📄Top Stories

York Space Systems has launched a groundbreaking commercial services program to enhance national security capabilities. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is planning to realign $50 billion in funding to new strategic priorities for FY26. In other news, Katie Arrington is returning to the Pentagon as the Chief Information Security Officer.

📰Detailed Coverage

York Space Systems Amplifies National Security with New Program

York Space Systems, based in Denver, has introduced a commercial services program aimed at boosting national security capabilities for the U.S. Government. This initiative promises cost-effective and flexible space-based security solutions, broadening the operational capacities of defense missions.

The program builds on York’s record of developing reliable satellite solutions and is expected to enhance the responsiveness and reach of national security efforts. As satellite operations play a critical role in defense, tracking and managing these assets is increasingly vital, underscoring the significance of effective satellite tracking resources.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Pentagon Shifts $50B to New Priorities

The Pentagon intends to redirect $50 billion of its budget towards new priorities in the fiscal year 2026. This shift is part of a broader strategy to protect 17 key financial categories that align with future military and technological needs.

The reallocation reflects an evolving defense landscape where strategic investments in innovative technologies, including space-based capabilities, are crucial. This move could influence the kind of satellite and space initiatives funded, impacting satellite tracking and capabilities in the coming years.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

DoD’s Zero Trust Compliance Faces Hurdles

The Department of Defense is approximately 14% compliant towards its zero trust targets, but it faces significant challenges with identity and access management (ICAM) and data tagging. These issues need urgent rectification to meet security objectives.

Achieving zero trust compliance is vital to protecting sensitive satellite data and communications critical to both national security and operational integrity. As satellite data often involve classified information, these improvements are not just essential but urgent.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Katie Arrington Returns to Pentagon as CISO

Katie Arrington is rejoining the Pentagon as its new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), bringing her expertise back to the department. Arrington previously played a key role in developing the department’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program.

Her return signals an increased focus on cybersecurity, a critical component in safeguarding the vast amounts of data processed through military satellite communications. Ensuring the security of satellite systems is paramount for national defense strategies.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

DARPA’s Quantum Computing Expansion

DARPA will soon broaden its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative by incorporating multiple new companies, as announced for next month. This push is part of a significant expansion in DARPA’s efforts to evaluate and enhance quantum computing technologies.

Quantum computing holds the potential to revolutionize satellite data processing with its unprecedented processing speeds. As these technologies develop, they could radically transform how we manage and track satellites in the future.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: ONEWEB-0357
• NORAD ID: 49219
• Launch Date: 2021-09-14
• Mission: Communication
• Orbit: Inclination: 87.9298°, Period: 110 minutes, Eccentricity: 0.0002068
• Operator: ONEWEBN
• Fun Fact: This satellite utilizes the Arrow bus configuration and is part of the OneWeb constellation designed to provide global internet coverage.

Current TLE Data:

1 49219U 21083AK  25050.93794673 -.00000043  00000-0 -13876-3 0  9996
2 49219  87.9298  10.3953 0002068  79.9321 280.2045 13.20770602173154

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track ONEWEB-0357

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

February 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 12-14 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (11:31 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 22

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:

  • Unknown Payload from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (12:01 UTC)

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 15-1 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (22:24 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 24

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 12-13 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (04:42 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 26

• Arianespace Ariane 62:
  • CSO-3 from Guiana Space Centre (16:24 UTC) The CSO-3 satellite is the third of three new-generation high-resolution optical imaging satellites for the French military.

February 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Nova-C IM-2 & Lunar Trailblazer from Kennedy Space Center (00:17 UTC) This mission represents the second launch of Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander carrying NASA’s PRIME-1 payload, which aims to demonstrate in-situ resource utilization on the Moon.

• Russian Federal Space Agency Soyuz 2.1a:

  • Progress MS-30 (91P) from Baikonur Cosmodrome (21:24 UTC) Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station.

February 28

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 12-20 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (02:52 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • SPHEREx & PUNCH from Vandenberg Space Force Base (03:10 UTC) The SPHEREx mission will survey the sky in near-infrared light to study cosmic questions, while the PUNCH mission will investigate the Sun’s corona and solar wind.

March 3

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Transporter 13 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (00:00 UTC) Dedicated rideshare flight carrying microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.

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