October 2026 space launches: Crew-13 + Transporter-18 + Falcon Heavy triple-header Oct 1
October 2026 space launches: Crew-13 + Transporter-18 + Falcon Heavy triple-header Oct 1. Plus KARI Nuri, Starlink, ISRO GSLV, JAXA H3 to Phobos. Full schedule + how to watch.
October 2026 space launches: packed triple-header on Oct 1 + Phobos mission Oct 19
October 2026 is one of the busiest months in the global launch schedule. The standout: Thursday, October 1 features 3 launches in 8 hours — NASA SpaceX Crew-13 to ISS, SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare (130 payloads), and SpaceX Falcon Heavy NROL-97 classified mission. Plus JAXA's MMX mission to Phobos launches Oct 19/20.
Below: the full October 2026 launch calendar with dates, times, payloads, and how to watch.
What launches are happening on October 1, 2026?
Three major launches on Thursday, October 1, 2026 — the most concentrated launch day of the year:
1. NASA SpaceX Crew-13 — 11:10 AM ET from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Mission: NASA's 13th operational crew rotation to the International Space Station via SpaceX Crew Dragon.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rocket | Falcon 9 (Block 5) |
| Spacecraft | Crew Dragon |
| Launch site | LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida |
| Launch time | 11:10 AM ET (15:10 UTC) |
| Backup window | Friday, Oct 2 at 10:47 AM ET |
| Crew | NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins + Luke Delaney, CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov |
| Mission duration | ~6 months on ISS |
| Docking | ~28 hours after launch |
Crew-13 mission objectives:
- 250+ science experiments on ISS
- Spacewalk EVAs for station maintenance
- Tech demos for Artemis lunar program (life support, radiation shielding)
How to watch: NASA+ live stream, SpaceX X account, YouTube. Coverage starts ~9:30 AM ET.
2. SpaceX Transporter-18 — 11:18 AM PT from SLC-4E, Vandenberg
Mission: SpaceX's 18th SmallSat Rideshare mission carrying 130 commercial + government payloads.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rocket | Falcon 9 (Block 5) |
| Launch site | SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
| Launch time | 11:18 AM PT (18:18 UTC) |
| Window | 58-minute launch window |
| Payloads | 130 smallsats from 23 countries |
| Orbit | Sun-synchronous polar orbit (~500-600 km) |
Transporter-18 highlights:
- 23 countries represented including US, Germany, UK, Japan, India, South Korea, UAE, Singapore
- NASA payloads: 4 smallsats for Earth observation (climate monitoring)
- Commercial customers: Planet Labs (6 SkySat satellites), Swarm (IoT constellation expansion), ICEYE (SAR satellites)
- Google Project Suncatcher MVP: Google's first orbital AI satellite — refrigerator-sized, 4 Trillium TPUs running Gemini, ~1kW solar, 15-min runtime due to vacuum cooling. Built by Planet Labs. First real test of whether commercial AI silicon can survive space. Full coverage →
- Educational payloads: 12 university CubeSats from MIT, Stanford, Caltech
Booster recovery: Falcon 9 booster will land on droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" (~8 minutes after launch).
3. SpaceX Falcon Heavy NROL-97 — 11:53 PM ET from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Mission: Classified NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) national security payload to geosynchronous orbit.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rocket | Falcon Heavy (3-core) |
| Launch site | LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida |
| Launch time | 11:53 PM ET (03:53 UTC Oct 2) |
| Payload | Classified NRO satellite (likely SIGINT / eavesdropping) |
| Orbit | Geosynchronous (~35,786 km altitude) |
| Mission cost | Classified (est. $300-500M including launch + payload) |
Why this matters:
- Falcon Heavy is the only currently operational super-heavy-lift rocket with US government certification for classified payloads
- The 3-core configuration provides 5+ tons to GTO (geosynchronous transfer orbit)
- NRO is the US government's classified satellite agency (operates US spy satellites)
Booster recovery: Falcon Heavy's two side boosters will land at Cape Canaveral LZ-1 + LZ-2 (~8 minutes after launch). The center core is expendable (no recovery attempt for GTO missions).
What other major launches are in October 2026?
Beyond the Oct 1 triple-header, October 2026 has 7 more major launches:
| Date | Mission | Agency/Country | Rocket | Launch Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7 | KARI Nuri + NeonSat-2 to 6 | South Korea (KARI) | Nuri (KSLV-II) | Naro Space Center |
| Oct 10 | SpaceX Starlink Group 15-25 | SpaceX (US) | Falcon 9 | SLC-4E, Vandenberg |
| Oct 11 | SpaceX Starlink Group 15-25 (backup) | SpaceX (US) | Falcon 9 | SLC-4E, Vandenberg |
| Oct 15 | ISRO GSLV Mk II + IRNSS-1L (NVS-03) | India (ISRO) | GSLV Mk II | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Oct 19/20 | JAXA H3 + MMX to Phobos | Japan (JAXA) | H3 | Tanegashima Space Center |
| October TBD | SpaceX CRS-35 cargo resupply | SpaceX / NASA | Falcon 9 + Dragon | LC-39A, Kennedy |
| October TBD | JAXA HTV-X2 cargo mission | Japan (JAXA) | H3 | Tanegashima Space Center |
| October TBD | SpaceX SDA Tranche 1 missions | SpaceX / DoD | Falcon 9 | Multiple sites |
KARI Nuri + NeonSat-2 to 6 (Oct 7) — South Korea
Mission: South Korea's KARI launching NeonSat-2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Earth observation satellites.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rocket | KSLV-II "Nuri" |
| Launch site | Naro Space Center, South Korea |
| Payloads | NeonSat-2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (5 Earth observation CubeSats) |
| Orbit | Sun-synchronous (~500 km) |
| Significance | Nuri is Korea's first domestically-developed orbital rocket |
ISRO GSLV Mk II + IRNSS-1L (Oct 15) — India
Mission: India's GSLV Mk II launching IRNSS-1L (also called NVS-03) — a navigation satellite for India's regional GPS alternative.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rocket | GSLV Mk II |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota |
| Payload | IRNSS-1L (NVS-03) navigation satellite |
| Orbit | Geosynchronous (IRNSS constellation) |
| Significance | Continues India's NavIC navigation constellation (regional GPS replacement) |
JAXA H3 + MMX to Phobos (Oct 19/20) — Japan
The biggest October mission after Crew-13: JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to Phobos (Mars's larger moon).
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rocket | H3 (JAXA's flagship rocket) |
| Launch site | Tanegashima Space Center, Japan |
| Spacecraft | MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) |
| Destination | Phobos (Mars's moon) |
| Launch window | Oct 19-20 (8-day window) |
| Arrival at Mars | ~August 2027 |
| Phobos landing | ~2028 (sample return) |
| Sample return to Earth | ~2031 |
MMX mission objectives:
- Land on Phobos — first ever sample return from a Martian moon
- Return samples to Earth — first samples ever returned from Mars system
- Determine Phobos's origin — captured asteroid vs. ejecta from Mars impact
- Observe Deimos — Mars's smaller moon, flyby observation
Significance:
- MMX is the most ambitious sample return mission since Apollo (samples expected ~50g of Phobos regolith)
- Japan is the only country to have successfully completed asteroid sample return (Hayabusa + Hayabusa2)
- First mission to retrieve samples from a body beyond the Moon
How many total launches are scheduled for October 2026?
Estimated 25-30 total launches in October 2026 globally (including commercial + government). Breakdown by country:
| Country | Estimated launches | Notable missions |
|---|---|---|
| USA (SpaceX, ULA, others) | ~15 | Crew-13, Transporter-18, Falcon Heavy, Starlink (×3-5), CRS-35 |
| China | ~5-7 | Long March variants (TBD) |
| Japan | 2 | H3 + MMX, HTV-X2 |
| India | 1 | GSLV Mk II + IRNSS-1L |
| South Korea | 1 | KARI Nuri + NeonSat |
| Russia | 1-2 | Roscosmos (TBD) |
| Europe | 1-2 | Arianespace (TBD) |
| Total | ~25-30 | — |
Note: China, Russia, and Europe haven't published full October schedules yet. Counts may increase.
What is SpaceX launching in October 2026?
SpaceX has 8-10 launches scheduled for October 2026:
| Mission | Date | Customer | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew-13 | Oct 1 | NASA | Crew rotation to ISS |
| Transporter-18 | Oct 1 | Multiple (23 countries) | Smallsat rideshare |
| Falcon Heavy NROL-97 | Oct 1 | NRO | Classified |
| Starlink Group 15-25 | Oct 10 | SpaceX | Starlink constellation |
| Starlink Group 15-25 (backup) | Oct 11 | SpaceX | Starlink constellation |
| CRS-35 | October TBD | NASA | ISS cargo resupply |
| SDA Tranche 1 missions | October TBD | DoD | Missile warning satellites |
| Additional Starlink | TBD | SpaceX | Starlink expansion |
Total SpaceX launches October 2026: 8-10 (incl. Crew-13, Transporter-18, Falcon Heavy as 3 launches)
Why SpaceX dominates: 75%+ of US launches are SpaceX. October 2026 continues that trend.
What's the most exciting October 2026 space launch?
By mission significance, ranking October 2026 launches:
| Rank | Mission | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JAXA H3 + MMX to Phobos | First sample return from a Martian moon |
| 2 | NASA Crew-13 | Crew rotation + 250+ ISS experiments |
| 3 | Falcon Heavy NROL-97 | Classified national security payload to GEO |
| 4 | Transporter-18 | 130 payloads from 23 countries (largest rideshare) |
| 5 | ISRO GSLV Mk II + IRNSS-1L | Continues India's NavIC navigation |
| 6 | KARI Nuri + NeonSat | Korea's domestic orbital capability |
| 7 | SpaceX Starlink Group 15-25 | Starlink constellation expansion |
| 8 | CRS-35 | ISS cargo resupply |
The big story: JAXA's MMX mission. Sample returns are the most scientifically valuable space missions (Apollo, Hayabusa, Hayabusa2). MMX will return the first samples ever from a Martian moon.
How can I watch October 2026 space launches?
Live streams for each major October launch:
| Mission | Where to watch |
|---|---|
| Crew-13 | NASA+, SpaceX YouTube, X account |
| Transporter-18 | SpaceX YouTube, X account |
| Falcon Heavy NROL-97 | SpaceX YouTube (limited details due to classified payload) |
| JAXA H3 + MMX | JAXA YouTube, NHK World |
| ISRO GSLV | ISRO YouTube, DD National |
| KARI Nuri | KARI YouTube, KBS World |
| Starlink | SpaceX YouTube, X account |
| CRS-35 | NASA+, SpaceX YouTube |
Aggregator sites for all launches:
- next2space.com — comprehensive launch schedule
- next2space.com/schedule/ — schedule view
- SpaceX official launches — SpaceX-specific
Will October 2026 space launches be affected by weather?
Florida and California weather in October is generally favorable for launches. Typical conditions:
| Launch Site | Typical October weather | Launch impact |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Space Center, FL | 75-85°F, 60% humidity, ~30% chance of rain | Moderate risk — afternoon thunderstorms common |
| Cape Canaveral, FL | 75-85°F, 60% humidity, ~30% chance of rain | Moderate risk |
| Vandenberg, CA | 60-70°F, 50% humidity, ~15% chance of rain | Low risk |
| Tanegashima, Japan | 70-80°F, 70% humidity, typhoon season | Higher risk — Oct is typhoon season for Japan |
| Sriharikota, India | 80-90°F, 75% humidity, monsoon influence | Moderate risk |
Highest weather risk: JAXA MMX (Tanegashima, Japan). October is peak typhoon season for Japan. JAXA's 8-day launch window (Oct 19-20) accounts for potential weather delays.
What are the dates for major US space launches in October 2026?
US launch calendar for October 2026 (chronological):
| Date | Time (ET/PT) | Mission | Launch Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 | 11:10 AM ET | Crew-13 (Falcon 9) | LC-39A, Kennedy |
| Oct 1 | 11:18 AM PT | Transporter-18 (Falcon 9) | SLC-4E, Vandenberg |
| Oct 1 | 11:53 PM ET | Falcon Heavy NROL-97 | LC-39A, Kennedy |
| Oct 10 | TBD | Starlink Group 15-25 | SLC-4E, Vandenberg |
| Oct 11 | TBD | Starlink Group 15-25 (backup) | SLC-4E, Vandenberg |
| Oct TBD | TBD | CRS-35 (Falcon 9 + Dragon) | LC-39A, Kennedy |
| Oct TBD | TBD | SDA Tranche 1 | Multiple |
Total US launches October 2026: 8-10 (3 on Oct 1 alone)
What happens after Crew-13 returns from ISS?
Crew-13 will spend ~6 months on ISS, returning ~April 2027. Crew-14 is expected to launch mid-2027 with similar crew composition. SpaceX has now flown 13 operational crew rotations to ISS plus Demo-2 (total 14 crewed missions).
FAQ: October 2026 space launches
How many rockets are launching in October 2026?
25-30 total launches globally. USA leads with ~15 (mostly SpaceX). China ~5-7, Japan 2, India 1, South Korea 1, Russia 1-2, Europe 1-2.
What time is the SpaceX launch on October 1?
Three SpaceX launches on October 1:
- 11:10 AM ET: Crew-13 (LC-39A, Florida)
- 11:18 AM PT: Transporter-18 (SLC-4E, California)
- 11:53 PM ET: Falcon Heavy NROL-97 (LC-39A, Florida)
How can I watch Crew-13 launch?
NASA+ live stream starts at 9:30 AM ET on Oct 1. Also on SpaceX YouTube and SpaceX X account. Docking to ISS is expected ~28 hours after launch (Oct 2 ~3:00 PM ET).
What is the JAXA MMX mission?
JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to Phobos — first sample return from a Martian moon. Launches Oct 19/20 on JAXA's H3 rocket, arrives at Mars ~August 2027, lands on Phobos ~2028, returns samples to Earth ~2031.
What is Transporter-18?
SpaceX's 18th SmallSat Rideshare mission carrying 130 payloads from 23 countries. Polar orbit insertion from Vandenberg on Oct 1 at 11:18 AM PT.
When is SpaceX launching Starlink in October 2026?
SpaceX Starlink Group 15-25 launches Oct 10 (backup Oct 11) from Vandenberg. Additional Starlink launches may be added throughout October.
What is Falcon Heavy launching on October 1?
Falcon Heavy is launching NROL-97 — a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload to geosynchronous orbit. Likely a SIGINT / eavesdropping satellite. Limited public details due to classified nature.
Is the October 1 triple-header a record?
No — multi-launch days have happened before (SpaceX has launched 3 rockets in one day multiple times). But it's notable for the diversity: crewed + commercial rideshare + classified national security all in one calendar day.
Will MMX launch on Oct 19 or Oct 20?
JAXA's MMX has an 8-day launch window. Primary attempt: Oct 19. Backup: Oct 20. Weather (typhoon season) may push to later in the window.
Where can I see the full October 2026 launch schedule?
next2space.com/schedule/ — comprehensive launch schedule with dates, times, and live stream links.
For detailed coverage of the headline mission, see our NASA SpaceX Crew-13 mission launch guide (NET November 2026, 4 crew, ~29-hour docking). For the previous SpaceX milestone, see Starship Flight 14 orbital success and the Starship test flight history 2024-2027.
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Sources
(4 references)- [1]NASA — SpaceX Crew-13 mission overview(2026-09-15)↩
- [2]SpaceX — Transporter-18 rideshare mission(2026-09-20)↩
- [3]JAXA — Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)(2026-09-25)↩
- [4]Next2space — upcoming launch schedule(2026-09-28)↩