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- 1Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105 more satellites amid secrecy claims●# Amazon is asking the # FCC to approve 5,105 massive new # satellites while hiding their orbital debris risk models beh
Amazon has asked the US Federal Communications Commission to approve 5,105 additional satellites for its Kuiper broadband constellation. Critics say the company is withholding its orbital debris risk models behind corporate confidentiality, and are calling for full public transparency, arguing that a safe and sustainable orbital environment should not be shaped secretly by private companies.
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The US Space Development Agency has conducted its fourth Tranche 1 mission, launched aboard a SpaceX rocket. The Tranche 1 program is deploying a proliferated constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit to provide missile tracking and communications capabilities to the military. The latest launch marks continued progress in building out the network.
- 3New Satellite Engine Could Use Air as Fuel to Stay in Orbit●New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere to Stay in Orbit Indefinitely
Researchers have developed an electric thruster designed to intake molecules of air from the upper atmosphere and use them as propellant, potentially allowing satellites in very low orbits to refuel themselves and remain in orbit indefinitely rather than falling back to Earth. The concept could reshape low-orbit missions, cutting the need for onboard fuel and enabling longer-lived Earth observation satellites.
- 4Space environmentalists urge FCC to reject SpaceX's 100,000-satellite plan●The Center for Space Environmentalism has urged the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to dismiss SpaceX’s 100,000-s
The Center for Space Environmentalism has asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to dismiss SpaceX's application for its next-generation Starlink constellation of about 100,000 satellites. In its filing, the group argues SpaceX failed to submit a mandatory Orbital Debris Assessment Report and points to runaway collision hazards and mounting risks of space debris in low Earth orbit.
- 5SpaceX scrubs launch of 21 Space Development Agency satellites▼SpaceX scrubs launch attempt for 21 data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency
SpaceX called off a launch attempt carrying 21 data transport satellites for the US Space Development Agency. The mission, part of the Pentagon's proliferated low Earth orbit constellation, will have to wait for a new launch window. No reason for the scrub or a revised launch date was given in initial reports, and officials are expected to confirm next steps once the delay is assessed.
- 6SpaceX launches 21 data transport satellites for Space Development Agency●Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 21 data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency
SpaceX is launching 21 data transport satellites for the US Space Development Agency, as reported by Spaceflight Now with live coverage of the mission. The satellites form part of the Pentagon's effort to build a proliferated constellation in low Earth orbit to relay military data. Watchers are following the launch in real time as it progresses.
- 7SpaceX Starship reaches low Earth orbit successfully▼Starship’s successful launch to low Earth orbit is a big deal
SpaceX's Starship has completed a successful launch, reaching low Earth orbit, a milestone The Hill describes as a significant moment for spaceflight. The giant rocket's achievement is being read as progress for reusable heavy-lift launch technology with implications for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
- 8SpaceX aborts launch of Space Development Agency satellite mission●SpaceX aborts launch for SDA's fourth Tranche 1 data transport mission, to make another attempt Tuesday
SpaceX halted the launch of the Space Development Agency's fourth Tranche 1 data transport satellite mission and will try again on Tuesday. The mission is part of the US military's effort to build a proliferated constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit for high-speed data relay. A new launch window has been set for the following day, pending resolution of the issue that forced the abort.
- 9The ISS is entering its final years before a 2030 retirement▼The ISS is entering its final years. For more than 25 years, humans have lived continuously in orbit, turning low Earth
The International Space Station, home to a continuous human presence in orbit for more than 25 years, is preparing for retirement around 2030. Over that time, low Earth orbit has served as a laboratory, home and engineering testbed. The transition is expected to shift operations toward commercial space stations now in development, raising questions about whether they can sustain humanity's uninterrupted presence in space.
- 10SpaceX set to launch Space Development Agency's fourth Tranche 1 mission▼SpaceX to launch SDA's fourth Tranche 1 data transport mission early Monday morning
SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Space Development Agency's fourth Tranche 1 data transport mission early Monday morning. The mission will add satellites to the SDA's proliferated constellation in low Earth orbit, designed to relay military data rapidly around the globe. The launch continues the ongoing buildup of the agency's orbital communications network.
- 11NASA's astronaut moon landing under threat amid reliance on SpaceX●# XAB : " Depending on Musk: why NASA's astronaut moon landing is under threat " ".. demonstrate reliable, routine orbit
NASA's plan to return astronauts to the Moon is facing scrutiny because it depends heavily on SpaceX's Starship. Commentators point out that before a crewed lunar landing can happen, Starship must demonstrate reliable, routine orbital missions, large-scale cryogenic fuel transfer in low-Earth orbit, and complex docking and landing procedures — none of which have yet been achieved. The debate centres on whether tying the Artemis programme so closely to Elon Musk's company puts the timeline at risk.
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NASA and SpaceX's Crew-13 mission has reached the International Space Station, docking with the orbiting laboratory and delivering its crew of astronauts for their rotation aboard the station. The mission continues the regular cadence of commercial crew flights ferrying astronauts to and from low Earth orbit under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
- 13Eutelsat Ships 32 OneWeb Satellites Ahead of SpaceX Launch●Eutelsat Ships First 32 New OneWeb LEO Satellites for Upcoming SpaceX Launch
Eutelsat has shipped the first batch of 32 new OneWeb low Earth orbit satellites in preparation for an upcoming launch aboard a SpaceX rocket. The delivery marks a step forward in the companies' satellite constellation programme, following Eutelsat's merger with OneWeb. A launch date has not been specified in initial reports, with further details expected as the mission approaches.
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SpaceX carried out a launch for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 constellation, with coverage focusing on explaining the mission and answering readers' questions about it. Tranche 1 is part of a US military push to build a proliferated satellite network in low Earth orbit for communications and missile tracking. Attention centres on what the satellites do and why the constellation matters for defence.
- 15VLEO Satellite Bus Market Projected to Grow Through 2036●VLEO Capable Satellite Buses Market Size, Share & Forecast 2036
A new market report examines the very low Earth orbit (VLEO) capable satellite bus sector, offering market size, share estimates and forecasts out to 2036. VLEO, operating below roughly 450 km, promises sharper imaging and lower latency but demands novel propulsion and drag compensation. The publication signals growing commercial and government interest in this emerging segment of the satellite industry.
- 16Airbus and OHB to Lead ESA Studies on Future European Orbital Outpost●Airbus and OHB to Lead ESA Studies on Future European Orbital Outpost as ISS Era Nears End
Airbus and OHB have been selected to lead European Space Agency studies into a future European orbital outpost, as the International Space Station approaches the end of its operational life. The work will examine options for maintaining a European human presence in low Earth orbit once the ISS is retired, amid growing international competition over next-generation space stations.
- 17Google tests satellites to power data centers with sunlight●The tech giant aims to use the near-constant sunlight available in low-Earth orbit to power data centers. The experiment
Google has launched an experimental satellite into low-Earth orbit to test whether near-constant sunlight in space can be used to power data centers. The satellite, launched on October 1, carries four computer chips capable of running in orbit as part of an early proof of concept. The project reflects growing interest among tech companies in meeting rising energy demands from AI with space-based solar power.