Space News

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions

Space.com • Josh Dinner

Japan’s MMX mission aims to resolve the origins of Mars’ moons with a sample return

JAXA’s Martian Moon eXploration mission will investigate Phobos and Deimos to help resolve competing theories about how the moons formed. It is also designed to return samples to Earth from the vicinity of Mars, a first for a spacecraft operating in orbit of the Red Planet.

1 Source

2026-10-18T12:55:37.912665-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

NASA Spaceflight • Arran Reid, Chris Bergin

SpaceX working through Starship Flight 15 and 16 milestones

By NASA Spaceflight: SpaceX is advancing toward its next two Starship missions as the company looks to close out 2026. Flight 15 is targeting November, with the goal of catching both the booster and the Ship.

Also: Spaceflight Now

2 Sources

2026-10-18T09:54:38.831070-07:00

Moon Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Dean Robbins

Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton was a problem-solver for the ages (op-ed)

By Space.com: The world will miss Margaret Hamilton, the pioneering programmer who helped NASA land Apollo astronauts on the moon. But we will always have her example to inspire us.

1 Source

2026-10-18T09:04:48.506122-07:00

defense Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

New York Times • Constant Méheut

Zelensky Says Trump Risks ‘Historic Mistake’ If He Backs Russia

By New York Times: President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine pressed Sunday for more information on possible restrictions to Starshield, a U.S.-provided satellite internet service used by the Ukrainian military.

CNBC

Bessent warns Zelenskyy to 'be very careful' about claims U.S. is throttling Starlink

militarnyi.com

Unknown Drone Enters Lithuania; NATO Fighter Jets Fail to Intercept It

Also: spacecitizens.substack.com, The Hill, India Defense News, Seeking Alpha and 7 more

28 Sources

2026-10-18T05:06:53.688821-07:00

defense Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force plans wider global deployment of satellite jammers

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing to hire contractors to maintain and support global deployments of as many as 56 satellite-jamming systems used to disrupt adversaries’ communications.

1 Source

2026-10-18T03:19:33.378072-07:00

defense Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Axios • Thomas Novelly

Russia nears U.S. satellite, raising alarm about intent

By Axios: The satellite is part of a constellation that supports Ukraine's military.

1 Source

2026-10-17T19:28:25.961773-07:00

Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

New Research Reveals How Long Stays in Space Affects the Human Genome

By Universe Today: A new study in Science Advances addresses the pressing questions about how long-duration exposure to microgravity affects the human genome.

2 Sources

2026-10-17T16:54:42.715551-07:00

Blue Origin Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

2026-10-16T03:05:19.152591-07:00

Japan’s MMX mission aims to resolve the origins of Mars’ moons with a sample return

SpaceX working through Starship Flight 15 and 16 milestones

Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton was a problem-solver for the ages (op-ed)

Zelensky Says Trump Risks ‘Historic Mistake’ If He Backs Russia

Bessent warns Zelenskyy to 'be very careful' about claims U.S. is throttling Starlink

Unknown Drone Enters Lithuania; NATO Fighter Jets Fail to Intercept It

Space Force plans wider global deployment of satellite jammers

Russia nears U.S. satellite, raising alarm about intent

New Research Reveals How Long Stays in Space Affects the Human Genome

Blue Origin is going all in on the New Glenn rocket

SpaceX proposing sharp increase in Starship launches from Texas

Blue Origin plans $330 million Florida expansion to ramp New Glenn launches

Returning samples from a Martian moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission to Mars

SpaceX working through Starship Flight 15 and 16 milestones

Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton was a problem-solver for the ages (op-ed)

Zelensky Says Trump Risks ‘Historic Mistake’ If He Backs Russia

Space Force plans wider global deployment of satellite jammers

Russia nears U.S. satellite, raising alarm about intent

As Ukraine worries about Starlink access, Russia is developing a system to match it

On this day in space! Oct. 17, 2016: Private Antares rocket returns to flight after catastrophic launch explosion

Enigmatic Mercury Will Remain A Puzzle Until Someone Sends A Lander

'It really does change you': SpaceX Crew-12 commander wishes we could all see our fragile Earth from space

SpaceX seeks sharply more Starship launches as Blue Origin targets weekly New Glenn flights and Rocket Lab delays Neutron to 202

Starlink restrictions constrain Ukraine’s military communications and drone interception

NASA to brief media on Artemis plans as it targets 2027 mission and 2028 lunar landing

China launches eight ADA Space computing satellites on Zhuque-2E to test orbital AI, liquid cooling and laser links

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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