Today In Space
Last Updated: Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, 1:17 PM PDT
2025-10-31T13:17:38.173078-07:00 2025-10-31T13:17:38.173078-07:00 (2025-10-31T13:17:38.173078-07:00)
Breaking Defense
• Theresa Hitchens
ESA’s historic shift: European Space Agency poised to assume defense and military space responsibilities
By Breaking Defense: Since its founding 50 years ago, the European Space Agency has shunned involvement in military space activities.
Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
Watchdog urges FCC to block SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase, probe Musk’s ties to China
By Via Satellite: Watchdog group Frequency Forward is calling for the FCC to deny SpaceX’s purchase of EchoStar spectrum and investigate Elon Musk’s business ties to the Chinese government.
Ars Technica
• Eric Berger
Elon Musk says SpaceX will host data centers in orbit
By Ars Technica: “We could see another transformation of what’s done in space.”….
Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 100th Starlink flight of 2025
By Spaceflight Now:  SpaceX is preparing for a Halloween afternoon launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, which will be its 100th Starlink mission of the year.
Space.com
• Mike Wall
Shenzhou 21 launches three astronauts to Tiangong space station — live coverage
By Space.com: Liftoff of the Shenzhou 21 mission is scheduled for 11:44 a.m. ET today (Oct. 31).
SpaceNews.com
• Mustafa Bilal
How resources, nuclear reactors and geopolitics will shape the new lunar race
By SpaceNews.com: Resources, reactors and rivalries will decide the new moon race.
Payload
• Rachael Zisk
Venus Exploration Hangs in the Balance
By Payload: Earth’s sulfuric, fiery, evil twin has been the subject of study for a long line of spacecraft over decades. But—while Venus remains a fascinating subject for planetary science and a candidate in the search for life away from home—there’s going to be a gap in our up-close study.
