The Vandenberg Tracking Station is a remote tracking station, located near Santa Maria, Calif., operating within the Space Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). This collection of remote tracking stations allow space operations centers to communicate with their space assets. Credit: U.S. Air Force (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt.
By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 1 March 2026 Officials says commercial data and software can sharpen space threat detection WASHINGTON — One of the U.S. Space Force’s most sensitive missions — tracking foreign satellites and predicting whether they could threaten American spacecraft — is increasingly drawing on commercial
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
One concept for the Golden Dome missile defense system with space-based elements. (credit: Redwire) By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 24 February 2026 Reconciliation boost lifts 2026 totals, but sustainability questions loom for missile defense and Space Development Agency WASHINGTON — Funding for the U.S. Space Force this fiscal
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
Source: Missile Defense Agency By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 5 February 2026 Golden Dome deputy program manager Marcia Holmes: ‘We are going to be easier to work with’ WASHINGTON — A senior Pentagon official pitched the Golden Dome missile defense initiative to investors and executives as both a
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launches the USSF-124 mission for the U.S. Space Force on Feb. 14, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 GMT). (Image credit: SpaceX via X) By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 10 January 2026 SpaceX sweeps nine national security missions for SDA and NRO under NSSL
