Defense News

China Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

U.S. intelligence releases clearer image of China’s secretive spaceplane

A U.S. intelligence report has published a clearer image of a Chinese spaceplane in orbit, captured by a Maxar satellite. The image shows upward-opening doors above a central payload bay and solar panels deployed on either side of a tail extension, adding visible detail to a program China has operated under tight secrecy since 2020.

Also: Leonard David and interestingengineering.com

4 Sources

2026-10-28T04:30:49.190519-07:00

aviation Military Aircraft Procurement

AINonline • Hanneke Weitering

Components Ready for Starfighters’ F-104 Mach 2 Testbed

By AINonline: Italian-made parts will form underwing carriers for ’Wind Tunnel in the Sky’.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:04:57.937239-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Shield Space Launches UK Space Superiority Coalition

By Payload: The UK Space Superiority Coalition brings together space companies across the UK in an effort to build a space-based carrier strike force.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:05:39.685231-07:00

AI Defense Policy

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Dan Knight

The attrition advantage: Why passive mobility is essential for resilient sensor architectures

By SpaceNews.com: mage by Michala Garrison The modern battlefield has reached a dangerous tipping point. Our most expensive assets are now often our most vulnerable. For decades, United States defense strategy has relied on exquisite, stationary radar installations that delivered performance.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:15:52.337145-07:00

aviation Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

Breaking Defense

Startup Biosphere wins Pentagon contract to scale up production of key chemicals

By Breaking Defense: The biomanufacturing facility will boast 20,000 liters of UV-sterilized vats, able to brew anything from “bio-cement" for helipads to explosives for Hellfire missiles.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:50:38.494065-07:00

Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Bloomberg • Grace Asenov

Jake Paul Backs Project to Revive US Titanium Sponge Output

By Bloomberg: Social media influencer turned professional boxer Jake Paul is backing a Silicon Valley startup that’s planning to revive US production of titanium sponge, a semi-processed form of a metal used in jet engines and missiles.

2 Sources

2026-10-28T05:05:21.897818-07:00

Space Force Europe Defense Budgets & Spending Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

#SpaceWatchGL Recap: Germany Stops Whispering About Space Defence

By SpaceWatch Global: Germany’s Air Force chief: “If attacked, we will strike back.” Torsten Kriening on the new space doctrine, the €35bn and the missing red lines.

1 Source

2026-10-28T02:55:09.422977-07:00

Satellite Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Axios • Colin Demarest, Thomas Novelly

2026-10-28T02:17:37.348674-07:00

U.S. intelligence releases clearer image of China’s secretive spaceplane

Components Ready for Starfighters’ F-104 Mach 2 Testbed

Shield Space Launches UK Space Superiority Coalition

The attrition advantage: Why passive mobility is essential for resilient sensor architectures

Startup Biosphere wins Pentagon contract to scale up production of key chemicals

Jake Paul Backs Project to Revive US Titanium Sponge Output

#SpaceWatchGL Recap: Germany Stops Whispering About Space Defence

Ukraine's Starlink woes spur Europe to look for non-Musk alternatives

HIMERA, GomSpace Advance Ukraine’s Independent Satellite Communications Initiative with OBRIA NANO

Nearly 50 companies involved in producing Russia's Starlink alternative, 23 not under international sanctions, HUR says

Startup Biosphere wins Pentagon contract to scale up production of key chemicals

Components Ready for Starfighters’ F-104 Mach 2 Testbed

The attrition advantage: Why passive mobility is essential for resilient sensor architectures

Shield Space Launches UK Space Superiority Coalition

Jake Paul Backs Project to Revive US Titanium Sponge Output

U.S. intelligence report publishes clear image of China’s secretive spaceplane

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Highlights Growing Threats to Space Security in New Security Report

DefTech Day 2026 - Major General Dr. Volker Pötzsch on the Nervous System of the German Armed Forces

US rocket motor maker with Trump family ties valued at $1.4 billion

Australia pushes to beef up air defenses

Ukraine says Starlink restored after 10-day disruption as allies seek alternatives

Philippines grounds SF-260 fleet after training collision kills four pilots

US Air Force awards Lockheed Martin $694 million to put once-canceled ARRW hypersonic missile into production

Cosmos 2612’s close approach to ICEYE-X36 raises questions about NATO’s response to Russian space operations

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Zelenskyy Urges Hegseth to Speed Up Release of Patriot Missiles

China has tripled its satellite fleet since 2018 as expansion continues: DIA

France temporarily sends maritime patrol plane to Black Sea after cargo ship attacks

US taps Poland to host European PAC-3 missile maintenance facility

Saab reveals industrial details of Gripen offer to Canada

A more flexible way to defend maneuver forces from drones that doesn’t tie them down

Australian F-35As trained with Five Power Defence partners in Singapore

Starlink Brinkmanship Is Driving Allies to Rethink US Reliance