Space News

Space Exploration & Science Missions

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

Researchers detect rare form of methanol in space for the first time

An international team working through the ALMA COMPASS Large program has reported the first detection in space of a rare form of methanol, also known as wood alcohol. The finding adds a previously undetected variant of the molecule to observations of space chemistry.

1 Source

2026-10-15T15:54:44.639861-07:00

Satellite Middle East

Satellite Evolution • Satellite Evolution Group

Durri Space Signs Cailabs Contract for Three Optical Ground Stations in Oman

By Satellite Evolution: Under the patronage of H.E. Dr.

Also: Via Satellite

2 Sources

2026-10-15T06:06:08.776259-07:00

Satellite M&A

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Comtech Expects Divestiture to Gilat to Close This Year

By Via Satellite: Comtech expects its satellite divestiture to Gilat Satellite Networks to close by the end of the calendar year, leadership confirmed this week. Comtech.

1 Source

2026-10-15T14:05:15.736591-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Space.com • Hanneke Weitering, Tariq Malik

On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn

By Space.com: 15, 1997, NASA launched the Cassini spacecraft on a mission to explore Saturn and its moons. It lifted off aboard a Titan 4B rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

1 Source

2026-10-15T13:05:12.199107-07:00

Satellite Space Debris & Traffic Management

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

China proposal: For space safety, have all satellites carry RF beacons similar to aero ADS-B and maritime AIS

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland— China’s representative to the ITU Space Sustainability Forum said having radio-frequency ID beacons on every satellite in low Earth orbit would be the single most effective measure against orbital crowding and collision risk — even more important than ephemeris sharing among satellite fleet owners.

1 Source

2026-10-15T13:55:48.601114-07:00

defense Space Force North America Defense Budgets & Spending

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Command’s new headquarters estimated to cost $4 billion

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Air Force is preparing to select a contractor to build and equip U.S. Space Command’s new headquarters in Alabama, a project now estimated to cost approximately $4 billion.

1 Source

2026-10-15T16:05:38.057708-07:00

Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Juliet Chung

University Endowments Land Biggest Returns Since 2021 on SpaceX, AI Gains

By Wall Street Journal: University endowments are notching their strongest returns in five years thanks in part to gains from SpaceX and other AI bets, with Harvard becoming the latest school to report a gain of more than 20%.

Also: CNBC, Bloomberg and Financial Times

4 Sources

2026-10-15T11:19:58.750347-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Seraphim Space investment fund shares up 119.4% in 12 months to June 30; says Iceye is brightest, but not only portfolio star

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC (SSIT), a publicly traded investment fund invested in privately owned young space companies, rose 119.4% in the 12 months ending June 30 as several of its holdings exhibited explosive growth.

1 Source

2026-10-15T12:04:36.308335-07:00

Researchers detect rare form of methanol in space for the first time

Durri Space Signs Cailabs Contract for Three Optical Ground Stations in Oman

Comtech Expects Divestiture to Gilat to Close This Year

On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn

China proposal: For space safety, have all satellites carry RF beacons similar to aero ADS-B and maritime AIS

Space Command’s new headquarters estimated to cost $4 billion

University Endowments Land Biggest Returns Since 2021 on SpaceX, AI Gains

Seraphim Space investment fund shares up 119.4% in 12 months to June 30; says Iceye is brightest, but not only portfolio star

Scientists Detect Rare Type of Wood Alcohol in Space

Space Command’s new headquarters estimated to cost $4 billion

Durri Space Signs Cailabs Contract for Three Optical Ground Stations in Oman

Comtech Expects Divestiture to Gilat to Close This Year

China proposal: For space safety, have all satellites carry RF beacons similar to aero ADS-B and maritime AIS

On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn

Host Stars Shape Their Planetary Systems Into Two Families

NASA's SkyFall helicopters will 'show us parts of Mars we've never seen before', scientists say

PlaneSense Extends IFC with Gogo Galileo Deal

Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

SpaceX launches 6,300 pounds of cargo and science to the ISS, deploying two GHGSat methane-monitoring satellites

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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