Space Daily

Space Daily September 28: SpaceX Starship Flight 14 Targets First Orbit as Deep Blue Raises $300M

Created: September 28th, 2026 - 05:25 PT

Script

Here is today's Space Daily for Monday September 28th. SpaceX is in the final countdown for Starship Flight 14 from Starbase, Texas. NASA Spaceflight reported this morning that propellant loading had begun, following a brief hold in the countdown. The flight is Starship’s first attempt to reach orbit, making it a significant step beyond earlier test profiles. The mission is also set to include a Super Heavy booster splashdown, providing another test of the giant rocket’s recovery operations. A successful ascent would not settle every challenge facing Starship, but it would be an important validation of the vehicle, its ground systems, and SpaceX’s push toward fully reusable heavy-lift launch capability. [1]

Also today, Chinese launch startup Deep Blue Aerospace has raised nearly 300 million dollars for its reusable Nebula rocket program, according to SpaceNews. The company has also tested an upgraded engine. That combination of major financing and propulsion work illustrates how strongly China’s commercial launch sector is investing in reusable vehicles. Deep Blue is pursuing a market that increasingly values frequent, lower-cost access to orbit—not just one-off launches. [2]

In international space policy, three more countries have joined the Artemis Accords. The agreements set nonbinding principles for civil space exploration, including peaceful use, transparency, interoperability, emergency assistance, and the responsible use of space resources. The additions expand the diplomatic coalition around the U.S.-led Artemis lunar exploration program, even as nations maintain their own distinct ambitions for the Moon and beyond. [3]

Finally, Agile Space Industries announced an expanded leadership structure to support its next phase of growth. While less dramatic than a launch, moves like this matter because spacecraft propulsion suppliers have become critical industrial infrastructure. More missions, constellations, servicing vehicles, and defense spacecraft all require reliable thrusters and systems that can be manufactured at scale. [4]

The common theme today is preparation for higher cadence. Starship is testing the upper end of launch capability, Deep Blue is financing reusable competition, Artemis is widening international alignment, and suppliers are organizing for growth. The next phase of space activity will be defined as much by repeatability, production capacity, and partnerships as by individual launches. [5]

Thank you for listening to Space Daily from The Daily FM. See you tomorrow!

Source Evidence

Recent tweets from @NASASpaceflight

...97337628291369/video/1, https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2104495974668173801

And YT:
https://t.co/qFSXNsOsGI
Posted: 2026-09-28T08:28:42.000Z
Tweet: https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/2104488456835776529
Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gDxG-pm1Zo

SpaceX Starship Flight 14 - Launch &amp; Booster Splashdown - LAUNCH STREAM https://t.co/hRZfre8zgX
Posted: 2026-09-28T08:20:46.000Z
Tweet: https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/2104486460573560839
Links: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1PKqrNdYwZPGb

As of 8:26pm CT, Space

Links in excerpt: https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2104495974668173801, https://t.co/qFSXNsOsGI, https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/2104488456835776529, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gDxG-pm1Zo, https://t.co/hRZfre8zgX, https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/2104486460573560839, https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1PKqrNdYwZPGb

SpaceNews: The space industry's source

Deep Blue Aerospace raises close to $300 million for reusable launch plans HELSINKI — Chinese launch startup Deep Blue Aerospace has raised nearly $300 million for its reusable Nebula rockets while also testing an upgraded rocket engine. The Wuxi-based company has completed…

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