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Space.com • Tariq Malik

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on Flight 14 as NASA’s Crew-13 launch targets Oct. 1

SpaceX’s Starship completed its first trip to orbit on Flight 14 and delivered its first operational payload, while the company prepares to launch NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station on Oct. 1. Forecasts put favorable launch weather at 55% to 60%.

NASA • Jason Costa

Weather 55% Favorable for Thursday Crew-13 Mission Launch

Space.com • Josh Dinner, Tariq Malik

SpaceX Crew-13 astronaut launch live updates: NASA says weather 60% 'GO' for Oct. 1 liftoff

Also: Leonard David, spacecoastdaily.com, astronomy.com, CNN, Science Daily and 5 more

13 Sources

2026-09-30T09:19:58.828966-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Debris & Traffic Management

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Space.com • Leonard David

Growing Rocket Launch Rates Raise Risk of Fatal Space-Debris Reentries

By Space.com: If the increase in rocket launch frequency continues as it has for the last several years, the risk of falling space debris killing someone on the ground will rise as well, experts say.

1 Source

2026-09-30T12:05:02.005053-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

So what's happening with Russia's new, long-delayed crewed spacecraft?

By Ars Technica: Russia says it has a "promising, reusable manned transport spacecraft.".

1 Source

2026-09-30T09:49:53.544192-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing

By NASA Spaceflight: SpaceX made significant strides in the Starship program during Flight 14. Booster 21, despite losing a few engines, still completed its entire flight. Ship 41 reached orbit despite losing a Raptor Vacuum engine on ascent, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, and returned safely to the Pacific Ocean just north of Hawaii.

1 Source

2026-09-30T08:21:21.583289-07:00

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Paul Maguire

U.S. Space Force Taps Five Companies for Open-Architecture Space Data Network

By SpaceNews.com: In August, the U.S. Space Force selected five companies to help develop its next-generation Space Data Network, an open architecture intended to connect commercial satellite systems through standardized interfaces and reduce dependence on any single provider.

1 Source

2026-09-30T06:16:39.340694-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Blackswan Space Raises €2.5M Seed to Fund RPO Kit Demo

By Payload: The round comes as Blackswan gears up for its first in-orbit mission of its RPO Kit payload.

Also: SpaceNews.com and tech.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-30T05:35:30.169381-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Axios • Thomas Novelly

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

By Axios: "In order to lead across the globe, America must lead in space," said EXIM chairman John Jovanovic.

Also: SpaceNews.com and SpaceQ

3 Sources

2026-09-30T04:28:18.799501-07:00

Commercial Space

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Varda Raises $251M Series D

By Payload: Lux Capital and Natural Capital led the round, which valued the company at $1.6B.

Also: SpaceNews.com

2 Sources

2026-09-30T05:05:01.821825-07:00

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on Flight 14 as NASA’s Crew-13 launch targets Oct. 1

Weather 55% Favorable for Thursday Crew-13 Mission Launch

SpaceX Crew-13 astronaut launch live updates: NASA says weather 60% 'GO' for Oct. 1 liftoff

Growing Rocket Launch Rates Raise Risk of Fatal Space-Debris Reentries

So what's happening with Russia's new, long-delayed crewed spacecraft?

Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing

U.S. Space Force Taps Five Companies for Open-Architecture Space Data Network

Blackswan Space Raises €2.5M Seed to Fund RPO Kit Demo

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

Varda Raises $251M Series D

Growing Rocket Launch Rates Raise Risk of Fatal Space-Debris Reentries

So what's happening with Russia's new, long-delayed crewed spacecraft?

What time will SpaceX launch Crew-13 astronauts for NASA on Oct. 1? How to watch live (full timeline)

Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing

U.S. Space Force Taps Five Companies for Open-Architecture Space Data Network

Exclusive: Hop Aero Raises $11M for Suborbital Point-to-Point Delivery

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

Exclusive: Hop Aero Raises $11M for Suborbital Point-to-Point Delivery

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on first orbital flight, deploys 26 Starlink satellites despite engine shutdown

SpaceX’s four-launch week spans Crew-13, NRO mission and satellite rideshare deployments

Pentagon commits billions to accelerate AMRAAM, JDAM Long Range and F-35 production

SpaceX targets Starship’s first orbital launch with Starlink V3 satellites

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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