SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base late Friday on the NROL‑105 mission, carrying an undisclosed number of National Reconnaissance Office intelligence satellites to low Earth orbit. Liftoff is targeted for late‑night local time; further details are being withheld by the NRO.
Space Intel Report
• Peter B de Selding
By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — The large SpainSat NG 2 military telecommunications satellite launched in October remains….
SpaceNews.com
By SpaceNews.com: AO-Resistant Material Boosts VLEO Satellite Longevity.
Breaking Defense
By Breaking Defense: The military space sector is evolving fast. Get the latest from Space Force and industry officials on what’s next for acquisition, policy and training in a new Breaking Defense eBook.
Bloomberg
By Bloomberg: Wish them well. Next month, four astronauts are expected to board a space capsule called Orion, blast off on a rocket known as the Space Launch System, and exit low-Earth orbit for the first time since 1972, en route to a 10-day flyby of the moon.
SpaceNews.com
• James Snape, Richard Jacklin
By SpaceNews.com: The countdown to clean orbits has begun with ESA’s Zero Debris Charter.
Universe Today
• Andy Tomaswick
By Universe Today: Additive Manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, will be an absolutely critical technology for any long-term settlement on another world. Its ability to take a generic input, such as plastic strips or metal powder, and turn it into any shape of tool an astronaut will need is an absolute game changer.
Reuters
• Cassell Bryan-Low, Joey Roulette
By Reuters: How SpaceX withstands Iranian attacks on Starlink is expected to be closely watched by U.S. military forces and intelligence agencies.
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
