Timelapse Tracks Falcon 9 and Dragon Chasing the ISS
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 16, 2026 features a timelapse by Eric Holland of a Falcon 9 and Dragon launch seen from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida.
Countries and regions
NASA joins Japan's MMX mission to study Martian moons and return Phobos sample
NASA is contributing instruments, navigation support and sample curation to JAXA's MMX mission, which aims to explain how Phobos and Deimos formed and bring part of Phobos back to Earth.
UK Defence Innovation launches Tactical Power Challenge with Army and Australian partner
UKDI and the British Army seek power generation, storage and management technologies; a funded competition offers £2.45 million (ex-VAT) for TRL 4 to 6 solutions, with a submission deadline of 10 November 2026.
UK justice ministry launched October 2026 campaign on responding to abuse disclosures
A 15 October 2026 press release says the Ministry of Justice launched the Respond campaign to help the public "Listen. Believe. Support." people who disclose abuse, part of the wider ENOUGH campaign.
Severe drought declared in parts of England as government activates water protection plan
The UK government declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex on 15 October 2026, after the South East and South West saw their driest April to September in over a century.
UK culture secretary appoints two trustees to National Museums Liverpool board
Oliver Enwonwu and Katie Wray were appointed to the National Museums Liverpool Board from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport said.
UK hospitality employers target 100,000 jobs for NEET young people in 2026 partnership
Hospitality firms including Whitbread, McDonald's and Nando's committed on 15 October 2026 to 100,000 paid jobs over three years for 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training.
HydroSurv secures £150,000 UKEF-backed trade loan to fulfil Norway and Italy orders
Exeter marine tech firm HydroSurv has secured a £150,000 trade loan from Nighthawk Export Finance, guaranteed by UK Export Finance, to fulfil self-driving boat orders in Norway and Italy.
UK Home Secretary threatens Eritrea with full visa ban over returns dispute
Shabana Mahmood warned on 15 October 2026 that Eritrea could face a total visa shutdown unless it rapidly agrees to take back nationals with no right to be in the UK.
UK Plans 2029 Mission to Remove Two Defunct Satellites From Orbit
The UK government announced plans on 15 October 2026 to fund a spacecraft with more than £60m to remove two defunct satellites from orbit by 2032, with a launch planned for 2029.
UK justice ministry says Intensive Supervision Courts open in three northern England areas
As of the 15 October 2026 announcement, new Intensive Supervision Courts were reported open in West Yorkshire, Merseyside and Northumbria, bringing the total to 7.
UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on fatal English Channel migrant boat collapse
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch report, published on 15 October 2026, examined the partial collapse of an inflatable migrant boat in the English Channel on 9 September 2025, when 1 life was lost.