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DVIDS / U.S. DoD

US Space Force moves GPS III-8 launch from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 amid Vulcan investigation

The U.S. Space Force has re-manifested the GPS III-8 national-security navigation satellite from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur to a SpaceX Falcon 9 to protect delivery timelines while an investigation into a Vulcan anomaly continues. The change preserves schedule confidence by using an available Falcon 9 slot as Vulcan’s status is reviewed.

2026-03-20T07:40:14.569933-07:00

Bloomberg

US, Israeli strikes cripple Iran's rocket and satellite programs, pushing Tehran toward China and Russia

2026-03-20T13:10:16.958433-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab launches eighth Synspective StriX SAR satellite

2026-03-20T14:27:23.556649-07:00

Wall Street Journal

'Open Space' — Private satellites shift power over communications, transport and warfare

2026-03-20T09:29:55.553881-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Officina Stellare wins $2M contract to build lasercom ground station in Spain Officina Stellare has been awarded a $2 million contract to deliver and install a laser communications (lasercom) ground station in Spain, expanding national optical ground infrastructure to enable high‑bandwidth free‑space optical links and support commercial and government satellite missions.

2026-03-20T15:02:22.032658-07:00

Officina Stellare wins $2M contract to build lasercom ground station in Spain

SpaceNews.com

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Rocket Lab launches eighth Synspective StriX SAR satellite On March 20 Rocket Lab launched the eighth StriX synthetic‑aperture radar satellite for Japan’s Synspective aboard an Electron from New Zealand. The dedicated Earth‑observation mission advances Synspective’s radar constellation build‑out and brings Rocket Lab's launch total to 84.

2026-03-20T14:27:23.556649-07:00

Rocket Lab launches eighth Synspective StriX SAR satellite

Bloomberg

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US, Israeli strikes cripple Iran's rocket and satellite programs, pushing Tehran toward China and Russia US and Israeli airstrikes have inflicted extensive damage on Iran's rocket and satellite programs — among the most advanced in the Middle East — degrading Tehran's indigenous launch and satellite capabilities. The strikes could drive deeper Iranian cooperation with China and Russia on space and missile systems.

2026-03-20T13:10:16.958433-07:00

US, Israeli strikes cripple Iran's rocket and satellite programs, pushing Tehran toward China and Russia

Wall Street Journal

'Open Space' — Private satellites shift power over communications, transport and warfare 'Open Space' argues reliance on satellite technology has shifted power to private actors and citizens—commercial satellites now shape communications, transport and warfare. The review shows distributed constellations and accessible platforms let individuals and firms exert influence that previously belonged to states.

2026-03-20T09:29:55.553881-07:00

'Open Space' — Private satellites shift power over communications, transport and warfare

DVIDS / U.S. DoD

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US Space Force moves GPS III-8 launch from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 amid Vulcan investigation The U.S. Space Force has re-manifested the GPS III-8 national-security navigation satellite from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur to a SpaceX Falcon 9 to protect delivery timelines while an investigation into a Vulcan anomaly continues. The change preserves schedule confidence by using an available Falcon 9 slot as Vulcan’s status is reviewed.

2026-03-20T07:40:14.569933-07:00

US Space Force moves GPS III-8 launch from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 amid Vulcan investigation

Space.com

Spring equinox solar storm may intensify auroras; potential impacts to high‑latitude satellites and aviation A solar storm arriving around the March 20–22 spring equinox is forecast to intensify auroral activity, with Earth's equinox alignment likely to amplify effects. Operators should monitor space‑weather alerts: forecasters warn of possible impacts to high‑latitude satellites and polar aviation operations.

2026-03-20T07:05:31.058108-07:00

Spring equinox solar storm may intensify auroras; potential impacts to high‑latitude satellites and aviation

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX set to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg — 30th Starlink mission of the year SpaceX will launch 25 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 4‑East at Vandenberg Space Force Base Friday, with a launch window opening at 2:48 p.m. PDT (2148 UTC). The flight is the company's 30th Starlink mission of the year, sustaining high‑deployment cadence.

2026-03-20T06:58:57.082181-07:00

SpaceX set to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg — 30th Starlink mission of the year

SpaceNews.com

Holistic space observation: the shift from SSA to SDA This piece argues for moving beyond traditional Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to a broader Space Domain Awareness (SDA), promoting holistic observation of on‑orbit activity, environmental effects and attribution to support operations, governance and resilience across civil, commercial and military space actors.

2026-03-20T06:10:23.867643-07:00

Holistic space observation: the shift from SSA to SDA

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Satellite News

US Space Force moves GPS III-8 launch from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 amid Vulcan investigation

US, Israeli strikes cripple Iran's rocket and satellite programs, pushing Tehran toward China and Russia

Rocket Lab launches eighth Synspective StriX SAR satellite

'Open Space' — Private satellites shift power over communications, transport and warfare

News Timeline