The day’s stories at a glance

NASA said its Artemis III Space Launch System core stage is integrated with twin solid rocket boosters in Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of a Pad 39B tanking test. Google announced on Oct. 30 that its Project Suncatcher prototype returned what the company calls the first AI response from a data-center-class TPU in orbit, a Gemma 4 haiku downlinked as it passed Svalbard, Norway. The Federal Communications Commission on Oct. 29 adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on adding 482 megahertz for Supplemental Coverage from Space, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr saying the 2024 framework needed updating for direct-to-device service. NASA issued a Request for Information on Oct. 29 seeking industry ideas to boost, service, or guide a controlled reentry of Hubble, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman saying the agency owes taxpayers and scientists a look at extending its life. MDA Space said it entered an authorization to proceed with Thales Alenia Space valued at more than $100 million for MDA AURORA digital phased array antennas for the 66 Layer 1 IRIS² satellites set to launch in 2029, MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley calling it a landmark for AURORA.