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Payload • Dan Knight

Why Golden Dome’s Fate Will Hinge on Sensor Endurance — How to Make Its Eyes Last

The Golden Dome missile‑defense concept will depend on the endurance and survivability of its space‑ and air‑based sensors; whether those sensors can operate continuously in contested, hostile environments will determine the system's operational effectiveness. This analysis examines technical approaches to extend sensor life and mission persistence.

2026-01-08T05:04:18.202323-08:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force moves to standardize satellites with 'Handle 2.0' contract

2026-01-07T07:01:24.471376-08:00

sierraspace.com

Sierra Space delivers Plane 1 of 18 satellites for SDA Tranche 2 tracking layer three months early

2026-01-06T09:25:01.836346-08:00

SpaceNews.com

2026 Outlook: Can U.S. Acquisition Reform Deliver for Military Space?

2026-01-07T04:17:07.441786-08:00

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Payload

Why Golden Dome’s Fate Will Hinge on Sensor Endurance — How to Make Its Eyes Last The Golden Dome missile‑defense concept will depend on the endurance and survivability of its space‑ and air‑based sensors; whether those sensors can operate continuously in contested, hostile environments will determine the system's operational effectiveness. This analysis examines technical approaches to extend sensor life and mission persistence.

2026-01-08T05:04:18.202323-08:00

Why Golden Dome’s Fate Will Hinge on Sensor Endurance — How to Make Its Eyes Last

Air & Space Forces Mag

ULA targets second Vulcan Space Force launch next month as CEO departs for Blue Origin United Launch Alliance is targeting the second flight of its Vulcan rocket carrying a U.S. Space Force payload next month, even as its chief executive departs to join Blue Origin. The launch is an early operational milestone for Vulcan and comes amid a leadership transition at ULA.

2026-01-07T18:24:28.345025-08:00

ULA targets second Vulcan Space Force launch next month as CEO departs for Blue Origin

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force moves to standardize satellites with 'Handle 2.0' contract The U.S. Space Force has launched 'Handle 2.0', a procurement contract to standardize satellite designs and interfaces across its constellation acquisitions, aiming to reduce integration complexity, accelerate fielding and cut lifecycle costs. The move centralizes technical standards across commercial and military satellite buys.

2026-01-07T07:01:24.471376-08:00

Space Force moves to standardize satellites with 'Handle 2.0' contract

SpaceNews.com

2026 Outlook: Can U.S. Acquisition Reform Deliver for Military Space? U.S. lawmakers and defense leaders are pushing acquisition reforms in 2026 to speed how military space capabilities are procured and fielded. This outlook examines whether changes to authorities, budget flexibility and contracting practices can shorten timelines and reduce program risk for contested-orbit operations.

2026-01-07T04:17:07.441786-08:00

2026 Outlook: Can U.S. Acquisition Reform Deliver for Military Space?

SpaceNews.com

Space Force 2040: Gen. Shawn N. Bratton on Preparing for the Future Fight Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Shawn N. Bratton warns the U.S. Space Force of 2040 will operate in a far more contested environment and lays out how the service must prepare for the "future fight," shaping doctrine, forces and readiness over the coming decade.

2026-01-06T09:25:47.292414-08:00

Space Force 2040: Gen. Shawn N. Bratton on Preparing for the Future Fight

sierraspace.com

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Sierra Space delivers Plane 1 of 18 satellites for SDA Tranche 2 tracking layer three months early Sierra Space completed the first nine satellite structures—Plane 1—of an 18‑satellite contract for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, finishing three months ahead of schedule. The milestone advances the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's missile-tracking capability and shortens integration and delivery timelines.

2026-01-06T09:25:01.836346-08:00

Sierra Space delivers Plane 1 of 18 satellites for SDA Tranche 2 tracking layer three months early

NASA Spaceflight

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Space Force invites industry to expand launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg The U.S. Space Force has issued a request for industry interest to expand launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg, inviting partners to grow pad capacity and range support amid rising military and commercial launch manifests. The initiative targets bottlenecks that threaten cadence for national-security and commercial missions.

2026-01-04T14:05:13.464226-08:00

Space Force invites industry to expand launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

SpaceNews.com

Space Force launches base network overhaul amid rising cyber demands The U.S. Space Force has begun a service-wide overhaul of base networks to harden installations against growing cyber threats, reconfiguring communications and IT infrastructure to improve resilience and defend mission systems. The effort responds to escalating cybersecurity demands across space and support facilities.

2026-01-03T21:43:49.600464-08:00

Space Force launches base network overhaul amid rising cyber demands

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Space Force News

Why Golden Dome’s Fate Will Hinge on Sensor Endurance — How to Make Its Eyes Last

Space Force moves to standardize satellites with 'Handle 2.0' contract

Sierra Space delivers Plane 1 of 18 satellites for SDA Tranche 2 tracking layer three months early

2026 Outlook: Can U.S. Acquisition Reform Deliver for Military Space?

News Timeline