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• Sandra Erwin
The Space Force plans to buy electronic-warfare equipment beyond its units’ routine needs to prepare for losses in conflict. Separately, the Army is targeting 2027 experiments to network space-warfare systems for remote operation, while the Pentagon aims to field an initial capability for cislunar space by late 2029.
Space Defense & Militarization
Latest source-backed stories
Washington says a Russian military satellite with an undisclosed mission moved close to a U.S.-registered satellite linked to Ukraine last week, describing the approach as deliberate. The episode highlights the growing strategic stakes around satellites supporting Ukraine and the risks posed by close approaches in orbit.
The Space Force plans to buy electronic-warfare equipment beyond its units’ routine needs to prepare for losses in conflict. Separately, the Army is targeting 2027 experiments to network space-warfare systems for remote operation, while the Pentagon aims to field an initial capability for cislunar space by late 2029.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded initial operational contracts for its Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve, while Kyiv is considering ICEYE- and Nokia-backed sovereign communications satellites after uncertainty over Ukraine’s Starshield access. Separate efforts target satellite links for UK drones and commercial satellite intelligence for wildfire response, underscoring expanding defense and public-service uses.
A roundup reports SpaceX’s decision not to pursue military launches, a Spanish rocket nearing readiness and a call for Canada to reach orbit on its own terms. The available details do not specify the rocket programs, timelines or the military launch opportunity involved.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal has opened an inquiry into Ukraine’s loss of access to the Pentagon’s Starshield satellite communications service. He says the resulting disruption has degraded Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks, putting military connectivity and access to commercial space-enabled services under scrutiny.
HawkEye 360 launched six radio-frequency intelligence satellites this week on SpaceX and Rocket Lab rockets, including its first spacecraft to reserve collection capacity for customers under multiyear agreements. Separately, ICEYE and Nokia signed a letter of intent with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry to explore sovereign satellite communications capabilities.
A US official said a Russian satellite that has been following other spacecraft “sure looks like an orbital weapon.” The comments come after a Russian official described commercial satellites as legitimate targets, while now saying concerns about the satellite are unfounded.
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