Defense News (Space)

A collection of 25 posts

Defense News (Space)

SWORD training platform key to US space superiority, program head says

The U.S. Space Force is positioning its Space Warfighter Operational Readiness Domain as a cornerstone for maintaining space superiority. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/01/28/sword-training-platform-key-to-us-space-superiority-program-head-says/

Defense News (Space)

New ‘Vulcan’ rocket to fly first military mission next week

Pending range approval, the mission is slated to lift off Aug. 12 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/06/new-vulcan-rocket-to-fly-first-military-mission-next-week/

Defense News (Space)

Space Force wargame could inform framework for allied info sharing

The two-week wargame is focused on understanding what capabilities and operational concepts the Space Force might need 10 years into the future. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/07/space-force-wargame-could-inform-framework-for-allied-info-sharing/

Defense News (Space)

Space Force launches satellite to explore new GPS technology

The mission is AFRL's first major PNT demonstration since 1977, when it launched NTS-2 — a satellite that helped shaped the modern GPS constellation. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/13/space-force-launches-satellite-to-explore-new-gps-technology/

Defense News (Space)

Deep-space radar hits key testing milestone

The ground-based system is slated to be fully operational by 2027 and is the first of three radars the service is building with Australia and the U.K. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/15/deep-space-radar-hits-key-testing-milestone/

Defense News (Space)

Could this wargame shape the future of the Space Force?

The event drew participants from U.S. industry and allied nations to consider what technologies might be needed to operate in space 10 years from now. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/18/could-this-wargame-shape-the-future-of-the-space-force/

Defense News (Space)

In the 21st century, space is the new battlefield

Outer space has emerged as the world's next battlefield, demonstrated by recent cyberattacks on satellites blamed on Russia. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2025/08/18/in-the-21st-century-space-is-the-new-battlefield/

Defense News (Space)

Space Force launches X-37B carrying quantum and comms experiments

The spacecraft flew from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/22/space-force-launches-x-37b-carrying-quantum-and-comms-experiments/

Defense News (Space)

Amentum to modernize launch operations through $4B Space Force contract

The sweeping contract covers operations and maintenance of the Space Force’s two major launch ranges. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/22/amentum-to-modernize-launch-operations-through-4b-space-force-contract/

Defense News (Space)

York delivers 21 satellites for Space Development Agency launch

The Sept. 10 launch will kick-start a months-long campaign to deliver 126 data transport and 28 missile warning and tracking satellites to low Earth orbit. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/25/york-delivers-21-satellites-for-space-development-agency-launch/

Defense News (Space)

Rocket Lab unveils new pad as firm preps first Neutron rocket launch

Once operational, Neutron will be the largest rocket to fly from the Wallops Island spaceport. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/29/rocket-lab-unveils-new-pad-as-firm-preps-first-neutron-rocket-launch/

Defense News (Space)

Space Development Agency demos key space-to-air communications link

The proof-of-concept demonstration took place in July and will inform future satellite development and operations. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/09/02/space-development-agency-demos-key-space-to-air-communications-link/

Defense News (Space)

Trump links Space Command HQ move to Colorado’s ‘crooked’ voting laws

Twice Tuesday, Trump said Colorado’s mail-in voting policies influenced his decision to move SPACECOM headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/09/02/trump-links-space-command-hq-move-to-colorados-crooked-voting-laws/

Defense News (Space)

Space Development Agency launches first operational satellites

The 21 spacecraft could start providing operational capability to combatant commands and other users within four to six months, according to SDA. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/09/10/space-development-agency-launches-first-operational-satellites/

Defense News (Space)

Space is the new frontier of war, officials say in change of tone

The new language is a step up from more diplomatic assessments just a year ago. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/09/17/space-is-the-new-frontier-of-war-officials-say-in-change-of-tone/

Defense News (Space)

Germany unveils $40bn military-space investment, citing new threats

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said two Russian satellites were tracking spacecraft used by the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/09/25/germany-unveils-40bn-military-space-investment-citing-new-threats/

Defense News (Space)

China remains No. 1 threat in space: Space Force general

China is catching up to the U.S. military’s space capabilities at an “incredible pace," said Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/09/26/china-remains-no-1-threat-in-space-space-force-general/

Defense News (Space)

Airbus, Thales, Leonardo form European space giant amid global contest

Europe’s three big space operators have announced a merger of their space businesses to take on competitors like Elon Musk’s Starlink. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/10/23/airbus-thales-leonardo-form-european-space-giant-amid-global-contest/

Defense News (Space)

To coordinate strikes from space, US needs space JTACs, experts argue

Soon after planes were first used in war, there were specialists on the ground coordinating strikes. Space-based weapons could one day yield new observers. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2025/10/28/to-coordinate-strikes-from-space-us-needs-space-jtacs-experts-argue/

Defense News (Space)

Poland sets up first-ever military satellite launch

“We are developing the capacities of targeting, and … we are joining a group of countries that have such capacities," a senior Polish official said. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/11/14/poland-sets-up-first-ever-military-satellite-launch/

Defense News (Space)

ICEYE sees role as Europe’s defense space-intelligence linchpin

The Finnish firm eyes a satellite fleet large enough to enable ‘tactical’ ground operations without relying on US data. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/11/17/iceye-sees-role-as-europes-defense-space-intelligence-linchpin/

Defense News (Space)

Kongsberg, Helsing team up for European satellite-intel constellation

The cooperation will include setting up local satellite production in Germany to create “a self-reliant European defense capability,” the companies said. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/12/10/kongsberg-helsing-team-up-for-european-satellite-intel-constellation/

Defense News (Space)

Space Force wants advanced tech for space-based interceptors

The U.S. Space Force is looking for advanced technologies for space-based interceptors that can intercept ballistic missiles during their boost phase. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/12/16/space-force-wants-advanced-tech-for-space-based-interceptors/

Defense News (Space)

Space warfare in 2026: A pivotal year for US readiness

As the Space Force enters 2026 amid escalating threats from China and Russia, it faces a pivotal year as it transitions to full-spectrum warfighting. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2026/01/05/space-warfare-in-2026-a-pivotal-year-for-us-readiness/

Defense News (Space)

Space Force looks to expand West Coast heavy launch capabilities

If developed, Space Launch Complex-14 would become the first dedicated super-heavy launch complex on the West Coast. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2026/01/08/space-force-looks-to-expand-west-coast-heavy-launch-capabilities/