Space News

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX targets Sept. 28 for Starship’s first orbital test and operational Starlink deployment

After more than a decade of development and a series of suborbital tests, SpaceX plans to launch Starship on its first orbital mission Sept. 28. The flight is expected to deploy Starlink V3 satellites, marking a transition from developmental testing toward operational use of the world’s largest and most powerful rocket.

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

Starship Flight 14: SpaceX Attempts Orbit

keeptrack.space

SpaceX Launches Fourth Classified Space Force Mission in Six Weeks as Starshield Buildout Accelerates

Also: news.ssbcrack.com and 5 more

11 Sources

2026-09-27T09:05:02.755458-07:00

ESA Space Exploration & Science Missions

Washington Post • Meghan Bartels

Why a spacecraft exploring moons where life may thrive is zipping by Earth

By Washington Post: Sent to determine what conditions hypothetical life would face deep in the solar system, “Juice” must first make two more passes of everyone’s favorite inhabited world.

1 Source

2026-09-27T08:19:53.323861-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Aerospacelab to supply satellite platforms to Lockheed Martin

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab won a contract to supply two spacecraft platforms to Lockheed Martin, adding a major U.S. defense contractor to its customer base.

1 Source

2026-09-27T04:45:39.056435-07:00

Satellite Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Josh Dinner

Will SpaceX's Starship finally make it to orbit? We're about to find out

By Space.com: SpaceX is aiming higher with the next liftoff of its giant Starship rocket. Flight 14 will take the spacecraft to orbit for the very first time, and, if everything goes according to plan, deploy a group of brand-new Starlink satellites.

Space.com

SpaceX launches classified mystery mission for US Space Force from California (video, photos)

Space.com

What time will SpaceX launch its 1st orbital Starship test on Flight 14 on Sept. 28? (Full mission timeline)

Also: news.ssbcrack.com, Forbes and news.ssbcrack.com

7 Sources

2026-09-26T03:04:57.186795-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

EU commissioner focuses on increasing European launch rates

By SpaceNews.com: The European Union commissioner responsible for space is taking a more active role in launch as he presses European companies to increase launch activity.

1 Source

2026-09-26T11:15:41.257633-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Rocket Lab launches 13th Synspective satellite

By SpaceNews.com: Rocket Lab continued a rapid pace of Electron launches with another mission for Japanese radar-imaging company Synspective on Sept. 25.

1 Source

2026-09-26T09:30:41.654827-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera, Chris Bergin

Flight 14 waits on approval as a near-term manifest sketches Starship’s next steps

By NASA Spaceflight: With Flight 14 being Starship’s first intended orbital mission, a near-term manifest is already pointing to the next two flights in close succession.

Also: spacecoastdaily.com

2 Sources

2026-09-25T21:05:38.268629-07:00

JWST Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

With PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time

By Ars Technica: NASA's PRIMA mission will use spare parts from Webb to do major science at a lower cost.

Also: Space.com, astrobiology.com and Live Science

4 Sources

2026-09-25T07:21:10.613043-07:00

SpaceX targets Sept. 28 for Starship’s first orbital test and operational Starlink deployment

Starship Flight 14: SpaceX Attempts Orbit

SpaceX Launches Fourth Classified Space Force Mission in Six Weeks as Starshield Buildout Accelerates

Why a spacecraft exploring moons where life may thrive is zipping by Earth

Aerospacelab to supply satellite platforms to Lockheed Martin

Will SpaceX's Starship finally make it to orbit? We're about to find out

SpaceX launches classified mystery mission for US Space Force from California (video, photos)

What time will SpaceX launch its 1st orbital Starship test on Flight 14 on Sept. 28? (Full mission timeline)

EU commissioner focuses on increasing European launch rates

Rocket Lab launches 13th Synspective satellite

Flight 14 waits on approval as a near-term manifest sketches Starship’s next steps

With PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time

SpaceX's Starship megarocket launching to orbit for 1st time ever on Sept. 28: Watch it live

Why a spacecraft exploring moons where life may thrive is zipping by Earth

Aerospacelab to supply satellite platforms to Lockheed Martin

EU commissioner focuses on increasing European launch rates

Rocket Lab launches 13th Synspective satellite

Will SpaceX's Starship finally make it to orbit? We're about to find out

Finland’s Iceye launches new Polish satellite technology center, eyes $31 million investments

UK Space Power Strategy: New Offensive Squadron, Funding Gap and Implications for Europe

Iridium Shareholders Approve Rocket Lab Acquisition as CFO Signals More Deals Ahead

Rocket Lab to Launch Japanese Synspective Radar-Imaging Satellite on 'Owlright, Owlright, Owlright' Mission

SpaceX targets Sept. 28 for Starship Flight 14, its first orbital launch attempt

JWST finds heavy elements in the universe’s first galaxies as NASA advances PRIMA far-infrared telescope

UK space strategy outlines offensive squadron, funding gap through 2035

Iridium shareholders approve Rocket Lab’s $54-a-share acquisition, clearing key step toward mid-2027 close

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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