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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags

The Space Development Agency has slowed Tranche 1 satellite launches to prioritise on‑orbit performance and integration testing, agency leaders say. SDA director GP Sandhoo acknowledged the program is behind schedule: the planned optical inter‑satellite mesh for Tranche 1 has not yet been built up or linked.

2026-03-24T10:02:33.795101-07:00

Reuters

Russia launches first 16 Rassvet LEO satellites to build state‑funded Starlink rival

2026-03-24T06:10:15.021656-07:00

Via Satellite

Lite Coms at SATShow 2026: multi‑orbit tactical VSAT after ~1,000 U.S. military terminals deployed

2026-03-24T04:40:23.612664-07:00

Reuters

Germany's €10bn sovereign military-satellite plan risks duplicating EU programme, stoking fragmentation concerns

2026-03-24T00:01:19.876873-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags The Space Development Agency has slowed Tranche 1 satellite launches to prioritise on‑orbit performance and integration testing, agency leaders say. SDA director GP Sandhoo acknowledged the program is behind schedule: the planned optical inter‑satellite mesh for Tranche 1 has not yet been built up or linked.

2026-03-24T10:02:33.795101-07:00

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags

Reuters

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Russia launches first 16 Rassvet LEO satellites to build state‑funded Starlink rival Russia launched 16 Rassvet low‑Earth‑orbit satellites aboard a Soyuz‑2 from Baikonur, the first tranche of a state‑funded 102.8 billion‑ruble program to create a Starlink‑style, military‑capable communications constellation after reactivating a repaired launch pad. Officials say the network could provide secure battlefield communications and reduce reliance on commercial services.

2026-03-24T06:10:15.021656-07:00

Russia launches first 16 Rassvet LEO satellites to build state‑funded Starlink rival

Via Satellite

Lite Coms at SATShow 2026: multi‑orbit tactical VSAT after ~1,000 U.S. military terminals deployed At SATShow Week 2026 Lite Coms executives outlined plans for multi‑orbit tactical VSAT and next‑generation resilient terminals. In under seven years the company has deployed nearly 1,000 VSATs to U.S. military users, positioning it as a significant supplier in military satcom ground systems.

2026-03-24T04:40:23.612664-07:00

Lite Coms at SATShow 2026: multi‑orbit tactical VSAT after ~1,000 U.S. military terminals deployed

SpaceNews.com

Fusion engine for missile warning stalled by lack of government dataset A fusion engine intended to improve missile warning is being hampered by the absence of a government dataset required for development and validation, restricting developers’ ability to train and test algorithms and slowing progress toward operational deployment and integration with existing warning systems.

2026-03-24T03:39:50.833889-07:00

Fusion engine for missile warning stalled by lack of government dataset

Reuters

Germany's €10bn sovereign military-satellite plan risks duplicating EU programme, stoking fragmentation concerns Berlin's proposal to build a €10 billion sovereign military satellite network, separate from a parallel EU programme, has prompted concern among EU lawmakers over potential duplication, higher costs and fragmentation of European space-defence efforts. The plan raises procurement, interoperability and budget-alignment questions.

2026-03-24T00:01:19.876873-07:00

Germany's €10bn sovereign military-satellite plan risks duplicating EU programme, stoking fragmentation concerns

Via Satellite

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Senior military leaders warn Space Force faces critical orbital intelligence gaps At GovMilSpace during SATShow Week, two senior military leaders, in a session moderated by former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, warned that the rapidly expanding U.S. Space Force still faces critical gaps in orbital intelligence, highlighting shortfalls in sensing, attribution and data-to-decision across contested orbit missions.

2026-03-23T18:58:46.818337-07:00

Senior military leaders warn Space Force faces critical orbital intelligence gaps

SpaceNews.com

U.S. Space Force establishes cyber units to protect rocket launches The U.S. Space Force has created dedicated cyber units tasked with defending rocket launches from digital threats, bolstering mission assurance for government and commercial launch operations. The units will focus on protecting launch systems, range infrastructure and mission data from intrusion or disruption.

2026-03-23T14:47:25.258224-07:00

U.S. Space Force establishes cyber units to protect rocket launches

SpaceNews.com

Parsons unveils satellite antenna targeted at military communications Parsons unveiled a new satellite antenna targeted at the military communications market, expanding its product portfolio into defense-focused SATCOM hardware. The launch signals Parsons' bid to supply government and contractor customers with platform and ground-based satellite connectivity solutions for military communications.

2026-03-23T12:09:48.503181-07:00

Parsons unveils satellite antenna targeted at military communications

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Space Defense & Militarization News

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags

Russia launches first 16 Rassvet LEO satellites to build state‑funded Starlink rival

Lite Coms at SATShow 2026: multi‑orbit tactical VSAT after ~1,000 U.S. military terminals deployed

Germany's €10bn sovereign military-satellite plan risks duplicating EU programme, stoking fragmentation concerns

News Timeline