Bloomberg
• Loren Grush
SpaceX is scheduled to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on NASA’s Crew-13 mission on Oct. 1, 2026, potentially alongside a Falcon Heavy reconnaissance launch and a rideshare carrying 130 payloads. Weather could delay Crew-13, which is expected to use a retiring Dragon spacecraft.
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Honda will work with Redwire to develop robotic systems intended to assist crews aboard commercial space stations. The partnership links Honda’s robotics capabilities with Redwire’s commercial space infrastructure efforts as operators plan for crew-support technologies beyond the International Space Station.
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SpaceX is scheduled to launch 130 payloads into orbit on Oct. 1 aboard the Transporter-18 rideshare mission, including a prototype Google artificial-intelligence satellite. The mission underscores the continuing expansion of shared launch services for deploying diverse commercial and technology-demonstration spacecraft.
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SpaceX is scheduled to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on NASA’s Crew-13 mission on Oct. 1, 2026, potentially alongside a Falcon Heavy reconnaissance launch and a rideshare carrying 130 payloads. Weather could delay Crew-13, which is expected to use a retiring Dragon spacecraft.
UK launch developer Skyrora successfully hot-fired a scaled-down version of the engine intended for its Skyrora XL orbital vehicle. The test marks progress in the company’s propulsion-development program as it works toward an orbital launch capability.
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Rocket Lab has signed its largest Electron launch-services agreement to date, covering 20 missions for longtime Japanese customer Synspective. The deal follows Rocket Lab’s 97th Electron launch for the Earth-observation constellation operator and comes as launch providers reassess pricing and competition in the commercial market.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said the company still aims to return its New Glenn rocket to flight before the end of the year, despite a May explosion at Cape Canaveral. Limp also said the company’s first outside funding round is oversubscribed and remains open.
Chinese launch startup Z-Trak Space has secured a new funding round to advance its Fission-A small reusable rocket, which uses electric-pump propulsion. The company is targeting a first flight in late 2027, adding another entrant to China’s developing commercial launch sector.
The FCC advanced its deregulation agenda with two decisions: exempting certain space activities from federal environmental regulations and making 1,000 megahertz of spectrum available. The actions could reduce regulatory requirements for affected space activities while expanding access to communications capacity.
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