SpaceX Delivers Cargo to ISS; Artemis III Prepares for Tests
SpaceX has delivered over 6,000 pounds of cargo to the ISS today, while NASA's Artemis III prepares for a crucial tanking test.
| Active satellites | 15,803 |
| Starlink active | 10,068 |
| Catalogued objects | 31,396 |
| Predicted re-entries | 4 |
| Active close approaches | 25 |
| People in space | 10 |
SpaceX successfully delivered more than 6,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) today. This mission, part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services, ensures the continued support of the ISS crew with essential supplies and scientific equipment. The cargo was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, a staple in SpaceX's fleet known for its reusability and reliability.
Artemis III Prepares for Pad Tanking Test
NASA's Artemis III mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon, is moving forward with preparations for a crucial tanking test. The Space Launch System (SLS) teams are readying a short stack configuration for this test, which will evaluate the rocket's fuel systems under cryogenic conditions. This test is a significant milestone as NASA progresses towards a planned lunar landing.
Orbital Anomalies and Space Traffic
The space environment remains busy, with Orbital Radar tracking 15,803 active satellites as of 15 October 2026. Recent data highlights several close approaches, including a notable proximity between INTELSAT 1002 and MEV-2, with a minimum distance of approximately 0.00 km. Such events underscore the importance of space situational awareness, which can be explored further through our SSA hub.
What to Watch
Looking ahead, NASA will host a news conference previewing upcoming US spacewalks, numbers 100 and 101, which are scheduled to enhance the ISS's operational capabilities. Additionally, the Perseverance Rover on Mars has reached another milestone in its mission, continuing its exploration of the Martian surface. For those interested in tracking visible satellite passes, visit our Pass Predictor for real-time updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). SpaceX Delivers Cargo to ISS; Artemis III Prepares for Tests. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-15"SpaceX Delivers Cargo to ISS; Artemis III Prepares for Tests." Orbital Radar, 15 October 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-15.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_10_15,
title = {SpaceX Delivers Cargo to ISS; Artemis III Prepares for Tests},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-15}}
}
