Illustration of space-based missile defense Credit: Space Systems Command By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 23 April 2026 The contract is to demonstrate space-based data links using the Link-182 standard that will support Golden Dome WASHINGTON — The Space Systems Command, the U.S. Space Force’s acquisition arm, awarded SpaceX
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks about the Golden Dome initiative in the Oval Office on May 20, 2025. | Alex Brandon/AP By Audrey Decker and Paul McLeary, Published by Politico, 23 April 2026 Congressional Republicans are increasingly reluctant to move ahead with a partisan budget bill that was supposed to
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle carries the fifth Lockheed Martin-built GPS III space vehicle for the U.S. Space Force, 30 May 2025. (SpaceX) By Qurat-Ul-Ain Shabbir, Published by Space News, 22 April 2026 Space based nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) systems were developed as highly classified and sovereign
GPS ground antenna at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. Credit: US Air Force By Stephen Clark, Published by Ars Technica, 21 April 2026 Problems with the ground system would have “put current GPS military and civilian capabilities at risk.” The Pentagon has canceled a ground control system for the US
Image Credit: L3Harris Technologies By Tim Fernholz, Published by Payload, 18 April 2026 President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for a new, satellite-based missile defense architecture around the continental US has defense contractors salivating, but questions about the cost, capabilities, and requirement for such a system remain unanswered. Are we
By Karl Grossman, Published by Daily Kos, 17 April, 2025 NASA got through the Artemis II mission last week with a few minor “anomalies,” as NASA calls problems, but in 2028 it plans to launch a nuclear-powered rocket to Mars as an initial step to using nuclear-powered rockets in space.
Artist illustration showing how network and satellite data can be exchanged in space. Courtesy of NASA By Courtney Albon, Published by Air and Space Forces, 16 April 2026 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Space Force has selected an initial pool of vendors that will compete to build sensors and satellites that track
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
