Private space pilots are flying orbital missions for the US Space Force

Victus Haze Mission By Tim Fernholz, Published by Tech Crunch, 2 July 2026 Militaries routinely send satellites to fly by rival vehicles and suss out their capabilities, but scaling up this kind of reconnaissance is increasingly seen by the U.S. military as a challenge best handled by the private sector.

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UK startup Applied Atomics to enter US market with focus on military space mobility

Rendering of Applied Atomics “Star Reacher Network” satellite architecture that allows multiple spacecraft equipped with multimode propulsion to work in tandem. Credit: Applied Atomics By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 10 June 2026 Company opens Virginia office, announces $4 million pre-seed funding WASHINGTON — U.K.-based startup Applied Atomics has

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Space Force awards SpaceX $4.16 billion to build satellite network for airborne target tracking

By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 29 May 2026 The low-orbit satellite constellation is intended to track aircraft, cruise missiles and other airborne threats WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to build a constellation of satellites designed to track airborne targets from orbit,

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Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing

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

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