🚀 SPACE HEADLINES

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Today in Space

September 21, 2026

In recent planetary science developments, researchers have proposed a theoretical model suggesting Venus may have absorbed an early rocky satellite, providing a potential explanation for why Earth's twin lacks a moon. In related astrobiology and solar physics research, scientists simulated cosmic collisions to assess whether high-impact events enhance or degrade the life-sustaining potential of icy moons, while solar researchers analyzed low-activity solar minimums to better comprehend the broader solar cycle. On the defense front, a historical analysis of the stealth F-117 aircraft detailed how its legacy continues to shape contemporary military aviation perspectives in Washington. Meanwhile, civil space outreach highlighted astronomical imagery featuring a zodiacal night sky and an analemma positioned over the Callanish Stones. Looking ahead, readers should watch for published outcomes from ongoing impact simulations examining ocean-world habitability.


AI-generated summary of today's collected headlines. Read the original articles below for complete reporting.
Top image
After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says
Breaking Defense – about 9m ago

Upcoming Launches (next 7 days)

Sep 23, 2026 13:24 UTC — Long March 8A | Unknown Payload
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation • Commercial LC-1 — Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Sep 24, 2026 08:38 UTC — Long March 6A | Unknown Payload
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation • Launch Complex 9A — Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sep 26, 2026 00:15 UTC — Electron | Owlright, Owlright, Owlright (StriX Launch 13)
Rocket Lab • Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B — Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Sep 26, 2026 11:56 UTC — Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-385
SpaceX • Space Launch Complex 4E — Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Sep 28, 2026 12:15 UTC — Starship | Starlink Group 31-1 (Starship Flight 14)
SpaceX • Orbital Launch Pad 2 — SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA

Space Acquisition Watch

Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Call for Whitepapers for Mission Development Zone (MDZ) Outgrant (Space Systems Command • Special Notice • Due: Oct 02, 2026 • Solicitation: VSFBMDZCall)
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Method for Transferring a Spacecraft from Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit to Lunar Orbit (TOP2-272) (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center • Special Notice • Due: Aug 11, 2027 • Solicitation: T2P-ARC-00125)
Rendezvous, Proximity Operations (RPO) Threat Response (RTR) VICTUS Responsive Launch Space Vehicle (SV) (Fa8819 SDA And Combat Power Szk-La • Sources Sought • Due: Oct 19, 2026 • Solicitation: SYD89-26-RPO-RLSV)
Base Notice: Space Systems Command (SSC) Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Research and Development (R&D) Effort. (Fa8810 Space Sensing SSC/Snk • Presolicitation • Due: Sep 25, 2026 • Solicitation: 26-057)
Request for Information (RFI) SG-XX Geosynchronous Space to Space (S2S) Radio Frequency Cross Link (Fa8819 SDA And Combat Power Szk-La • Sources Sought • Due: Oct 02, 2026 • Solicitation: RFI-16_09_2026)
ight-qualified imaging subsystem for the TERP RAPTOR 12U CubeSat mission to asteroid Apophis. (NASA Shared Services Center • Special Notice • Due: Sep 17, 2026 • Solicitation: 80NSSC26941081Q)
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/ SOURCES SOUGHT Space Force Mission Delta 9 (MD9) – SL-5 EC2-S Ground System Sustainment (Fa2518 USSF Spoc/Saio • Sources Sought • Due: Sep 11, 2026 • Solicitation: RFI-MD9-2026-01)
Source: SAM.gov . Verify all requirements and deadlines in the official notice.
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