Space Force News

Wall Street Journal • Drew Fitzgerald

SpaceX launches eighth X-37B OTV for U.S. Space Force to demo laser communications and quantum navigation

SpaceX on Thursday night launched the U.S. Space Force's eighth X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle aboard a Falcon 9; the Boeing-built reusable spaceplane separated after an 11:50 p.m. EDT liftoff. The classified OTV-8 will demonstrate laser communications and an advanced quantum inertial sensor for navigation.

2025-08-21T13:17:26.563883-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Space Force to Launch X-37B OTV-8 in August to Demonstrate Laser Comms and Quantum Inertial Sensor

2025-07-28T07:38:51.292653-07:00

SpaceNews.com

ULA’s Vulcan Centaur Debuts with First National Security Mission

2025-08-12T18:17:37.739584-07:00

Spaceflight Now

ULA’s Vulcan Rocket Set for First Space Force National Security Mission

2025-08-12T04:40:42.517167-07:00

Space Force News Timeline

Aviation Week

US Space Force accelerates space-domain awareness with ground sensors and satellites The U.S. Space Force is accelerating space-domain awareness by bringing new ground-based sensors online and planning launches of additional surveillance satellites by the end of the year. Service leaders are concurrently shaping acquisition and operational plans for a persistent, layered space-based surveillance architecture.

2025-08-27T16:16:49.797985-07:00

US Space Force accelerates space-domain awareness with ground sensors and satellites

Aerospace America

Space Force taps sci‑fi writers and futurists to help define future operating environment As it enters the second half of its first decade, the U.S. Space Force plans to enlist non‑traditional partners — science‑fiction writers, futurists and technologists — via special‑government‑employee, contractor and CRADA arrangements to refine its "Book of Needs" of roughly 180 technology priorities while tightening secrecy around some goals.

2025-08-27T12:53:24.220172-07:00

Space Force taps sci‑fi writers and futurists to help define future operating environment

Air & Space Forces Mag

USAF, Space Force complete monthlong Department-Level Exercise in Pacific with 12,000 troops and ~500 aircraft The US Air Force and Space Force wrapped up the Department-Level Exercise, a monthlong Pacific series from early July through mid‑August that mobilized roughly 12,000 personnel and about 500 aircraft across multiple theaters. The campaign—described as the largest since the Cold War—stressed large‑scale surge, joint air‑space integration and allied interoperability.

2025-08-25T17:26:35.080471-07:00

USAF, Space Force complete monthlong Department-Level Exercise in Pacific with 12,000 troops and ~500 aircraft

defenceconnect.com.au

Northrop Grumman tapped to design Space Force protected tactical satcom system The U.S. Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to design a protected tactical satellite communications system intended to deliver secure, resilient and global connectivity for military operations. The programme aims to harden battlefield links against jamming, interception and other contested-space threats.

2025-08-25T14:02:10.800273-07:00

Northrop Grumman tapped to design Space Force protected tactical satcom system

Wall Street Journal

❗️

SpaceX launches eighth X-37B OTV for U.S. Space Force to demo laser communications and quantum navigation SpaceX on Thursday night launched the U.S. Space Force's eighth X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle aboard a Falcon 9; the Boeing-built reusable spaceplane separated after an 11:50 p.m. EDT liftoff. The classified OTV-8 will demonstrate laser communications and an advanced quantum inertial sensor for navigation.

2025-08-21T13:17:26.563883-07:00

SpaceX launches eighth X-37B OTV for U.S. Space Force to demo laser communications and quantum navigation

Via Satellite

Space Force plans sole‑source, cost‑plus award to General Dynamics for Tranche 3 Tracking Layer ground segment The U.S. Space Force plans to sole‑source a cost‑plus contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems to develop the Tranche 3 ground segment for its Tracking Layer, advancing the service’s missile‑tracking and data‑relay infrastructure while cementing GDMS as a prime ground‑systems integrator.

2025-08-21T12:51:22.514564-07:00

Space Force plans sole‑source, cost‑plus award to General Dynamics for Tranche 3 Tracking Layer ground segment

Breaking Defense

Few Colorado Guard Space Operators Will Transfer to Space Force; Backers Seek Trump Intervention A February survey of 101 Colorado Air National Guard space operators, provided to Breaking Defense, found only eight would transfer to the U.S. Space Force under the current plan. Proponents are now seeking President Trump’s intervention to change the transfer approach.

2025-08-21T07:35:01.268166-07:00

Few Colorado Guard Space Operators Will Transfer to Space Force; Backers Seek Trump Intervention

Aviation Week

ULA’s Vulcan Completes First Space Force Mission, Restoring Competition to U.S. National Security Launch Fleet United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur has completed its inaugural U.S. Space Force mission, reintroducing a second operational launch provider into the national security launch roster. The flight restores competitive options for military and intelligence payloads and reduces sole‑source dependence on one commercial launcher.

2025-08-21T01:48:16.351219-07:00

ULA’s Vulcan Completes First Space Force Mission, Restoring Competition to U.S. National Security Launch Fleet

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