This Week in Space Tech: Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, 2025
A busy IAC week set the tone for launches, deals, and new policies that will shape the next few years in space.
Headliners from The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney
The IAF World Space Award honored Jeff Bezos, while China’s Chang’e-6 team earned the team prize, both presented during the opening ceremony in Sydney on Sep 29.
NASA and Australia signed a new framework to deepen cooperation in aeronautics and space exploration during IAC.
Artemis Accords principals met and reaffirmed commitments to safe and transparent exploration.
Launches and in-orbit moves
SpaceX flew another Starlink batch from Vandenberg, its 125th Falcon 9 mission of the year, with booster landing on Of Course I Still Love You.
Blue Origin named the next New Shepard crew, signaling suborbital flights are staying on the calendar.
China’s Tianwen-2 asteroid sample mission beamed home a striking Earth selfie while cruising toward its target.
Policy, programs, and geopolitics
A U.S. federal funding lapse shuttered most of NASA, furloughing over 15,000 employees while keeping only essential operations and Artemis work active.
ESA and Avio signed a 40 million euro, 24-month contract to mature a reusable upper stage demonstrator, a bid to boost European launcher competitiveness.
Europe broadened cooperation in exploration, including asteroid-mission teaming with Japan and stronger ties with South Korea.
Startup and commercial beats
DARPA published a field guide that maps possible services for a lunar economy in the next decade, feeding commercial moon planning conversations.
Science and mission milestones
With NASA science mostly paused stateside during the shutdown, international missions kept the flow of data and imagery, including Tianwen-2’s cruise-phase checks.