Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Space.com • Hanneke Weitering, Tariq Malik

NASA launched Cassini on a seven-year voyage to Saturn on Oct. 15, 1997

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a Titan 4B rocket on Oct. 15, 1997. The mission was designed to explore Saturn and its moons, beginning a journey that would take seven years to reach the planet.

1 Source

2026-10-15T13:05:12.199107-07:00

Satellite Middle East

Satellite Evolution • Satellite Evolution Group

Durri Space Signs Cailabs Contract for Three Optical Ground Stations in Oman

By Satellite Evolution: Under the patronage of H.E. Dr.

Also: Via Satellite

2 Sources

2026-10-15T06:06:08.776259-07:00

Satellite Space Debris & Traffic Management

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

China proposal: For space safety, have all satellites carry RF beacons similar to aero ADS-B and maritime AIS

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland— China’s representative to the ITU Space Sustainability Forum said having radio-frequency ID beacons on every satellite in low Earth orbit would be the single most effective measure against orbital crowding and collision risk — even more important than ephemeris sharing among satellite fleet owners.

1 Source

2026-10-15T13:55:48.601114-07:00

Satellite M&A

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Comtech Expects Divestiture to Gilat to Close This Year

By Via Satellite: Comtech expects its satellite divestiture to Gilat Satellite Networks to close by the end of the calendar year, leadership confirmed this week. Comtech.

1 Source

2026-10-15T14:05:15.736591-07:00

Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Juliet Chung

University Endowments Land Biggest Returns Since 2021 on SpaceX, AI Gains

By Wall Street Journal: University endowments are notching their strongest returns in five years thanks in part to gains from SpaceX and other AI bets, with Harvard becoming the latest school to report a gain of more than 20%.

Also: CNBC, Bloomberg and Financial Times

4 Sources

2026-10-15T11:19:58.750347-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Seraphim Space investment fund shares up 119.4% in 12 months to June 30; says Iceye is brightest, but not only portfolio star

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC (SSIT), a publicly traded investment fund invested in privately owned young space companies, rose 119.4% in the 12 months ending June 30 as several of its holdings exhibited explosive growth.

1 Source

2026-10-15T12:04:36.308335-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions

Universe Today • Evan Gough

Host Stars Shape Their Planetary Systems Into Two Families

By Universe Today: New research draws a link between a host star and the characteristics of its planetary system. Higher mass stars create one family of systems, while lower mass stars create another.

2 Sources

2026-10-15T10:15:53.158123-07:00

defense Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Defense & Militarization

Space.com • Mike Wall

Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today

By Space.com: SpaceX will launch a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force from California this evening (Oct. 15), and you can watch the action live.

Also: Spaceflight Now, satnews.com and smallsatnews.com

4 Sources

2026-10-15T11:05:22.077030-07:00

NASA launched Cassini on a seven-year voyage to Saturn on Oct. 15, 1997

Durri Space Signs Cailabs Contract for Three Optical Ground Stations in Oman

China proposal: For space safety, have all satellites carry RF beacons similar to aero ADS-B and maritime AIS

Comtech Expects Divestiture to Gilat to Close This Year

University Endowments Land Biggest Returns Since 2021 on SpaceX, AI Gains

Seraphim Space investment fund shares up 119.4% in 12 months to June 30; says Iceye is brightest, but not only portfolio star

Host Stars Shape Their Planetary Systems Into Two Families

Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today

Durri Space Signs Cailabs Contract for Three Optical Ground Stations in Oman

Comtech Expects Divestiture to Gilat to Close This Year

China proposal: For space safety, have all satellites carry RF beacons similar to aero ADS-B and maritime AIS

On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn

Seraphim Space investment fund shares up 119.4% in 12 months to June 30; says Iceye is brightest, but not only portfolio star

Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today

NASA's SkyFall helicopters will 'show us parts of Mars we've never seen before', scientists say

PlaneSense Extends IFC with Gogo Galileo Deal

How NASA is thinking about a moon base

Chinese launches boost Guowang constellation, add space computing sats

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

SpaceX launches 6,300 pounds of cargo and science to the ISS, deploying two GHGSat methane-monitoring satellites

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Space

Arianespace Targets 23 Nov Ariane 6 Return Following Reported Turbopump Fix

SPHEREx Just Took the Fingerprints of Failed Stars Across Our Cosmic Neighborhood

#SpaceWatchGL Recap: Riyadh Day Three: Knowing Who Is Up There

BlackSky and HEO extend agreement to gather non-Earth imagery

Scientists discover 'chemical starter kit' for life in planetary birthplaces

UK awards ClearSpace $80 million prime contract for dual-satellite deorbit mission

Oklahoma Breaks Ground on $7.5 Million Dawn Aerospace Facility at Infinity One Spaceport

Voyager Technologies' Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Ends Acceptance Testing Ahead of 2026 Launch