SpaceNews.com
• Jeff Foust
A White House declaration on American freedom in space largely restates existing U.S. policy and law, rather than establishing a new framework. Its emphasis is on reaffirming the government’s position that the United States may conduct activities in space under current rules.
Policy & Regulation
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A White House declaration on American freedom in space largely restates existing U.S. policy and law, rather than establishing a new framework. Its emphasis is on reaffirming the government’s position that the United States may conduct activities in space under current rules.
The Secure World Foundation’s 2026 assessment says counterspace capabilities are under development in 13 countries across five categories, as of February. It examines the distinction between protecting space assets and preparing to attack them, alongside implications for international law and nuclear command and control.
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SpaceX is completing final checkouts of Super Heavy booster 22 and Starship 42 for a no-earlier-than Nov. 13 launch from Starbase. The mission would attempt to catch both stages at Pad 2; its schedule has slipped by one day, with an FAA ship-catch license still the key outstanding approval.
Ukrainian military intelligence says Russia is already using its Rassvet satellite network, described as a homegrown Starlink equivalent, to support military communications over Ukraine. The network is intended to improve the accuracy of Russian strike drones and make them more resistant to jamming.
The European Court of Justice upheld European Commission approval of a combined €3.72 billion ($4.2 billion) in pandemic-era aid for the two airlines, reversing lower-court rulings that had annulled the approvals after Ryanair challenged them.
The FAA will replace floppy disks used in air traffic control with the E-IDS digital system, with the transition due by 2028, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. The change retires technology dating to the 1980s as the agency works to modernize its operational infrastructure.
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The FAA says it will retire legacy systems, including floppy disks, at more than 400 air traffic control facilities by 2028. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also seeking a vote on a proposed $30 billion overhaul, though the articles do not specify whether that funding is secured.
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The FAA proposed regulatory changes for commercial space launch and reentry licensing and plans a broader overhaul of its framework in 2027. The effort is intended to help the agency handle a projected 1,000 launches annually by 2030 and 10,000 launches and reentries combined each year by 2035.
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