Space Defense & Militarization News

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial proposals for space-based “utility” power solutions—producing electricity in space and beaming it to spacecraft and, potentially, from orbit to Earth. DIU aims for a demonstration within two years and an operationally relevant transition by the end of the decade.

2 Sources

2026-07-16T08:44:48.269276-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Trump nominee for U.S. Space Force chief defends plan to more than double budget to $71.1B

1 Source

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 13 on July 16, deploying first Starlink V3 satellites, alongside 21 U.S. military “Tranche 1 Tr

4 Sources

2026-07-16T03:17:02.860166-07:00

SpaceNews.com

SWISSto12 closes $70M Series C to scale small GEO “sovereign” satellites; Impulse Space secures $500M Series D for in-space mobi

10 Sources

2026-07-16T00:04:43.512436-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization News Timeline

Via Satellite

1 source

Defense-driven Earth observation demand collides with integration and data-sovereignty constraints Europe’s space and security organizations say rising defense and security needs are accelerating demand for Earth observation (EO) data, but key barriers remain. The sector still struggles with integrating EO into broader operational systems and balancing national sovereignty requirements across providers and users.

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

Defense-driven Earth observation demand collides with integration and data-sovereignty constraints

SpaceNews.com

2 sources

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial proposals for space-based “utility” power solutions—producing electricity in space and beaming it to spacecraft and, potentially, from orbit to Earth. DIU aims for a demonstration within two years and an operationally relevant transition by the end of the decade.

2026-07-16T08:44:48.269276-07:00

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Trump nominee for U.S. Space Force chief defends plan to more than double budget to $71.1B The Trump nominee to lead the U.S. Space Force backed the administration’s proposal to more than double the service’s budget, arguing for a $71.1 billion request to counter China’s rapidly expanding military capabilities in space. The nominee made the case in testimony to senators.

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00

Trump nominee for U.S. Space Force chief defends plan to more than double budget to $71.1B

Space.com

4 sources

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SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 13 on July 16, deploying first Starlink V3 satellites, alongside 21 U.S. military “Tranche 1 Tr SpaceX is set to conduct Starship Flight 13 on July 16, a test mission intended to deploy the first Starlink V3 satellites for the fleet. In parallel, SpaceX will launch 21 additional satellites for the U.S. military’s advanced “Tranche 1 Transport Layer” constellation.

2026-07-16T03:17:02.860166-07:00

SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 13 on July 16, deploying first Starlink V3 satellites, alongside 21 U.S. military “Tranche 1 Tr

SpaceNews.com

10 sources

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SWISSto12 closes $70M Series C to scale small GEO “sovereign” satellites; Impulse Space secures $500M Series D for in-space mobi European space startup SWISSto12 has closed a US$70 million (about €61 million) Series C to scale small GEO satellite development in response to demand for sovereign hardware in orbit. In parallel, Impulse Space raised a $500 million Series D for in-space mobility infrastructure, while Apex and Space Pioneer also announced major growth funding rounds.

2026-07-16T00:04:43.512436-07:00

SWISSto12 closes $70M Series C to scale small GEO “sovereign” satellites; Impulse Space secures $500M Series D for in-space mobi

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Space Force awards Slingshot Aerospace a $69.2M contract for AI-enabled mission rehearsal training environments Slingshot Aerospace has won a $69.2 million U.S. Space Force contract to deliver AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training capabilities for Space Force Guardians. The effort is tied to the service’s Operational Test and Training Infrastructure and will simulate satellite-defense scenarios and adversary actions in orbit.

2026-07-15T12:24:48.342197-07:00

Space Force awards Slingshot Aerospace a $69.2M contract for AI-enabled mission rehearsal training environments

SpaceNews.com

6 sources

U.S. Space Force chief warns of potential space-launch capacity cap amid launch-infrastructure modernization shortfalls Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, in his final public remarks as Chief of Space Operations, warned that the U.S. may have to impose a cap on space launches if it cannot secure resources to modernize and expand aging launch infrastructure. He also highlighted the need to field space-capable forces to deter conflict extending into orbit.

2026-07-15T11:28:54.845851-07:00

U.S. Space Force chief warns of potential space-launch capacity cap amid launch-infrastructure modernization shortfalls

Breaking Defense

26 sources

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U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-fire test over the Mojave Desert in which Anduril’s developmental YFQ-44A CCA drone externally carried and launched a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missile. The test marks the first time a U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone has fired a live air-to-air missile.

2026-07-15T08:17:03.882731-07:00

U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot

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