Space Race Heats Up: Major Launches, Moon Missions & Policy Showdowns (Sept. 19–20, 2025)
SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites from California on Sept. 19, marking its 84th Starlink mission of 2025 and its 507th rocket recovery. NASA awarded Blue Origin a $190 million contract to deliver the VIPER lunar rover to the Moon’s south pole in 2027. Northrop Grumman’s upgraded Cygnus XL cargo ship reached the ISS on Sept. 18 after a brief engine issue. Lawmakers advanced a $24.8 billion NASA budget, rejecting major cuts.