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SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Aurora spaceplane radar-tracked in live New Zealand defense trial

The Royal New Zealand Navy, DST and Dawn Aerospace completed a live radar-tracking experiment that successfully detected and followed the Aurora Spaceplane during a New Zealand defence test. The trial demonstrates operational sensor engagement with a commercial reusable spaceplane and strengthens government–industry monitoring ties.

2026-03-23T04:39:14.952994-07:00

DVIDS / U.S. DoD

USSF shifts GPS III-8 from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 as Vulcan probe continues

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 Synspective's eighth StriX SAR satellite

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

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

A dedicated software strategy for Artemis, lunar operations and U.S. space defense NASA’s Artemis missions and Gateway plans will place life‑support, guidance, manual control and mission‑operations software at the center of crewed deep‑space flights. A unified software strategy is needed to coordinate development, verification, reuse and cyber resilience across exploration and defense programs.

2026-03-23T06:02:23.126289-07:00

A dedicated software strategy for Artemis, lunar operations and U.S. space defense

SpaceWatch Global

Aurora spaceplane radar-tracked in live New Zealand defense trial The Royal New Zealand Navy, DST and Dawn Aerospace completed a live radar-tracking experiment that successfully detected and followed the Aurora Spaceplane during a New Zealand defence test. The trial demonstrates operational sensor engagement with a commercial reusable spaceplane and strengthens government–industry monitoring ties.

2026-03-23T04:39:14.952994-07:00

Aurora spaceplane radar-tracked in live New Zealand defense trial

Wall Street Journal

Ukraine mounts its biggest domestic offensive in over two years after Russia loses Starlink access Kyiv’s forces have achieved their largest territorial gains in more than two years after Russia lost the use of Starlink. The abrupt change in battlefield connectivity — tied to SpaceX/Elon Musk’s control of Starlink access — altered operational conditions and enabled Ukrainian units to press the attack.

2026-03-21T03:15:10.471756-07:00

Ukraine mounts its biggest domestic offensive in over two years after Russia loses Starlink access

New York Times

Satellite imagery shows tunnel entrances and hardened defenses at Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility Satellite imagery and video analysis reveal tunnel entrances and other fortifications at sections of Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility, indicating deliberate measures to harden and conceal parts of the complex. Changes are visible in commercial overhead imagery and may reflect responses to prior strikes.

2026-03-20T18:10:00.096241-07:00

Satellite imagery shows tunnel entrances and hardened defenses at Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility

SpaceNews.com

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Rocket Lab launches Synspective's eighth StriX SAR satellite On March 20 Rocket Lab launched Synspective's eighth StriX synthetic-aperture radar Earth-imaging satellite aboard an Electron from New Zealand, a successful mission that raises Electron's launch tally to 84 and supports a 2028 launch agreement. The flight advances Synspective's industrialized SAR constellation deployment for commercial and government imaging.

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

Rocket Lab launches Synspective's eighth 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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USSF shifts GPS III-8 from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 as Vulcan probe continues The U.S. Space Force has reassigned the GPS III-8 National Security Space Launch mission from United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur to a SpaceX Falcon 9. The change preserves delivery of critical GPS capability while investigations into last month's Vulcan solid‑rocket booster anomaly continue.

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

USSF shifts GPS III-8 from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 as Vulcan probe continues

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Space Defense & Militarization News

Aurora spaceplane radar-tracked in live New Zealand defense trial

USSF shifts GPS III-8 from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 as Vulcan probe continues

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

Rocket Lab launches Synspective's eighth StriX SAR satellite

News Timeline