Today In Space
Last Updated: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, 5:14 PM PDT
2025-10-16T17:14:03.901680-07:00 2025-10-16T17:14:03.901680-07:00 (2025-10-16T17:14:03.901680-07:00)
Universe Today
• Matthew Williams
Research on Previously Unexamined Apollo 17 Moon Rocks Reveals Exotic Sulfur
By Universe Today: Samples from one of the Apollo 17 drive tubes was recently opened and analyzed by Brown University researchers, who found surprising sulfur isotopes signatures inside.
Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
SoftBank-led consortium to demonstrate optical LEO-to-HAPS (stratosphere) communications
By Via Satellite: A Japanese consortium of Softbank, ArkEdge Space, Kiyohara Optics, and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) are planning to demonstrate optical communications between space and the stratosphere.
Universe Today
• Evan Gough
Microbes or their DNA could survive in Martian ice — future rover could dig for them
By Universe Today: Frozen in time, ancient microbes or their remains could be found in Martian ice deposits during future missions to the red planet. By recreating Mars-like conditions in the lab, a team of researchers from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Penn State demonstrated that fragments of the molecules that make up proteins in E.
iceye.com
ICEYE and IHI sign agreement to build an Earth observation satellite constellation
By iceye.com: ICEYE and IHI Corporation have signed a procurement contract to build an EO satellite constellation for security, civilian, and commercial use.
SpaceNews.com
• SpaceNews Editor
China’s year‑end space sprint signals higher launch cadence and geopolitical implications
By SpaceNews.com: China’s year-end space sprint.
Aviation Week
• Vivienne Machi
U.S. Grants SpaceX Approval to Double Vandenberg Launch Cadence and Fly Falcon Heavy from Western Range
By Aviation Week: SpaceX is now authorized to double its current annual launch cadence from Vandenberg SFB, California, and to launch its Falcon Heavy from the Western Range.
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
HyImpulse raises €45M for SL-1 small launcher (600 kg) with first flight targeted in 2027
By European Spaceflight: HyImpulse has secured €45 million in funding to develop its SL-1 rocket, with an inaugural flight expected in 2027.
siliconcanals.com
