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SpaceX scrubs launch attempt for 21 data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 20:33
SpaceX aborted the Falcon 9 launch of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer A mission just one minute into countdown on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, with no immediate reason given. The 21 Northrop Grumman satellites, destined for a low‑Earth orbit constellation that will give the U.
SpaceX Unveils 250 kW Starlink Gen3 AI Satellites Featuring 10 Tbps Throughput and Onboard Edge Compute
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 20:25
SpaceX unveiled the next‑generation Starlink Gen3 satellites on October 1, 2026, revealing a 250‑kilowatt power payload and a bidirectional data capacity of 10 terabits per second—a dramatic upgrade over current models.
Planet Labs Emerges as Cost-Effective Satellite Investment Amid High Multiples for Launch Peers
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 20:20
On October 3, 2026, analysts spotlighted Planet Labs PBC as a more attractive investment in the commercial space market, citing its lower valuation multiples compared to launch‑focused competitors. The satellite‑imaging company trades at a significantly discounted revenue multiple, offering a potential upside for value‑oriented investors. Its focus on Earth observation rather than rocket launches positions it as a distinct niche within the sector. Investors eyeing the space industry may find Planet Labs PBC an appealing option amid higher‑priced launch peers.
GomSpace Prepares 8U CubeSat GOMX-5 for SpaceX Transporter-18 Launch to Demonstrate Satellite Communications Technology
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 20:01
On October 1, 2026, satellite developer GomSpace announced that its GOMX‑5 technology‑demonstration mission will launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter‑18 rideshare flight. The European Space Agency has provided support, helping to validate new satellite technologies in low‑Earth orbit.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Form Joint Venture to Standardize Satellite Direct-to-Device Connectivity
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 14:59
On Friday, October 2, 2026, AT&T, T‑Mobile, and Verizon announced a joint venture to pool resources and streamline network infrastructure. The collaboration will combine spectrum, cell sites, and engineering teams to reduce duplication and lower costs for consumers. Industry analysts say the move could set a new standard for cooperation in a crowded market, while regulators will review the partnership for antitrust concerns. The companies plan to launch the venture in the next quarter, targeting a 10 % reduction in capital expenditures.
Moon-Like Madagascar
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-05 04:01
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured a striking image of the Saririaky anorthosite massif in southern Madagascar, a bright, reflective rock that resembles the Moon’s highlands when viewed from orbit. This 600‑million‑year‑old intrusive igneous formation lies within a ductile shear zone that records the ancient collision of Africa, India, Madagascar, Australia, and Antarctica into the supercontinent Gondwana. Scientists study these Earth analogues—alongside limited Apollo lunar samples—to better understand the Moon’s ancient crust, with the Beartooth Mountains’ anorthosites offering a particularly close match. The photo, taken on August 28, 2026 with a Nikon Z9 camera, is now freely available online for researchers and the public.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 5022-5028: Cashing in at Cache Creek
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 21:13
NASA’s Curiosity rover on Sol 5023 (Sept 23, 2026) completed a drill into its 48th rock target, the “Basque Lakes,” in the Cache Creek quad of Gale crater. Using MAHLI, APXS, ChemCam, and Mastcam, the team confirmed the rock’s stability and collected data to compare its minerals with those of Canada’s geologically diverse Cache Creek area.
ESA, CAS release first images from SMILE; officially begin science operations
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 22:49
The European Space Agency and Chinese Academy of Sciences’ SMILE spacecraft has entered full‑scale science operations after a months‑long commissioning phase that saw it reach its highly elliptical orbit on June 20. First ultraviolet images captured a stunning full ring of auroras around Earth’s north pole, marking the first time a camera has recorded the entire auroral oval in UV light. SMILE’s four instruments—Soft X‑ray Imager, UV Imager, Light Ion Analyzer, and Magnetometer—will now study the magnetosphere, solar storms and space weather for the next three years. This milestone promises unprecedented data on how solar activity interacts with Earth’s magnetic field.
ESA to pursue crew transport and space stations as European launchers come online
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-03 22:11
The European Space Agency has launched studies into building its own space station, following a member‑state call to strengthen Europe’s presence in low‑Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars. The agency is also developing a European crew‑transport system—estimated to cost €10 billion over ten years—to avoid buying launch capacity from the United States and to keep money in Europe.
Lions and cheetahs and chimps, oh my: a spotlight on Africa's diverse wildlife
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-04 15:34
National Geographic has launched a new seven‑episode series, “Earth’s Wild Home,” that showcases Africa’s diverse ecosystems and the remarkable animals that inhabit them. From chimpanzees fishing for algae to a rescued green turtle and an orphaned pangolin learning to climb, the show captures extraordinary moments across the continent. Filmed over four years in nearly 30 African countries, the series highlights expert scientists, photographers, and explorers, and concludes with a focus on local conservation leaders.