Reuters
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal has opened an inquiry into Ukraine’s loss of access to the Pentagon’s Starshield satellite communications service. He says the resulting disruption has degraded Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks, putting military connectivity and access to commercial space-enabled services under scrutiny.
Space Defense & Militarization
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Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal has opened an inquiry into Ukraine’s loss of access to the Pentagon’s Starshield satellite communications service. He says the resulting disruption has degraded Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks, putting military connectivity and access to commercial space-enabled services under scrutiny.
A US official said a Russian satellite that has been following other spacecraft “sure looks like an orbital weapon.” The comments come after a Russian official described commercial satellites as legitimate targets, while now saying concerns about the satellite are unfounded.
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The U.S. Space Force is creating routes for commercial space companies to obtain security clearances and compete for classified military programs, addressing an established barrier for startups. The effort sits alongside the service’s selection of six space-domain-awareness firms for its Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve; a separate UK strategy emphasizes space-based defense capabilities.
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President Donald Trump called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and asked him to remove restrictions on Starlink services in Ukraine, including limits on the military-grade Starshield system, according to reports citing U.S. officials. Administration officials have pointed to Musk for slowing service, raising questions about private control of critical wartime communications.
Ukraine’s military is using a basic version of Starshield that relies on standard Starlink equipment but offers different features, according to the article. The report provides a limited description of the service and does not specify which features differ or how broadly the military uses it.
The U.S. Air Force is testing whether military supplies can withstand the rigors of spaceflight aboard SpaceX’s new Starfall reentry capsule. The effort is part of a Pentagon initiative to assess commercial space vehicles as a means of delivering critical equipment to forces around the world.
Klaus-Peter Willsch discusses Germany’s planned €35 billion investment in defense space, the push for European independence and the future of the continent’s space industry. The discussion frames the commitment as a potential turning point for Germany’s role in space, though the available summary provides no program-level allocations or procurement details.
The Space Development Agency is evaluating sensor technologies for future satellites designed to detect and track targets throughout their flight. The exploration points to a continuing focus on expanding space-based missile warning and tracking capabilities, though the report provides no details on specific technologies or program timelines.
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