Illustration of in-space refueling of satellites. Credit: Orbit Fab By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 20 May 2026 USSF-23 mission will launch vehicles to demonstrate refueling and satellite servicing in geostationary orbit WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch multiple spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027
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
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
By Courtney Albon, Published by Air & Space Forces, 26 February 2026 Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites are a space-based capability operating in the near-geosynchronous orbit regime supporting U.S. Space Command space surveillance operations as a dedicated Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensor. AURORA, Colo.—Guardians in the Space Force’s
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks about the Golden Dome initiative in the Oval Office on May 20, 2025. | Alex Brandon/AP By Brooke Griswold, Published by Defense News, 19 February 2026 Just a year ago, SpaceX majority owner Elon Musk dismissed going to the moon as a “distraction.” Now,
An artist illustration depicts an Orbit Fab on-orbit fuel shuttle, center, as it leaves its fuel station, left, and prepares to dock and refuel a satellite outfitted with the company's Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) to significantly extend satellite mission life and return on investment versus expensive, inefficient one-and-done
Starfish's Otter spacecraft is designed to dock with and service satellites without prior modifications to enable it. (Starfish Space) By Theresa Hitchens, Published by Breaking Defense, 9 February 2026 WASHINGTON — Startup Starfish Space has won a $54.5 million contract to provide the Space Force with a second Otter satellite-servicing
A notional rendering of China's reusable space plane (Image credit: Erik Simonsen/Getty Images) By William Zheng, Published by South China Morning POst, 7 February 2026 China on Saturday launched the latest mission of its reusable experimental spacecraft – a potential rival to the US Space Force’s X-37B. It was China’s
