space

AI

Xiaomi MiMo 2.6, Grok 4.7, and a Wave of Mid‑Month Tech Setbacks

A roundup of Xiaomi's MiMo 2.6 launch, x.ai's Grok 4.7 update, NASA's Mars Sample Return cancellation, and other mid‑September tech headlines.

Software

BepiColombo reaches Mercury as community tools reshape space

After eight years in flight, ESA's BepiColombo probe nears Mercury while open-source projects and new research expose the software and cultural gaps in modern space exploration.

Tech

Texas Hyperloop Pitch, SpaceX Starship Test

A Boring Company hyperloop proposal, SpaceX’s looming Starship test, and Joby Aviation’s autonomous coast‑to‑coast flight reveal how bold infrastructure bets clash with hard market realities.

Tech

Europe Goes Solo on Venus Mission as NASA Shifts Funding Focus

NASA pulls a radar instrument, prompting Europe to pursue its Venus probe alone while the agency asks states for money.

Tech

Anthropic Settlement, Oura IPO, Europe's First Commercial Rocket

Anthropic's settlement draws author pushback, Oura files for an IPO as rivals close in, and a German firm launches Europe’s first commercial orbital rocket.

Tech

German Rocket Spectrum Reaches Orbit from Norway

Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket completed its maiden flight from Andøya Space, giving Germany its first private orbital launch from European soil.

Tech

Europe’s BepiColombo nears Mercury as US space rhetoric spikes

Europe’s eight‑year BepiColombo cruise reaches Mercury while US officials stir diplomatic tension; European launch startups chase fresh funding.

Tech

NASA suits up, Army lasers drones, Russia’s satellite setbacks

NASA trims Artemis IV schedule, forcing a new lunar suit; the Army proves a 20 kW laser can kill drones; Russia’s Rassvet constellation shows early failures.

Tech

Starcloud’s Alpha Centauri Probe Raises Stakes for Space Tech

Starcloud plans a probe to Alpha Centauri as NASA’s Flight Opportunities and a new aircraft venture test the limits of commercial space and atmospheric tech under a controversial congressional chair.

Tech

Europe funds launch startups as cheap rockets reshape the market

European cash and new launch vehicles push costs down while the US tests quantum navigation on the X‑37B, and hobbyists chase PocketQube flights.

Tech

China pushes Chang’e 7 launch to 2027 amid safety crunch

China delays its Chang’e 7 lunar mission to 2027, citing unmet launch conditions and a push for flawless execution.

Tech

Trump Pushes New Federal Spaceport Amid Tech Battles on Earth

Trump calls for a heavy‑lift spaceport while Waymo ramps lobbying, Romania strikes a Russian drone boat, and storms aid seismic imaging.

Tech

Starship's final test flight clears the way for bigger rockets

SpaceX’s Oct 13 Starship test ends Version 2, NASA rescues stranded ISS crew, and researchers warn megaconstellations could thin Earth’s magnetosphere.

Tech

Terra's $52M Bet on Southern Defense Amid SpaceX Turbulence

Terra Industries raises $52 million to build defense infrastructure for the Global South as launch bottlenecks and geopolitical strikes reshape the sector.

Hardware

Yacht neglect, SteamOS update, Chinese rocket blast

A week in tech: Zuckerberg's yacht ignored a Coast Guard call, Valve broadened SteamOS to MSI hardware, a Chinese launch failed, PS5 audio hacks, and $100 smartphone options.

Tech

Blue Origin, Chinese test fires expose rocket safety gaps

Explosions at Blue Origin and Space Pioneer highlight how static‑fire failures can ripple through launch schedules and funding, forcing the industry to rethink safety protocols.

AI

Microsoft Launches Agent-First Android OS

Microsoft launches Project Solara, a new Android OS for AI agents, while China tests a reusable rocket, Slate Auto strips connectivity from its EV pickup, and Perplexity adds local‑cloud task splitting.

Gaming

Unastella Raises $24M

Unastella raises $24M, Google opens Tokyo store, Apple's iPhone sports venture.

Tech

Sci-Hub fined $15M as SETI gets $200M boost

A US court slapped Sci-Hub with a $15 million judgment while the SETI Institute secured a $200 million endowment, highlighting divergent paths in scientific funding.

Tech

FAA Clears New Glenn for 4th Launch

Blue Origin's New Glenn gets FAA clearance for its fourth flight as debris concerns grow and satellite internet readies to power more inflight Wi‑Fi by 2027.

Software

SpaceX's 12th Starship Test Flight Takes Off

A look at SpaceX's twelfth Starship flight, Colorado's open‑source age‑verification bill, Starbucks cup recycling data, and a stalled developer tool.

Gaming

SpaceX files S‑1, Node.js 26 lands, GitHub breach exposed

SpaceX's S‑1 filing, Node.js 26.0.0 release, Flipper One specs, a GitHub repo breach, and Xbox's new strategy chief reshape the tech landscape.

Tech

Psyche’s Unexpected Mars Snapshots Offer Fresh Planetary

NASA’s Psyche probe sent back rare images of Mars, giving scientists a deep‑space view that could sharpen planetary models.

AI

AI assistants crack drug-retargeting tasks

Two AI science assistants proved drug‑retargeting chops, NASA pushes mass‑produced satellites, and Musk‑Altman tensions highlight governance stakes.

Tech

Cowboy Space Hits Rocket Shortage Roadblock

Cowboy Space raises $275 million for orbital data centers, but faces hurdles in building rockets for launch.

Tech

NASA patents, EM Drive thrust, and SpaceX’s new landing record

NASA opens 56 patents, scientists confirm EM Drive thrust, and SpaceX lands a booster record. How these moves reshape the commercial space race.

AI

AI agents and bug hunters spark US policy scramble

Mozilla's AI bug scanner, Meta's shopping AI, and a US report on China's tech push converge to reshape security, commerce, and regulation.

Tech

Pentagon trims classification on secret space programs

DoD policy lowers secrecy on key space projects, opening tech to allies and industry as the US seeks an edge over China and Russia.

AI

Tech Leaders Shuffle as AI Deals and Space Launch Accelerate

Bob Iger returns to venture capital, Redwood’s COO exits, Sierra buys Fragment, Microsoft rolls out a retirement buyout, and the Roman Telescope launches early.