Defense News (Space)

A collection of 33 posts

Defense News (Space)

Germany touts pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech

Austria’s Defense Minister Claudia Tanner reaffirmed that Austria plans to put three operationally designated military satellites into orbit next year. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/05/20/germany-touts-pan-german-space-command-amid-european-push-to-supplant-us-tech/

Defense News (Space)

US Air Force looks to convert offshore oil rigs into rocket recovery platforms

An Air Force plan calls for old oil platforms to become Sea-based Recovery Stations for the U.S. Space Force and private spaceflight companies. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/05/18/us-air-force-looks-to-convert-offshore-oil-rigs-into-rocket-recovery-platforms/

Defense News (Space)

Space Force’s 15-year vision calls for more personnel, simulators and survivability

A new Space Force vision document grapples with the future of space warfare and how the service can prepare for it. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/04/20/space-forces-15-year-vision-calls-for-more-personnel-simulators-and-survivability/

Defense News (Space)

Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX

Last August, a global outage across Elon Musk’s satellite network left U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessels bobbing off California, halting operations. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/04/16/starlink-outage-hit-drone-tests-exposing-pentagons-growing-reliance-on-spacex/

Defense News (Space)

US Space Command provides update on phased headquarters relocation to Alabama

The command plans to break ground on a new headquarters facility on an approximately 60-acre site near the center of Redstone Arsenal in 2027. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/03/27/us-space-command-provides-update-on-phased-headquarters-relocation-to-alabama/

Defense News (Space)

US Space Force clears design milestone, advances missile-warning constellation

System Delta 84, working with BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems, achieved the milestone nine months after the contract award. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2026/03/10/us-space-force-clears-design-milestone-advances-missile-warning-constellation/

Defense News (Space)

SpaceX and Blue Origin abruptly shift priorities amid US Golden Dome push

The largest U.S. commercial space companies recently shifted priorities toward lunar development, just as DOD pushes its next-gen missile shield plans. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2026/02/19/spacex-and-blue-origin-abruptly-shift-priorities-amid-us-golden-dome-push/

Defense News (Space)

DOD eyes commercial satellites that can spy on other satellites

The Pentagon is looking for cheap commercial satellites that can maintain surveillance on other satellites in orbit, including close-range inspections. Source: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2026/02/18/dod-eyes-commercial-satellites-that-can-spy-on-other-satellites/

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/