Space News

aviation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

Virgin Galactic’s first Delta-class spaceplane, Apeiron, makes its initial flight beneath its carrier aircraft

Virgin Galactic’s newly named Apeiron took to the skies for the first time on Oct. 29, carried beneath its carrier aircraft. The flight marks an initial airborne milestone for the company’s Delta-class spaceplane, though the available report does not specify the flight’s duration or whether it included a release or powered testing.

Also: Aerospace Testing Intnl

2 Sources

2026-10-30T05:19:14.721905-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Landspace tops bid to launch China’s Haolong reusable cargo spaceplane

By SpaceNews.com: Commercial launch firm Landspace has topped a tender to launch an unidentified spacecraft, understood to be the reusable Haolong spaceplane to serve Tiangong space station.

1 Source

2026-10-30T04:56:02.646424-07:00

ULA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

ULA Wins Major NASA Contract as Vulcan Nears Return to Flight

By Ars Technica: It's been a good week for ULA, with big NASA contract, Vulcan nearing return-to-flight.

1 Source

2026-10-30T05:05:00.246654-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Telesat Stays Quiet on C$2.4B GEO Debt Due in December

By Payload: Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg told analysts the company was “pretty constrained” in what it could say about refinancing its legacy GEO debt.

1 Source

2026-10-30T05:05:25.419589-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions

NEW

Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Earth’s “Impenetrable” Space Radiation Shield Was Just Breached From Within

By Universe Today: Remember the big solar storm back in May 2024? The one that caused auroras as far south as Florida and Mexico?.

1 Source

2026-10-30T05:55:50.911818-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Dale Skran, Grant Henriksen, Hoyt Davidson, Karlton D. Johnson, Stan Rosen

America needs a Space Academy for the space age

By SpaceNews.com: To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site.

1 Source

2026-10-30T06:05:39.559443-07:00

Europe ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Ground Qualification Testing Begins for Callisto Reusable Rocket Demonstrator

By European Spaceflight: CNES has begun ground qualification testing for the Callisto reusable rocket demonstrator in French Guiana ahead of its planned first flight in 2027.

1 Source

2026-10-30T04:04:47.759620-07:00

defense Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

SpaceWatch Global • Christophe Bosquillon

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE - HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: TRICK or TRADE? How flipping the Starshield kill-switch over Ukraine eventually backfired

By SpaceWatch Global: Written by Christophe Bosquillon. A sudden restriction on Ukraine’s Starshield access exposed an uncomfortable question about battlefield connectivity: who ultimately controls critical space infrastructure?.

1 Source

2026-10-30T03:55:38.399560-07:00

Virgin Galactic’s first Delta-class spaceplane, Apeiron, makes its initial flight beneath its carrier aircraft

Landspace tops bid to launch China’s Haolong reusable cargo spaceplane

ULA Wins Major NASA Contract as Vulcan Nears Return to Flight

Telesat Stays Quiet on C$2.4B GEO Debt Due in December

Earth’s “Impenetrable” Space Radiation Shield Was Just Breached From Within

America needs a Space Academy for the space age

Ground Qualification Testing Begins for Callisto Reusable Rocket Demonstrator

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE - HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: TRICK or TRADE? How flipping the Starshield kill-switch over Ukraine eventually backfired

Earth’s “Impenetrable” Space Radiation Shield Was Just Breached From Within

America needs a Space Academy for the space age

ULA Wins Major NASA Contract as Vulcan Nears Return to Flight

Telesat Stays Quiet on C$2.4B GEO Debt Due in December

Landspace tops bid to launch China’s Haolong reusable cargo spaceplane

Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to the skies for the 1st time (video)

Vyoma Brings Flamingo-1, Germany's First Space-Based SDA Telescope, Into Operation

What’s at stake for military space in midterm elections

Europe Begins Funding Offensive In-Space Capabilities

Satellogic Extends Non-Earth Imaging Partnership with HEO Through 2029

FCC approves Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar

Putin praises Musk as Russia develops a Starlink rival and says Moscow is coordinating with US partners

Virgin Galactic unveils Apeiron, its next-generation Delta-class spaceplane, and pushes commercial flights to Q2 2027

SpaceX and Tesla boards form committees to consider a potential merger

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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