SpaceNews.com
• Paul Maguire
The U.S. Space Force selected five companies in August to help develop a next-generation Space Data Network designed to connect commercial satellite systems through standardized interfaces. The architecture aims to improve interoperability while reducing the government’s dependence on any single commercial provider.
Space Defense & Militarization
Latest source-backed stories
A Space Force general has disclosed limited details about the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile-defense program as its funding remains stalled in Congress ahead of the midterm elections. The impasse introduces uncertainty around the initiative’s scope, schedule and near-term execution.
Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller Jr. is expected to be nominated as the next commander of U.S. Space Command, according to sources. The prospective leadership change would place a senior Space Force officer at the helm of the U.S. military command responsible for space operations.
High activity
The U.S. Space Force selected five companies in August to help develop a next-generation Space Data Network designed to connect commercial satellite systems through standardized interfaces. The architecture aims to improve interoperability while reducing the government’s dependence on any single commercial provider.
Mission-K’s second day in Kalkar focused on the growing relevance of real threats in orbit, Stark Defence’s call for tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from space, and three defense challenges shaped by lessons from the war in Ukraine.
Novaspace’s Satellite Communications for Defense and Security, 2nd Edition forecasts rapid growth in the defense satellite communications market, with commercial defense Satcom service revenues projected to exceed $22.6 billion by 2035. The outlook underscores expanding demand for commercially provided connectivity supporting defense and security missions.
The Pentagon has awarded Parsons an $85 million agreement to help manage the design and construction of U.S. Space Command’s new headquarters in Alabama. The contract places Parsons at the center of delivering the command’s permanent facilities and associated infrastructure.
High activity
SpaceX is scheduled to conduct four orbital launches this week, including Crew-13 to the ISS, a Falcon Heavy mission for the NRO and Transporter-18 with 130 payloads. The activity coincides with satellite-sector financing and development milestones from Astro Digital, Sateliot and India’s GalaxEye.
WSBW 2026 discussions highlighted a satellite industry moving beyond capacity sales toward AI, defense and multi-domain growth. In parallel, SSC Space upgraded its Western Australia optical ground station to support Space Domain Awareness and CCSDS communications standards, underscoring investment in more capable satellite networks and infrastructure.
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