Space News Digest 1 November 2026

This is SpaceEconomy's automated daily digest of the most interesting news related to our project. Published daily for your information and entertainment.

Sunday 1 November 2026

1. Finland's ReOrbit pitches a locally owned Starlink alternative for Australia
The Helsinki satellite maker wants to set up manufacturing in Australia with local firms and government; its CCO says a sovereign LEO network there would need 600 to 1,000 satellites.
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/europe-s-answer-to-elon-musk-s-starlink-wants-to-build-satellites-in-australia-20261101-p619ve.html

2. SpaceX asks to meet Norway's government about Starlink Mobile
SpaceX says direct-to-phone satellite coverage could be valuable in the High North; the digitalisation ministry says the request will be followed up.
https://www.abcnyheter.no/nyheter/spacex-vil-mote-norge-om-starlink-mobile/1717795

3. China details its plan to land two astronauts on the Moon before 2030
Two Long March-10 launches will send the Lanyue lander and Mengzhou spacecraft to dock in lunar orbit, and two of the three crew will descend.
https://english.news.cn/20261101/e78a700b8122408d9ef672ab994b004f/c.html

4. Former Tesla engineers raise $16M for satellite batteries
Sydney-based MP Space closed an AU$23M seed round led by Blackbird, with Seraphim and Speedinvest, to scale power-system manufacturing.
https://spacenews.com/former-tesla-engineers-raise-16-million-for-satellite-battery-startup/

Image: ReOrbit