The planet has shattered heat records in recent months, but even by the standards of a sizzling summer, September's temperature anomaly stands out.
The big picture: Following the hottest June through August on record, and the globe's hottest ever month in July, last month's preliminary data has astonished climate researchers who anticipated such extremes eventually.
The space industry is playing a waiting game as lawmakers decide whether private companies flying paying customers to space are ready for regulation.
Why it matters: Some experts argue regulation could hamper growth of the private human spaceflight sector, while others say it's necessary to regulate these companies before a major accident occurs.
