Global Space Developments Weekly Digest — September 14 to 20, 2025

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This digest covers space-related developments from September 14 to 20, 2025, summarizing key advances, announcements, launches, and policy shifts across the global space sector.

Weekly Metrics Snapshot

This week saw 4 orbital launches across 2 countries (USA, China), deploying a combined total of roughly 56 payloads (mostly communications satellites) plus one ISS cargo ship. Two SpaceX Falcon 9 missions delivered 28 and 24 Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. China’s Long March 2C carried four experimental “space Internet” demonstrator satellites on Sept. 16. In addition, SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus NG-23 (S.S. William C. “Willie” McCool) to the International Space Station on Sept. 14, delivering about 11,000 pounds of supplies and experiments. Overall, activity was driven by commercial satellite deployments and ISS resupply missions.

This Week’s Top Stories

SpaceX launches Northrop Grumman’s new Cygnus XL cargo ship to ISS

SpaceX successfully launched the first flight of Northrop Grumman’s larger Cygnus XL spacecraft on Sept. 14, 2025. The upgraded Cygnus (named S.S. William C. “Willie” McCool) carried over 11,000 pounds of supplies, scientific experiments and CubeSats into low-Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission (NG-23) will dock the freighter with the International Space Station later this week, expanding cargo capacity for the ISS crew. read more

SpaceX launches 28 Starlink broadband satellites

On Sept. 18, SpaceX sent 28 additional Starlink internet satellites into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket (Starlink 10-61 mission) from Cape Canaveral. This flight was the company’s 117th Falcon 9 launch in 2025 and further expands its low-orbit broadband constellation. The satellites were released into low Earth orbit about an hour after launch, continuing SpaceX’s rapid deployment campaign to provide global internet service. read more

China tests space-based Internet constellation with new satellite launch

On Sept. 16, China launched a Long March 2C rocket from Jiuquan carrying multiple experimental satellites for a planned space-based Internet network. The payload included a series of “Space-based Internet Technology Demonstrator” satellites, among them a GalaxySpace CubeSat with a novel roll-up flexible solar array to test Internet-of-Things relay technology. This mission advances China’s efforts to develop a national satellite Internet constellation. read more

Japan’s Akatsuki Venus orbiter mission formally concludes

Japan’s space agency announced on Sept. 18 that it has officially ended operations of the Akatsuki spacecraft after more than 8 years in orbit around Venus. Launched in 2010, Akatsuki far exceeded its original one-year design life and provided groundbreaking data on Venus’s atmosphere, including the discovery of the largest-ever stationary gravity wave in a planetary atmosphere. Communication with Akatsuki had been lost in April 2024, and the mission concludes with a legacy of valuable science. read more

Blue Origin completes NS-35 New Shepard suborbital flight

Blue Origin resumed flights on Sept. 18 with its 35th New Shepard mission (NS-35) after a month-long delay. The uncrewed vehicle carried more than 40 scientific payloads on its suborbital flight from West Texas, including 24 student experiments selected through NASA’s TechRise challenge. This New Shepard mission demonstrates continued use of private suborbital rockets for microgravity research and education. read more

In Case You Missed It

• Russia’s Progress 85 cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on Sept. 13, delivering standard resupply stores to station crew members read more
• The U.S. Space Force’s space rapid capabilities office awarded contracts to Blue Origin and defense firm Anduril to develop a prototype one-hour rocket cargo delivery system read more
• JetBlue announced it will use Amazon’s upcoming Project Kuiper satellite constellation to upgrade in-flight Wi-Fi on select aircraft starting in 2027 read more
• NASA’s Wallops team launched two high-altitude scientific balloons from Fort Sumner, New Mexico on Sept. 19, carrying atmospheric and cosmic-dust research instruments as part of its Fall 2025 campaign read more
• SpaceX moved a new Starship upper stage to its Boca Chica launch pad in preparation for the next high-altitude test flight in Texas read more

Upcoming Events

• NordSpace Taiga test launch (Sept. 22/23, 2025): Maiden flight of Canada’s first privately developed Taiga rocket from the Atlantic Spaceport in Newfoundland (suborbital test “Getting Screeched In”) read more
• Partial solar eclipse (Sept. 21, 2025): A partial solar eclipse will be visible from New Zealand, eastern Australia, parts of Antarctica and the Pacific islands on the evening of Sept. 21 read more
• SpaceX Falcon 9 – NROL-48 mission (Sept. 21, 2025): Launch of a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload from Vandenberg Space Force Base (West Coast USA) read more
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• Blue Origin New Glenn – NASA ESCAPADE (Sept. 29, 2025): Second New Glenn rocket launch (NET Sept 29) will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE Mars-bound cubesats (Blue and Gold) from Cape Canaveral read more

Key Takeaways

This week’s developments highlight the accelerating pace of global space activity. Commercial launch providers dominated the launch manifest, deploying dozens of satellites for communications networks and routine station resupply. SpaceX’s multiple Falcon 9 flights continued to expand the Starlink broadband constellation while also delivering critical cargo to the ISS. NASA and partners are gearing up for new science missions (for example, the upcoming IMAP heliosphere probe), and private companies are increasingly fulfilling research and defense needs (e.g. on-demand rocket cargo delivery and suborbital research flights).

Internationally, space programs are demonstrating broader capabilities and cooperation. China’s space agency tested next-generation Internet satellites (including private-sector hardware), reflecting Beijing’s push into commercial space networks. Japan marked the end of a long-lived Venus mission, underscoring progress in planetary science. In the U.S., military and civilian agencies are working with industry on ambitious projects (such as next-generation rockets and rapid-launch systems). Overall, the week reinforced the global trend toward diversified space infrastructure – satellite networks, exploration missions and defense assets – all growing in parallel.

Last update on 2025-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API