Space News

aviation Commercial Space

FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

Virgin Galactic moves first Delta-class spaceplane to New Mexico base ahead of flight testing, targeting Q2 2027 service

Virgin Galactic has transported the first of its new-generation, six-passenger Delta-class spaceplanes to its New Mexico operations base, where it will undergo flight testing. The company intends to begin commercial service in the second quarter of 2027 and has revealed the vehicle’s livery.

2 Sources

2026-10-31T03:04:56.584482-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

Happy Halloween! SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX sent another batch of its Starlink broadband satellites to orbit from California just after midnight on Halloween (Oct. 31).

1 Source

2026-10-30T23:00:37.990042-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions

Universe Today • Laurence Tognetti

Hera Probe Sees Asteroid Pair Separately for First Time

By Universe Today: Planetary defense is a growing concern among the scientific community, as efforts have been made to design and implement missions meant to deflect incoming threats to the Earth well in advance.

1 Source

2026-10-30T19:04:31.337272-07:00

Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA seeks ideas for Hubble servicing mission

By SpaceNews.com: NASA is restarting a search for commercial missions to reboost or service the Hubble Space Telescope, more than two years after rejecting similar concepts.

Ars Technica

Once again, NASA is asking for ideas to rescue Hubble from certain death

2 Sources

2026-10-30T15:25:39.494208-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

SpaceX Completes Three Static Fires in Three Days for Flight 15

By NASA Spaceflight: In eight days, SpaceX completed all engine testing for Flight 15, some cryo-proof and catch testing for Flight 16, and lifted the top deck deluge plates onto Pad 1’s Launch Mount.

1 Source

2026-10-30T15:15:09.502671-07:00

Satellite Project Kuiper ULA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX closes out October with Halloween eve Falcon 9 launch, 700th Falcon 9 launch to date

By Spaceflight Now: The Starlink 15-18 mission will add another 27 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to SpaceX’s megaconstellation. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for 9:04 p.m.

Also: Space Policy Online

2 Sources

2026-10-30T16:04:28.238988-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

Queen's University Belfast Students Find Neptune's Elusive Trojan Asteroids

By Universe Today: Astronomers at Queen’s University Belfast have led an international team studying new solar system bodies near Neptune, helping to unravel the mysteries of our solar system’s evolution.

1 Source

2026-10-30T14:55:27.571199-07:00

Satellite Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

DoJ urges federal judge to throw out Ligado’s $50 billion lawsuit

By SpaceNews.com: The U.S. Department of Justice has made another push to dismiss Ligado Networks’ roughly $50 billion lawsuit over its derailed wireless network plans, arguing the bankrupt satellite operator’s L-band license does not come with protected property rights.

1 Source

2026-10-30T13:40:40.628943-07:00

Virgin Galactic moves first Delta-class spaceplane to New Mexico base ahead of flight testing, targeting Q2 2027 service

Happy Halloween! SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)

Hera Probe Sees Asteroid Pair Separately for First Time

NASA seeks ideas for Hubble servicing mission

Once again, NASA is asking for ideas to rescue Hubble from certain death

SpaceX Completes Three Static Fires in Three Days for Flight 15

SpaceX closes out October with Halloween eve Falcon 9 launch, 700th Falcon 9 launch to date

Queen's University Belfast Students Find Neptune's Elusive Trojan Asteroids

DoJ urges federal judge to throw out Ligado’s $50 billion lawsuit

Virgin Galactic transfers first newly-designed spaceplane to base for flight testing

Happy Halloween! SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)

Hera Probe Sees Asteroid Pair Separately for First Time

SpaceX closes out October with Halloween eve Falcon 9 launch, 700th Falcon 9 launch to date

NASA seeks ideas for Hubble servicing mission

Defense investors wary of Golden Dome revenue prospects as Pentagon pushes to cut costs

K2 Space CEO Sets Out Expansive Growth Plan as High-Power Demand Increases

Defense investors wary of Golden Dome revenue prospects as Pentagon pushes to cut costs

Indian Space Agency’s GSLV Rocket Launches Navigation Satellite

Analysts find looming launch crisis is "more severe" than anticipated

Blue Origin targets late-2026 return as NASA adds Blue Moon Mk2 test article to Artemis III profile

Telesat pushes global Lightspeed service to late Q2 2028 after pathfinder satellite delays

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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