SpaceX Wins the Bulk of Space Force’s 2026 Launch Contracts
The Space Force’s reliance on SpaceX remains stronger than ever.
Military
Stories about military and national security missions in orbit.
DARPA Awards Safran a Quantum PNT Contract
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced yesterday that it awarded Safran Federal Systems a contract to develop robust and reliable quantum sensors to improve the US military’s PNT architecture in multiple domains, including in space. To effectively manage its troops and personnel across the world, the DoD says it needs extremely—and increasingly—precise ways […]
Germany is Ramping Up Its Military Space Posture
Germany is investing €35B in national security defense assets to counter the “fundamental threat” posed by Russian and Chinese tech.
Quantum Space Acquires Phase Four’s Propulsion Tech
The deal opens the door for Quantum to integrate Phase Four’s unique propulsion capabilities to fuel Quantum’s Golden Dome ambitions.
UK’s Defense Investment is Headed to the Space Sector
Payload chatted with half a dozen UK space leaders to find out just how much of the investment could trickle down to their sector.
SDA Prepares for First Operational Launch of Comms Tech
Troops in the IndoPacific are just a few months away from getting access to better comms tech thanks to the SDA.
Lawmakers Will Debate Space Amendments to NDAA
House lawmakers submitted 1,100+ amendments to the NDAA. The rules committee met yesterday to decide which ones will be considered on the floor this week. Here’s what’s in, and what’s out.
New Acting Director at SDA as Tournear Leaves Agency
Derek Tournear, the inaugural director of SDA, is leaving his position after six years running the office tasked with quickly building satellite constellations to better serve troops.
Laser Test Connects Satellite, Aircraft For High-Speed Troop Data
Sick of waiting for videos to download on your 100-Mbps-plus connection? Troops in the field also are hungry for high-bandwidth data—and SDA just oversaw a test promising exactly that.
Trump Confirms SPACECOM Move to Alabama
The official relocation to the Redstone Arsenal installation is the latest chapter in a multi-year back-and-forth that started in the final days of Trump’s first term.
True Anomaly Hires Sarah Walter As COO
“I am a big proponent of go fast, fail, learn and repeat, and continue to get better.”
Rep. Jeff Crank On the Mission of the Golden Dome Caucus
A new caucus established this summer is aiming to educate lawmakers about Golden Dome and build a coalition to support the Trump administration’s proposed missile defense program.