Satellite Archives

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches the Space Development Agency T1TL-C mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Oct. 15., 2025. Beginning in 2027, T1 will provide initial warfighting capability to deliver regional persistence for tactical military data channels, along with advanced missile tracking and missile warning, and beyond-line-of-sight targeting plus demonstration of UHF and S-band tactical satellite communications. (U.S. Space Force photo by 2nd Lt. Andrew Taller)

SDA hopes to keep certain decision-making authorities as Congress weighs its future

Drafts of the fiscal 2027 NDAA include provisions to repeal existing laws that established the Space Development Agency.

Sep 15, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

YAGONG REEF, CRESCENT GROUP, PARACEL ISLANDS, SOUTH CHINA SEA — AUGUST 17, 2026 — Vantor satellite image shows new buildings and construction activity on Yagong Reef in the Paracel Islands. (Satellite image (c) 2026 Vantor. / Getty Images)

U.S. Navy, Quad partners move to ‘fingerprint’ dark fleets in the Pacific with Vantor’s AI

DefenseScoop got new details on Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific’s recent contract award to the company that grew out of Maxar.

Sep 4, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

A SpaceX Falcon 9 transporter mission launches with three NGA CubeSats onboard (Credit: SpaceX)

NGA launches 3 CubeSats to test improvements in geomagnetic data collection

Each of the CubeSats are equipped with different capabilities that represent new ways to collect geomagnetic data for the World Magnetic Model.

Mar 30, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) gives a statement after a policy luncheon with Democratic senators at the U.S. Capitol on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Senators urge Pentagon to review GPS risks to national security and infrastructure

Sen. Maggie Hassan told DefenseScoop that she aims to help “lay the groundwork for the next generation of position, navigation, and timing systems that will keep us…

Jul 22, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Transporter 12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Jan. 14, 2025. Its payload includes Otter, an NPS CubeSat suite. (Credit: SpaceX)

NRO, Navy launch experimental Otter CubeSat

The system is carrying primary and secondary payloads for space-based maritime domain awareness and communications.

Jan 24, 2025 By Jon Harper

The Pentagon, captured on July 16 by Maxar’s WorldView Legion satellite. (Maxar)

Maxar debuts never-before-seen shots from its new, next-generation satellites

Senior officials briefed DefenseScoop on what warfighters can expect from the company’s growing arsenal of new capabilities.

Jul 25, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Space Force awards $25M contract to deliver in-orbit satellite refueling prototype

The contract comes as U.S. Space Command continues to send the demand signal to the Space Force and other government agencies about its need for more maneuverable…

Sep 20, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Artist’s concept for NTS-3 in geostationary orbit (1st Lt. Jacob Lutz)

Air Force Research Lab to conduct more than 100 experiments with new navigation satellite

The Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) initiative comes at a time when GPS satellites, which the U.S. military, private sector and the average citizen depend on, are at…

Apr 7, 2022 By Jon Harper