📄Top Stories

The U.S. Space Force is preparing to test a new modular satellite design that could revolutionize how rapidly new technologies are sent to orbit. Meanwhile, as military operations increasingly rely on rapid and insightful space intelligence, there is a noted shift towards leveraging commercial capabilities. Companies in the commercial space sector are seeking increased support for participation in the Space Force’s commercial reserve initiative, aiming to harness their potential during crises.

📰Detailed Coverage

U.S. Space Force Tests Modular Satellite Technology

The U.S. Space Force is planning a test mission for its innovative “plug-and-play” satellite platform. This new design, developed by The Aerospace Corporation, allows for modular assembly of satellite components, significantly speeding up the deployment process for new space technologies. The project is a part of the broader effort to enhance tactically responsive space operations.

This test mission will provide critical data on the system’s interoperability and technical performance in orbit. The modular capability is intended to enable rapid reconfiguration of satellite payloads, thereby dramatically reducing the time from design to launch. This development could see satellites being reconfigured to adapt to new or varying mission requirements almost instantly.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Military Reliance on Commercial Space Intelligence

The U.S. military is increasingly turning to commercial companies for advanced space intelligence to monitor potential threats. This collaboration has provided remarkable insights and intelligence data, reinforcing the strategic value of commercial partnerships in national security operations. Gen. Stephen Whiting emphasized the critical nature of these partnerships at a recent defense symposium.

Such reliance on commercial space operators showcases the industry’s potential to augment military capabilities with cutting-edge observation technologies and data processing. This shift towards public-private collaboration is set to streamline information dissemination and improve situational awareness of orbital threats.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

L3Harris Expands Satellite Production

In response to growing military demand, L3Harris is set to increase its satellite production capabilities. The company announced plans to open a new factory dedicated to producing infrared sensor payloads for defense purposes, indicating a significant scale-up in their manufacturing operations. This move is a direct response to the sophisticated requirements of military clients.

The new facility aims to expedite the production of essential satellite components, ensuring timely delivery to meet the evolving needs of defense-related space missions. With enhanced production capabilities, L3Harris is positioned to support both national and allied defense forces with critical space-based technology.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Support for Space Force’s Commercial Reserve Initiative

Private space companies are lobbying for more support to ensure they can effectively contribute to the U.S. Space Force’s commercial reserve initiative, which seeks to utilize their assets in times of crises. As the Space Force outlines its approach to commercial integration, industry leaders argue that clearer guidelines and more robust support mechanisms are necessary to fully harness private sector capabilities.

This initiative aligns with the broader strategic goal of integrating commercial space resources into national defense frameworks, potentially providing a significant augment to military satellite operations during emergencies.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: YAOGAN-30 B
• NORAD ID: 42946
• Launch Date: 2017-09-29
• Mission: Thought to be for intelligence gathering.
• Orbit: Inclination 34.995°, Period 96.14 minutes, Eccentricity 0.0000748
• Operator: ZLZB
• Fun Fact: The Yaogan satellites, as a series, are speculated to serve both environmental monitoring and military reconnaissance roles.

Current TLE Data:

1 42946U 17058B   24338.94247899  .00006737  00000-0  56392-3 0 99999
2 42946  34.9950 193.8138 0000748  63.9884 296.0900 14.97824628391669

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track YAOGAN-30 B

Upcoming Space Launches

December 13

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 11-2 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (19:28 UTC) A batch of 22 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

December 14

• Rocket Lab:
  • HASTE | Stonehenge from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA (00:45 UTC) Sub-orbital launch of the Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) program for a confidential customer.
• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • GPS III SV10 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (01:04 UTC) GPS-IIIA is the first evolution stage of the third generation of the GPS satellites.
• Space One:
  • KAIROS | Flight 2 from Spaceport Kii, Japan (02:00 UTC) Second flight of the KAIROS launch vehicle carrying 5 satellites for testing various technologies.
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation:
  • Long March 2D | Unknown Payload from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (17:52 UTC) Possibly CZ-2D launch with PIESAT-2 05-08; details TBD.

December 15

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • O3b mPower 7 & 8 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (20:58 UTC) Seventh and eighth of a constellation of eleven high-throughput communications satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).

December 16

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • NROL-149 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (09:33 UTC) Sixth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation for the National Reconnaissance Office.
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation:
  • Long March 5B/YZ-2 | SatNet LEO Group 01 from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (10:00 UTC) A batch of Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state-owned SatNet constellation.

December 17

• Rocket Lab:
  • Electron | Owl The Way Up (StriX Launch 6) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (14:00 UTC) Synthetic aperture radar satellites for Japanese Earth imaging company Synspective.

December 18

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • 4x Astranis MicroGEO from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (03:38 UTC) Four Astranis MicroGEO communications satellites inserted in a custom geostationary orbit.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.