Space Force picks Firefly to launch Victus Sol rapid response mission
The Space Force would not confirm a target launch date for the mission, but its fiscal 2025 budget set late 2025 or 2026 as its notional timeline.
Space
Space Development Agency launches study on Trump’s Iron Dome order
In a notice Wednesday, the agency said it is conducting a study that looks at how its architecture could be expanded as part of the Iron Dome order.
Space Force acquisition office ‘aggressively’ pushing reform efforts
The focus on tracking program performance comes as Elon Musk’s DOGE is expected to set its sights on the Defense Department in the coming weeks.
Pentagon acquisition office orders review of Space Development Agency
The review is meant to ensure that SDA is on a path to deliver a proliferated satellite constellation that meets Defense Department requirements.
Opinion
Preventing China’s DeepSeek in Space
The government should ensure that U.S. tech firms eying national security contracts can keep American technology secrets from China and Russia.
Why the US Navy wants to build a fully autonomous satellite
The system, called Autosat, can task, calibrate its signals and send and receive information on its own without the need for a human operator.
How Trump’s Air Force pick could elevate space priorities
Troy Meink's specialization in space could upend the priorities of a service typically dominated by Air Force interests.
Trump picks intel community official as next Air Force secretary
If confirmed, Troy Meink would inherit key decisions about the Air Force's fighter force and how to right-size the Space Force as it takes on new missions.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket debuts
New Glenn lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida just after 2 a.m., carrying a payload for the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit.
Italy eyes Musk’s Starlink for secret government communications
Handing control of Italy’s military satellite communications to the U.S. tech tycoon has prompted sharp criticism in Italy from opposition politicians.
Space Development Agency validates high-speed satellite comm links
During a demo, York Space Systems and SpaceX connected two of their satellites via a laser communication link, proving a key technology for SDA.
Money, Musk and mission creep: How Trump could shape DOD’s space drift
The path to a larger Space Force budget isn’t clear — even as Trump, who oversaw the creation of the service, prepares to take office in the coming weeks.
Space Operations Command preps for new shared domain awareness tool
The remaining ATLAS software is slated for delivery in the first quarter of 2025.
New US Space Force jammers aim to disrupt China’s SATCOM signals
The Remote Modular Terminals, which disrupt adversary satellites by "yelling in their ear," as one official put it, are cleared for initial fielding,
Space Force must grow to counter China and Russia, lawmaker says
House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said the service is not sized to meet increasing threats from China and Russia.
SpaceX launches rapid response GPS mission
The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to demonstrate the ability to quickly plan and launch a mission in around six months.
Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations
The updated strategy, approved in November, focuses on SPACECOM’s core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas.
