Top Stories
Starfish Space Sends First Operational Satellite Servicing Vehicle to Orbit Next Month
Starfish Space has completed its Otter servicing vehicle, set for a NASA debris inspection mission that will launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18, scheduled for October 2026. This $15 million contract involves studying defunct U.S. satellites’ spin rates and surface conditions in low Earth orbit. This is the first agency-funded commercial debris inspection mission by NASA. Starfish has previously conducted successful pathfinder flights with the Otter series and holds contracts for various missions with companies such as Intelsat and SDA.
NASA’s Isaacman Deepens Rift with ESA over International Partnership Model
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that NASA will only seek international partnerships with substantial value for the U.S., marking a shift from previous coalition-building approaches. This follows tensions regarding the Lunar Gateway program, which ESA has already invested in. ESA’s director has called for a European decision on independent crewed missions.
Danish Intelligence Warns of Escalating Russian Hybrid Attacks Against NATO
Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service forecasts an increase in Russian hybrid attacks on NATO states, including potential cyber assaults and strikes on infrastructure. Recent incidents, such as aggressive maneuvers by a Russian frigate against NATO forces, underscore this heightened threat.
SpaceX Completes Launch Rehearsal for Starship’s First Orbital Flight
SpaceX finalized a wet dress rehearsal for Starship Flight 14, aiming for a launch on September 28. This flight intends to achieve full orbital insertion, with the spacecraft targeting multiple orbits at an altitude of 275 kilometers. The Federal Aviation Administration must issue a launch license before the mission proceeds.
Google Launching AI Chips to Orbit on Transporter-18
Google is set to launch its first orbital AI test satellite, MVP, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 on October 1. The satellite will feature four AI chips and is designed for high-performance computing in space.
Callisto Reusable Rocket Demonstrator Progresses Toward 2027 Hop Test
DLR has completed testing the nose cone for Callisto, a European reusable rocket demonstrator. The timeline for the initial hop test has been delayed to 2027, with testing and integration processes underway.
Satellite of the Day
COSMOS 1312 – Launched in 1981, this Soviet geodesy satellite has surpassed its expected lifespan, orbiting Earth for 44 years.
Read the full feature | Track COSMOS 1312 live
By the Numbers
- Active satellites tracked: 16,025
- Cataloged debris objects: 14,952
- New objects cataloged yesterday: 2
- Orbital launches this year: 230 (223 successful)
- Next launch: Electron | Owlright, Owlright, Owlright (StriX Launch 13) in about 15 hours.
Catalog Watch
Space-Track reported 2 new objects cataloged along with 26,767 updated element sets.
New catalog entries: UNKNOWN (81072), 100790.
Reentry Watch
- [STARLINK-3069 (49176)] – predicted decay Sep 25, 15:02 UTC.
- [STARLINK-30182 (57412)] – predicted decay Sep 26, 00:55 UTC.
- [CZ-3B R/B (69571)] – predicted decay Sep 26, 01:39 UTC.
- [STARLINK-4446 (53505)] – predicted decay Sep 26, 07:31 UTC.
- [STARLINK-1797 (46698)] – predicted decay Sep 26, 08:34 UTC.
Upcoming Space Launches
Schedule Changes
- New: Blue Origin’s New Glenn, Amazon Leo (LN-01), scheduled for Dec 31.
- Electron’s StriX Launch 13 shifted to Sep 26, 00:26 UTC.
- Falcon 9’s Transporter 18 moved to Oct 1, 18:18 UTC.
Next 48 Hours
- Rocket Lab Electron – Launching for Synspective on Sep 26 at 00:26 UTC.
- SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 – Classified USSF mission on Sep 26 at 11:56 UTC.
Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change.
