Space Force News

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

SpaceX launched 21 satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA) aboard a Falcon 9 on July 16, resuming the Pentagon’s first operational low-Earth-orbit military data network after a months-long pause. SDA cited software and hardware issues discovered on in-orbit units and delayed launches to address known problems.

8 Sources

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Slingshot Aerospace awarded $69.2M by U.S. Space Force for AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training

1 Source

2026-07-17T01:12:27.030066-07:00

Payload

SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes

16 Sources

2026-07-15T05:52:31.043058-07:00

SpaceNews.com

U.S. defense budget fight sharpens: Air Force chief seeks supplemental as procurement shifts, while Air Force and Space Force pu

4 Sources

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00

Space Force News Timeline

SpaceWatch Global

1 source

Slingshot Aerospace awarded $69.2M by U.S. Space Force for AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training Slingshot Aerospace has won a $69.2 million award supporting the U.S. Space Force’s digital transformation. Over a 4.5-year period, the program will deliver AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training capabilities for Guardians tasked with protecting and defending the U.S.

2026-07-17T01:12:27.030066-07:00

Slingshot Aerospace awarded $69.2M by U.S. Space Force for AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training

Defense Daily

1 source

Nominee for U.S. Space Force chief Lt. Gen. Schiess cites “moving target indication” as a top priority Lt. Gen. Schiess—nominated for chief of the U.S. Space Force—has identified “moving target indication” as one of his top priorities, underscoring the service’s focus on tracking and identifying dynamically changing threats.

2026-07-16T12:09:36.410336-07:00

Nominee for U.S. Space Force chief Lt. Gen. Schiess cites “moving target indication” as a top priority

Breaking Defense

1 source

Sen. Angus King signals low-drama path for Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to confirm as Space Force chief Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said being “non-controversial” is not a negative for the confirmation of Space Systems/Space Force CSO nominee Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, characterizing low turnout at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing as a “compliment.” The remarks suggest Schiess is likely to be confirmed.

2026-07-16T09:45:37.156623-07:00

Sen. Angus King signals low-drama path for Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to confirm as Space Force chief

Via Satellite

8 sources

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Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit SpaceX launched 21 satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA) aboard a Falcon 9 on July 16, resuming the Pentagon’s first operational low-Earth-orbit military data network after a months-long pause. SDA cited software and hardware issues discovered on in-orbit units and delayed launches to address known problems.

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

SpaceNews.com

4 sources

U.S. defense budget fight sharpens: Air Force chief seeks supplemental as procurement shifts, while Air Force and Space Force pu As Congress debates overall U.S. defense spending, U.S. Air Force leadership is urging a supplemental request this year tied to “Epic Fury” costs, alongside calls to accelerate major weapon procurement. Separately, reports say the Air Force may more than triple its JASSM/LRASM buy over the FYDP, while a Space Force nominee backs a $71.1 billion request to more than double the service’s budget to counter China’s space-enabled capabilities.

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00

U.S. defense budget fight sharpens: Air Force chief seeks supplemental as procurement shifts, while Air Force and Space Force pu

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Space Force awards Slingshot Aerospace a $69.2M contract for AI-enabled mission rehearsal training environments Slingshot Aerospace has won a $69.2 million U.S. Space Force contract to deliver AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training capabilities for Space Force Guardians. The effort is tied to the service’s Operational Test and Training Infrastructure and will simulate satellite-defense scenarios and adversary actions in orbit.

2026-07-15T12:24:48.342197-07:00

Space Force awards Slingshot Aerospace a $69.2M contract for AI-enabled mission rehearsal training environments

SpaceNews.com

6 sources

U.S. Space Force chief warns of potential space-launch capacity cap amid launch-infrastructure modernization shortfalls Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, in his final public remarks as Chief of Space Operations, warned that the U.S. may have to impose a cap on space launches if it cannot secure resources to modernize and expand aging launch infrastructure. He also highlighted the need to field space-capable forces to deter conflict extending into orbit.

2026-07-15T11:28:54.845851-07:00

U.S. Space Force chief warns of potential space-launch capacity cap amid launch-infrastructure modernization shortfalls

Payload

16 sources

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SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes The Space Development Agency plans to resume launches after a nine-month pause, sending a second (Tranche 1) batch of 21 York Space Systems transport-layer satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from California. SDA says it implemented tech fixes to restart momentum for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) and secure military/ally communications.

2026-07-15T05:52:31.043058-07:00

SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes

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