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Space — Thursday, September 24, 2026

Space,
briefly.

28 stories, written and narrated in a calm newsroom voice. No sirens, no outrage bait — press play and let the edition carry you through.

Space

SpaceReuters

Google plans first test of AI chips in space under Project Suncatcher

A satellite sits in orbit, its solar panels catching light. Inside, processors designed for artificial intelligence begin their work—not on Earth, but in the weightlessness above it. Google's preparing its first test of custom AI chips in space, part of what it calls Project Suncatcher. The company hasn't announced a launch date yet, but the plan is to send these chips aboard a satellite to see how they perform in the radiation and cold of orbit. It's a practical question: can machine learning models run reliably where traditional computers already do. The detail worth noting: Google's designing these chips specifically for on-board processing, not just transmission back to Earth. That means the satellite itself could analyze data in real time—weather patterns, imagery, whatever—without waiting for a signal home. It's an early experiment. Whether it works will shape how space-based AI develops over the next few years.

Reuters ↗

Space24/7 Wall St.

Analysts Warn the Entire Space Trade Is Sitting in Neutral Waiting on One Rocket

The commercial space industry is holding its breath for a single launch that could reshape the sector's near term. SpaceX's Starship, still in development after multiple test flights, represents the next frontier in heavy-lift capability—and investors, manufacturers, and launch providers are essentially paused until they see whether it'll work reliably. First, the rocket's success or failure will determine whether companies can afford to build the larger satellites and infrastructure they're planning. Then there's the question of launch cadence: if Starship proves viable, it'll dramatically lower costs per kilogram to orbit, which changes the economics for everyone from telecommunications firms to space tourism operators. And finally, the broader supply chain—from propellant makers to ground support contractors—is caught in a holding pattern, unable to commit fully to expansion until they know what demand actually looks like. For now, the entire industry is essentially waiting to see whether one rocket can deliver on its promise.

24/7 Wall St. ↗

Spacenewsweek

UK Launches Space Squadron as Russia Ramps Up Satellite Threats

The UK's Royal Air Force has established a dedicated space squadron for the first time in its history. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston announced the move this week, citing Russia's growing capability to threaten satellites and communications systems that underpin modern military operations. The new unit will operate from RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, a facility that's monitored space activity for decades. It'll focus on protecting British and allied orbital assets—the infrastructure that GPS, weather forecasting, and military command systems depend on. Russia's demonstrated ability to test anti-satellite weapons has forced NATO countries to treat space as a contested domain, much like air or sea. The squadron represents Britain's formal acknowledgment that orbital security now demands dedicated military attention. For the first time, the RAF's looking up.

newsweek ↗

SpaceThe Verge

Google is sending an AI satellite into space next week

Google's launching an artificial intelligence satellite into orbit next week as part of a partnership with Earth-imaging company Planet Labs. The satellite, called Gemini, will use Google's AI models to process and analyze satellite imagery in real time while still in space, rather than waiting to send raw data back to Earth. It's the first time Google's deploying this kind of onboard processing capability at orbital altitude. The approach cuts transmission costs and speeds up analysis for applications like disaster response, agriculture, and climate monitoring. Google and Planet Labs have been collaborating on AI-powered Earth observation for two years. The satellite's scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California next Tuesday. Once in orbit, it'll begin a six-month test period to prove the technology works reliably before broader deployment.

The Verge ↗

SpaceThe New York Times

Google Is Sending an A.I. Data Center to Outer Space

Google's announced plans to launch an artificial intelligence data center into orbit, marking an unusual venture into space infrastructure. The company's working with partners on what would be a functioning server facility in the vacuum above Earth. First, the technical challenge here is substantial. Cooling a data center in space requires entirely new engineering—there's no air to dissipate heat, so Google's designing systems that work in a near-vacuum environment, which most terrestrial data centers simply can't do. Then there's the question of latency and connectivity. A satellite-based server farm would need constant, reliable communication links back to Earth, and any delay in that connection defeats much of the purpose of having computing power in orbit. And finally, the economics remain unclear. Launching and maintaining a data center in space costs orders of magnitude more than building one on the ground, so Google would need a genuinely compelling use case—perhaps processing certain types of satellite imagery or serving remote regions—to justify the expense. The company hasn't detailed a timeline or confirmed which partners are involved.

The New York Times ↗

SpaceThe Boca Raton Tribune

NASA and SpaceX Prepare Crew-13 for Launch to the International Space Station

NASA and SpaceX are preparing four astronauts for launch to the International Space Station as part of the Crew-13 mission. The crew includes commander Jeanette Epps, pilot Roscoe Bowman, and mission specialists Samantha Cristoforetti and Alexander Gerst. They're set to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission will deliver fresh personnel to the station, where they'll conduct scientific research and maintain orbital systems. Epps becomes the first Black woman to serve as commander of a crewed spacecraft, a milestone for the agency. The crew will spend roughly six months aboard the station before returning to Earth. These rotations keep the station staffed with trained personnel and ensure continuity of the research programs that depend on human presence in orbit. SpaceX and NASA have now completed multiple crew rotations, establishing a reliable cadence for station operations.

The Boca Raton Tribune ↗

SpaceMilitary

Some US Satellites Are More Than 30 Years Old. A Lab in Space Is Testing New Ways to Defend Them.

The US military relies on satellites that are decades past their design life. Some are over thirty years old, operating well beyond what engineers originally planned. They're critical to communications, navigation, and early warning systems — and they're increasingly vulnerable to attack from other nations developing anti-satellite weapons. That vulnerability's now being addressed in orbit. The Space Force has deployed a laboratory aboard the International Space Station to test defenses for these aging satellites. The facility, which arrived this year, allows engineers to experiment with shielding, maneuver systems, and other protective measures in the actual space environment rather than in ground simulations. The work's urgent because replacing an entire constellation of satellites would take years and cost billions. By testing solutions on the station first, the military can retrofit existing satellites with proven technology before threats escalate further. The lab represents a practical hedge against both aging infrastructure and an increasingly contested orbital domain.

Military ↗

Spacewlrn

Astronauts' stay on station extend as relief crew's launch delayed

The three astronauts aboard the International Space Station will stay longer than planned. Their relief crew's launch from Florida has been postponed, pushing back the handover that was scheduled for next month. NASA and Boeing, which operates the Starliner spacecraft, haven't yet announced a firm new date, though officials say the delay stems from ongoing checks of the vehicle's systems following earlier technical issues during its crewed test flight. The extended mission means the current crew—who arrived in September—will remain in orbit for several additional weeks. They'll continue their research and maintenance work while the ground teams complete their review. It's not uncommon for station rotations to shift; the orbiting lab operates on a continuous cycle, and safety protocols sometimes require patience. For now, three astronauts will keep the station running. Their relief crew waits on Earth.

wlrn ↗

SpaceHouston Public Media

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 quarantines in Houston’s Johnson Space Center ahead of Oct. 1 launch

NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 has entered quarantine at Johnson Space Center in Houston as final preparations begin for launch on October first. The crew's isolation protocol is standard practice before any crewed spaceflight, designed to protect both the astronauts and the mission itself. First, the four-person crew is now in a controlled environment where they'll remain until boarding the Falcon 9 rocket, minimizing exposure to illness that could delay or compromise the launch. Then, mission control is running final systems checks on the spacecraft and ground equipment—the kind of verification that happens in parallel with crew prep, not after. And finally, the quarantine period also serves a practical purpose: it gives flight surgeons a window to monitor each crew member's health metrics in real time, catching any issues before they reach the launch pad. This timing puts the mission just weeks away from its target date.

Houston Public Media ↗

Spacefloridatoday

Go or no-go? Retired NASA launch director explains weight behind those words: EXCLUSIVE

A retired NASA launch director has described the decision-making process behind the go or no-go call that precedes every space launch. The decision, made by the launch director and a team of engineers, involves reviewing hundreds of systems and weather conditions in the final hours before liftoff. Each component must meet strict performance thresholds. A single failure in any critical system—propellant temperature, structural integrity, or atmospheric conditions—can delay or cancel a launch entirely. The launch director carries final authority, a responsibility that's evolved since the early space program as vehicles and payloads have become more complex. The next crewed launch will depend on similar rigorous checks, conducted in real time as conditions change.

floridatoday ↗

SpaceOn Scouting

New Space Exploration merit badge digital resource guide launches

The Boy Scouts of America have offered merit badges in space exploration for decades, giving young scouts a structured way to learn about astronomy, rocketry, and the history of spaceflight. Until now, those resources lived mostly in printed handbooks and scattered online materials. This week, that changed. The organization launched a new digital resource guide specifically designed for the Space Exploration merit badge. The guide consolidates lesson plans, interactive tools, and current NASA mission data into one platform scouts can access from any device. It includes real-time tracking of the International Space Station and links to hands-on activities like building model rockets. The update reflects a broader shift toward digital learning in scouting, while keeping the badge's core focus on rigorous, practical knowledge. Scouts pursuing the badge will now have a more cohesive path from classroom to observatory.

On Scouting ↗

SpaceTalkOfTitusville

NASA Sets Crew 13 Launch For NET October 1st

The International Space Station's crew rotations have run on a predictable schedule for years now, with fresh astronauts launching roughly every six months to relieve those already in orbit. That rhythm depends entirely on rocket availability and weather windows along Florida's coast. Now there's a firm date on the calendar. NASA's set October first as the no-earlier-than launch target for Crew 13, the next rotation mission to the station. The crew will ride SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule from Kennedy Space Center, carrying four astronauts to begin their six-month residency aboard the orbiting laboratory. The timing slots neatly after the current crew's planned departure, maintaining continuous human presence in space. Weather and technical checks could still shift the date, but October first is now the agency's working target for liftoff.

TalkOfTitusville ↗

SpaceMeadville Tribune

NASA awards nearly $400,000 to launch Rural Institute for Space Science and Engineering Collaboration

NASA's given nearly four hundred thousand dollars to launch something called the Rural Institute for Space Science and Engineering Collaboration. The money's going to Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, which'll use it to build a network connecting rural schools and communities to space research and engineering work. Right now, most of that kind of opportunity clusters around cities and well-funded districts. Edinboro's tasked with changing that — bringing hands-on space science to places that don't typically have access to it. The institute will develop curriculum, train teachers, and create partnerships between rural schools and NASA's own research. It's a modest investment by federal standards, but it's aimed at a real gap. Rural students often don't get the same exposure to STEM fields that their urban peers do. So NASA's betting that four hundred thousand dollars can help level that particular playing field.

Meadville Tribune ↗

SpaceThe Motley Fool

Firefly Aerospace vs. SpaceX: Which Space Stock Can Put Your Portfolio Into Orbit in 2026?

Firefly Aerospace and SpaceX are both competing for a share of the commercial space market, though they operate in quite different circumstances. First, SpaceX remains the industry leader with proven reusable rocket technology and a contract backlog worth billions, but it's privately held, so retail investors can't buy shares directly. Firefly Aerospace, by contrast, is publicly traded and has secured significant government contracts, including work with the U.S. Space Force, which gives it steady revenue potential. Then there's the matter of scale: SpaceX's Starship program aims for Mars missions, while Firefly's focus is nearer-term, on medium-lift launches and orbital refueling services. And finally, Firefly trades on public markets, making it accessible to portfolio managers seeking space-sector exposure without waiting for a SpaceX IPO that may never come. The choice between them depends less on which company's better and more on what's actually available to buy.

The Motley Fool ↗

SpaceNewsbug

NASA makes progess toward Artemis III mission

NASA's moving forward with Artemis III, its crewed lunar landing mission now targeted for 2026. The agency's completed critical design reviews for the lunar lander and life support systems, clearing major technical hurdles that had delayed the program. Engineers at NASA and contractor Axiom Space have validated the hardware designs needed to land astronauts on the moon's south polar region, where water ice deposits offer resources for long-term exploration. The original timeline called for a 2025 landing, but budget constraints and engineering challenges pushed that back. NASA's also working through how to integrate the Artemis missions with its broader lunar gateway station, a crewed outpost that'll orbit the moon. The agency expects to conduct an uncrewed test flight of the full system within the next eighteen months, a crucial step before astronauts board.

Newsbug ↗

SpaceSpace

On this day in space! Sept. 22, 2006: Japan launches Hinode solar observatory to study the sun's magnetic field

Eighteen years ago today, Japan sent a telescope into orbit with a single mission: watch the sun's magnetic field in unprecedented detail. Hinode—the name means "sunrise" in Japanese—lifted off on September 22nd, 2006, carrying instruments designed to observe solar activity at scales no spacecraft had managed before. The observatory focused on the sun's corona, that ghostly halo visible during total eclipses, and the violent magnetic loops that erupt from its surface. Understanding those patterns matters because solar storms can disable satellites and disrupt power grids on Earth. Hinode's cameras and spectrographs have spent nearly two decades collecting data that's reshaped how scientists think about solar heating and magnetic reconnection. The spacecraft is still operational today, still watching the sun's magnetic field shift and surge.

Space ↗

Spacebenzinga

SpaceX Is Winding Down Falcon 9 as a Launch Crunch Looms: Can Rocket Lab's Neutron Fill the Gap?

SpaceX is preparing to retire its Falcon 9 rocket as demand for satellite launches continues to grow, creating a potential gap in the market that competitors are racing to fill. The company's decision to wind down Falcon 9 operations comes as the space industry faces a surge in launch requests. Rocket Lab, a smaller competitor, is developing its Neutron rocket specifically to handle medium-lift missions that Falcon 9 currently dominates. First, SpaceX's focus is shifting toward its larger Starship vehicle, which the company believes will eventually handle most of its payload needs. Then, Rocket Lab's Neutron is designed to carry payloads of up to eight tons to orbit, positioning itself as a bridge solution for customers who don't need Starship's full capacity. And finally, the timing matters: if Neutron isn't operational before Falcon 9 fully retires, there could be a genuine shortage of available launch capacity in the medium-lift segment. Other providers are also developing competing rockets, but Rocket Lab's timeline and focus on this specific market niche give it an early advantage.

benzinga ↗

SpaceNew York Post

NASA makes big step for next Artemis mission and goal of landing on the moon by 2028

NASA's Space Launch System has completed a critical test ahead of the Artemis Two mission, moving the agency closer to its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2028. The test involved firing the rocket's engines at full power in conditions that simulate an actual launch. Engineers examined how the vehicle performs under extreme thermal and mechanical stress, checking everything from fuel flow to structural integrity. The data collected will inform adjustments before the next crewed flight, scheduled for late 2025. This follows the successful uncrewed Artemis One mission in 2022, which tested the basic architecture of the program. The 2028 lunar landing represents NASA's first crewed moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA will now analyze the test results and make any necessary modifications to the rocket before moving toward the launch pad for Artemis Two.

New York Post ↗

SpaceCorpus Christi Caller-Times

SpaceX has launched Starship 13 times in Texas. Relive all flight tests - Corpus Christi Caller-Times

SpaceX has now launched Starship thirteen times from its facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The company's fully integrated rocket—both booster and ship—has been tested repeatedly over the past year and a half, each flight building on lessons from the last. The tests have grown progressively more ambitious. Early attempts focused on basic flight dynamics and recovery. More recent launches have pushed toward orbital velocity, with the ship reaching higher altitudes and traveling farther downrange before returning to Earth. Each test generates data that feeds into the next iteration. The company's ultimate goal remains a fully reusable system capable of carrying cargo and crew to orbit and beyond. For now, Starship remains grounded between test windows as engineers analyze flight data and prepare hardware for the next attempt. Thirteen launches in, the pattern's becoming clear: SpaceX tests, learns, and launches again.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times ↗

SpaceThe Independent

SpaceX prepares Starship for first ever orbital launch

SpaceX is moving toward the first orbital test flight of Starship, its fully reusable super-heavy launch system designed to carry cargo and crews beyond Earth orbit. The company has been conducting ground tests and static fire engine burns at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas, working through the technical checklist required before attempting an actual launch. First, the vehicle itself represents a significant engineering step—Starship stands 120 meters tall and is meant to be the most powerful rocket ever flown, capable of lifting over 100 tonnes to orbit. Then there's the regulatory hurdle: SpaceX still needs final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been reviewing the environmental and safety implications of launches from the Texas site. And finally, the company's broader ambitions depend on this test—successful orbital flight would validate the design principles behind a system intended eventually to support lunar missions and Mars exploration. The timeline for that first orbital attempt remains fluid, though industry observers expect it within the coming months.

The Independent ↗

SpaceKeepTrack

Albania Signs Artemis Accords as List Grows

In a government office in Tirana, a pen touches paper. Another nation commits itself to a set of rules written for a frontier that barely exists yet—a framework for how humans will behave when they're mining the moon. Albania's signature this week brings the Artemis Accords to forty-one countries. The agreement, led by NASA, sets out principles for lunar exploration: no weapons, no resource claims, transparency about missions. It's not a treaty in the binding sense. It's more a statement of intent, a way for spacefaring nations and aspirants to signal they're serious about keeping the moon from becoming another contested territory. What's worth noting: Albania isn't a space power. It has no rockets, no lunar ambitions. Yet it signed anyway. That pattern—smaller nations endorsing the framework—is how these accords gain legitimacy. They're becoming the default position for countries that want a seat at the table when space actually opens up. The list keeps growing.

KeepTrack ↗

SpaceAstronomy Magazine

China targets two launches as SpaceX takes It easy

China's preparing two rocket launches this week while SpaceX has scaled back its flight cadence. The Chinese missions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, carrying communications and remote-sensing satellites into orbit. SpaceX, which flew roughly one mission every two days at its peak, has slowed to a more measured pace as it manages supply-chain constraints and prepares for upcoming Starship tests. The American company's launch rate had become the industry standard for comparison, but competitors and analysts note the slowdown reflects real limits on rocket production rather than any shift in strategy. Watch for both Chinese launches to proceed on schedule, weather permitting, and for SpaceX to announce its next flight window in the coming days.

Astronomy Magazine ↗

SpaceFlorida Today

SpaceX Starship Flight 14, STARCOM expansion top Florida space newsletter

A launch pad at Starbase falls quiet in the Texas dawn. Engineers move through final checks. The rocket that's been rebuilt twice already stands ready for another attempt. SpaceX conducted its fourteenth integrated flight test of Starship last week, the fully stacked vehicle that's meant to carry humans to the Moon and Mars. The test followed the now-familiar pattern: rapid ascent, controlled burn, a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Each flight collects data that feeds the next iteration. What's less visible is the parallel expansion happening in Florida. The Space Force's STARCOM program—the military's command for space operations—is deepening its footprint across the state, integrating commercial launch capacity with national security needs. It's a quiet reshaping of how America thinks about space infrastructure. Starship's next window opens in weeks. The engineering cycle continues.

Florida Today ↗

SpaceSpace

SpaceX rolls giant Super Heavy booster to pad ahead of Starship's 1st orbital flight (photos)

SpaceX has moved its Super Heavy booster to the launch pad in Texas, positioning itself for what would be Starship's first fully orbital flight. The booster, which stands taller than the Statue of Liberty, arrived at the pad after months of ground testing and refinement. First, the company's been methodical about this moment—each test of the integrated stack has revealed adjustments needed before attempting orbit. Then there's the sheer scale of what's being attempted: thirty-three Raptor engines firing in concert, designed to lift Starship's upper stage beyond Earth's atmosphere and toward genuine spaceflight. And finally, the regulatory path remains open but uncertain. The FAA hasn't yet granted a launch license, though SpaceX's track record with Falcon 9 suggests approval's more likely than not. This test will determine whether the company's most ambitious rocket can actually perform as designed—not just survive, but succeed.

Space ↗

Spacescmp

China gets closer to Jupiter mission by bringing Nasa’s StarNAV concept to life

China's space agency has successfully tested a navigation system based on NASA technology, moving closer to launching a crewed mission to Jupiter. The system, called StarNAV, uses star patterns rather than ground stations to guide spacecraft through deep space. Chinese researchers demonstrated the technology's accuracy during recent trials, achieving the precision needed for long-distance interplanetary travel. The approach was originally developed by NASA but had never been operationalized until now. China's Jupiter mission, currently in planning stages, would be one of the most ambitious human spaceflight efforts ever attempted. The technology allows spacecraft to navigate independently, which is essential when radio signals from Earth become too weak to be reliable. Chinese officials expect to move forward with hardware development and testing over the next two years.

scmp ↗

SpaceVentura County Star

California rocket launch schedule includes 1 SpaceX mission

California's coast has become a regular launchpad for commercial spaceflight over the past decade, with Vandenberg Space Force Base hosting dozens of orbital missions each year. SpaceX in particular has made the site central to its operations, launching everything from Starlink satellites to national security payloads. That activity continues this week. SpaceX has one mission scheduled from Vandenberg, targeting a launch window that opens Thursday evening. The flight will carry a batch of Starlink satellites into orbit—the company's ongoing effort to build out its global internet constellation. Weather and technical checks could shift the exact timing, but the launch vehicle is fueled and ready. Vandenberg sits about 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles, positioned on the Pacific coast where rockets can safely climb out over the ocean. For residents in the region, the characteristic rumble of a Falcon 9 liftoff has become routine. The mission is expected to proceed as scheduled barring any last-minute holds.

Ventura County Star ↗

Spaceshoredailynews

Wallops and the Kennedy Space Center join forces for launch operations

NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida have long operated as separate launch hubs, each managing their own missions and infrastructure along the Atlantic coast. Now there's coordination underway. The two centers have formalized a partnership to streamline launch operations and share resources across their facilities. Under the agreement, Wallops and Kennedy will coordinate scheduling, consolidate certain support functions, and leverage each other's technical expertise to reduce redundancy. The move reflects NASA's broader effort to operate more efficiently as commercial spaceflight traffic increases and launch demand grows. Kennedy, which handles the Space Launch System and Artemis missions, will work alongside Wallops, which primarily manages smaller scientific and research payloads. The partnership doesn't consolidate either center, but rather creates a framework for real-time collaboration on everything from ground support equipment to launch scheduling. Both facilities remain operational and independent.

shoredailynews ↗

SpaceFlorida Today

Cape Canaveral study shows launches feel louder than decibel readings show

A new study from Cape Canaveral has found that rocket launches sound louder to human ears than traditional decibel measurements suggest. Researchers discovered that the low-frequency rumble from launches—below 20 hertz—creates a sensation of vibration and pressure that standard sound meters don't fully capture. The study measured SpaceX Falcon 9 launches and found that while peak noise registered around 140 decibels, people nearby reported the experience as significantly more intense. Low-frequency sound travels differently through air and through the body itself, which explains why residents miles away describe launches as physically felt rather than merely heard. The findings could inform future noise regulations and community planning around launch sites. NASA and SpaceX are expected to review the research as they develop quieter launch technologies.

Florida Today ↗

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