SpaceX Launches 21 SDA Missile-Tracking Satellites | KeepTrack Week in Review
This week: SpaceX launched 21 SDA missile-tracking satellites, Soyuz MS-29 carried a new crew to the ISS, and Europe's space spending rose 12%.
Tag: space-news
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NASA Cancels Draper Lunar Lander; Skyroot Reaches Orbit, Space Brief 19 Jul 2026
NASA terminated Draper's commercial lunar lander after development delays. Meanwhile, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 became India's first commercial rocket to reach orbit on July 18.
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Skyroot's Vikram-1 Reaches Orbit, Breaks Indian Launch Monopoly, Space Brief 18 Jul 2026
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket achieved orbit on July 18, becoming the first Indian commercial rocket to do so and breaking ISRO's launch monopoly.
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SpaceX Deploys 21 Military Data-Relay Satellites for SDA, Space Brief 17 Jul 2026
SpaceX launched 21 York Space Systems satellites for Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 Transport Layer, bringing SDA's military data-relay constellation to roughly half its planned size.
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Saltzman's Final Warning: Space Force Preps for War | KeepTrack Space Brief
Gen. Chance Saltzman warns of impending space conflict as SpaceX launches 21 SDA satellites from Vandenberg. Space Force shifts from support role to core deterrent.
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SDA Awards $1.75B for Golden Dome Missile Tracking | KeepTrack Space Brief
SDA hands L3Harris and Sierra Space $1.75B to build missile warning satellites for Pentagon's Golden Dome shield, targeting 2028 demonstration under accelerated schedule.
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L3Harris, Sierra Space Win $1.75B Missile-Tracking Satellite Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief
L3Harris and Sierra Space awarded $1.75 billion to build 36 missile-tracking satellites for SDA's Tracking Layer constellation. Hypersonic and ballistic missile detection from low Earth orbit.
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China's Long March 10C Nails First Booster Recovery | KeepTrack Space Brief
China successfully recovered a Long March 10C first stage booster, positioning the methalox rocket as its primary commercial launcher. Reusable boosters reshape Beijing's LEO constellation strategy.
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Long March 10B Debut Highlights 4-Launch Week | KeepTrack Week in Review
This week: China's Long March 10B debuted successfully, SpaceX merged with xAI, and Starlink topped 10,775 satellites in orbit.
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FCC Approves Reflect Orbital Sunlight Satellite | KeepTrack Space Brief
FCC clears Reflect Orbital's first satellite to bounce sunlight into nighttime zones, despite pushback from astronomers concerned about orbital streaking and wildlife impacts.
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Booster 20 Fires All 33 Engines in Record Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX completed a full 33-engine static fire on Booster 20, the longest duration test to date. The milestone clears a major hurdle before the next Starship flight attempt.
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Space Force Awards Pulse Space $40M for Laser Power Tech | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force awards Pulse Space $40 million to develop laser systems for transmitting power and data between spacecraft in orbit. Game-changing on-orbit energy transfer capability.
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Falcon 9 B1067 Targets 36th Flight Record on Starlink 10-42 | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1067 set for 36th flight Thursday with Starlink 10-42 mission from Cape Canaveral. Long March 10B debuts Friday in China.
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Space Force Adds Relativity, Impulse to NSSL Phase 3 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force expands National Security Space Launch Phase 3 with Relativity Space and Impulse Space joining Lane 1 competition. New entrants gain pathway to military payload contracts.
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81 Payloads Deployed to SSO; Long March 10B & Vikram-I Debut This Week | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX rideshare Falcon 9 deployed 81 payloads including military tech demos to sun-synchronous orbit. China's Long March 10B and India's Vikram-I both debut this week among 6 scheduled launches.
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Besxar Semiconductor Pods Launch on Starlink 10-50 | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink 10-50 with two Besxar semiconductor manufacturing test pods. In-space fabrication experiment explores cost reduction for commercial payloads.
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GAO Warns Space Force Satellite Costs Rising, Workforce Cuts Add Risk | KeepTrack Space Brief
GAO flags growing cost problems across Space Force satellite portfolio with workforce reductions compounding risks to missile-warning constellations like NGG and SWAT.
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Space Force Completes First Tactical Orbital Intercept | KeepTrack Space Brief
U.S. Space Force executes first tactical orbital intercept under Victus Haze mission using commercial spacecraft. Rendezvous and proximity operations now operationally demonstrated.
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Atlas 5 Retires After Final 551 Flight to Amazon Kuiper | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA launches the final Atlas 5 551 configuration—its heaviest variant with 5 solid boosters—carrying Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite to low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral.
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Atlas 5 551 Flies Last Mission for Amazon Kuiper | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA launched Atlas 5 551 configuration for final time on July 1, deploying Amazon Kuiper broadband satellites. New Glenn pad rebuild underway at LC-36 after May explosion.