Snapshot of the some 11,000 Starlink satellites on orbit as of Sept. 21, 2026 using LeoLab's free online tool for visualizing objects in low Earth orbit. (Screenshot from LeoLab's visualization tool) By Theresa Hitchens, Published by Breaking Defense, 23 September 2026 Commercial space monitoring firms are concerned SpaceX's ability to
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., February 6, 2018. With rocket launches increasing, there are calls for more research and cooperation on managing their environmental impact. (Thom Baur/Reuters) By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News,
L3Harris will provide technology to support the Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) mission, designed to accelerate the US ability to defend against emerging threats from hypersonic and ballistic missiles. By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 24 September 2026 L3Harris, Rocket Lab and BAE Systems clear design milestones as
By Will Robinson-Smith, Published by Spaceflight Now, 14 September 2026 Update Sept. 16, 9:40 p.m. EDT (0140 UTC): SpaceX landed the booster on the droneship. Update Sept. 15, 9:05 p.m. EDT (0105 UTC): SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt for the mission prior to fueling; targets backup opportunity on Wednesday, Sept.
A National Reconnaissance Office satellite sits on a Rocket Lab Electron vehicle before its Aug. 4, 2022, launch. Credit: Rocket Lab By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 27 July 2026 New Kodiak facility will support up to 18 suborbital missions for military testing WASHINGTON — Rocket Lab will establish
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,
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
Perched atop a Hawaiian volcano, the telescopes of U.S. Space Force's Maui Space Surveillance Complex provide a clear view of passing satellites. Jennifer Hlad / Defense One Published by U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command Public Affairs, 14 April 2026 MAUI, Hawaii -- The U.S. Space Force’s scanning of earth’s
