Space Race Heats Up: SpaceX’s 500th Landing, China’s Launch Blitz, Blue Origin’s Mars Mission & More

Key Facts

SpaceX’s Record-Breaking Launches: SpaceX notched its 500th Falcon booster landing on Sept. 5 during a Starlink mission, and surpassed 2,000 Starlink satellites launched in 2025 with another Falcon 9 flight on Sept. 6 ^[1] ^[2]. The latest launch was SpaceX’s 112th of the year, and its reusable booster landed for the 501st time ^[3] ^[4].
China’s Rapid Launch Cadence: China conducted three orbital launches in 48 hours (Sept. 5–6). A Long March-3C rocket lofted a new Shiyan-29 space-environment test satellite on Sept. 5 ^[5], a private Galactic Energy Ceres-1 rocket launched three small satellites the same day ^[6], and a Long March-6A launched a Yaogan-40 Group 03 batch from Taiyuan on Sept. 6 ^[7]. (Officials labeled them remote-sensing tests, but analysts say they’re part of China’s planned SatNet broadband mega-constellation ^[8].)
Blue Origin’s New Glenn Set for Mars Mission: Blue Origin announced its second New Glenn heavy-lift rocket is targeting Sept. 29 for launch (mission NG-2), carrying NASA’s twin ESCAPADE probes to Mars ^[9]. After a partially successful maiden flight in January (orbit achieved, booster lost), Blue Origin aims to land the first stage this time ^[10]. This high-profile mission is crucial to Blue Origin’s commercial ambitions.
ISS Reboosted by SpaceX Dragon: In a historic first, a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule reboosted the International Space Station’s orbit on Sept. 3, firing its thrusters for over 5 minutes and lifting the ISS by about 1 mile ^[11]. NASA confirmed Dragon will perform periodic reboosts throughout fall 2025 to help maintain altitude ^[12], reducing reliance on Russia’s Progress ships.
Big Plans from Space Agencies: India’s government unveiled a bold 20-year space roadmap – aiming for a crewed Moon landing by 2040 and a lunar base by 2047 (with mining and rover operations) ^[13]. In the U.S., a Senate hearing on Sept. 3 titled “There’s a Bad Moon on the Rise” underscored concerns about China’s lunar ambitions ^[14]. NASA officials insist Artemis III is on track to put Americans back on the Moon in 2025, and Administrator Bill Nelson warned the U.S. must “not cede leadership at the Moon” amid China’s advances ^[15].
Scientific Milestones: NASA’s James Webb Telescope revealed a stunning new image of the Lobster Nebula teeming with thousands of infant stars ^[16]. At Jupiter, scientists finally detected the elusive auroral footprint of Callisto, meaning all four Galilean moons’ auroras have now been observed ^[17]. And astronomers captured interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS growing a tail as it nears the Sun – “both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder,” said astronomer Karen Meech ^[18], as this rare visitor offers a glimpse of material from another star system.

SpaceX Starlink Frenzy and Reusability Records

SpaceX continued its high-tempo launch campaign over the weekend, achieving new records in the process. On Sept. 6, a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg SFB carried 24 Starlink internet satellites to orbit (Mission Starlink 17-9) ^[19]. Liftoff occurred at 11:06 a.m. local (1806 UTC), and about 8 minutes later the first-stage booster (serial B1075) landed safely on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You ^[20]. This marked SpaceX’s 501st successful recovery of an orbital-class booster and the 149th landing on that particular drone ship ^[21]. Notably, B1075 was on its 20th flight – underscoring the company’s routine reuse of hardware ^[22]. The mission pushed SpaceX’s 2025 Starlink deployment past 2,000 satellites launched in the calendar year ^[23], contributing to a total of ~9,000 Starlinks now in orbit ^[24]. It was also the 112th Falcon 9 launch of 2025, keeping SpaceX on pace for an unprecedented annual cadence ^[25].

Just a day earlier, on Sept. 5, SpaceX achieved a major reusability milestone. A Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center lofted 28 Starlink satellites and then landed its first stage for the company’s 500th booster recovery ^[26]. The booster (B1069) was on its 27th flight, touching down ~8½ minutes after launch on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions ^[27]. SpaceX founder Elon Musk hailed the 500th landing as proof of the efficacy of reusable rocketry. According to SpaceX, this same Sept. 5 mission was also the “500th launch and landing of an orbital class booster” when counted together ^[28] ^[29]. In other words, Falcon rockets have now flown and landed successfully 500 times – a remarkable record in the industry.

These back-to-back missions highlight SpaceX’s launch frenzy: the company has now conducted over 110 orbital launches this year ^[30], far outpacing any competitor. With its Starlink constellation growing and booster turnaround time shrinking, SpaceX is pushing toward a projected ~170 missions in 2025 ^[31] – an unprecedented rate. The surge is enabled by Falcon 9 boosters that regularly fly 20+ missions each, as seen with B1075 and B1069. SpaceX’s emphasis on reuse was further underscored on Aug. 30 when it completed its 500th orbital-class launch (also a Starlink flight) and the booster notched the 400th droneship landing at sea ^[32]. All these milestones signal a maturing launch fleet achieving airline-like operations.

China’s Launch Blitz and Private Sector Emergence

China had an extremely active week in space, executing three orbital launches within a two-day span and showcasing both its state-run program and a burgeoning private launch sector.

On Sept. 5 (Friday) at 10:34 a.m. Beijing time, China launched a Long March-3C rocket from Xichang, carrying the Shiyan-29 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit ^[33]. The spacecraft – described as a “new test satellite” – will be used for space environment exploration and technology demonstrations ^[34]. The Long March-3C flew with a Yuanzheng-1 upper stage and successfully placed Shiyan-29 in its planned orbit ^[35]. This marked the 592nd flight of the Long March family ^[36]. Shiyan (“experiment”) satellites are often used to test new sensors or for military surveillance; the exact purpose of Shiyan-29 was not fully disclosed.

Hours later on Sept. 5, Chinese startup Galactic Energy achieved a milestone for the country’s commercial space sector. At 7:39 p.m. Beijing time, the company’s Ceres-1 Y15 solid-fuel rocket blasted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, successfully delivering three satellites and an “Eros Star” orbital test platform into a sun-synchronous orbit ^[37]. The payloads – including the Kaiyun-1 Earth-observation satellite, Yuxing-3 08 materials science satellite, and Yunyao-1 27 atmospheric sensing satellite – will perform a variety of commercial and scientific tasks ^[38]. The Eros Star-2 platform, developed by Galactic Energy, will serve as an in-orbit tech testing stage ^[39]. This launch (dubbed “Queqiaoxian” or “Magpie Bridge Immortal” mission) demonstrates the growing capabilities of China’s private launch companies. Galactic Energy has now deployed 85 satellite payloads for 27 customers with its Ceres-1 rockets ^[40], signaling consistent reliability in China’s commercial space sector. The successful flight also introduced innovations like the reuse of the final stage as a long-duration test platform, extending its functionality ^[41].

On Sept. 6, past midnight local time (12:34 a.m. Beijing on the 7th), China’s state-owned program struck again: a Long March-6A rocket (a “modified Long March-6” with boosters) roared off the pad at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center ^[42]. It carried a “new group of remote sensing satellites,” officially designated Yaogan-40 Group 03 (three satellites) which reached their preset polar orbits ^[43]. Chinese media stated these Yaogan-40 satellites will be used for electromagnetic environment detection and related technical tests ^[44]. Notably, outside analysts believe this batch is part of China’s planned Guowang (SatNet) broadband constellation, meant to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. Indeed, an earlier Long March-6A launch in August deployed “Hulianwang” satellites (communications test satellites under SatNet), and the Sept. 6 mission is listed as SatNet LEO Group 11 in launch logs ^[45]. If so, China is steadily populating its envisioned mega-constellation for global internet coverage. The Long March-6A launch was the 593rd Long March series mission ^[46]. It underscores China’s rapid launch cadence – the country is on track to exceed 70 orbital launches this year.

These three launches within 48 hours highlight both the breadth of China’s space activities and a civil-military overlap. The Yaogan designation is typically used for reconnaissance or military-linked satellites (literally meaning “remote sensing”), suggesting a defense purpose alongside the stated scientific one ^[47]. Meanwhile, the involvement of a private firm (Galactic Energy) shows Beijing’s encouragement of commercial players to complement state programs. Galactic Energy’s success with Ceres-1 – a light launcher roughly 20 m tall – positions it among China’s leading startups (along with iSpace, ExPace, LandSpace, etc.). This week’s flurry of launches also saw China’s main state contractor (CASC) and a private company launching back-to-back, a rare scenario in most countries. Combined, the flurry demonstrates China’s commitment to high-frequency launches, pursuit of a domestic Starlink-equivalent, and support for commercial innovation to boost overall space capabilities ^[48].

New Rockets and Commercial Megaconstellations

Blue Origin is gearing up for a pivotal mission at month’s end that could prove the viability of its New Glenn rocket. The Jeff Bezos-led company confirmed that New Glenn’s second flight (NG-2) is targeted for September 29, 2025 ^[49]. The massive rocket will carry ESCAPADE, a pair of NASA Mars orbiters, on an interplanetary trajectory – marking Blue Origin’s first mission for NASA beyond Earth orbit ^[50]. In an Aug. 14 update, Blue Origin stated it has worked closely with NASA on preparations and expects “some exciting things” at Launch Complex 36 in Florida ahead of liftoff ^[51]. ESCAPADE (short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) consists of twin small spacecraft that will study Mars’ magnetosphere. They were originally slated to fly on New Glenn’s debut, but NASA opted to wait for the second launch due to schedule risk ^[52].

New Glenn flew for the first time in January 2025, successfully reaching orbit and deploying a test payload, but fell short of booster recovery: the first stage failed to land on its ocean platform ^[53]. For NG-2, Blue Origin aims to stick the landing of the 188-foot-tall first stage, validating its reusability. The company has upgraded procedures after the January partial failure, and there is significant pressure to demonstrate a fully successful mission. New Glenn is central to Blue Origin’s commercial plans – the rocket is slated to launch national security payloads and Kuiper internet satellites in the future. A win on Sept. 29 would also allow Blue Origin to join SpaceX and ULA in competing for high-value military launches (once New Glenn meets certification requirements) ^[54] ^[55]. With NASA’s ESCAPADE on board, the mission has scientific stakes too: delivering the Mars probes on the proper trajectory. Blue Origin’s progress is being closely watched as an indicator of competition in the heavy-lift launch market.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s Project Kuiper – a forthcoming rival to SpaceX’s Starlink – reached a notable partnership. Amazon secured JetBlue Airways as the first airline to sign on for in-flight Wi-Fi via Kuiper satellites ^[56]. Announced in early September, the deal will see JetBlue equip its fleet with receivers to tap into Amazon’s broadband constellation once it becomes operational. (Project Kuiper’s first prototype satellites were set to launch later in 2025.) This is a significant customer win, as in-flight connectivity is a lucrative market traditionally served by providers like Viasat or Intelsat. JetBlue’s choice signals confidence in Kuiper’s promise – and a direct challenge to SpaceX, which has been courting airlines for Starlink service. The move comes as Amazon prepares to deploy over 3,200 Kuiper satellites in low Earth orbit in the next few years. It underscores how the satellite internet race is not just about rockets and spacecraft, but also about locking in customers on the ground ^[57].

In the communications satellite arena, operator Viasat is rebounding from a serious setback. Earlier this year, the company’s ViaSat-3 F1 satellite suffered a payload failure after launch, crippling its ability to provide service. In response, Viasat has accelerated plans to launch ViaSat-3 F2, its next high-throughput satellite, now scheduled for October 2025 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V ^[58]. The new ~$700 million satellite will be positioned over the Asia-Pacific and, once operational, more than double Viasat’s network capacity ^[59]. This should help bridge the gap left by the failed unit and expand global coverage. Viasat is also re-evaluating the third satellite in the series and insurance claims for F1. The ViaSat-3 constellation is Viasat’s answer to the Starlink/OneWeb era: each spacecraft can deliver ~1 Tbps of throughput, serving airlines, government, and rural broadband customers. The upcoming launch is thus critical for Viasat to maintain customer confidence and meet growing demand, especially with Starlink eating into some markets.

Elsewhere, satellite imaging and manufacturing deals made news. Finnish Earth-observation company ICEYE, known for its radar (SAR) microsatellites, secured about $10 million in financing from Poland’s development bank to expand its constellation ^[60]. ICEYE will use the funds to build and launch more SAR satellites, which provide all-weather, day-night imagery useful for defense, disaster response, and insurance. Poland’s investment (announced Sept. 5) also ties into a larger agreement where ICEYE will help develop Polish national reconnaissance satellite capabilities. The deal exemplifies how strategic and commercial interests intersect in the space sector – with governments supporting domestic companies or partnerships to guarantee access to critical data (in this case, Poland gaining a stake in ICEYE’s high-resolution radar imagery). ICEYE’s constellation currently has over 20 satellites in orbit; fresh funding will push that higher and advance the company’s tech (perhaps toward higher revisit rates or resolution).

On the launch infrastructure front, Rocket Lab achieved a major milestone by inaugurating a new pad for its upcoming Neutron rocket. On Aug. 28, the company formally opened Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) at Virginia’s Wallops Flight Facility – a dedicated pad for the medium-lift Neutron vehicle ^[61] ^[62]. LC-3 (built at Pad 0D in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport) is constructed with robust steel and concrete to support Neutron’s reusable first stage and high launch cadence ^[63] ^[64]. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck and Virginia officials touted the pad as “a really, really smart pad… a living, breathing machine” that will eventually enable rapid, repeated launches ^[65]. Governor Glenn Youngkin noted Virginia’s goal to make Wallops “the most vibrant space industry complex in America,” leveraging Neutron’s presence ^[66] ^[67]. Rocket Lab aims to debut Neutron by late 2025, with a first test flight potentially around the end of the year ^[68]. The company has indicated an aggressive ramp-up after that: 1 flight in 2025, ~3 in 2026, ~5 in 2027, and up to 7 annually beyond ^[69]. Neutron is designed to lift ~13 tons to LEO and to be fully reusable (the first stage will return to land or a barge, named “Return On Investment”) ^[70] ^[71]. The rocket will compete in the launch market currently dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and ULA’s Vulcan (upcoming) for medium-class missions, including potentially national security launches ^[72] ^[73]. With LC-3 now ready, big components of the first Neutron are expected to arrive at Wallops in the fall for integration and testing ^[74] ^[75]. This marks a significant expansion of Rocket Lab’s capabilities beyond its small Electron rocket. The company also quietly completed a $275 million acquisition of aerospace firm Aerojet’s Space Systems (GeoST) in August (adding satellite sensor and components expertise), and is preparing for a responsive launch for the U.S. Space Force codenamed “Victus Haze” later this year ^[76]. All these moves position Rocket Lab as an “all-service” space provider – spanning small and medium launch, satellite manufacture, and even on-orbit operations.

In Australia, Gilmour Space announced it is ready for the maiden flight of its Eris rocket later in September ^[77]. If successful, it would be the first orbital launch by an Australian commercial rocket, marking a milestone for Australia’s nascent launch industry. Eris is a 25 m, hybrid-propellant vehicle developed by Gilmour Space Technologies, aiming to deliver small payloads to orbit. The test launch will take place from the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory. Australia joining the club of launch-capable nations aligns with its government’s push to grow a domestic space economy and reduce reliance on foreign launch providers.

Space Station Updates and Transition Plans

International Space Station (ISS) operations saw a boost – literally – and news of future planning this week. On Sept. 3, controllers in Houston and Hawthorne carried out the first-ever ISS reboost using a U.S. commercial spacecraft. SpaceX’s CRS-33 Dragon cargo capsule, which arrived at the ISS in late August, fired a new set of thrusters on its trunk for 5 minutes 3 seconds, raising the station’s orbit by approximately 1.2 miles ^[78] ^[79]. This test demonstrated an important new capability: the Dragon can now assist in maintaining the ISS’s altitude, a task traditionally done by Russian Progress freighters or occasionally by other visiting vehicles. “The new boost kit in Dragon will help sustain the orbiting lab’s altitude through a series of longer burns planned periodically throughout the fall,” NASA officials noted ^[80]. In fact, NASA announced that Dragon reboost maneuvers will be used regularly through fall 2025 to keep the 450-ton station in orbit ^[81]. This innovation comes at a crucial time as NASA looks to reduce reliance on Russia for ISS operations. “The test comes as NASA seeks alternatives to rely less on Russia’s vehicles for station-keeping,” agency officials said in a statement ^[82] ^[83]. The successful reboost on Sept. 3 was a proof of concept that will now be incorporated into routine mission planning. It also validated the hardware SpaceX added to Dragon’s trunk (essentially, draco thrusters angled for station-boosting) after years of development. With geopolitical tensions high, having an American (and private-sector) method to perform ISS boosts is strategically significant. The station orbits about 250 miles up and loses altitude over time due to drag ^[84], so periodic reboosts are mandatory. Going forward, SpaceX Dragons will handle roughly half of all reboosts in partnership with Progress vehicles, greatly improving redundancy for ISS altitude control.

The ISS also received news of an upcoming cargo shipment: Roscosmos Progress 93P. NASA announced it will provide live coverage as Progress 93 launches on Sept. 11 from Baikonur and docks two days later ^[85]. The uncrewed Russian freighter is loaded with about 3 tons of food, fuel and supplies for the Expedition 73 crew ^[86]. It will remain berthed for ~6 months as an attached storage and propulsive module, then depart and burn up. While routine, this mission draws attention because NASA and Roscosmos must continue their ISS partnership even amid strained U.S.-Russia relations on Earth. So far, operations remain professional and mutually beneficial on orbit. NASA’s notification of coverage emphasizes that despite new U.S. capabilities like Dragon reboosts, cooperation with Russia’s space agency persists in order to keep the ISS running smoothly.

Looking toward the future beyond ISS, NASA is actively planning the transition to commercial space stations later this decade. On Sept. 5, NASA released a draft solicitation for “Phase 2” of its Commercial LEO Destinations program – essentially inviting industry to propose the next generation of private space stations ^[87] ^[88]. The agency scheduled an industry briefing for Sept. 8 and set a Sept. 12 deadline for feedback on the draft proposal ^[89]. Under this Phase 2, NASA intends to fund multiple companies via Space Act Agreements to develop and demonstrate a free-flying orbital station (hosting at least four crew for 30+ days) by the late 2020s ^[90]. This follows Phase 1, in which NASA already awarded initial design contracts to four teams (Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Nanoracks, and Axiom Space) in 2021. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy ordered a reassessment of the strategy earlier this year to ensure it aligns with budgets and avoids any gap in LEO presence when ISS retires in 2030 ^[91]. Now the plan is moving forward. “NASA has led in low Earth orbit for 25 years and counting. Now, as we prepare for deorbiting the ISS in 2030, we’re calling on our commercial partners to maintain this historic human presence,” Duffy said, emphasizing continuity ^[92]. “The American space industry is booming. Insight from these innovative companies will be invaluable as we work to chart the next phase of commercial space stations.” ^[93]. The manager of NASA’s Commercial LEO Development program, Angela Hart, added that work done under Phase 1 has put NASA in a “prime position” to succeed in Phase 2, providing flexibility for partners to define the best path to a safe, affordable crewed demo station ^[94]. The goal is for NASA to purchase services as a customer on these private stations by around 2030, rather than owning an ISS-like facility. This week’s solicitation is a big step in that direction. (Notably, funding for these efforts depends on Congress – and with budget uncertainties, NASA is trying to lock in industry momentum now.)

NASA also made personnel news: on Sept. 3, Acting Administrator Duffy appointed Amit Kshatriya as the new Associate Administrator (NASA’s highest-ranking civil servant) ^[95]. Kshatriya, a 20-year NASA veteran who helped lead the Artemis Moon program, will now oversee day-to-day operations and strategy at the agency. This move fills a leadership gap after previous associate administrator Bob Cabana shifted roles when the new administration took office in January.

In terms of ISS crew activities, Expedition 73 (consisting of 7 astronauts from the U.S., Russia, and Japan) kept busy with research and outreach. This week the crew performed experiments on bone density loss and cardiovascular changes in microgravity, among many ongoing studies ^[96]. Such work is crucial for understanding astronaut health ahead of longer Moon/Mars missions. The astronauts also took time for STEM outreach: on Sept. 5, NASA’s Jasmin Moghbeli, JAXA’s Kimiya Yui, and crewmates participated in a live Earth-to-space Q&A with students in New York ^[97] ^[98]. They fielded pre-recorded questions about life in space, sharing personal insights to inspire the next generation. “Humankind is always in need of a challenge,” JAXA astronaut Yui told the students, “and exploring space is the ultimate challenge.” (This event was part of NASA’s Year of Education on Station campaign.) Such connections remind the public of the ISS’s value not just for science but as a platform for international cooperation and inspiration.

Geopolitical and National Security Space Developments

The intersection of space and geopolitics was in focus last week, with both on-the-ground policy moves and surprise military space activities making headlines. In Washington D.C., the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a strikingly titled hearing on Sept. 3: “There’s a Bad Moon on the Rise: Why Congress and NASA Must Thwart China in the Space Race.” ^[99] Chaired by Senator Ted Cruz, the hearing underscored bipartisan concern that China’s rapid advances in space – especially its goal to land taikonauts on the Moon by around 2030 – could challenge U.S. leadership. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testified, alongside industry representatives, emphasizing the strategic importance of American preeminence in lunar and deep-space exploration ^[100] ^[101]. Lawmakers discussed how the Artemis program (which aims to return Americans to the Moon by 2025) must not falter. One point of debate was the post-Artemis III plan: the current U.S. administration (as of 2025) is considering shifting to commercial rockets and scaling back the Gateway station, whereas Congress favors continuing with the Space Launch System (SLS), Orion, and Gateway through Artemis V and beyond ^[102] ^[103]. Despite political differences, there is unity on not letting China beat the U.S. to establish a long-term presence at the lunar south pole (where ice resources reside). In Tokyo on Sept. 5, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson echoed these concerns during meetings with Japanese officials. Nelson stressed that the United States and its allies “must not cede leadership at the Moon” as China accelerates its timeline ^[104]. He noted confidence that Artemis III – the first crewed Moon landing of the program – is on schedule for 2025 ^[105], which would put the U.S. essentially neck-and-neck with China’s projected crewed landing in ~2030. NASA is leveraging partnerships (Japan, Europe, Canada, etc. are all in Artemis) to maintain an edge. Japan’s recent commitment to send an astronaut to the Gateway and possibly the lunar surface is part of this effort. The U.S.-China “space race” narrative has clearly returned, though NASA officials emphasize it’s about setting norms and values in space rather than recreating the Cold War. Still, the language at the Senate hearing – “thwart China” – shows the competitive mindset. As one witness pointed out, China’s five successful lunar missions since 2013 (including a rover on the Moon’s far side) and construction of a space station illustrate a deliberate challenge to U.S. dominance ^[106]. American policy-makers are now grappling with how to respond, from fully funding Artemis to possibly curtailing Chinese access to U.S. technology.

International collaboration initiatives provided a counterpoint to the competitive rhetoric. In early September, U.S. and Mongolian legislators met to discuss cooperation in space ^[107]. Mongolia, which sent its first cosmonaut to space in 1981, is seeking to grow its space capabilities (earth observation, communication, STEM education). The dialogue with U.S. representatives may lead to Mongolia joining projects like NASA’s Artemis Accords or obtaining training for its engineers. Meanwhile, Canada made news by advancing its own lunar exploration plans: Canadian company Canadensys Aerospace unveiled a prototype of what will be the first Canadian lunar rover, slated to launch in 2029 ^[108]. The rover is being developed in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency and will likely head to the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program or a future Artemis mission. This underscores that U.S. allies are ramping up independent contributions to lunar exploration, reinforcing a multi-nation coalition vis-à-vis China’s efforts.

One nation that executed a covert space launch was Israel. In a surprise move on Sept. 2 (just before dawn local time), Israel conducted an unannounced launch of a Shavit-2 rocket carrying a new Ofek-19 spy satellite into orbit ^[109]. The secrecy was due to the military nature of the payload – Ofek satellites are Israel’s reconnaissance platforms, providing high-resolution imaging of regional adversaries. The launch took place westward over the Mediterranean (as Israel usually does to avoid overflying neighbors) and successfully deployed Ofek-19. However, the sudden fiery streak in the pre-dawn sky alarmed some residents, who feared it was a missile attack ^[110]. The sight prompted a flurry of calls to authorities and momentary panic until officials clarified that it was an intended rocket launch. Within hours, Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the satellite was safely in orbit. This incident highlighted the challenges of secrecy in the space domain: even when security is a concern, real-time public tracking and communication are important to prevent misinterpretations. Analysts noted that had there been better “live satellite tracking” accessible to the public (or a prior heads-up from the government), confusion could have been minimized ^[111]. Ofek-19 will bolster Israel’s reconnaissance capabilities – reportedly providing higher imaging resolution and more frequent revisits over areas of interest. Its successful deployment also signals Israel’s continued indigenous launch capability with the Shavit small launcher. The episode underscores that space activities can have immediate geopolitical and public ramifications; in a tense region, a civilian sighting of an unknown streak can trigger fears of conflict. Moving forward, the Israeli Space Agency and military may consider new ways to balance operational secrecy with public reassurance.

In Russia, while not as prominently covered last week, the space program proceeded with routine ISS support and navigation satellite launches. Notably, a GLONASS-K navigation satellite (Kosmos 2595) was launched on Sept. 13 from Plesetsk on a Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat ^[112], continuing upgrades to Russia’s GPS-equivalent constellation. And the aforementioned Progress 93 cargo mission to ISS is on deck. These show that despite economic sanctions and war-related strains, Russia’s core space activities (military comms, navigation, human spaceflight) persist.

India’s Ambitious Space Roadmap

Fresh off the success of Chandrayaan-3 (its Moon lander/rover mission) in 2023, India is charting an extraordinarily ambitious long-term space agenda. On Sept. 6, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a visionary 20-year roadmap for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that aims to put Indians on the Moon and vastly expand the nation’s space infrastructure ^[113]. Key goals announced include:

First Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040: India plans to develop a human-rated lunar lander and achieve a Moon landing with Indian astronauts in 2040 ^[114]. This would make India only the fourth nation (after the U.S., China, and the former USSR) to land humans on the Moon. To reach this goal, ISRO will likely build on its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program (which aims to send Indians to low Earth orbit by ~2025) and then extend those capabilities to deep space.
Lunar Base by 2047: By the time India celebrates 100 years of independence (2047), the plan calls for establishing a sustainable lunar base on the Moon ^[115]. This base would serve as a long-term science outpost, possibly at the lunar south pole (an area of interest for its water ice). Ambitious elements include deploying mining facilities to extract lunar resources and crewed rovers for exploration around the base ^[116]. If realized, this would place India among the very few nations with a permanent presence on the Moon, fundamentally elevating its stature in space exploration.
Heavy-Lift Rocket by 2035: To enable these crewed lunar missions, ISRO outlined development of a new 119 m tall Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) – informally dubbed the Lunar Launch Vehicle (LMLV) – by 2035 ^[117]. This super-heavy rocket would likely exceed the capability of ISRO’s current heaviest launcher (the LVM3/GSLV MkIII), and may be on par with NASA’s SLS or SpaceX’s Starship in lift capacity. A rocket of this class is needed to send large habitats, infrastructure, and crew modules to the Moon. ISRO has already been studying semi-cryogenic engines and clustered booster designs that could feed into the LMLV project.

These objectives are remarkably bold for ISRO, which historically has operated on modest budgets and focused on Earth observation, communication, and interplanetary probes. They indicate a shift – India is signaling its intent to be a major player in human space exploration, not just robotic missions. The timeline (2040–2047) is distant but gives ISRO a clear horizon to plan against, presumably with incremental milestones (e.g., a possible space station or deep-space habitat in the 2030s as a stepping stone).

Also, in a significant international collaboration, India will partner with Japan (JAXA) on a Chandrayaan-5 Moon mission in 2028 ^[118]. Prime Minister Modi and Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida agreed to this joint mission, which will target the lunar south pole. Chandrayaan-5 is expected to include a lander and rover, and by teaming with Japan, it could leverage JAXA’s robust tech (perhaps Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, expertise). This partnership can be seen as part of India’s ramp-up: working with an experienced nation to gain know-how for later independent landings. Notably, India’s Chandrayaan-3 already landed near the south pole in 2023; Chandrayaan-5 aims to deepen exploration and possibly scout for resources or locations suitable for that future lunar base. The mission also cements India’s role in the Artemis Accords community (both India and Japan are signatories), essentially aligning with the U.S.-led framework for peaceful lunar development ^[119].

In the nearer term, ISRO extended an “Announcement of Opportunity” to scientists worldwide to propose studies using data from Chandrayaan-3’s instruments ^[120]. The Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover operated for about two weeks in August 2023, and even though they are now dormant (lunar night), the wealth of data on soil composition, temperature, plasma, etc., is now being shared. By inviting global researchers to participate, ISRO is enhancing its scientific reach and fostering international cooperation. This is reminiscent of how NASA releases Apollo or Artemis data openly – indicating ISRO’s confidence and openness as it matures in planetary science.

On the launch vehicle front, ISRO is still investigating the failure of a PSLV mission in May 2025 that led to the loss of an Earth observation satellite (EOS-09) ^[121]. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is normally a workhorse with over 50 successful flights, so the rare failure has engineers scrutinizing what went wrong (rumored to be a stage separation or attitude control issue). ISRO’s chairman S. Somanath stated that findings will be applied to improve reliability. The setback does not appear to slow ISRO’s overall launch schedule – they successfully flew a GSLV MkII in August and have a Test Vehicle Abort test for Gaganyaan lined up soon. Still, ensuring PSLV’s return-to-flight is important for India’s commercial launch commitments.

Overall, India’s announcements this week send a message: India is aiming higher than ever before. From human spaceflight (the forthcoming Gaganyaan orbital mission) to deep space (the upcoming Aditya-L1 solar probe launch, Venus mission in planning, and now these lunar goals), ISRO is transforming from a primarily robotic-mission agency into a multi-dimensional space power. Achieving a crewed Moon landing by 2040 will require huge investments, technology development (life support, lunar landers, heavy rockets), and perhaps international help. It will be a challenging road, but the fact such goals are being officially endorsed indicates India’s government sees space as a key arena for its global standing – on par with its nuclear program or economic growth ambitions. The timing (2040s) also positions India to be part of the likely second wave of human activity on the Moon, alongside the U.S./partners and China.

Scientific Missions and Cosmic Discoveries

Amid the flurry of launches and policy news, the cosmos provided its own share of excitement. Scientists announced several breakthrough discoveries and celestial events over the September 6–7 period:

A New Stellar Nursery Revealed: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to wow us with unprecedented imagery. On Sept. 5, astronomers unveiled a glittering JWST infrared image of the Lobster Nebula (NGC 6357), a massive star-forming region about 5,500 light-years away in Scorpius ^[122]. The image captures “thousands of newborn stars” in the nebula, including the young star cluster Pismis 24 embedded amid swirling cosmic gas and dust ^[123]. Webb’s sharp eye at infrared wavelengths can pierce through dust clouds, revealing protostars and intricate structures that were obscured in visible light images. This nebula was nicknamed the “War and Peace” nebula in older Spitzer telescope views, but Webb’s clarity shows it truly teems with stellar infants. Such detailed observations help scientists understand how massive stars form in clusters. The image was widely circulated, and even non-scientists marveled at the sparkling, almost festive scene – a testament to JWST’s power. (For context, NGC 6357 is also home to some of the most massive stars known, and studying them can yield insights into the limits of star formation.) This release continues Webb’s streak of delivering both scientific data and jaw-dropping visuals of the universe.
Jupiter’s Auroral Mystery Solved: After decades of searching, researchers finally detected the auroral footprint of Callisto – one of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons – in Jupiter’s atmosphere ^[124]. The phenomenon is a faint UV-bright patch in Jupiter’s polar auroras caused by Callisto’s magnetic interaction, and it had eluded observation until now. NASA’s Juno spacecraft, orbiting Jupiter, managed to spot the subtle signature during a lucky alignment between the moon and Jupiter’s magnetic field lines ^[125]. This discovery, published in Nature on Sept. 1, completes the set: previously, auroral footprints had been seen for Io, Europa, and Ganymede, but Callisto’s footprint was the last missing piece ^[126]. Scientists are excited because it “completes the family portrait” of Jovian moon auroras ^[127] and provides new data on how Callisto (the outermost Galilean moon) interacts with Jupiter’s magnetosphere. The footprints are like glowing electromagnetic “tracks” each moon leaves on Jupiter – studying them informs us about the moon’s atmosphere/ionosphere and the strength of the currents linking it to Jupiter. Callisto’s weak footprint indicates it has a much more tenuous interaction compared to volcanic Io (which has a strong footprint due to its heavy plasma output). This finding was a long-standing goal since even the Hubble telescope hadn’t clearly caught Callisto’s effect. It underscores the value of Juno’s mission, which in its extended phase is focusing on magnetospheric and auroral science in addition to mapping Jupiter’s interior.
Interstellar Comet Sprouts a Tail: A team of astronomers observing Comet 3I/ATLAS (the third known interstellar object after ‘Oumuamua and Borisov) announced exciting results: the comet has grown a visible tail as it approaches the Sun ^[128] ^[129]. Using the Gemini South telescope in Chile on Aug. 27, they captured a stunning image of 3I/ATLAS forming a long, diffuse tail of gas and dust ^[130]. This comet, discovered on July 1, 2025 by the ATLAS survey ^[131], is an interstellar visitor – meaning it originated around another star and is just passing through our solar system. The fact that it’s active (outgassing) allows scientists a rare chance to directly study material from an alien star system. As sunlight heats the comet, ices sublimate and release gas and dust, creating the coma and tail. “We were excited to see the growth of the tail, suggesting a change in the particles from the previous images,” said project scientist Karen Meech ^[132]. The tail stretched about 1/120th of a degree on the sky in late August ^[133], and will likely grow longer as the comet nears perihelion. By analyzing the spectrum of the tail and coma, researchers found the chemical composition of 3I/ATLAS is surprisingly similar to comets native to our solar system ^[134]. That suggests the processes that formed planets and comets around other stars may be akin to those around our Sun – a fascinating hint that planetary formation is universal. The team, led by Meech (University of Hawaii), also noted the educational aspect: this observing campaign was done with students via NOIRLab’s “Shadow the Scientists” program ^[135], engaging the public in real research. As 3I/ATLAS races toward the Sun (it will fly past Mars’s orbit next month, giving spacecraft at Mars a chance to observe it ^[136]), astronomers worldwide are mobilizing to collect data. “As 3I/ATLAS speeds back into the depths of interstellar space, this image is both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder,” said Meech ^[137]. “It reminds us that our solar system is just one part of a vast and dynamic galaxy – and that even the most fleeting visitors can leave a lasting impact.” ^[138] The comet will eventually exit the solar system and return to interstellar space, so scientists are seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study it up close. The detection of a tail confirms 3I/ATLAS is an active comet (Borisov was as well), unlike the enigmatic ‘Oumuamua which showed no coma. Each interstellar object teaches us more about the diversity of materials and conditions in other planetary systems, effectively giving us samples without needing to travel to other stars.
Other Space Science News: A few additional notes – NASA’s Parker Solar Probe made a close pass by the Sun (its 16th) in early September, gathering data on the solar corona and solar wind that scientists are now analyzing. And NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, while a 2023 story for sample return, had its successor mission OSIRIS-APEX officially begin this week, en route to study asteroid Apophis in 2029. While not headline news on Sept. 6–7, they reflect ongoing scientific activity.

Finally, skywatchers were treated to a spectacular celestial event: on the night of Sept. 7–8, the Full Corn Moon passed through Earth’s shadow, producing a total lunar eclipse often called a “Blood Moon.” The eclipse was visible across large parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, including Antarctica, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific region ^[139]. Those in the visibility zone saw the Moon turn a deep coppery red for about an hour as it entered Earth’s umbra. While this eclipse was not visible in the Americas or Europe, it garnered global media attention and served as a reminder of the rhythms of our solar system. Astronomers pointed out that this was the last total lunar eclipse until 2028 in some regions, making it a must-see for enthusiasts. NASA and observatories hosted livestreams so people worldwide could enjoy the event. The “Blood Moon” eclipse capped an eventful week in space – a fitting visual spectacle symbolizing the dynamic movements of celestial bodies that inspire humanity’s efforts to reach for the stars.

Sources:

Spaceflight Now – Will Robinson-Smith, “SpaceX passes 2,000 Starlink satellites deployed in 2025 with Saturday launch” (Sept 6, 2025) ^[140] ^[141]
Space.com – Robert Z. Pearlman, “SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from California” (Sept 6, 2025) ^[142] ^[143]; Pearlman, “SpaceX lands Falcon rocket for 500th time” (Sept 5, 2025) ^[144] ^[145]
Xinhua – “China successfully launches new test satellite” (Sept 5, 2025) ^[146] ^[147]; CGTN – Lu Lidan, “CERES-1 rocket launches new satellites for China’s space program” (Sept 6, 2025) ^[148] ^[149]; CGTN – “China launches new remote sensing satellites” (Sept 7, 2025) ^[150] ^[151]
Wikipedia: List of Spaceflight Launches Sept 2025 ^[152] ^[153]; NASASpaceflight.com – Chris Bergin, “Rocket Lab inaugurates LC-3 at Wallops” (Aug 29, 2025) ^[154] ^[155]; Defense News – Courtney Albon, “Rocket Lab unveils new pad for Neutron” (Aug 29, 2025) ^[156] ^[157]
Space.com – Josh Dinner, “Blue Origin’s 2nd New Glenn will fly twin Mars probes on Sep. 29” (Aug 15, 2025) ^[158] ^[159]; SpacePolicyOnline – Marcia Smith, “What’s Happening in Space Policy” (Aug 31–Sep 6, 2025) ^[160] ^[161]
TS2 Space News Roundup (Sept 5–6, 2025) ^[162] ^[163] ^[164] ^[165]
NASA.gov – “NASA Invites Media to Learn About New Missions to Map Sun’s Influence” (Media advisory, Sept 4, 2025) ^[166]; NASA – “NASA Seeks Industry Input on Next Phase of Commercial Space Stations” (Updated Sept 5, 2025) ^[167] ^[168]; NASA – “NASA, SpaceX Complete Dragon Space Station Reboost” (Sept 3, 2025) ^[169] ^[170]
Space.com – Elizabeth Howell, “Dragon boosts ISS in key test” (Sept 4, 2025) ^[171] ^[172]; Space.com – Mike Wall, “500th Falcon booster recovery” (Sept 5, 2025) ^[173] ^[174]
Space.com – Robert Lea, “Scientists capture interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS growing a tail” (Sept 5, 2025) ^[175] ^[176]; Space.com – Robert Lea, “Callisto aurora footprint found” (Sept 2025) ^[177] ^[178]; Herald Extra – Staff, “Webb spots newborn stars in Lobster Nebula” (Sept 5, 2025) ^[179]; Nature – Girazian et al., “Detection of Callisto’s auroral footprint” (2025) ^[180]; NOIRLab press release – “Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS observations” (Sept 2025) ^[181] ^[182].