturing and reentry cadence. The plans put execution, spacecraft availability and recovery operations at the center of the company’s next phase. (10/13)
In Space, No One Can Hear Your Data Center Scream (Source: Bloomberg)
Proposals to move data centers into orbit seek access to abundant solar energy and room to expand, including for military operations. But concentrating computing infrastructure in space could expose it to missile attacks, jamming and cyberattacks, raising questions about the security and resilience of the concept. (10/13)
Bezos and Musk: Battle of the Galactic Overlords (Source: The Atlantic)
For most of human history, “the power to decide where a civilization went next belonged to governments, monarchs, or despots. It’s a measure of how much has changed that a retail executive from Seattle and a South African–born engineer are well positioned to exercise that power. Nobody voted for either of them. And they may be the only ones who can check the other’s power.” Needing Bezos’s extraordinary concentration of private power to mitigate Musk’s extraordinary concentration of private power is probably not what the Founders had in mind.
Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, when asked whether he trusted either man completely, Kelly replied, “Kind of a loaded question.” Kelly says he wants SpaceX to “continue to be a successful company because it is in our national-security interest that that’s the case. I also want to see Blue Origin be successful.” The pragmatist’s position, shared by most of the national-security community, is that one company capable of getting you to space is better than none, and two is better than one. But even if Bezos is the less mercurial billionaire, Blue Origin is not yet a reliable substitute for SpaceX. So the government can’t use Blue Origin as leverage.
Bezos and Musk have a shared vulnerability: Both say they would like to go to the moon—for their empires, for glory, and because their youthful love of space has never settled into something more rational. To put it in terms they and the president would all understand, the moon is leverage.” And in their race to the moon, most people I spoke with have reached the same conclusion: On this, Blue Origin is ahead. (10/13)
Balerion Surpasses $200 Million Goal for Second Space Fund (Source: Payload)
Balerion has raised more than $200 million for its second fund, exceeding its target. The firm had closed about $90 million as of May, according to Venture Capital Journal; co-founder and General Partner Daniel Kleinmann attributed subsequent momentum to portfolio companies reaching milestones and raising up-rounds that resonated with limited partners. (10/13)
STAR.VISION Unveils Four AI Satellites for Orbital Computing and Earth Observation (Source: Spacewatch Global)
STAR.VISION has unveiled four satellites combining orbital computing with Earth-observation capabilities at the 2026 International Astronautical Congress. The program includes a partnership with Oman Lens, linking the satellite deployment to an Omani Earth-observation effort. (10/13)
October 13, 2026
Neil Armstrong Apollo 11 Jacket Could
Fetch $1.2 Million at Auction (Source: Florida Today)
The custom-sewn white flight jacket with the NASA meatball logo used to fit over the shoulders of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong while he trained to become the first man to walk on the moon. Fifty-seven years after NASA's historic Apollo 11 lunar mission , Charles Jeffrey carefully slid the sleeves of Armstrong's coverall jacket over the arms of a mannequin inside the American Space Museum in Titusville. The exceptionally scarce garment is up for sale in the museum's Oct. 17 online charity auction — and Jeffrey estimated it could sell for $800,000 to $1.2 million. (10/6)
SpaceX Launches Tuesday Dragon Mission to ISS from Florida (Source: Space News)
SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo mission to the International Space Station this morning. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, putting the Dragon into orbit on the CRS-35 mission. The Dragon is scheduled to dock with the ISS Thursday morning. It is carrying about 2,870 kilograms of cargo, including the final pair of new solar arrays that will be installed on the ISS on an upcoming spacewalk to augment the station's power supply. Dragon will remain at the ISS for a month before returning to Earth. (10/13)
Perseverance Rover Breaks Martian Driving Record (Source: NASA)
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover now holds the off-Earth driving record. The rover's odometer reached 45.22 kilometers on Sunday, breaking the record for greatest distance driven on another world that had been held by the Opportunity Mars over at 45.16 kilometers. Perseverance reached the record in five and a half years while it took Opportunity nearly 15 years to reach the previous record. Perseverance benefits from AutoNav, its autonomous driving system that allows the rover to plot the best course between waypoints selected by controller. Perseverance has driven more than 400 meters in a single Martian day using AutoNav. (10/13)
European Officials Support Human Spaceflight Development (Source: Space News)
European officials signaled support last week for ESA's proposals to develop a human spaceflight capability. During a panel session at the International Astronautical Congress, leaders of several national space agencies in Europe said they believed Europe needed to be more autonomous in space, citing in part NASA's decision earlier in the year to stop work on the lunar Gateway, to which ESA had planned to contribute modules. They also said that having greater capabilities would lead to stronger partnerships. ESA member states will meet in Rome in December to discuss the proposal although funding decisions will not come until 2028. (10/13)
Space Force Must Increase in Size (Source: Space News)
The Space Force, with a growing budget, now faces the challenge of increasing the size of the force. The Trump administration's proposed fiscal 2027 budget would increase the service's military end strength from 10,400 to 13,200 in a single year. Space Force leaders say they want roughly 25,000 uniformed guardians within five years. While increased funding will support the infrastructure needed for training new guardians, it can't compress the time required to turn thousands of new recruits into experienced personnel. Space Force officials said there is strong interest in joining the service, but that they can't sacrifice quality of training for quantity of recruits. (10/13)
Army Tools to Combine Satellite and Drone Imagery (Source: Space News)
The Army is expanding the use of tools that combine satellite and drone imagery. Reveal Technology said Monday it has introduced an upgraded geospatial intelligence platform that combines satellite and drone imagery into 3D terrain models. The software allows U.S. Army soldiers to analyze terrain and plan missions even when military communications are disrupted. The company received a $9.5 million Army order to expand deployment of the software, called Farsight 2.0, to additional infantry brigades. The contract reflects growing military interest in making satellite-derived intelligence more accessible to tactical forces. (10/13)
Starlink Satellites Launched From California on Monday (Source: Space.com)
SpaceX launched Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 Monday in the first such launch in three weeks. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, placing 27 Starlink satellites into orbit. This was the first Falcon 9 launch to deploy Starlink satellites since Sept. 19, although advanced V3 Starlink satellites launched on SpaceX's latest Starship launch Sept. 28. SpaceX had, until recently, been launching Starlink satellites two to three times a week on Falcon 9 vehicles, but is starting to shift to using Starship for V3 Starlink satellites that are designed specifically for Starship. (10/13)
Turkish Men Arrested for Damaging Starlink Ground Station in Poland (Source: TVP World)
German police have arrested two Turkish men on charges that they started a fire at a Starlink ground station in Poland. Polish government officials said they believe the men started the fire at the ground station near Warsaw in late September in a bid to disrupt Starlink services in the region. The first damaged a power unit and generator at the ground station. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk claimed the fire was "another act of hybrid war" by Russia. (10/13)
Musk Says Starlink will be Affordable in India; Govt Officials Call Claims on License ‘Blatantly False' (Source: The Week0
Elon Musk has said that SpaceX will need to make Starlink pricing affordable in India to take on Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio, which offers some of the lowest prices in the country per gigabyte. Jio's own satellite venture is also awaiting final security clearance from the government before launch. Musk had claimed, “Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?"
The government officials said that Musk's claim was blatantly false and that the company revived key approvals s for Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) services and from IN-SPACE only around two years ago. (10/11)
SpaceX Has a Plan to Make your Phone Carrier Obsolete (Source: The Street)
Challengers have tried to enter the mobile market. Cable companies resell access on Verizon’s network. Dish spent years trying to become the fourth national carrier before selling much of its spectrum, including a roughly $17 billion package that went to a rocket company. That rocket company just made its next move. On Oct. 8, SpaceX agreed to buy a nationwide portfolio of low-band airwaves from investment firm Grain Management. The deal targets the one thing Starlink’s satellites can’t do well today: reach your phone when you’re indoors. (10/11)
Air Force Secretary’s Space Weapons Confirmation Raises Concerns About Planned Hawaii Telescopes (Source: Maui Now)
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink’s confirmation that the United States has deployed weapons in orbit has raised new concerns on Maui about the Air Force’s plan to build up to seven more telescopes atop Haleakalā, a summit many Native Hawaiians consider sacred. Meink said the United States has “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.” It was the first time the United States has confirmed deploying weapons in space.
Protect Haleakalā ʻOhana, a community collective that opposes the telescopes, raised its concerns in an email to Maui Now. “This is a military expansion into more sacred space, not a scientific addition to it,” the group wrote. “Haleakalā is a sacred site in a conservation district. Haleakalā is the piko. Hawaiians return there to connect with kūpuna.” The Air Force is “deploying find, fix track and target sensors, not just astronomy telescopes,” and that Meink’s announcement “makes plain what the chain is for,” the ʻOhana group said. “We do not want Maui to be a larger target in an escalation we had no say in.” (10/11)
Committee to Focus on Bringing U.S. Space Academy to Arizona (Source: KTAR)
Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Friday a statewide effort to bring the U.S. Space Academy to Arizona — through the creation of the Arizona U.S. Space Academy Steering Committee. The U.S. Space Academy is a proposed service academy for space-related operations, announced by President Donald Trump in an executive order on Aug. 28. NASA will lead the academy, and it wants classes to start by 2028.
Hobbs’ proposal for Arizona to host the academy comes from the belief that the state is a leader in aerospace and defense industries, in addition to having a cutting-edge science, research and high-tech manufacturing economy. (10/12)
Musk, Not Starlink: The Strategic Risk India Must Assess (Source: Sunday Guardian)
Taken together, Musk’s concentrated power, political interventions, and overall conduct create a strategic warning. The enthusiasm for Starlink should not make India, or any other nation, to treat this record as irrelevant. More so when Musk has self-recognized himself as George Soros.
Musk is not an ordinary investor. He commands extraordinary influence—political, financial and infrastructural. He is the world’s first trillionaire, with extraordinary influence and proximity to the American state. The amount of wealth, control of critical infrastructure, algorithmic and AI power, and political pull concentrated in one man is much more than what any nation-state should be comfortable with. (10/11)
Is LEO Where Regulation Is Not A Dirty Word? (Source: Aviation Week)
There are few topics that unite aerospace and defense industry officials—or, frankly, industry officials of any ilk—as much as a loathing for regulations, particularly when it comes to new sectors where they are frequently blasted as barriers to innovation. In some cases, though, the only thing worse than excessive regulation may be no regulation at all. One example may be the emerging space economy, industry officials suggest, at least as it applies to certain areas.
“I think regulation, while it may be a dirty word in a lot of places, it's something that, for those of us that have been executing experiments in space to date, that lack of regulation is the impediment for some types of commercial sales,” Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain says. In particular, he notes that there are uncertainties when it comes to pharmaceutical development. That field is seen as among the most promising for early low-Earth-orbit (LEO) research and development and potential production. (10/9)
Antimatter Is Leaking Out of Our Galaxy Into Intergalactic Space (Source: BBC)
Antimatter could be escaping from the Milky Way before annihilating in clouds of gas beyond our Galaxy, according to a new study of 20 years of gamma-ray observations. The research, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, suggests our Galaxy could produce two to three times more antimatter than currently thought. Researchers identified faint hotspots emitting the 511 keV (kiloelectronvolt) gamma rays produced when positrons – the antimatter counterparts of electrons – annihilate with ordinary matter. (10/10)
Moon Rovers in the Fast Lane (Source: ESA)
Today, a field test in Fuerteventura, Spain, concluded for a new lunar rover Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system, FASTNAV, that will makes lunar rovers faster, allowing them to cover ten times more ground. Over eleven days, engineers tested whether the GNC system could autonomously move a rover quickly across a volcanic desert, traversing over lava boulders and dunes. The system aims to get rovers travelling across the lunar landscape at 1 meter per second – roughly 3.6km/h. Previously most rovers have only been able to crawl along at 0.2km/h so this marks a dramatic increase in exploration efficiency. (10/8)
Strengthening India’s Space Sovereignty (Source: PIB)
India’s space ecosystem has expanded rapidly, with registered space start-ups rising from 1 in 2014 to around 440 in 2026 (till August). This expanding ecosystem is strengthening India’s space economy, valued at USD 9 billion, as of August 2026. It is projected to reach USD 40–45 billion over the next decade. Private investment in India's space sector surged nearly six-fold, climbing from USD 100.5 million in 2021–22 to USD 618.5 million by March 31, 2026, with USD 187 million recorded during 2026 alone. By mid-2026, 113 authorizations had been granted to 52 Non-Government Entities (NGEs) out of which 18 are start-ups for satellite operations, payload establishment and launch services. (8/14)
The custom-sewn white flight jacket with the NASA meatball logo used to fit over the shoulders of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong while he trained to become the first man to walk on the moon. Fifty-seven years after NASA's historic Apollo 11 lunar mission , Charles Jeffrey carefully slid the sleeves of Armstrong's coverall jacket over the arms of a mannequin inside the American Space Museum in Titusville. The exceptionally scarce garment is up for sale in the museum's Oct. 17 online charity auction — and Jeffrey estimated it could sell for $800,000 to $1.2 million. (10/6)
SpaceX Launches Tuesday Dragon Mission to ISS from Florida (Source: Space News)
SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo mission to the International Space Station this morning. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, putting the Dragon into orbit on the CRS-35 mission. The Dragon is scheduled to dock with the ISS Thursday morning. It is carrying about 2,870 kilograms of cargo, including the final pair of new solar arrays that will be installed on the ISS on an upcoming spacewalk to augment the station's power supply. Dragon will remain at the ISS for a month before returning to Earth. (10/13)
Perseverance Rover Breaks Martian Driving Record (Source: NASA)
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover now holds the off-Earth driving record. The rover's odometer reached 45.22 kilometers on Sunday, breaking the record for greatest distance driven on another world that had been held by the Opportunity Mars over at 45.16 kilometers. Perseverance reached the record in five and a half years while it took Opportunity nearly 15 years to reach the previous record. Perseverance benefits from AutoNav, its autonomous driving system that allows the rover to plot the best course between waypoints selected by controller. Perseverance has driven more than 400 meters in a single Martian day using AutoNav. (10/13)
European Officials Support Human Spaceflight Development (Source: Space News)
European officials signaled support last week for ESA's proposals to develop a human spaceflight capability. During a panel session at the International Astronautical Congress, leaders of several national space agencies in Europe said they believed Europe needed to be more autonomous in space, citing in part NASA's decision earlier in the year to stop work on the lunar Gateway, to which ESA had planned to contribute modules. They also said that having greater capabilities would lead to stronger partnerships. ESA member states will meet in Rome in December to discuss the proposal although funding decisions will not come until 2028. (10/13)
Space Force Must Increase in Size (Source: Space News)
The Space Force, with a growing budget, now faces the challenge of increasing the size of the force. The Trump administration's proposed fiscal 2027 budget would increase the service's military end strength from 10,400 to 13,200 in a single year. Space Force leaders say they want roughly 25,000 uniformed guardians within five years. While increased funding will support the infrastructure needed for training new guardians, it can't compress the time required to turn thousands of new recruits into experienced personnel. Space Force officials said there is strong interest in joining the service, but that they can't sacrifice quality of training for quantity of recruits. (10/13)
Army Tools to Combine Satellite and Drone Imagery (Source: Space News)
The Army is expanding the use of tools that combine satellite and drone imagery. Reveal Technology said Monday it has introduced an upgraded geospatial intelligence platform that combines satellite and drone imagery into 3D terrain models. The software allows U.S. Army soldiers to analyze terrain and plan missions even when military communications are disrupted. The company received a $9.5 million Army order to expand deployment of the software, called Farsight 2.0, to additional infantry brigades. The contract reflects growing military interest in making satellite-derived intelligence more accessible to tactical forces. (10/13)
Starlink Satellites Launched From California on Monday (Source: Space.com)
SpaceX launched Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 Monday in the first such launch in three weeks. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, placing 27 Starlink satellites into orbit. This was the first Falcon 9 launch to deploy Starlink satellites since Sept. 19, although advanced V3 Starlink satellites launched on SpaceX's latest Starship launch Sept. 28. SpaceX had, until recently, been launching Starlink satellites two to three times a week on Falcon 9 vehicles, but is starting to shift to using Starship for V3 Starlink satellites that are designed specifically for Starship. (10/13)
Turkish Men Arrested for Damaging Starlink Ground Station in Poland (Source: TVP World)
German police have arrested two Turkish men on charges that they started a fire at a Starlink ground station in Poland. Polish government officials said they believe the men started the fire at the ground station near Warsaw in late September in a bid to disrupt Starlink services in the region. The first damaged a power unit and generator at the ground station. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk claimed the fire was "another act of hybrid war" by Russia. (10/13)
Musk Says Starlink will be Affordable in India; Govt Officials Call Claims on License ‘Blatantly False' (Source: The Week0
Elon Musk has said that SpaceX will need to make Starlink pricing affordable in India to take on Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio, which offers some of the lowest prices in the country per gigabyte. Jio's own satellite venture is also awaiting final security clearance from the government before launch. Musk had claimed, “Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?"
The government officials said that Musk's claim was blatantly false and that the company revived key approvals s for Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) services and from IN-SPACE only around two years ago. (10/11)
SpaceX Has a Plan to Make your Phone Carrier Obsolete (Source: The Street)
Challengers have tried to enter the mobile market. Cable companies resell access on Verizon’s network. Dish spent years trying to become the fourth national carrier before selling much of its spectrum, including a roughly $17 billion package that went to a rocket company. That rocket company just made its next move. On Oct. 8, SpaceX agreed to buy a nationwide portfolio of low-band airwaves from investment firm Grain Management. The deal targets the one thing Starlink’s satellites can’t do well today: reach your phone when you’re indoors. (10/11)
Air Force Secretary’s Space Weapons Confirmation Raises Concerns About Planned Hawaii Telescopes (Source: Maui Now)
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink’s confirmation that the United States has deployed weapons in orbit has raised new concerns on Maui about the Air Force’s plan to build up to seven more telescopes atop Haleakalā, a summit many Native Hawaiians consider sacred. Meink said the United States has “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.” It was the first time the United States has confirmed deploying weapons in space.
Protect Haleakalā ʻOhana, a community collective that opposes the telescopes, raised its concerns in an email to Maui Now. “This is a military expansion into more sacred space, not a scientific addition to it,” the group wrote. “Haleakalā is a sacred site in a conservation district. Haleakalā is the piko. Hawaiians return there to connect with kūpuna.” The Air Force is “deploying find, fix track and target sensors, not just astronomy telescopes,” and that Meink’s announcement “makes plain what the chain is for,” the ʻOhana group said. “We do not want Maui to be a larger target in an escalation we had no say in.” (10/11)
Committee to Focus on Bringing U.S. Space Academy to Arizona (Source: KTAR)
Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Friday a statewide effort to bring the U.S. Space Academy to Arizona — through the creation of the Arizona U.S. Space Academy Steering Committee. The U.S. Space Academy is a proposed service academy for space-related operations, announced by President Donald Trump in an executive order on Aug. 28. NASA will lead the academy, and it wants classes to start by 2028.
Hobbs’ proposal for Arizona to host the academy comes from the belief that the state is a leader in aerospace and defense industries, in addition to having a cutting-edge science, research and high-tech manufacturing economy. (10/12)
Musk, Not Starlink: The Strategic Risk India Must Assess (Source: Sunday Guardian)
Taken together, Musk’s concentrated power, political interventions, and overall conduct create a strategic warning. The enthusiasm for Starlink should not make India, or any other nation, to treat this record as irrelevant. More so when Musk has self-recognized himself as George Soros.
Musk is not an ordinary investor. He commands extraordinary influence—political, financial and infrastructural. He is the world’s first trillionaire, with extraordinary influence and proximity to the American state. The amount of wealth, control of critical infrastructure, algorithmic and AI power, and political pull concentrated in one man is much more than what any nation-state should be comfortable with. (10/11)
Is LEO Where Regulation Is Not A Dirty Word? (Source: Aviation Week)
There are few topics that unite aerospace and defense industry officials—or, frankly, industry officials of any ilk—as much as a loathing for regulations, particularly when it comes to new sectors where they are frequently blasted as barriers to innovation. In some cases, though, the only thing worse than excessive regulation may be no regulation at all. One example may be the emerging space economy, industry officials suggest, at least as it applies to certain areas.
“I think regulation, while it may be a dirty word in a lot of places, it's something that, for those of us that have been executing experiments in space to date, that lack of regulation is the impediment for some types of commercial sales,” Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain says. In particular, he notes that there are uncertainties when it comes to pharmaceutical development. That field is seen as among the most promising for early low-Earth-orbit (LEO) research and development and potential production. (10/9)
Antimatter Is Leaking Out of Our Galaxy Into Intergalactic Space (Source: BBC)
Antimatter could be escaping from the Milky Way before annihilating in clouds of gas beyond our Galaxy, according to a new study of 20 years of gamma-ray observations. The research, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, suggests our Galaxy could produce two to three times more antimatter than currently thought. Researchers identified faint hotspots emitting the 511 keV (kiloelectronvolt) gamma rays produced when positrons – the antimatter counterparts of electrons – annihilate with ordinary matter. (10/10)
Moon Rovers in the Fast Lane (Source: ESA)
Today, a field test in Fuerteventura, Spain, concluded for a new lunar rover Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system, FASTNAV, that will makes lunar rovers faster, allowing them to cover ten times more ground. Over eleven days, engineers tested whether the GNC system could autonomously move a rover quickly across a volcanic desert, traversing over lava boulders and dunes. The system aims to get rovers travelling across the lunar landscape at 1 meter per second – roughly 3.6km/h. Previously most rovers have only been able to crawl along at 0.2km/h so this marks a dramatic increase in exploration efficiency. (10/8)
Strengthening India’s Space Sovereignty (Source: PIB)
India’s space ecosystem has expanded rapidly, with registered space start-ups rising from 1 in 2014 to around 440 in 2026 (till August). This expanding ecosystem is strengthening India’s space economy, valued at USD 9 billion, as of August 2026. It is projected to reach USD 40–45 billion over the next decade. Private investment in India's space sector surged nearly six-fold, climbing from USD 100.5 million in 2021–22 to USD 618.5 million by March 31, 2026, with USD 187 million recorded during 2026 alone. By mid-2026, 113 authorizations had been granted to 52 Non-Government Entities (NGEs) out of which 18 are start-ups for satellite operations, payload establishment and launch services. (8/14)
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