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LEO   Space Exploration & Science Missions   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA ends Swift observatory science mission as low orbit and failed reboost effort close out operations

NASA has ended science operations for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has descended to less than 171 miles (275 kilometers) above Earth. Atmospheric drag at that altitude prevents its telescopes from steadily observing targets, following a failed commercial-spacecraft attempt to raise the observatory’s orbit.

2026-10-24T14:10:38.831141-07:00
defense   Space Force   ULA   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force shifts missile-warning, cislunar missions from Vulcan to Falcon Heavy

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force shifted a next-generation missile warning satellite and a payload stack associated with an experimental cislunar surveillance mission from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket to SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, part of a broader reshuffling of military launches prompted by delays with Vulcan.

2026-10-24T14:10:38.858633-07:00
defense   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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Bloomberg • Daryna Krasnolutska, Kira Zavyalova

Ukraine Says Restrictions on Starlink Speed Have Been Lifted

By Bloomberg: Ukraine said limits on the speed of its SpaceX Starlink terminal connections had been lifted in overnight testing, a move that may ease the latest tensions between Kyiv and Washington.

Also: Axios, Reuters, CNBC, politico.eu, CBS News, The Independent, TechCrunch, NPR, BBC, Stars and Stripes, Fox Business, Seeking Alpha and 23 more
2026-10-24T02:04:56.146970-07:00
defense   China   Satellite   Moon   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Defense & Militarization  
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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China launches highly retrograde Yaogan-50 spy satellite, Long March 4B lofts six further Yaogan spacecraft

By SpaceNews.com: China conducted a pair of launches Friday, first sending a new retrograde spy bird into orbit, and following up with two sets of Yaogan triplets.

2026-10-24T01:49:02.512108-07:00
Blue Origin   Moon   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   NASA  
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Space.com • Chelsea Gohd

Private Griffin lunar lander passes critical tests ahead of first Moon mission

By Space.com: The robotic Griffin lunar lander has passed a host of critical tests ahead of its first-ever moon mission, which is scheduled to launch later this year.

Also: NASA, Bloomberg, SpaceNews.com, Space Policy Online, Aerospace America, Space.com, New York Times, Payload, dailygalaxy.com, newspaceeconomy.ca, news.ssbcrack.com, Fortune and 19 more
2026-10-23T07:05:35.661293-07:00
Blue Origin   Moon   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   NASA  
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Bloomberg • Loren Grush

NASA Commits to Lunar Mission Timeline Despite Hardware Concerns

By Bloomberg: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman maintained that the agency is on track to return humans to the moon, despite concerns that the hardware needed for the next mission won’t be ready in time.

Also: NASA, SpaceNews.com, Space Policy Online, Space.com, Aerospace America, New York Times, Payload, dailygalaxy.com, newspaceeconomy.ca, news.ssbcrack.com, Fortune, Scientific American and 19 more
2026-10-23T14:05:05.142860-07:00