SpaceX News

Launch Date: October 30, 2026 (PDT) Launch Time: 9:04 p.m. PDT (October 31, 0404 UTC, 05:04 CET) Launch Window: Open until October 31, 12:48 a.m. PDT Launch Site: SLC-4E - Vandenberg Space Force Base, California Targeted Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Launch Inclination: Southeast Launch Status: Nominal orbit insertion, booster lands successfully on the droneship Mission: Starlink Group 15-18 Launch Provider: SpaceX Launcher System: Falcon 9 (Booster 1093 - Turnaround time 38 days) Flight for the Booster: 7 Previous Flights of the Booster: 6 - NROL-179, SDA-T1TL-E, SDA-T1TL-A and three Starlink missions Droneship: Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) Price: $74 million (without payload) Diameter: 3,7 m Height: 70 meters Payload to Orbit: 22,800 LEO / 8,300 GTO Lift-Off Thrust: 7,607 kilonewtons Fairing: Diameter 5,2 meters / Height 13 meters Stages: 2 SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This will be the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-179, SDA-T1TL-E, SDA-T1TL-A, and three Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. A live webcast of the mission will begin about 10 minutes before liftoff. Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what they experience will depend on weather and other conditions. You will find more information about the trajectory and data on the day of the launch here: https://flightclub.io/live Countdown Hr/Min/Sec Event 00:38:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load 00:35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins 00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins 00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading begins 00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch 00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks 00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins 00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch 00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

In this week's Avid Space Starship update, vehicle production continues at a steady pace while SpaceX gears up for the flight 15 static fire campaigns. Meanwhile, over in Florida, SpaceX looks to grow the footprint of their production facilities while also adding on new test facilities. IN THIS WEEK'S AVID SPACE STARSHIP UPDATE, VEHICLE PRODUCTION CONTINUES AT A STEADY PACE WHILE SPACEX GEARS UP FOR THE FLIGHT 15 STATIC FIRE CAMPAIGNS. MEANWHILE, OVER IN FLORIDA, SPACEX LOOKS TO GROW THE FOOTPRINT OF THEIR PRODUCTION FACILITIES WHILE ALSO ADDING ON NEW TEST FACILITIES. LET'S DIVE IN AND LEARN MORE. Thanks for watching this week's Avid Space Update! If you would like to get involved with our community or learn more about Rockets and Space, please feel free to join our Avid Space Discord server at https://discord.gg/labpadre or visit our website at https://www.avidspaceflight.com/ X: https://x.com/LabPadre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labpadre/ Browse our online stores! https://www.avidspaceflight.com/shop http://shop.labpadre.com/ Support us on Patreon and get special perks! https://www.patreon.com/labpadre Other ways you can support: PayPal - https://paypal.me/labpadre Cashapp - $LabPadre Venmo - @LabPadre BitCoin Wallet: bc1q7w0932yn2xk9ympkm2uzn28pnm90qzmplr4yew Patreon Royalty: Arthur Carty, Admiral Radish, Peter Lehrack, Marcus House, Stumpy Patreon Elite: Bueche-Labs, Randall Davis, WX Dave, King Red 77, Will Schweitzer, Unreal Patch, Eric Beavers, Matt Lowne, Steve Roberts, Colin Smith, Carl Fürstenberg, Seth Count, Eagle Eye Chuck Youtube Elite: Stumpy.001, peterlehrack9954, RobertHobson, rjmoen1512, adamc3234, arthurcarty5645, johnkriegel1653, dennispreston6409, petemaher9778, eadreckoning7091, crowguy506, terrypavlick6411, donrubottom8723, apollothedollo9565, edc6785, dantfd, lukejadamec6660, richd4691, ricbeavers4769, michaelsvadlenak, 55chevyguy_steve, ackfisher, michaelchafe1889, ontomars4627, EagleEyeChuck, snate2.0, coreydavoll7622, evmiller7, b.j.schnettler5080, Aspen30, chuckclose3460, Sandhill-y5l Special thanks to: Audio/Video Editors: Lucid, King Padre Videography: Lab Padre Media Clip Reporting: 61Naps, DaOPCreeper, MLGPure, Vix Script Editors: 61Naps Script Writers: WLAnimal Images may not be used without written consent from Avid Space, LabPadre Media or their rightful owner.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched Bandwagon-5, the fifth SpaceX dedicated rideshare mission to a mid-inclination orbit with 32 payloads, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on 20 October 2026, at 11:04 UTC (07:04 EDT). Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the “A Shortfall of Gravitas” droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Falcon 9’s first stage (B1085) previously supported 18 missions: Crew-9, RRT-1, Blue Ghost M1, Fram2, SXM-10, MTG-S1, EchoStar XXV, SXM-11 and 10 Starlink missions. Credit: SpaceX

Tesla's new Roadster features SpaceX thrusters designed to give it the ability to fly in short bursts. The vehicle was unveiled at a SpaceX facility in Texas on Oct. 15, 2026. Full Story https://www.space.com/technology/spacex-thrusters-just-made-a-tesla-roadster-fly-and-elon-musks-car-is-still-out-there-in-space Tesla says the Roadster has a top speed of more than 230 mph and 0–60 mph acceleration in as little as 0.81 seconds. The car features a SpaceX-developed cold-gas thruster system designed to deliver extreme bursts of thrust. Learn more about the Roadster: https://www.tesla.com/roadster Video courtesy of Tesla, Inc 🚀 Follow Space.com 🌌 Website: https://www.space.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VideoFromSpace 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacedotcom 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spacecom 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spacedotcom 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/Spacedotcom

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched the USSF-481 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on 16 October 2026, at 00:01 UTC (15 October, at 17:01 PDT). Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. Falcon 9’s first stage (B1081) previously supported 27 missions: Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, NROL-48, CSG-3, USSF-153 and 16 Starlink missions. Credit: SpaceX

Launch Date: October 15, 2026 (PDT) Launch Time: 5:01 p.m. PDT (October 16, 0001 UTC, 02:01 CEST) Launch Window: Open until 8:44 p.m. PDT Launch Site: SLC-4E - Vandenberg Space Force Base, California Targeted Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Launch Inclination: South Launch Status: Nominal orbit insertion; Falcon 9 booster landed successfully for the 28th time on the droneship. Mission: USSF-481 Launch Provider: SpaceX Launcher System: Falcon 9 (Booster 1081 - Turnaround time 35 days) Flight for the Booster: 28 Previous Flights of the Booster: 27 - Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, NROL-48, COSMO-SkyMED Second Generation FM3, USSF-153, and 16 Starlink missions. Droneship: Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) Price: $74 million (without payload) Diameter: 3,7 m Height: 70 meters Payload to Orbit: 22,800 LEO / 8,300 GTO Lift-Off Thrust: 7,607 kilonewtons Fairing: Diameter 5,2 meters / Height 13 meters Stages: 2 SpaceX is targeting Thursday, October 15, for a Falcon 9 launch of the USSF-481 mission from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The four-hour launch window opens at 4:44 p.m. PDT. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Friday, October 16 at 4:35 p.m. PDT. A live webcast of the USSF-481 mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, This is a classified mission; there will be no video from the 2nd stage of fairing deployment after stage separation. This will be the 28th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, NROL-48, COSMO-SkyMED Second Generation FM3, USSF-153, and 16 Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what they experience will depend on weather and other conditions. You will find more information about the trajectory and data on the day of the launch here: https://flightclub.io/live Countdown Hr/Min/Sec Event 00:38:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load 00:35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins 00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins 00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading begins 00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch 00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks 00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins 00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch 00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

After spending over seven months in space, members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 will discuss their mission aboard the International Space Station during a news conference at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev returned to Earth on Oct. 8, after spending 237 days living and working in orbit. (Adenot will return to Europe and not be available during the news conference.) Learn more about Crew-12's science and technology research: https://go.nasa.gov/4jdAre7 Watch Crew-12's return to Earth: https://youtube.com/live/x6p9Ri0DlNE Read more about Crew-12's return and today's event: https://go.nasa.gov/3UikER9

Following a successful launch on Oct. 13, 2026, an uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft will plan to rendezvous with and dock to the International Space Station. The spacecraft, which is carrying over 6,300 pounds of supplies, is scheduled to dock autonomously at about 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 UTC). In addition to cargo for the crew aboard the space station, Dragon will deliver several new science experiments that could help restore vision for people on Earth with artificial eye retinas, develop more realistic heart tissue models for disease research, and identify new treatment targets for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. Dragon is scheduled to remain at the space station for one month before undocking and splashing down off the coast of California. Learn more about the mission: https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-spacex-35th-commercial-resupply-mission-overview/ Learn more about International Space Station operations and research: https://www.nasa.gov/station

🔴 [Q&A+] No YT ads. Bonus Question. For FREE https://www.patreon.com/collection/116942 🟣 [Overtime] Even more Q&A https://www.patreon.com/collection/1720060 If SpaceX no longer want Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon, why won't NASA just buy them for themselves? What would a perfect space station look like? What is being done to improve the deep space network? And in Q&A+, finally, a Lagrange Point question. 00:00 Intro 00:27 [@kairon156] What would a perfect space station look like? 08:13 [@endigo2007] Can NASA buy the remaining Falcon 9's and operate them to send Dragon to ISS? 10:57 [@musicover5] Is there work being done to increase the bandwidth of the deep space network? 15:09 Final thoughts 📰 EMAIL NEWSLETTER Read by 70,000 people every Friday. Written by Fraser. No ads. Subscribe for FREE: https://universetoday.com/newsletter 🎧 PODCASTS Universe Today: https://www.universetoday.com/podcast Astronomy Cast: https://www.astronomycast.com/ 📩 CONTACT FRASER [email protected] ⚖️ LICENSE Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) You are free to use my work for any purpose you like, just mention me as the source and link back to this video.

Tune in as a new shipment of science and supplies lifts off to the International Space Station. NASA and SpaceX are targeting 6:33 a.m. EDT (1033 UTC), Tuesday, Oct. 13, for the next cargo launch of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to the space station. Dragon will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and is scheduled to dock autonomously at around 11:00 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Thursday, Oct. 15, to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. Learn more about the mission and the launch timeline: https://go.nasa.gov/3WhHUPG

Welcome Crew-12 back to Earth with us! NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev are scheduled to splash down off the coast of California at 11:34 a.m. EDT (1534 UTC) on Thursday, Oct. 8. We'll have live coverage from re-entry to recovery. Crew-12 spent 235 days on the International Space Station and orbited Earth nearly 3,800 times. Learn more about what Crew-12 studied during their time in space: https://go.nasa.gov/4z5jVl6 Get the latest updates from the space station: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/

On 7 October 2026, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and her Crew-12 crewmates will undock from the International Space Station at around 12:05 GMT/14:05 CEST to begin their journey back to Earth. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe and click twice on the bell button to receive our notifications. We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related. Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions

Watch the four members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission — NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev — set off to return to Earth. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will undock from the International Space Station at approximately 8:05 a.m. EDT (1205 UTC). Splashdown is scheduled to occur off the coast of California on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11:34 a.m. EDT (1534 UTC). During their nearly eight months aboard the space station, Crew-12 conducted hundreds of hours of scientific research. Their work included testing stem cell production for cell‑based therapies, examining how physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight, and demonstrating the on‑demand generation of IV fluid for future missions. Learn more about the Crew-12 mission: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-spacex-crew-12/ Follow the latest Crew-12 updates: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/crew-12/

Watch as NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev begin final preparations for their return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. After the four enter the spacecraft, the hatch is scheduled to close at 6:20 a.m. EDT (1020 UTC). The Dragon is scheduled to undock at 8:05 a.m. EDT (1205 UTC). Crew-12’s splashdown is targeted for Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11:34 a.m. EDT (1534 UTC). Learn more about the Crew-12 mission: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-spacex-crew-12/ Follow the latest Crew-12 updates: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/crew-12/

Hi Spacecats, I'm Dr Maggie Lieu and welcome to my channel, where you can find all things space, astronomy and physics! I couldn't believe it myself, but starship made it to orbit on its test flight 14, but have you ever wondered how rockets even fly? Let me explain it to you. Special thanks to my YouTube Members: Steven Yee, Bill Fratt, David Brant, Gregory McCoy, Nigel Draper, Jordan Workshop, Eurico Roberto, Steve - Plano, John Lewis, Seyda, Christopher Senn, rtwwithatm, Potterma63, Anders Welander, johnomeara7240, mark earnest, Rob Tung, Malleus Flavus, vapFlo, Markus Cosmos, KRASHDOWN, toptier, Planète Serrures, Andrew Harmsworth, tomo9546, kenmc5690, Joaoponeis, Bueché-Labs, Quantify 36, Marge Rose, Dwinanto Saputra, Gnanagowry Vithiyananthan Links: Herberhold et al 2025 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12567-025-00625-8 Media credits: Spacex NASA GSFC You can also sign up on my channel page to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClO6TuRE6XLzbMBmQ_KY38A/join Support me through my shop: www.maggielieu.com/shop My book: UK🇬🇧 https://amzn.to/4kVm7V4 USA 🇺🇸 https://amzn.to/3HxKpGn If you enjoyed the video, please consider by liking, sharing and subscribing! I'm also on: twitter: https://twitter.com/space_mog instagram: https://instagram.com/space_mog/ facebook: https://facebook.com/spacemog/

Join us live for Orbital, as Sen brings you the arrival of SpaceX’s Crew-13 mission at the International Space Station in real time, captured in 4K from orbit. Watch the Dragon spacecraft approach and dock with the ISS, with unique live views from Sen’s cameras aboard the space station. Sen's Space TV Director, Liam Kennedy, will take you behind the scenes of our live space coverage, sharing insight and answering questions on how we capture and broadcast orbital operations from space. 🎥 Livestream begins: 21:30 UTC / 22:30 BST 📅 1 October 2026 🚀 SpaceX Crew-13 docking: 23:00 UTC / 00:00 BST Crew-13 is carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov to the International Space Station for a long-duration science mission. Please note: Event timings are subject to change. The docking time and livestream schedule may be adjusted depending on launch, spacecraft operations and mission conditions. Watch live in 4K and experience Crew-13’s arrival at the ISS from a unique orbital perspective. 🌌 ABOUT SEN Sen delivers the world’s first continuous 4K livestream of Earth from space. 📡 WATCH EARTH LIVE Watch Sen’s 24/7 4K livestream of Earth from cameras aboard the International Space Station on our channel now. #Crew13 #SpaceX #ISS #NASA #Dragon #SpaceStation #Sen #SpaceLive #LiveFromSpace

Watch as four explorers arrive at the International Space Station. After lifting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 UTC), Crew-13's spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the orbiting lab at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 UTC), with hatches opening at about 8:45 p.m. EDT (0045 UTC Oct. 2). The crew will also give welcome remarks around 9:20 p.m. EDT (0120 UTC Oct. 2). NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov will spend the next several months in low Earth orbit on NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission. While there, they will conduct various science experiments and technology demonstrations to benefit life on Earth and in orbit, furthering humanity's journey back to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond. Learn more about the Crew-13 mission: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-spacex-crew-13/ Read daily updates from the space station: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/

NASA astronaut Luke Delaney is the pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission. This is his first spaceflight. Upon his arrival to the International Space Station, he will join Expedition 75, kicking off a long-duration science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021. The Florida native, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of North Florida and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a distinguished naval aviator who participated in exercises throughout the Asia Pacific region and conducted missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As a test pilot, Delaney evaluated developmental aircraft systems and served as a test pilot instructor. He also worked as a research pilot at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, where he supported airborne science missions.

CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk is a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission. This is his first spaceflight. Upon her arrival to the International Space Station, he will join Expedition 75, kicking off a long-duration science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory. He was selected as a CSA astronaut in 2017. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, and is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Test Pilot school in Edwards, California. He also has master’s degrees in space studies, flight test engineering, and defense studies. He served as a CF-18 fighter pilot, flying missions in support of Canada’s NATO, U.N., and North American Aerospace Defense Command commitments, and also worked as an experimental and operational test pilot at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in Cold Lake, Alberta.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov is a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission. This is his first spaceflight. Upon his arrival to the International Space Station, he will join Expedition 75, kicking off a long-duration science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory. He was selected for the Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Center Cosmonaut Corps in 2021 and has served as a test cosmonaut since 2023. He graduated from the Naval Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2011 as an engineer specializing in ship power plant operations. He also served in various naval engineering roles, including undersea vessels and specialized engine room operations.