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True Anomaly Selected as Title Sponsor for Spacepower Conference 2026
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 23:20
On Wednesday, September 30, the Space Force Association named True Anomaly, a space defense technology provider, as the primary title sponsor for the upcoming Spacepower Conference 2026. The partnership underscores the growing importance of advanced space defense solutions in national security. The conference will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and military personnel to discuss emerging threats and innovations. True Anomaly’s sponsorship highlights its commitment to supporting the U.S. Space force’s mission.
CAS Space Delays Maiden Flight of Reusable Lihong-2 Suborbital Rocket to 2027
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 20:01
Chinese commercial launch provider CAS Space announced on September 30, 2026 that the maiden flight of its reusable Lihong‑2 suborbital vehicle will be moved from late 2026 to early 2027. The shift follows a review of the rocket’s readiness and market timing. The Lihong‑2 is designed to carry small payloads on suborbital trajectories, positioning CAS Space to tap a growing niche market.
Astro Digital to Go Public via $587 Million SPAC Merger with Proem Acquisition Corp I
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 19:56
Astro Digital, a Denver‑based satellite manufacturer, announced on September 28, 2026 that it has entered into a definitive business combination agreement to go public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. The deal will allow Astro Digital to access public capital markets and expand its satellite services portfolio. The SPAC will acquire Astro Digital’s shares, creating a combined entity that will trade on the stock exchange. This move positions the company to accelerate growth in the rapidly expanding satellite communications sector.
Astranis Secures $468 Million EXIM Direct Loan to Expand MicroGEO Satellite Manufacturing
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 19:47
On September 30, 2026, the U.S. Export‑Import Bank approved a $468 million direct credit facility for satellite maker Astranis, giving the company a long‑term, low‑interest loan to expand its manufacturing and launch capabilities. The funding will help Astranis build and deploy a new constellation of low‑Earth orbit satellites that aim to deliver high‑speed broadband to underserved regions. By reducing financing costs, the loan accelerates the company’s deployment timelines and strengthens its competitive position in the global satellite market. This move signals Washington’s commitment to supporting U.S. Leadership in the commercial space sector.
SES and Sky Extend Direct-to-Home Satellite Capacity Agreement Across UK and Ireland
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 15:51
On September 30, 2026, Luxembourg‑based satellite operator SES announced a multi‑year extension of its direct‑to‑home satellite capacity agreement with European media and connectivity provider Sky. The deal will secure additional bandwidth for Sky’s broadcasting and connectivity services across Europe, ensuring continued coverage for its customers. The extension underscores SES’s commitment to supporting Sky’s expanding media footprint and enhancing digital content delivery. This partnership marks a significant step forward for both companies as they look ahead to future growth.
Help Overlap Zoo Reveal Cosmic Dust
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 21:19
NASA’s new Overlap Zoo project invites volunteers to spot rare overlapping galaxies that act like cosmic flashlights, letting astronomers map the dust that shadows starlight. By identifying and classifying these pairs, scientists can refine how dust dims and scatters light, improving distance estimates to far‑away objects. Participants will learn to verify galaxy pairs, outline key features, and build the first large catalog for dust studies—all with no prior experience needed. Just a few minutes of curiosity can help unlock the secrets hidden in these rare cosmic alignments.
NASA Adds New Science Investigations for Moon Base
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 21:11
NASA has selected three new scientific payloads under its PRISM program to fly to the Moon’s South Pole via the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, supporting the Artemis and Moon Base plans. The LEMS‑SP suite will monitor environmental hazards and volatiles, the GIMLI instrument will search for subterranean lava tubes that could serve as natural habitats, and the DISCO payload will map hidden ice and assess surface stability for future operations. Together, these investigations will provide critical data on lunar resources, shelter potential, and safety hazards, paving the way for a sustainable human presence. This effort marks a key step toward establishing humanity’s first lunar outpost and preparing for eventual missions to Mars.
Crew-13 astronauts set for launch to ISS after weeks of delays
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 21:04
NASA and SpaceX’s Crew‑13, led by veteran Jessica Watkins and joined by first‑time flyers Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov, launched Thursday from Cape Canaveral aboard a Falcon 9. The Crew Dragon “Grace” will dock with the ISS in just under nine hours, setting a new record for the fastest Dragon to reach the station. This marks the capsule’s second flight and its first long‑duration stay, following a brief 20‑day stint on the Axiom‑4 mission earlier this year.
Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 15:17
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 launched from Starbase Pad 2 at 7:48 a.m. CDT, with Booster 21 losing an engine during ascent yet completing its boost‑back and splashdown.
Exclusive: Hop Aero Raises $11M for Suborbital Point-to-Point Delivery
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 12:50
Hop Aero, the suborbital point‑to‑point logistics startup, just closed an $11 million round led by Initialized Capital after its summer Y Combinator batch. CEO Matija Milenovic said the company raised more than expected, positioning it for a Series A and allowing it to push forward on its full‑scale Rook 2 vehicle.
Varda Raises $251M Series D
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 12:00
Varda has secured a $251 million Series D, boosting its valuation to $1.6 billion and bringing total funding to almost $600 million. The company is scaling its orbit‑based pharmaceutical manufacturing, where zero‑gravity enables unique crystallization of medical ingredients and also benefits semiconductor and defense customers. Since 2023, Varda has completed six re‑entry missions and plans more than a dozen in the next two years. Its next W‑8 and W‑9 flights, set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter‑18 this Thursday, will test thermal protection and hypersonic navigation for future space‑based production.
Dinosaur-killing impact crater might have been teeming with life
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-30 21:54
Around 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub asteroid slammed into what is now the Yucatan Peninsula, killing non‑avian dinosaurs and triggering massive tsunamis. The impact also sparked a hydrothermal system that lasted eight million years, potentially fostering life in the deep ocean. Recent 2016 drilling uncovered rock formations that show the collision melted and deformed 35 km of subsurface, turning it porous and feeding hot water into the sea. This hidden undersea environment may have become a cradle for microorganisms struggling to survive after the catastrophe.