The Space Force Wake-Up Call: Security Breaches, Cost Battles, and the Next Space Race
Space Technology and Policy
Good morning,
This week’s space news highlights a growing tension between innovation, security, and cost control across the defense and commercial space sectors.
On the security front, White Hat hackers have exposed vulnerabilities in Iridium’s satellite network, underscoring the persistent cybersecurity risks in space-based communications. This comes at a time when the U.S. military is increasingly reliant on commercial providers for satellite connectivity—particularly for unsecured communications. Meanwhile, super-precise satellite synchronization reaching picosecond accuracy, with broad applications for improving navigation and GPS. Of course, at the same time, it’s important that we build resilient, terrestrial capabilities for redundancy (e.g., eLORAN).
In acquisition, the Space Force is sending clear signals to industry that cost overruns won’t be tolerated. The warning that some "pricey" programs may shift to fixed-price contracts suggests growing frustration with escalating budgets—and ensures compliance with the Administration’s push to rein in spending. At the same time, the Space Force’s Victus Sol mission with Firefly highlights its push for rapid-response space capabilities, a critical element of military space resilience.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Iron Dome-inspired space defense initiative is back in focus, with the Space Development Agency launching a new study. Notably, Ursa Major is exploring how its mid-size rocket engine could play a role in missile defense applications, reflecting the increasing crossover between traditional space launch technology and defensive capabilities.
On the global stage, China is moving forward with lunar support infrastructure, inviting bids for a lunar satellite to aid future crewed missions. This aligns with the European Union’s ambitious in-space servicing goals, as both China and the E.U. look to expand their foothold in orbital and deep-space operations.
With shifting procurement strategies, rising security concerns, and increased international competition, the coming months may be defining ones for the future of U.S. military space policy. Will industry adapt to faster, cheaper, and more resilient space systems, or will program delays and cost overruns continue to dominate?
Alright, enough ballistic missile defense geekery. On to the news!
News Headlines:
Russia, U.S. talks begin in Saudi Arabia over Ukraine war, notably absent is Kyiv (AP)
U.S., Russia agree to restoring diplomatic missions as first step in Ukraine war (RT)
Dept. of Homeland Security preparing to fire hundreds of senior leaders this week (NBC)
Congress closes in on shutdown deadline with no clear plan (TH)
Mexico threatens to sue Google over 'Gulf of America' name (TV)
China issues rebuke over U.S. State Dept. language change on Taiwan (TG)
Satellites:
Launches:
Upcoming Launches:
Space News:
White Hat hackers expose Iridium satellite security issues (IS)
Space Force acquisition office 'aggressively' pushing reform efforts (DN)
Space Force warns industry that it could convert pricey programs to fixed-price contracts (DO)
Space Development Agency launches study on Trump's Iron Dome order (DN)
Uncertainty mounts at SDA as Air Force Inspector General readies probe (DO)
U.S. Air Force extends Sierra Space contract with $16M for upper stage rocket engine (SN)
3D-printed hydrogels could be future space radiation shields for astronaut trips to Mars (SP)
Satellite startup Apex wins $45.9 million Space Force contract (SN)
Ursa Major eyes iron dome applications for its mid-size rocket engine (SN)
Space Force picks Firefly for secretive Victus Sol rapid response mission (DN)
Spire files complaint against Kpler for not completing maritime deal (VS)
Super-precise satellite time synchronization achieves picosecond accuracy (SD)
Foreign Space News
E.U. sets ambitious goals for in-space operations and services (SN)
Eutelsat adapts GEO strategy as Starlink reshapes satellite connectivity (SN)
China invites bids for lunar satellite to support crewed moon landing missions (SN)
BlackSky to support India’s first private Earth observation constellation (SN)
Japan’s SKY Perfect to build defense satellite constellation (AsT)
Deal Flow:
Funds
PE firms are struggling to raise money amid mega fund competition (WSJ)
VC
K2 Space, a large satellite bus platform developer, raised a $110M Series B led by Lightspeed and Altimeter Capital (PRN)
Lynk Global raised $85M in a Series B round of a planned $215M as competition heats up in direct-to-cellphone satellite service (SN)
ATMOS, a startup building infrastructure to enable cargo return from space, raised a $13.7M seed round from EIC (TFN)
Opportunities
Space Development Agency seeks industry input on integrating satellite network into ‘Iron Dome’ (SAM)
SDA is also looking for novel architecture concepts, systems, technologies, and capabilities that enable leap-ahead improvements in the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (SAM)
NASA is soliciting feedback from industry about a new GEO-based weather satellite (SAM)
Editor’s Picks
John Timmer explores the physics of making fuel from lunar regolith to understand just how much energy it will take to turn the moon into a fuel depot for future exploration.
Dan Vergano at Scientific American takes a skeptical look at the Iron Dome.
Our good friends Matt MacGregor and Pete Modigliani at Defense Tech and Acquisition provide a detailed look at the Iron Dome (which they'll keep updated as time progresses).
Lighter Side:
Keep Building,
BOF