Space Defense & Militarization News

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Space Force to Require On‑Orbit Refueling for RG‑XX Space Domain Awareness Constellation

The U.S. Space Force is advancing its RG‑XX next‑generation space domain awareness constellation and will require on‑orbit refueling capability for the satellites. The service plans to issue a draft request for proposals by the end of 2025 and intends to leverage commercial vendors.

2025-09-24T10:14:32.088966-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Satellites That Never Stop Moving: The Next Chapter in Space Defense

2025-09-24T14:01:38.519473-07:00

Ars Technica

US intelligence warns China is close to mastering reusable orbital launch systems

2025-09-22T16:44:41.541015-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX launches NROL-48 from Vandenberg — 11th 'proliferated architecture' batch of U.S. spy satellites

2025-09-22T11:04:20.853376-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization News Timeline

Washington Post

Satellite imagery shows Iran expanding buried facility at Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz after June strikes Satellite imagery shows Iran is increasing construction at a deeply buried site in "Pickaxe Mountain" just south of the Natanz nuclear facility, which was struck by Israeli and U.S. forces in June. The images indicate renewed activity at the underground complex that follows the earlier attacks.

2025-09-26T07:38:58.100756-07:00

Satellite imagery shows Iran expanding buried facility at Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz after June strikes

SpaceWatch Global

ArianeGroup and DLR sign MoU to collaborate on defence technology research ArianeGroup and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) signed a memorandum of understanding in Berlin to cooperate on research into new defence technologies. The agreement frames joint R&D across aerospace and defence domains, leveraging ArianeGroup’s industrial capability and DLR’s technical research platforms.

2025-09-26T02:46:47.398398-07:00

ArianeGroup and DLR sign MoU to collaborate on defence technology research

wbur.org

How private companies are reshaping the new space race Private space companies now operate across leased property, launch services and defense contracts, embedding commercial actors within public space infrastructure. That deep interdependence accelerates capability deployment and commercial scale — but critics warn it concentrates strategic risk, blurs accountability and strains procurement models.

2025-09-26T00:08:17.208313-07:00

How private companies are reshaping the new space race

SpaceWatch Global

York Space Systems and SDA demonstrate space-to-ground optical laser link for Transport Layer York Space Systems successfully demonstrated a space-to-ground optical laser communications link with the U.S. Space Development Agency, validating high‑bandwidth tactical communications for SDA’s Transport Layer. The trial advances resilient, low‑latency data links intended to support the proliferated mesh of Tranche‑1 satellites and future nodes.

2025-09-25T22:17:22.146818-07:00

York Space Systems and SDA demonstrate space-to-ground optical laser link for Transport Layer

Via Satellite

European leaders urge faster delivery of IRIS² satellite constellation European leaders defended the public–private partnership model underpinning the IRIS² satellite constellation and reiterated Europe's need for its space capabilities, while pressing member states and industry to accelerate procurement, manufacturing and launch schedules. They demanded clearer timelines and firmer industrial roles to avoid further delays.

2025-09-25T13:41:33.468313-07:00

European leaders urge faster delivery of IRIS² satellite constellation

Reuters

South Korea: North Korea nearing ICBM capable of striking U.S., but re-entry technology not yet mastered South Korea's president said North Korea is in the final stage of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States, but Pyongyang has not yet mastered re-entry vehicle technology — a gap that leaves nuclear warhead delivery by ICBM unproven.

2025-09-25T09:44:21.028088-07:00

South Korea: North Korea nearing ICBM capable of striking U.S., but re-entry technology not yet mastered

Associated Press

Satellite imagery suggests Iran conducted undeclared missile test at Imam Khomeini Spaceport; lawmaker claims ICBM Satellite photos analysed by the AP show scorch marks on a launch pad at Iran’s Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan, indicating an undeclared missile test. An Iranian lawmaker said the launch was an intercontinental ballistic missile — a claim that remains unverified amid regional tensions and possible UN sanctions.

2025-09-25T06:22:09.348487-07:00

Satellite imagery suggests Iran conducted undeclared missile test at Imam Khomeini Spaceport; lawmaker claims ICBM

DefenseNews.com

Germany unveils €40bn military-space plan after Russian satellites tracked Bundeswehr spacecraft Germany unveiled a €40 billion military-space plan after Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said two Russian satellites had been tracking spacecraft used by the Bundeswehr. The package accelerates procurement and hardening of German space capabilities to deter and respond to persistent orbital surveillance.

2025-09-25T05:40:17.850922-07:00

Germany unveils €40bn military-space plan after Russian satellites tracked Bundeswehr spacecraft

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