Space Defense & Militarization News

Breaking Defense

DARPA seeks radical, affordable hypersonic cruise-missile concepts as Lockheed advances modular payload architecture

DARPA is seeking unconstrained concepts to defeat increasingly capable air defenses and make hypersonic cruise missiles affordable to manufacture at scale. In parallel, Lockheed Martin is investing in a Modular Payload Delivery System intended to adapt existing hypersonic missile bodies for offensive and defensive missions, alongside multi-orbit warning and communications capabilities.

Breaking Defense

US Space Command warns directed-energy and cyber weapons could disable satellite constellations

Lt. Col. Rick Zellman, deputy commander of US Space Command, identified directed-energy weapons, cyberattacks and strikes on communications hubs as potential means of disabling large satellite constellations. His remarks underscore both the vulnerability of space-based networks and the emerging military interest in laser systems.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Golden Dome reaches first operational site as Space Force warns funding gaps could halt the program

The Pentagon says President Donald Trump’s $185 billion Golden Dome missile-defense initiative has established its first operational site at Fort Story, Virginia, and completed two key tests. Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein warned that without continued funding—and a solution to a potential 2027 cliff—the program will stop.

Payload

Bipartisan senators introduce bill to strengthen U.S. military readiness for conflict in orbit

A bipartisan pair of senators has introduced the Space Superiority Readiness Act, legislation aimed at ensuring the U.S. military is prepared for a potential conflict with Beijing in orbit. The bill signals continued congressional focus on strengthening America’s space-war readiness and strategic posture.

Via Satellite

U.S. Space Force selects Voyager Technologies to develop space-to-space communications

The U.S. Space Force has selected Voyager Technologies for a development award focused on space-to-space communications. The effort adds to the service’s work on communications capabilities designed to support connectivity between spacecraft in orbit, though the announcement does not disclose the award’s value, timeline or technical specifications.

CNBC

Ukraine war accelerates global race to build spy-satellite capabilities, space-tech CEO says

Governments are expanding satellite capabilities as space-based intelligence becomes increasingly important to modern warfare, according to a space-technology executive. The war in Ukraine has intensified competition among countries to develop or acquire spy satellites, underscoring the growing strategic value of orbital surveillance.

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX increasing footprint in missile defense

SpaceX is expanding its role in missile defense, according to a summary from Huntsville, Alabama. The development points to a broader position for the company in national-security space and defense activity, though the available reporting does not specify the program, contract value, systems involved or timeline.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Rocket Lab unveils deployable GHOST launch system as Neutron’s debut risks slipping to 2027

Rocket Lab says its containerized GHOST infrastructure will enable more flexible Electron and HASTE operations beyond permanent launch sites, including military orbital and hypersonic test missions. Separately, the company cautioned that development challenges are narrowing Neutron’s 2026 debut window, raising the prospect of a first launch in 2027.