Satellite   Space Force   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

USSF moves GPS III-9 onto SpaceX Falcon 9 after switch from ULA Vulcan

The U.S. Space Force will launch its ninth GPS III navigation satellite into medium Earth orbit Monday night aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 after reassigning the mission from a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket. The transfer highlights schedule pressure and procurement flexibility in national GPS sustainment.

2026-01-25T17:12:43.968394-08:00
Satellite   Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Workforce & Skills Development   Defense Policy  
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Opinion: Space Is No Longer Background Noise — The 2026 U.S. National Defense Strategy Elevates Space

By SpaceWatch Global: There are strategy documents you read, and there are strategy documents you feel. The 2026 U.S. National Defense Strategy (NDS) belongs to the second category.

Also: Unmanned Airspace and keeptrack.space
2026-01-24T13:14:38.671937-08:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Study: Electrostatic Charging on Lunar Rover Wheels Could Limit Speed — Mitigations Proposed

By Universe Today: As they roll across shadowed regions of the moon's surface, future lunar rovers could develop hazardous buildups of electric charge on their wheels. Through new analysis published in Advances in Space Research, Bill Farrell at the Space Science Institute in Colorado, together with Mike Zimmerman at Johns Hopkins University, outline realistic precautions for mitigating this risk—offering valuable guidance for engineers designing future lunar missions.

2026-01-23T04:00:11.513203-08:00