Defense News - Space
Coverage of military, defense, and national security space programs
US Space Force Clears Design Milestone, Advances Missile-Warning Constellation
The U.S. Space Force has cleared the preliminary design review for Epoch 2, a ten‑satellite medium‑Earth‑orbit missile‑warning constellation. The milestone, achieved nine months after awarding a $1.2 billion firm‑fixed‑price contract to BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems, paves the way for a critical design review this summer. First satellites are slated for delivery in fiscal year 2029, expanding on the twelve‑satellite Epoch 1 network built by Millennium Space Systems. The program is intended to deliver persistent tracking of advanced missile threats worldwide.
SpaceX and Blue Origin Abruptly Shift Priorities Amid US Golden Dome Push
SpaceX and Blue Origin have abruptly shifted focus from Mars and sub‑orbital tourism to lunar development, aligning with the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile‑shield program. SpaceX announced plans for a moon city and is eyeing a potential $2 billion contract to launch...
DOD Eyes Commercial Satellites that Can Spy on Other Satellites
The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has issued a solicitation for low‑cost commercial satellites capable of high‑resolution space‑to‑space imaging to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). The program, dubbed Ghost Recon, requires launch within two years, government ownership after three,...
SWORD Training Platform Key to US Space Superiority, Program Head Says
The U.S. Space Force is rolling out SWORD, a cloud‑enabled synthetic training platform that replicates contested space operations, including orbital dynamics, electronic warfare, cyber effects, and adversary tactics. Demonstrated in large‑scale exercises like Space Flag, SWORD blends digital models with...
Space Force Looks to Expand West Coast Heavy Launch Capabilities
Space Launch Delta 30 has issued a Request for Information to commercial launch providers to develop Space Launch Complex‑14 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The proposed pad would be the first dedicated super‑heavy launch complex on the West Coast, capable of...
Space Warfare in 2026: A Pivotal Year for US Readiness
The U.S. Space Force is entering 2026 amid heightened competition from China and Russia, shifting from support roles to full‑spectrum warfighting. A 2025 US‑China Economic and Security Review Commission report highlights China’s 1,060‑plus operational satellites and its push to dominate...
Space Force Wants Advanced Tech for Space-Based Interceptors
The U.S. Space Force has launched an SBIR solicitation to develop compact, high‑performance boost‑phase interceptors that can destroy ballistic missiles within the atmosphere. The program seeks high‑G propulsion, advanced seekers, and low‑SWaP designs capable of intercepting missiles below 120 km in...
Kongsberg, Helsing Team up for European Satellite-Intel Constellation
Norway’s Kongsberg and Germany’s Helsing have signed a teaming agreement to build a sovereign European satellite constellation for intelligence, surveillance and targeting, targeting operational capability by 2029. The fleet will combine Kongsberg’s satellite platforms with Helsing’s AI‑driven image analysis, while...
