Space News

ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space NASA

Bloomberg • Loren Grush

SpaceX to Launch Four NASA Astronauts to the ISS on Dragon as Human-Spaceflight Plans Face Questions

SpaceX is preparing to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday aboard a Dragon spacecraft nearing retirement. The mission comes as uncertainty surrounds the company’s longer-term human-spaceflight strategy and the future role of Dragon in NASA’s crew-transportation architecture.

1 Source

2026-10-01T02:51:10.364080-07:00

Satellite AI Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX to Launch 130 Payloads, Including Prototype Google AI Satellite, on Transporter-18

By Space.com: SpaceX will launch 130 payloads to orbit today (Oct. 1), including a prototype Google AI satellite, on the Transporter-18 rideshare mission. Here's how to watch it live.

Also: CNBC

2 Sources

2026-10-01T03:05:06.248509-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Skyrora Moves Closer to Orbital Launch with Scaled XL Hot-Fire Test

By SpaceWatch Global: UK rocketeers Skyrora successfully conducted a hot fire test of a scaled down version of the engine for the Skyrora XL orbital launch vehicle.

1 Source

2026-10-01T02:17:18.297199-07:00

Satellite Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

NEW

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

NASA squeezed Treasury, vibe coded, and broke the mold in bid to save Swift

By Ars Technica: We did some really, really cool stuff. I'm absolutely gutted we weren't able to get further.".

1 Source

2026-10-01T04:35:44.327004-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Boeing NASA

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

NASA Sets 2028 Crewed Return for Boeing Starliner after 2024 Flight Problems

By SpaceWatch Global: NASA and Boeing target a 2028 Starliner return after a new uncrewed test in 2026, with spacecraft upgrades and Vulcan certification ahead.

2 Sources

2026-10-01T01:15:54.488398-07:00

Satellite M&A Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

investors.rocketlabcorp.com • Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab Secures Largest-Ever Electron Commercial Deal: 20-Launch Contract for Synspective

By investors.rocketlabcorp.com: PDF Version The deal marks Rocket Lab’s single largest commercial launch contract for Electron to date, reinforcing Electron’s position as the world’s most in-demand rocket for small satellite constellation deployment LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept.

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab signs contract with Synspective for 20 Electron launches

SpaceWatch Global

Rocket Lab Signs 20-Launch Electron Deal With Synspective Through 2031

Also: Aviation Week and 5 more

9 Sources

2026-09-30T16:28:40.434240-07:00

Blue Origin Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

CNBC • Grace Kazarian, Morgan Brennan

Blue Origin's first outside funding round is 'oversubscribed' and not closed yet, CEO says

By CNBC: Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said the space company still aims to return New Glenn to flight before the end of this year after the Cape Canaveral explosion in May.

Also: SpaceNews.com and pro.payloadspace.com

3 Sources

2026-09-30T15:05:21.922604-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Chinese electric-pump rocket startup Z-Trak raises new funding, targets 2027 debut for reusable Fission-A

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese launch startup Z-Trak Space has secured a new funding round for a small reusable rocket and is targeting late 2027 for a first flight.

1 Source

2026-09-30T15:00:41.896898-07:00

SpaceX to Launch Four NASA Astronauts to the ISS on Dragon as Human-Spaceflight Plans Face Questions

SpaceX to Launch 130 Payloads, Including Prototype Google AI Satellite, on Transporter-18

Skyrora Moves Closer to Orbital Launch with Scaled XL Hot-Fire Test

NASA squeezed Treasury, vibe coded, and broke the mold in bid to save Swift

NASA Sets 2028 Crewed Return for Boeing Starliner after 2024 Flight Problems

Rocket Lab Secures Largest-Ever Electron Commercial Deal: 20-Launch Contract for Synspective

Rocket Lab signs contract with Synspective for 20 Electron launches

Rocket Lab Signs 20-Launch Electron Deal With Synspective Through 2031

Blue Origin's first outside funding round is 'oversubscribed' and not closed yet, CEO says

Chinese electric-pump rocket startup Z-Trak raises new funding, targets 2027 debut for reusable Fission-A

NASA squeezed Treasury, vibe coded, and broke the mold in bid to save Swift

SpaceX to Launch 130 Payloads, Including Prototype Google AI Satellite, on Transporter-18

SpaceX Set to Launch New Crew for NASA on Retiring Dragon Craft

Skyrora Moves Closer to Orbital Launch with Scaled XL Hot-Fire Test

NASA Sets 2028 Crewed Return for Boeing Starliner after 2024 Flight Problems

Rocket Lab Secures Largest-Ever Electron Commercial Deal: 20-Launch Contract for Synspective

Ukraine urges US to sanction entities supporting Russia's Starlink rival

FCC Continues Deregulation Push with Environmental Regulations and More Spectrum

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

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

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

ESA selects Airbus and OHB-led consortia to study European-led crewed space stations

Astranis secures $468 million EXIM loan to expand satellite production

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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