The Atlantic
• Isaac Stanley-Becker, Simon Shuster
The Pentagon inspector general says it will not investigate recent disruptions to Ukraine’s access to Starlink and Starshield, or the related interruption in U.S. intelligence sharing, describing the matter as a business dispute outside its remit. The decision leaves lawmakers without a watchdog inquiry into the incidents.
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The Pentagon inspector general says it will not investigate recent disruptions to Ukraine’s access to Starlink and Starshield, or the related interruption in U.S. intelligence sharing, describing the matter as a business dispute outside its remit. The decision leaves lawmakers without a watchdog inquiry into the incidents.
The U.S. Space Force’s first operational missile-tracking satellites are now expected to launch in spring 2027, nearly two years behind the original plan. The delay comes as the Space Development Agency considers additional flight demonstrations before committing to large purchases of next-generation sensors.
Two reports from European defense discussions examine complementary priorities: securing air defense networks against a threat environment reshaped by drones, and building space capabilities around resilience, sovereignty and assurance. The space themes were raised by commercial and government experts at the Defence in Space event in London.
The Defense Intelligence Agency says China could use space-based directed-energy weapons to target satellites by the end of the decade. The warning underscores growing concern over threats to orbital assets, though the summary provides no further detail on weapon capabilities or deployment timelines.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is coordinating on low-Earth-orbit satellite networks with Elon Musk and other US partners, while Russia works to develop its own answer to Starlink. His remarks underscore the strategic value of large satellite-internet constellations for civilian and military use, amid reports that Starlink access for Ukraine had recently been slowed.
Astroscale’s UK subsidiary will lead Project LEDA, a Ministry of Defence program to advance the UK’s ability to understand, protect and operate in space. The £15 million contract comes as the government broadens its focus on defense and autonomous systems, including a separate £400 million commitment to drones.
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