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Open Cosmos Seeks One-Year ITU Regulatory Extension After Missing Constellation Deployment Milestones
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 20:02
On October 6, 2026, satellite manufacturer Open Cosmos petitioned the International Telecommunication Union’s Radio Regulations Board for a one‑year extension after falling short on 50 % of its fleet deployment deadlines. The request follows mounting pressure to deliver its planned constellation on schedule, a delay that could postpone new services and strain the company’s financial outlook. The ITU board will review the petition and determine whether the extension is granted, potentially reshaping the timeline for Open Cosmos’s satellite operations.
FAA Licensed Launches Decline in FY2026 as Bottlenecks Drive High-Density Satellite Design Alternatives
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 18:16
FAA data released on October 6, 2026 shows commercial space launch activity fell in fiscal year 2026, the first dip since 2019. The agency licensed 187 launches, down from 205 the previous year, reflecting a slowdown in the industry. The decline comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny and market consolidation. This marks a notable shift in the U.S. Space launch landscape.
U.S. Department of Defense Awards Contract to Upgrade Kymeta Osprey u8 Terminal into Multi-Mission Edge Platform
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 16:14
The Department of Defense awarded Kymeta Corporation a technology development contract on October 6, 2026 to tackle processing bottlenecks at the tactical edge. The deal focuses on advancing satellite terminal technology to improve data throughput and reduce latency for field operations. Kymeta will develop new hardware and software solutions designed to integrate with existing DoD networks, with a projected delivery timeline of 24 months. The contract underscores the Pentagon’s push to modernize its communications infrastructure in support of rapid decision‑making on the battlefield.
NASA to Cover Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Spacecraft Departure
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 18:31
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo ship, having delivered more than 11,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station, is set to undock on Friday, Oct. 9, with NASA
October 2026 Satellite Puzzler
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 18:27
NASA’s Earth Observatory has launched its October 2026 satellite image puzzler, inviting viewers to identify the location and share clues. Participants can submit guesses via a form, and the first correct answer will earn bragging rights, while other thoughtful responses may be highlighted. The challenge will be followed by a detailed explanation of the image and its significance. Stay tuned for the reveal and learn more about this intriguing location.
Lunar Grounding Challenge
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 18:22
NASA is tackling a new safety challenge for future moonwalks at the lunar South Pole, where astronauts can accumulate dangerous static charges during EVAs. When a highly negatively‑charged suit approaches a positively‑biased lander, the resulting electrostatic discharge could damage the suit, electronics, and even endanger the crew’s oxygen supply. To mitigate this risk, NASA has launched the Lunar Grounding Challenge, inviting innovators to develop solutions that safely neutralize astronauts before contact with the lander. Teams have until January 15, 2027, to submit proposals, with up to $150,000 in prizes available for the winning concepts.
NASA Glenn Invites Phase 1 Proposals for Aerospace Power Systems Laboratory
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 17:55
NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is calling for Phase 1 proposals to design and construct a new Aerospace Power Systems Laboratory, a key facility for testing power systems that will support the Artemis program, a Moon Base, and future Mars missions. The lab will offer state‑of‑the‑art test capabilities to advance power research and meet NASA’s current and future mission needs. Proposals must be submitted by October 30, 2026 through NASA’s EFSS Box, with questions due by October 12, 2026 to contracting officer John Christel.
Astronomers Solve Cosmic Cold Case with NASA Hubble Data
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 16:09
NASA and ESA scientists, led by Leah Hustak of the Space Telescope Science Institute, have uncovered chemical evidence that the white dwarf HS 0209+0832 may host a second‑generation planet. The dead core of a former star has shed gas and dust, from which a new planet could form, giving it a composition unlike planets that formed with their host stars. An artist’s concept released on Oct. 5, 2026 illustrates this intriguing scenario. This discovery opens a new window on planetary formation around stellar remnants.
Crew-12 set to depart the ISS after eighth months in orbit
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 23:43
After eight months aboard the International Space Station, NASA and SpaceX’s Crew‑12 will undock from the Harmony port on Oct. 7, heading home in the Crew Dragon Freedom. The four‑person crew, which conducted hundreds of science experiments and four spacewalks, will spend about 27.5 hours in orbit before splashing down in the Pacific on Oct. 8. Their departure follows the arrival of Crew‑13, which began its six‑month mission on Oct. 1, and marks the fifth Crew Dragon mission for SpaceX.
NASA progress with SLS vehicles for upcoming Artemis missions
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 12:35
NASA has stacked the center segments of both Artemis III solid rocket boosters on Mobile Launcher 1, a key step toward the June 2027 launch that will ferry Orion and a four‑person crew for a lunar‑module test flight. The boosters, assembled in the Vehicle Assembly Building since July, now await the remaining motor segments and nose cones before they are mated to the Core Stage, whose tank arrived from New Orleans and is in the midst of engine installation. Engineers have also completed the first electrical connection between Orion’s crew module and its European Service Module, confirming the umbilicals that will power the spacecraft. Meanwhile, teams at Marshall Space Flight Center are finishing the spacer and adapters that will replace the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, ensuring the Artemis III launch vehicle is fully ready for its critical test mission.
Colorado Springs, Huntsville Team Up on Golden Dome
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 17:30
Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Huntsville, Alabama, have set aside a long‑running rivalry over the location of U.S. Space Command to collaborate on the Golden Dome missile‑defense program. Huntsville, home to the Missile Defense Agency and Redstone Arsenal, will focus on stopping threats, while Colorado Springs, with NORAD and the Space Force bases, will help detect and track them. Representative Jeff Crank said the partnership could create tens of thousands of jobs, far exceeding the 1,200 direct positions tied to Space Command. The two cities now see their joint effort as a strategic win for national security and local economies.
HawkEye 360 Turns its RF-Sensors to Orbital Targets
Also covered by: SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 13:00
HawkEye 360, a commercial space‑based radio‑frequency analytics company, has shown that its satellite constellation can detect, identify, and characterize emissions from LEO, MEO, and GEO spacecraft, filling a critical gap in space domain awareness. The U.
Turkey Uses IAC Stage to Pitch Peace & Homegrown Hardware
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 12:11
Turkey is seizing the spotlight at the 2026 International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, using the event to showcase its growing space program. President Erdoğan highlighted milestones such as the first Turkish ISS astronaut and Türksat 6A, condemned the weaponization of space, and helped launch the Antalya Declaration, a 21‑country pledge to peace and cooperation.
It looks like the Atlantic storm season may finally produce a hurricane
Original Publication Date: 2026-10-06 19:55
A low‑pressure system in the western Gulf of Mexico is expected to become a tropical storm and could strengthen into a hurricane, according to the latest models. Early‑October hurricanes are common, but this season is the first in the modern record to have passed this point without a hurricane. Since the World War II era, every Atlantic season has produced at least one hurricane. This development marks a historic late‑season anomaly.