Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

SpaceX stacks Ship 41 and Booster 21 ahead of first Starship orbital attempt

SpaceX has stacked Ship 41 atop Booster 21 at its launch site, positioning the vehicle for a Wet Dress Rehearsal no earlier than Sept. 24. The test will precede Starship’s first-ever attempt to reach orbit, marking a critical milestone for the launch system.

1 Source

2026-09-23T14:28:18.621514-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Commercial ISR Satellite Providers Expand Globally as Nations Seek Sovereign Intelligence Capacity

By Space Intel Report: PARIS — The spread of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) technology around the world is accelerating as more nations insist on having not just access to foreign constellations but dedicated capacity on them and, ultimately, a license to build these satellites on their home territory.

1 Source

2026-09-23T13:16:24.021236-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Industry Leader Profiles & Interviews

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

SES VP David Mathewson Discusses the Company’s MEO Satellite Strategy

By Via Satellite: In our latest Thursday Morning Conversation, we talk to SES Vice President of Product Development Engineering David Mathewson about SES’s latest plans around developing satellites, the advantages of having a multi-orbit play, as well the new capabilities of its MEO satellites.

1 Source

2026-09-23T12:55:48.762255-07:00

China Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Space Policy & International Cooperation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact NASA

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Former NASA chief sounds alarm on China's lunar "exploration" plans

By Ars Technica: Beijing's intended strategy is to dominate the high ground of the twenty-first century.".

1 Source

2026-09-23T10:21:38.169379-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Josh Dinner

SpaceX Starship Flight 14 live updates: Vehicle stacked less than one week until Starship's first orbital launch attempt

By Space.com: Follow live updates as SpaceX prepares its latest Starship rocket for the vehicle's first orbital launch attempt. The company is currently targeting Sept.

Also: Space.com and The Independent

3 Sources

2026-09-23T08:50:03.693369-07:00

AI Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

AstroForge Plans First Fully Autonomous Asteroid-Mining Mission for 2027

By Space.com: AstroForge plans to launch the first-ever totally autonomous space mission in 2027, potentially paving the way for a new era of exploration.

1 Source

2026-09-23T08:05:50.733544-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Sana Pashankar

Startup Hubble Reaches Unicorn Status for Space-Based Bluetooth

By Bloomberg: Satellite startup Hubble Network raised $200 million in a new funding round, taking the company’s valuation to $1.6 billion as it works to enable global Bluetooth connectivity through a network of spacecraft.

Also: SpaceNews.com and GeekWire

3 Sources

2026-09-23T06:20:32.498433-07:00

Moon Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space NASA

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Vast Announces New Lunar Programs Division

By Payload: The space infrastructure company is establishing a Lunar Programs division to support NASA’s Moon Base ambitions.

SpaceNews.com

Vast Expands Space Station Technology Into Lunar Infrastructure

2 Sources

2026-09-23T06:05:42.292375-07:00

SpaceX stacks Ship 41 and Booster 21 ahead of first Starship orbital attempt

Commercial ISR Satellite Providers Expand Globally as Nations Seek Sovereign Intelligence Capacity

SES VP David Mathewson Discusses the Company’s MEO Satellite Strategy

Former NASA chief sounds alarm on China's lunar "exploration" plans

SpaceX Starship Flight 14 live updates: Vehicle stacked less than one week until Starship's first orbital launch attempt

AstroForge Plans First Fully Autonomous Asteroid-Mining Mission for 2027

Startup Hubble Reaches Unicorn Status for Space-Based Bluetooth

Vast Announces New Lunar Programs Division

Vast Expands Space Station Technology Into Lunar Infrastructure

Ship 41 and Booster 21 head into key pre-flight test

Commercial ISR Satellite Providers Expand Globally as Nations Seek Sovereign Intelligence Capacity

SES VP David Mathewson Discusses the Company’s MEO Satellite Strategy

Former NASA chief sounds alarm on China's lunar "exploration" plans

SpaceX Starship Flight 14 live updates: Vehicle stacked less than one week until Starship's first orbital launch attempt

AstroForge Plans First Fully Autonomous Asteroid-Mining Mission for 2027

EU Commission: EU governments will need 14 Ariane 6 missions in 2031. Production now is 10 per year, so we have a problem

Planet Berlin - Robbie Schingler on Opening Planet's First Satellite Factory Outside California

Exclusive: Outpost Launches In-Space Manufacturing Service

Exclusive: Astrolab, Interstellar Mapping Hunt Lunar Water

SpaceX’s Starship nears first orbital flight as Starfall secures commercial missions for 2028 and 2029

Satellite industry grapples with SpaceX’s planned end of commercial Falcon 9 launches

Rocket Supply Crunch Tightens Access to Space as SpaceX Winds Down Flagship Vehicle

Europe advances sovereign LEO connectivity through OneWeb rail trials, Sateliot’s ESA selection and Axiom partnership

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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Ship 41 rolls to Pad 2 carrying two flown tiles from Ship 40