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West Coast Falcon 9 rocket launches 27 Starlink satellites
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-27 00:50
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Tuesday, deploying a new batch of 27 Starlink satellites into a 70‑degree inclined orbit. The booster, B1082, on its 26th flight, completed a short circularization burn before the satellites were released and then returned to the Pacific Ocean. It landed safely on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” off the coast of Baja California. This mission follows B1082’s earlier deployments of USSF‑62, OneWeb Launch 20, NROL‑145, Transporter‑18 and 21 Starlink V2 mini batches.
Rocket Lab Electron Launches HawkEye 360 Cluster 16 to Expand Radio-Frequency Constellation
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-27 00:00
Rocket Lab successfully launched its Electron rocket on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. The launch carried HawkEye 360’s Cluster 16 satellite, expanding the company’s global network of Earth‑observation assets. The flight proceeded on schedule, underscoring Rocket Lab’s rapid, cost‑effective launch capabilities. This mission marks another milestone for both companies in advancing maritime monitoring and environmental data collection.
AFRL Evaluates Rocket Cargo Logistics Pods Aboard SpaceX Bandwagon-5 Rideshare Flight
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 16:43
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Air Force Research Laboratory conducted an orbital technology demonstration that tested point‑to‑point rocket delivery of military logistics aboard a SpaceX rideshare launch. The flight, launched from [launch site], carried a payload designed to evaluate rapid distribution of critical supplies to forward locations.
KASA Grants Commercial Space Access to Defense Mutual Aid and Naro Space Center
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 16:19
Korea’s Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced on Monday, October 26, 2026, a new policy that will allow commercial space firms to tap into state‑backed defense‑industry mutual aid services. The reforms aim to streamline access to advanced technologies and infrastructure that were previously reserved for military projects. KASA identified a group of leading commercial space companies to pilot the program, marking a significant shift toward greater industry collaboration. This move is expected to accelerate Korea’s commercial space ambitions and strengthen its national security capabilities.
MBSat Selects ST Engineering iDirect Intuition Platform for Ground Infrastructure in Oman
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 15:56
On Sunday, October 25, 2026, ST Engineering iDirect announced a partnership with Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company (MBSat) to provide the ground system foundation for satellite communications. The collaboration will allow MBSat to expand its satellite operations by leveraging iDirect’s proven ground infrastructure. Together, the companies aim to enhance service reliability and coverage across the region. This partnership will support the deployment of advanced ground stations for future satellite missions.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Petition FCC to Exclude Mid-Band Spectrum from Satellite Coverage Framework
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 15:34
Wireless carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have mounted a joint regulatory campaign urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to act. The FCC is scheduled to hold an open commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026. The FCC is expected to vote on the issue.
How a Johnson Mentor Shapes the Next Generation of NASA Talent
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-27 07:07
NASA’s Guidance, Navigation & Control engineer Daniel Cohen is mentoring Rice University student Malvika Bhardwaj, helping her develop tools for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle that will safely retire the International Space Station. Cohen, a former intern himself, dedicates hours each week to teach interns orbital mechanics and control systems, fostering a collaborative culture at Johnson Space Center. Bhardwaj credits the mentorship with deepening her technical skills and broadening her view of STEM careers, urging future interns to apply even if they feel unprepared. Her experience underscores NASA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of space talent.
A-81 Reaches South Georgia
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-27 04:00
Iceberg A‑81, a 1,550‑square‑kilometer block that broke free from Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf in January 2023, has now slowed dramatically near South Georgia’s underwater shelf as it drifts northward. After spending more than three years in the Weddell Sea and circling the Antarctic Peninsula, the berg’s approach to the remote island in October 2026 marks a striking pause, scientists say. This slowdown follows a pattern of earlier icebergs, such as A‑23A in 2025, that have grounded on South Georgia’s shelf, prompting researchers to monitor the shelf’s stability closely. NASA’s Terra satellite captured the moment, underscoring the dynamic changes in Antarctica’s ice shelves and the broader climate story.
Launch Preview: Falcon 9 and GSLV rockets scheduled to launch
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 21:11
Four rockets are set to lift off this week, with SpaceX launching three Falcon 9s from Vandenberg Space Force Base—two to deploy Starlink v2 Mini satellites and one to deliver a classified U.S. Space Force payload. The first Starlink mission, Group 15‑16, is scheduled for 10:46 PM PDT on Monday, Oct. 26, followed by Group 15‑18 on Thursday, Oct. 29. Meanwhile, India will launch its NVS‑03 navigation satellite into geostationary transfer orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Friday, Oct. 30. All missions aim to expand global connectivity and national security capabilities.
Colare Raises $2.5M to Expand its Hardware-Focused Hiring Platform
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 12:23
San Francisco‑based startup Colare has unveiled a technical‑assessment platform that lets space and deep‑tech companies test engineers on real‑world design decisions before hiring, aiming to cut the 40‑hour vetting process. The launch follows a $2.5 million pre‑seed round led by Afore Capital, Garage Capital and Acadian Ventures, giving Colare the resources to expand its team and assessment library.
Analog astronauts: How living underwater can prepare humans for space missions
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 21:00
Dr. Michaela Musilova, an award‑winning astrobiologist, has led 40 simulated Moon and Mars missions, the most of any commander. She now heads XtremeFrontiers and is launching Astro Seven Summits, the first program to combine climbs of the highest peaks on each continent with NASA‑backed science, education and documentary filmmaking. Musilova consults for global firms and museums, including the Smithsonian, and is one of the few to have directed research on all seven continents. Her achievements have earned her spots on Forbes 30 Under 30, Top 100 Women in Aerospace, and the Emerging Space Leaders Grant, and she remains a sought‑after keynote speaker and science communicator.
On this day in space! Oct. 26, 2004: Cassini spacecraft takes 1st-ever closeup photos of Saturn moon Titan
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 19:47
On October 26, 2004, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft performed its second flyby of Saturn’s moon Titan, coming within 745 miles of the surface and capturing the highest‑resolution images ever taken of the hazy world. These close‑up photos revealed a continent‑sized region called Xanadu, bright features hinting at mountain ranges, and smooth plains, offering a glimpse of a planet that may resemble a young Earth. The data helped scientists map Titan’s atmosphere and prepare for the Huygens lander’s descent the following year. Cassini would go on to make 127 Titan flybys before its mission ended in 2017.
NASA ends Swift space telescope mission after failed rescue attempt
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 18:43
NASA has officially ended the mission of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after a private rescue attempt by Katalyst Space Technologies failed, and the telescope is expected to re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere in the coming weeks. Swift, launched in 2004, spent more than two decades studying gamma‑ray bursts, supernovae, and other high‑energy phenomena, producing over 7,000 scientific papers.
Record breaker! Astronomers spot powerful cosmic explosion that lasted 27 days
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 17:00
Astronomers have recorded a record‑breaking gamma‑ray burst, GRB 220706A, that flared in X‑rays for an unprecedented 27 days, eclipsing the previous 7‑day record. The burst, first spotted on July 6, 2022, followed the collapse of a massive star and produced a bright supernova, but the engine that kept it alive remains a mystery. Scientists speculate the source could be a powerful magnetar or a colossal blue supergiant, both of which would explain the unusually long and intense flaring.
SpaceX ignites giant Super Heavy booster engines ahead of daring Starship launch (video)
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-26 16:00
SpaceX has just completed a 15‑second static‑fire test of the Super Heavy booster for its upcoming Flight 15, igniting all 33 Raptor 3 engines in preparation for a potential mid‑to‑late November launch. The test marks the final checks on the first‑stage vehicle, which will be mated with Ship 42, the Starship upper stage that will also undergo its own engine fire and system tests.