Shifting gears: Space Force moves to embrace space mobility for orbital warfare

Lockheed Martin's new ASPIN adaptor provides an electrical and a data interface, and a docking mechanism for a servicing vehicle. (Graphic: Lockheed Martin) By Theresa Hitchens, Published by Breaking Defense, 16 April 2026 The service's new Objective Force plan calls for demonstrating on-orbit refueling and fielding operational "space tugs" by

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Space Force 2040: 30,000 satellites, ‘thousands’ more Guardians

By Theresa Hitchens, Published by Breaking Defense, 15 April 2026 The Space Force's projections of its needs for orbital warfare and electronic warfare are only included in the classified version of the new Objective Force plan, but Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman confirmed that the service wants new

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Defense firms unveil new satellite designs for orbital warfare

Illustration of BAE Systems' Ascent spacecraft. By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 14 April 2026 BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin are developing maneuvering satellites that can be refueled COLORADO SPRINGS — U.S. defense contractors BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin are accelerating internal investments in maneuverable satellite designs, betting that military

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Space Command pushes new warfighting model built on moving satellites

By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 14 April 2026 Gen. Stephen Whiting calls for a shift from fixed spacecraft to maneuverable assets, with wargames planned to test the concept COLORADO SPRINGS — The U.S. military’s top space commander is pressing for a fundamental shift in how the Pentagon thinks

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Space Force taps 14 firms for $1.8 billion GEO surveillance program

GSSAP space domain awareness satellite (Air Force Space Command archive) By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 9 April 2026 The companies will compete for contracts to build ‘neighborhood watch’ satellites WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force selected 14 companies to compete for contracts under a new $1.8 billion procurement

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