# SpaceNexus Daily, Thursday, October 15, 2026: Launch Library 2 records Zhuque-2E Block 2 launch as a success

> Launch Library 2 records the Zhuque-2E Block 2 launch with 10 satellites as a success; a Falcon 9 Block 5 flight for USSF-481 is scheduled no earlier than October 15.

- Canonical page: https://spacenexus.us/briefing/2026-10-15
- This Markdown version: https://spacenexus.us/briefing/2026-10-15.md
- Data as of: published 2026-10-15 06:05 UTC; records from 2026-10-14 06:00 UTC to 2026-10-15 06:00 UTC
- How the numbers are made: https://spacenexus.us/methodology#ai-content

## About this edition

- AI-generated briefing, AI voice. This briefing is AI-generated: an AI model wrote the script from SpaceNexus records and the sources listed, two independent AI passes checked every claim against those records and the web, and an AI voice reads it. No sponsor, advertiser or partner has any part in it.
- How it was checked: All 26 claims in the script were checked one by one against the SpaceNexus records listed below, by two independent AI fact-checkers that did not write it, one of them also searching the web; every number, date and time was matched to the records by code. It publishes only if every claim passes.

## Transcript

This is SpaceNexus Daily, for Thursday, October 15, 2026.

### Space stocks and money

In the trading session of Wednesday, October 14, the SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index of space stocks fell 1.8 percent, with 7 companies up and 28 down. The largest gain was NorthStar Earth & Space, up 30.3 percent, and the largest decline was BlackSky, down 10.5 percent.

Sources: [SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (Yahoo Finance daily close)](https://spacenexus.us/markets-daily); [SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (Yahoo Finance daily close)](https://spacenexus.us/company-profiles/northstar-earth-space); [SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (Yahoo Finance daily close)](https://spacenexus.us/company-profiles/blacksky)

### Zhuque-2E lifts off

Launch Library 2 records the launch of Zhuque-2E Block 2 with 10 satellites as a success. The LandSpace rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China, at 11:40 UTC on October 14.

Sources: [Launch Library 2](https://spacenexus.us/launch/cmv5zoi2o010z1gfbfz7sjfmc)

### Falcon 9 USSF-481 ahead

The Falcon 9 Block 5 mission USSF-481 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA no earlier than 23:44 UTC on October 15. Launch Library 2 lists its status as go for launch.

Sources: [Launch Library 2](https://spacenexus.us/launch/cmuvz2cqw01nyl1a2154teloj)

### FAA environmental review at Starbase

A Transportation Department notice in the Federal Register, published October 14, is titled "Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement" on the proposed SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site at Starbase, Texas. The notice title also names expansion of Starship landing and expenditure locations.

Sources: [Federal Register](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20963/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-a-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement-peis-open-public-scoping)

### Reflect Orbital adds launches

Via Satellite reported that Reflect Orbital has ordered two launches from India's emerging launch provider Skyroot Aerospace. Reflect Orbital says it is bringing on new launch providers.

Sources: [Via Satellite](https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2026/10/14/skyroot-to-provide-2-launches-for-reflect-orbital/)

### Christina Koch's next role

Space.com reported that Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch will become NASA's acting deputy chief engineer on November 1, and that all four Artemis II crewmates have now stepped away from active spaceflight duties.

Sources: [Space.com](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/life-after-the-moon-artemis-iis-christina-koch-steps-down-from-active-astronaut-duty)

### Jobs board count

The SpaceNexus jobs board lists 10,032 job postings, about 8,900 distinct roles, as of October 15, and 675 of the postings were posted in the last 7 days.

Sources: [SpaceNexus jobs board](https://spacenexus.us/jobs)

Full details and sources are at spacenexus.us.


## Sources

- [SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (Yahoo Finance daily close))](https://spacenexus.us/markets-daily)
- [NorthStar Earth & Space (NSTR) (SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (Yahoo Finance daily close))](https://spacenexus.us/company-profiles/northstar-earth-space)
- [BlackSky (BKSY) (SpaceNexus Pure-Play Index (Yahoo Finance daily close))](https://spacenexus.us/company-profiles/blacksky)
- [Zhuque-2E Block 2 | 10 satellites (Launch Library 2)](https://spacenexus.us/launch/cmv5zoi2o010z1gfbfz7sjfmc)
- [Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-481 (Launch Library 2)](https://spacenexus.us/launch/cmuvz2cqw01nyl1a2154teloj)
- [Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), Open Public Scoping Period, and Hold Public Scoping Meetings on the Proposed SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Launch and Landing Operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site at Starbase, Texas and Expansion of Starship Landing and Expenditure Locations (Federal Register)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20963/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-a-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement-peis-open-public-scoping)
- [Skyroot to Provide 2 Launches for Reflect Orbital (Via Satellite)](https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2026/10/14/skyroot-to-provide-2-launches-for-reflect-orbital/)
- [Life after the moon: Artemis II's Christina Koch steps down from active astronaut duty (Space.com)](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/life-after-the-moon-artemis-iis-christina-koch-steps-down-from-active-astronaut-duty)
- [SpaceNexus jobs board (SpaceNexus jobs board)](https://spacenexus.us/jobs)

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