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SpaceX Secures Exclusive Access to Classified US Space Tracking Data
19 days ago•Source: Breaking Defense
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1.94 min•27 days ago
US Air Force Chief Confirms First Public Acknowledgment of On-Orbit Weapons
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed for the first time that the United States has deployed 'on-orbit space control weapons' to defend against hostile actions. While the exact nature and number of these systems remain classified, the announcement marks a significant shift in US space policy and has triggered immediate diplomatic pushback from China and Russia, raising fears of an accelerated orbital arms race.
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US Air Force Secretary Confirms First Public Acknowledgment of On-Orbit Weapons
Euronews.com•28 days ago
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defense-and-space28 days ago
US Confirms First On-Orbit Space Weapon Deployment Amid Golden Dome Push
The US has officially confirmed the deployment of 'on-orbit space control weapons,' marking the first public acknowledgment of offensive capabilities in Earth's orbit. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated these systems are necessary to defend US forces against hostile actions by rivals like China and Russia. While details remain classified, the move is linked to the Trump administration's 'Golden Dome' missile defense initiative and has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing and Moscow, who warn it could trigger a new space arms race.
Space Launch Delta 30 Seeks Proposals for SLC-14 Development
Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg SFB has issued an RFI to attract US launch providers interested in developing heavy and super-heavy launch capabilities at SLC-14, aiming to support larger military satellites and enhance space resilience.
U.S. Space Force and SDA Award Over $6 Billion for Missile Tracking Satellites
The U.S. Space Force's Space Development Agency awarded about $3.5 billion to four companies to build 72 missile warning and tracking satellites for the third generation of its low Earth orbit constellation, enhancing global missile defense capabilities with launches starting in 2029.
US Space Agency Awards $3.5B for Next-Gen Missile-Tracking Satellite Constellation
Rocket Lab has secured its largest contract to date, worth $816 million, to design and produce 18 advanced missile-warning satellites for the U.S. Space Force, leveraging its vertically integrated manufacturing to deliver rapid, cost-effective solutions and expanding its role as a key prime contractor in national security space programs.
US Space Agency Awards $3.5B for Missile-Defense Satellite Network
Rocket Lab has secured an $816 million contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency to build 18 advanced missile-warning satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 program, utilizing its vertically integrated manufacturing to deliver resilient, cost-effective space solutions that enhance national security and counter evolving threats.
X-37B Spaceplane Returns with Quantum GPS Tech on USSF-36 Mission
The US military's X-37B spaceplane has launched on its eighth mission, carrying a quantum GPS alternative that uses atom interferometry to measure position precisely, potentially allowing navigation without traditional satellite systems. This technology, tested in 2025, could enhance future spacecraft and aircraft navigation, raising strategic concerns for China and the US about satellite dependency in warfare.
SpaceX to Launch US Space Force's X-37B Spaceplane on Mission 8
The US Space Force's X-37B spaceplane is preparing for its eighth mission, continuing its secretive operations to test new technologies in space, though its future and role in broader defense initiatives remain uncertain amid questions about its cost-effectiveness and strategic importance.
Satellite Firms Warn of Impact from Budget Cuts
U.S. satellite imagery firms warn that proposed $130 million cuts to the NRO's commercial imagery budget could harm national security, industry stability, and ongoing satellite deployment plans, especially amid geopolitical tensions and the industry's transition to commercial markets.
SpaceX Successfully Launches GPS Satellite for U.S. Space Force Amid Weather Challenges
SpaceX has become the primary provider for U.S. national security launches due to delays and issues faced by ULA's Vulcan rocket, including recent successful GPS satellite launches and ULA's ongoing certification problems, leading to a shift in government contracts and increased reliance on SpaceX's Falcon 9.
"Defense Department Awards $2.5 Billion Satellite Contracts to L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Space"
The Pentagon has awarded contracts totaling $2.5 billion to L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Space to build 54 satellites for the U.S. Space Force's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. These satellites, part of the "Tranche 2 Tracking Layer," will be used for missile warning, tracking, and defense. Each company will build 18 satellites, with the project expected to launch in April 2027. The initiative aims to enhance the U.S. military's space capabilities in response to growing threats, particularly from China, and reflects the increasing investment in space-related defense efforts.