LTG David Miller Nominated as Next Leader of U.S. Space Command
U.S. Space Force Lieutenant General David Miller, Jr. has been nominated as the next Commander of U.S. Space Command, succeeding Gen. Stephen Whiting who will retire early next year.
Next Crewed Boeing Starliner Flight Not Until 2028
Two years after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft landed in the New Mexico desert without NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, Boeing and NASA said today it will not be ready to fly astronauts again until 2028. An uncrewed flight test is expected no sooner than the end of this year, but they want another year or more to evaluate those results before putting people aboard.
Starship Achieves Orbit for the First Time
The flight did not go exactly as planned, but SpaceX’s Starship Integrated Flight Test-14 did make it into orbit for the first time today and deployed 26 operational Starlink V3 satellites. One of the six second stage engines cut off early and although SpaceX proceeded with the orbital insertion burn, they decided to bring Starship back to Earth without completing all six orbits that were planned.
What’s Happening in Space Policy September 27-October 3, 2026
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of September 27-October 3, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate is in session this week. The House is in recess until after the midterm elections, except for pro forma sessions.
Swift Rescue Mission May Not Have Succeeded, But No Regrets
The bold mission to extend the lifetime of NASA’s Swift observatory is coming to an end in the next 24 hours. Almost exactly one year after NASA signed a contract with Katalyst Space to grapple Swift and boost its deteriorating orbit with the LINK spacecraft, LINK itself will reenter with Swift following in coming months. Though ultimately unsuccessful, NASA and Katalyst feel the mission broke through some barriers, leaving lessons for the future.
What’s Happening in Space Policy September 20-26, 2026
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of September 20-26, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate is in session this week. The House is in recess until after the midterm elections, except for pro forma sessions.
Starship to Attempt First Orbital Flight Next Week
SpaceX will attempt to put Starship into orbit for the first time next week pending regulatory approval. If all goes according to plan, Integrated Flight Test-14 or IFT-14 will orbit Earth six times, dropping off 26 Starlink V3 satellites before splashing down in the ocean west of Chile. The company is targeting Tuesday for the launch. [Update, Sept 17: the date has slipped to September 28.]
State Department Launches Space Catalyst Partnership
During Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip to Peru last week, the State Department announced a new Space Catalyst Partnership with Artemis Accords countries to expand commercial and civil space cooperation. A first step will be a $6.5 million rural connectivity project in southern Peru if Congress provides the funding. The initiative encompasses all Artemis Accords signatories, however. Djibouti became the 72nd earlier today.
Meink: U.S. Has Orbiting Space Control Weapons
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink revealed today that the United States has orbiting space control weapons.
What’s Happening in Space Policy September 13-19, 2026
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of September 13-19, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in session this week.