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SpaceX Starlink satellite photobombs orbital view of secret Chinese air base (photo)
September 11, 2025
One of SpaceX's broadband-beaming Starlink satellites has been captured overflying a top-secret airbase in China that was photographed by a private American Earth-observation satellite.
The unexpected satellite alignment above the Dingxin Airbase in the Gobi Desert of western China took place on Aug. 21 and created a range of unusual effects in the high-resolution image.
The visible-light photo, taken by one of Maxar Technologies' WorldView Legion satellites orbiting at an altitude of 312 miles (518 kilometers), shows what appears to be a fleet of fighter jets resting on the ramp adjacent to the runway surrounded by brown, arid soil.
In the upper-left corner of the image, a ghostly oblong shadow appears in the picture with a silver-colored middle section and two darker-colored arms stretching to the sides.
The photobomber is a satellite — specifically, one of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites, which Maxar identified as spacecraft number 33828.
The mirror effect comes from a trio of rainbow-colored reflections of the satellite, which enliven the drab desert surface below.
Susanne Hake, Maxar's general manager for U.S. government, who posted the image on LinkedIn, described the colorful reflections as a "pan-sharpening spectral artifact," caused by the extremely high speeds — around 5 miles (8 kilometers) per second — at which the two satellites passed each other.
"Essentially, our imaging system was merging high-resolution black & white data with color data while the Starlink zipped past at orbital velocity," Hake wrote in the post. "Physics turned a technical imaging challenge into accidental art."
Hake added that, although the orbital encounter underscores how crowded near-Earth space has become, the incident was more of a spectacular rarity than a concern for safety or image quality.
"Capturing another satellite like this in an Earth-observation image is extremely rare," Hake told Space.com in an email.
"In this case, a Starlink satellite happened to pass through our field of view at just the right moment while our sensors were mid-collection — an extraordinary alignment, given the vastness of space and the fact that we were traveling at an astonishing relative velocity of about 1,400 meters per second."
The Starlink megaconstellation operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX has come under criticism from astronomers because the sunlight reflected by the low-Earth-orbit fleet leaves streaks in telescope images.
The problem is especially felt by large-scale surveys such as the recently opened Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, which capture vast swaths of the sky in every sweep and therefore catch many satellites in each photo.
Currently comprising more than 8,300 active satellites, the Starlink constellation also disturbs radio telescope observations.
When the spacecraft fly over radio-quiet antenna arrays, tuned to listen for the quietest radio waves coming from distant galaxies, the noise from the satellites' internal electronics obscures some of the precious observation frequencies even when Earth-facing internet beams are switched off.
The growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) also worries space sustainability experts, who warn about the increasing risk of orbital collisions.
Although Starlink encounters are currently no bother to Earth-observation satellite operators such as Maxar, Hake stressed that the continued growth in LEO satellite numbers may become a challenge in the future.
"The 'crowded' space domain isn't just about collision avoidance anymore — it's about understanding how these overlapping capabilities create both opportunities and complexities for mission planning," she wrote in the LinkedIn post.
"That's why integrated space domain awareness isn't just nice-to-have anymore — it's foundational to mission success."
The Dingxin Airbase, which provided a backdrop for the orbital encounter, is one of the most secretive military locations in China, known for conducting complex fighter jet drills and bomber exercises, and supporting development of new military drones.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/spacex-starlink-satellite-photobombs-orbital-view-of-secret-chinese-air-base-photo
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/susanne-hake-8986571a_spaceeconomy-earthobservation-spacedomainawareness-activity-7370844351616409600-6h5X/
Watch Russia launch 2.8 tons of cargo toward the ISS today
September 11, 2025
A Russian Progress freighter loaded with 2.8 tons of cargo will launch toward the International Space Station today (Sept. 11), and you can watch it live.
A Soyuz rocket is scheduled to lift off from the Russia-run Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan today at 11:54 a.m. EDT (1554 GMT; 8:54 p.m. local time in Kazakhstan), sending the robotic Progress 93 freighter into orbit.
You can watch the action here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the space agency. Coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT).
If all goes according to plan, Progress 93 will dock with the station's Zvezda service module on Saturday (Sept. 13) at 1:27 p.m. EDT (1727 GMT), delivering 2.8 tons of food, propellant and other supplies to the astronauts of the current Expedition 73 mission on the ISS, according to a NASA update.
You can watch the rendezvous live as well; NASA's coverage of that event will begin at 12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT) on Saturday.
Progress 93 will stay docked with the ISS for about six months. It will then depart loaded with astronaut trash, which will burn up, along with the freighter, in Earth's atmosphere.
Today's launch will be followed in relatively short order by that of another freighter — Northrup Grumman's Cygnus vehicle, which will lift off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday (Sept. 14) at 6:11 p.m. EDT (2211 GMT).
You can watch that when the time comes as well.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/russia-progress-93-cargo-spacecraft-iss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5HfytY71w
Simulations solve centuries-old cosmic mystery—and discover new class of ancient star systems
September 10, 2025
For centuries, astronomers have puzzled over the origins of one of the universe's oldest and densest stellar systems, known as globular clusters.
Now, a University of Surrey-led study published in Nature has finally solved the mystery using detailed simulations—while also uncovering a new class of object that could already be in our own galaxy.
Globular clusters are dense collections of hundreds of thousands to millions of stars found orbiting around galaxies, including the Milky Way.
Unlike galaxies, they show no evidence of dark matter, and their stars are unusually uniform in age and chemical composition—traits that have left scientists debating their formation since their discovery in the 17th century.
Surrey researchers used ultra-high-resolution simulations that can trace the universe's 13.8-billion-year history in unprecedented detail, allowing them to watch globular clusters form in real-time within their virtual cosmos, called EDGE.
The simulations find multiple pathways for their creation and, unexpectedly, the emergence of a new class of star system—"globular cluster-like dwarfs"—that sits between globular clusters and dwarf galaxies in terms of their properties.
Dr. Ethan Taylor, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Surrey's School of Mathematics and Physics and lead author of the study, said,
"The formation of globular clusters has been a mystery for hundreds of years, so being able to add additional context surrounding how they form is amazing.
"We were able to do this in our EDGE simulations without having to add anything special to make them appear, and it just brings the simulations that extra level of realism.
Additionally, being able to find a new class of object in the simulations is very exciting, especially since we have already identified a handful of candidates which exist in our very own Milky Way."
Working in collaboration with Durham University, the University of Bath, the University of Hertfordshire, Carnegie Observatories and the American Museum of Natural History in the U.S., Lund University in Sweden and the University of Barcelona in Spain, researchers used the UK's DiRAC National Supercomputer facility to run the EDGE simulations over several years.
To put the scale into perspective, if the largest simulations were run on a standard or high-end laptop, they would take decades to complete.
These simulations not only recreated realistic globular clusters and dwarf galaxies but also predicted a previously unknown class of object.
Conventional dwarf galaxies are typically dominated by dark matter, with around a thousand times more of the mysterious substance than stars and gas combined.
However, the newly identified "globular cluster-like dwarfs" appear similar to regular star clusters when observed, yet still contain a significant amount of dark matter—meaning telescopes may have already found them in the real universe and classified them as regular globular clusters.
This small difference would place them in a unique position to study both dark matter and cluster formation.
Several known Milky Way satellites, such as the "ultra-faint" dwarf galaxy Reticulum II, are likely candidates.
If confirmed, they could become prime sites for the search for pristine, metal-free stars born in the early universe and new locations to test models for the ever-elusive "dark matter."
Professor Justin Read, Chair of Astrophysics at the University of Surrey, said, "The EDGE project set out to build the most realistic simulation of the very smallest galaxies in the universe—one that could follow all 13.8 billion years of its history while still zooming in on the tiny details, like the blast from a single exploding star.
It took years to run on the UK's DiRAC National Supercomputer, but the payoff has been extraordinary.
"At a resolution of just 10 light years, fine enough to capture the effects of individual supernovae, we've been able to show that globular clusters can form in at least two different ways, both without dark matter."
The next step is to confirm the existence of these globular cluster-like dwarfs through targeted observations with telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope and upcoming deep spectroscopic surveys.
If they do, it could give astronomers new ways to test dark matter theories and offer some of the best chances to find the universe's very first generation of "metal-free" stars.
https://phys.org/news/2025-09-simulations-centuries-cosmic-mystery-class.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09494-x
https://www.space.com/astronomy/asteroids/scientists-find-evidence-of-flowing-water-on-ryugus-ancient-parent-asteroid-it-was-a-genuine-surprise
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09483-0
Scientists find evidence of flowing water on Ryugu’s ancient parent asteroid. 'It was a genuine surprise!'
September 10, 2025
Liquid water flowed across the surface of the asteroid that birthed the near-Earth object (NEO) Ryugu much later than scientists had thought possible, a new study finds.
The discovery that water existed in liquid form a billion years after the parent body of Ryugu formed came from the study of rock samples collected from the NEO by Japan's Hayabusa2 probe between 2018 and 2019, and returned to Earth on Dec. 5, 2020.
Carbonaceous asteroids like the spinning-top-shaped Ryugu have long been known to form from ice and dust in the outer solar system as the planets were forming around the infant sun around 4.6 billion years ago.
Thus, objects like Ryugu are thought to contain a "fossil record" of unspoiled material from the dawn of our planetary system.
However, before this research, scientists had thought that asteroid water activity only lasted for the earliest moments of solar system history.
Thus, the new discovery could change how we think about planet formation around 4.6 billion years ago, as well as further solidifying the idea that asteroids pelted the primordial Earth and delivered much of our planet's water.
"We found that Ryugu preserved a pristine record of water activity, evidence that fluids moved through its rocks far later than we expected," research team member Tsuyoshi Iizuka, a scientist at the University of Tokyo, said in a statement.
"This changes how we think about the long-term fate of water in asteroids. The water hung around for a long time and was not exhausted so quickly as thought."
Ryugu's chemical imbalance
Iizuka and colleagues arrived at their conclusion when they examined radioactive isotopes of the elements lutetium and hafnium in Ryugu rock samples.
This is useful because the radioactive decay of these isotopes can be used as a natural clock for geological processes.
The concentration of these isotopes can, therefore, be correlated to the age of an asteroid.
The Ryugu samples hauled home by Hayabusa2 contained larger quantities of hafnium isotopes compared to lutetium isotopes than were expected.
This indicated that some fluid was washing out lutetium from rocks on the asteroid.
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"We thought that Ryugu’s chemical record would resemble certain meteorites already studied on Earth," Iizuka explained.
"But the results were completely different. This meant we had to carefully rule out other possible explanations and eventually concluded that the lutetium-hafnium system was disturbed by late fluid flow.
"The most likely trigger was an impact on a larger asteroid parent of Ryugu, which fractured the rock and melted buried ice, allowing liquid water to percolate through the body.
It was a genuine surprise! This impact event may also be responsible for the disruption of the parent body to form Ryugu."
If Ryugu's parent body did indeed contain water for over one billion years, one of the main takeaways is the implication that carbon-rich asteroids may have contained much more water than previously thought.
That means they may have delivered much more water to Earth by striking the surface of our primordial planet than previously estimated. This would have had a significant effect on Earth's early oceans and its atmosphere.
"The idea that Ryugu-like objects held on to ice for so long is remarkable," Iizuka explained. "It suggests that the building blocks of Earth were far wetter than we imagined.
This forces us to rethink the starting conditions for our planet’s water system. Though it’s too early to say for sure, my team and others might build on this research to clarify things, including how and when our Earth became habitable."
What is remarkable about this discovery is the fact that the team was able to conduct their study with samples of Ryugu equivalent to a fraction of a grain of rice.
This required the development of new and sophisticated element-separating techniques and improved methods to analyze isotopes with incredible precision.
"Our small sample size was a huge challenge," Iizuka said.
"We had to design new chemistry methods that minimized elemental loss while still isolating multiple elements from the same fragment.
Without this, we could never have detected such subtle signs of late fluid activity."
The next step for the team will be to investigate veins of phosphate within the Ryugu samples.
This should allow the scientists to ascertain a more precise age for the flow of water across the parent body that birthed Ryugu.
The researchers will also compare their results to analyses of samples of the asteroid Bennu, which were returned to Earth by the NASA mission OSIRIS-REx in September 2023.
This could reveal if the late water flow on Ryugu's asteroid parent were unique to this body or if similar water activity has been preserved on other asteroids.
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SpaceX buys $17 billion worth of satellite spectrum to beef up Starlink broadband service
September 10, 2025
SpaceX has bought $17 billion worth of satellite spectrum from debt-ridden operator EchoStar to enhance Starlink direct-to-cell phone performance.
The sale ends EchoStar's plans to build its own constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO) that would beam 5G connectivity directly to smartphone users in under-connected areas on Earth.
The company, founded in 1980, operates a fleet of 10 geostationary satellites, offering internet broadband via satellite as well as satellite TV broadcasting.
EchoStar's business, however, has been suffering for years due to declining consumer interest, especially as it has faced competition from fast-growing LEO constellations, such as SpaceX's Starlink, which provide better throughput and lower latencies.
Since May, questions have swirled around EchoStar's financial health after the company failed to pay $326 million in interest on its debt.
The deal with Starlink will ease the financial burden while enabling EchoStar to integrate Starlink's direct-to-device coverage into its offering.
"For the past decade, we've acquired spectrum and facilitated worldwide 5G spectrum standards and devices, all with the foresight that direct-to-cell connectivity via satellite would change the way the world communicates," Hamid Akhavan, president and CEO of EchoStar, said in a statement.
"This transaction with SpaceX continues our legacy of putting the customer first as it allows for the combination of AWS-4 and H-block spectrum from EchoStar with the rocket launch and satellite capabilities from SpaceX to realize the direct-to-cell vision in a more innovative, economical and faster way for consumers worldwide," Akhavan added.
Starlink launched its direct-to-device service in 2024, enabling users in remote locations to send text messages via its ever-growing satellite network.
The EchoStar spectrum covers the so-called H block part of the Advanced Wireless Services spectrum at frequencies between 1915-1920 megahertz (MHz), which is used for 4G and 5G mobile voice and data transmission.
SpaceX will pay $8.5 billion in cash for the spectrum licenses plus another $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock.
For SpaceX, the spectrum purchase means more capacity on its direct-to-cell satellites, further enabling broadband data access to cell phones in the future.
The company estimates the new spectrum could increase the throughput of the next-generation satellites up to 20 times compared to the generation in orbit right now.
"We're so pleased to be doing this transaction with EchoStar as it will advance our mission to end mobile dead zones around the world," Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.
"SpaceX's first-generation Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities have already connected millions of people when they needed it most — during natural disasters so they could contact emergency responders and loved ones — or when they would have previously been off the grid," she added.
"In this next chapter, with exclusive spectrum, SpaceX will develop next-generation Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, which will have a step change in performance and enable us to enhance coverage for customers wherever they are in the world."
The deal also ended the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's investigation into EchoStar's use of the allocated spectrum, which had previously been questioned by SpaceX.
In August, EchoStar agreed to a $23 billion sale of 50 MHz of terrestrial mobile spectrum to telecommunications giant AT&T.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/spacex-buys-usd17-billion-worth-of-satellite-spectrum-to-beef-up-starlink-broadband-service
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/echostar-announces-spectrum-sale-and-commercial-agreement-with-spacex-302548650.html
https://www.echostar.com/
Chinese astronauts expand science research on orbiting space station
Sep 11, 2025
Shenzhou 20 astronauts - Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie - are pushing forward with wide-ranging scientific experiments and technology tests aboard China's space station, advancing knowledge across multiple research domains.
In space medicine, the crew used electroencephalogram equipment for experiments including visual field studies, executive-function training and exploratory utilization projects.
They also employed eye-tracking devices and specialized software to investigate microgravity's impact on relational cognition and on how astronauts develop trust in AI assistants during extended missions.
The astronauts underwent vascular ultrasound scans, gathering data on organ morphology, blood flow dynamics and functional measures across different mission durations.
These findings are expected to improve understanding of how the human circulatory system adapts to long-term weightlessness.
In human-factors technology studies, the crew analyzed operational forces such as push-pull and rotational movements in microgravity, comparing them to terrestrial conditions.
This work helps clarify the mechanisms behind variations in astronaut performance over time in orbit.
They also installed and tested a universal biological cultivation module inside the station's ecological experiment cabinet, creating new opportunities for life science research in space.
Alongside these experiments, the crew continues to maintain station systems and follow health protection protocols to support safe, sustained operations.
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Chinese_astronauts_expand_science_research_on_orbiting_space_station_999.html
SpaceX launch tonight: Will rocket launch after 3 scrubs in a row at Cape Canaveral, Florida?
September 11, 2025 6:47 a.m. ET
For the fourth night in a row, SpaceX will attempt to launch an Indonesian telecom satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. But will tonight's try finally succeed?
Stay tuned. SpaceX is targeting 7:59 p.m. to send up a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 with the Nusantara Lima satellite for operator PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara. Backup opportunities remain available until 9:56 p.m., if needed.
In the most encouraging forecast of this rain-soaked workweek, the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron predicted 45% odds of "go for launch" conditions tonight. Prime threats should include cumulus clouds and surface electric fields.
No Brevard County sonic booms should occur during this mission. The rocket will ascend due east, and the first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea 8½ minutes after liftoff.
Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch coverage updates on this page, starting about 90 minutes before the launch window opens.
When SpaceX's live webcast begins about 15 minutes before liftoff, we’ll post it below next to our countdown clock.
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2025/09/11/spacex-launch-day-heres-information-on-todays-indonesian-satellite-launch-at-cape-canaveral-florida/86084196007/
https://www.spacex.com/launches/nusantaralima
Former administrator returns to Johnson Space Center
Updated 3:03 PM Sep 10, 2025 CDT
After a short stint at NASA in Washington, D.C., Vanessa Wyche is back in Houston as the director of Johnson Space Center.
Long story short
NASA’s administration tapped Wyche, who at the time was director of Johnson Space Center, in February to be the acting associate administrator, making her one of the three highest-ranking individuals in the agency, Community Impact previously reported.
As a result of the promotion, Stephen Koerner, Johnson Space Center’s deputy director at the time, was promoted to the acting director role.
Returning to Johnson Space Center, Wyche told Community Impact on Sept. 9 that it was “an honor to support the agency through a busy period.”
“I am looking forward to continuing to support NASA’s impactful missions as I return to the role of center director at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston,” Wyche said in a statement.
Wyche originally began serving as director at Johnson Space Center in 2021, according to her biography page.
Diving in deeper
Her return comes at a time when NASA is working through a series of missions, titled Artemis, aimed at taking humans back to the moon and setting up future trips to Mars.
The program is broken up into four missions planned to end with NASA launching a lunar space station, according to NASA's website.
Officials are also carrying out the construction of Exploration Park, which will be a business park meant to assist with research and manufacturing related to space travel.
What else?
In a Sept. 3 press release, NASA officials announced Amit Kshatriya was to be the new associate administrator of the agency.
Officials did not clarify how Koerner’s role might change within Johnson Space Center.
However, the administration page for Johnson Space Center has since been updated with Wyche now listed as director. Koerner is currently listed as deputy director.
Prior to the update, Kroener was listed as acting director, according to previous versions of the web page.
https://communityimpact.com/houston/bay-area/government/2025/09/10/former-administrator-returns-to-johnson-space-center/
https://www.nasa.gov/people/vanessa-e-wyche/
https://www.army.mil/article/288380/celebrating_80_years_of_white_sands_missile_ranges_legacy_in_space_exploration
Celebrating 80 Years of White Sands Missile Range's Legacy in Space Exploration
September 10, 2025
This article is part of a series that will delve into the history of the Trinity Site Test, which marked its 80th anniversary on July 16, 2025, and the commemoration of the growth and evolution of White Sands Missile Range, which marked its 80th anniversary on July 9, 2025.
A commemoration of the establishment of White Sands Proving Ground, now called White Sands Missile Range, will take place on Oct. 17 at WSMR and an observance for the test at Trinity Site will take place on Oct. 18 at the Trinity Site Open House.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of White Sands Missile Range, it's essential to reflect on its significant contributions to America's pioneering efforts in space activities.
Since its establishment, WSMR has played a pivotal role in the evolution of space exploration, serving as a testing ground for some of the most critical missions in American history.
Over its 80-year history, WSMR has consistently demonstrated its capacity to support innovative space initiatives. These initiatives started in 1946 with the launching of World War II era V-2 rockets.
In fact, the first photo from space was taken from the V-2 No. 13, launched 24 October 1946 from WSMR. Interestingly, photos from space indicate that White Sands Missile Range and White Sands National Park are visible from space.
"I can personally attest that White Sands Missile Range is clearly visible from Earth’s orbit. The gypsum dunes create a distinct light patch that stands out from the basin, and contrasts sharply from the dark basaltic lava flows of the Malpais just to the north.
America's Range is as beautiful from space as it is here on the ground!" said Col. Andrew R. Morgan, White Sands Missile Range’s Senior Commander who took photos in Spring 2020 during Expedition 62 to the International Space Station.
In 1961, WSMR drafted a proposal for the National Lunar Program, exploring the feasibility of launching Project Apollo from the range. Although logistical challenges prevented this from moving forward, it laid the groundwork for future astronaut training and capabilities at WSMR.
In 1966, the legacy of White Sands continued to grow as NASA tested the Planetary Entry Parachute Program aeroshell, a crucial component in preparing for Mars landings.
The successful execution of this program is a clear demonstration of WSMR's essential role in pioneering space technologies, reassuring the world that America’s Range had the capabilities to support space programs.
The Missile Ranger described the three-stage rocket launch, "In the brisk Indian summer air, an Honest John Nike rocket roared skyward, leaving a billowing cloud of sand and trailing a jet of white vapor. It climbed higher and higher, beyond the range of the naked eye."
Additionally, the establishment of the Northrup Strip at WSMR for drone launches and later NASA shuttle training had a significant impact on astronaut training over the decades.
With 85 percent of NASA's shuttle pilot landing training conducted at this site, WSMR became synonymous with spaceflight preparation and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
The Northrup Strip later renamed White Sands Space Harbor, with its unique ecological conditions and rocket ranges, provided an ideal training ground for astronauts, preparing them for the challenging conditions of spaceflight and ensuring the success of numerous missions.
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A pivotal moment in the history of America's Range and space exploration dates to its first spacecraft landing in 1982.
The Space Transportation System (STS)-3 Columbia, carrying astronauts Jack Lousma and Gordon Fullerton, concluded its mission on the Northrup Strip at WSMR after a last-minute diversion from Edwards Air Force Base due to adverse weather.
The quick response in readiness was a testament to the dedication and capabilities of many WSMR employees, who set the stage for the range's evolution into a vital hub for space missions.
At a WSMR luncheon after the landing, Lousma said, "The space shuttle is a team effort, and you are part of that team."
He turned more serious as he recalled the most frequently asked question he received: ‘What has changed in your life since you had the opportunity to fly in space?’
"Flying in space has allowed me to see the Earth as a beautiful, fragile planet. I can appreciate the vastness of the universe and recognize that we are just a small speck within it," Lousma continued.
"From space, the Earth's vibrant colors are much more visible. You can see the brown of the desert sands, the blue of the waters, and the white of the clouds.
Most notably, you can also see the boundaries that people have imposed on the Earth. We hope that someday we can remove those boundaries."
On May 25, 2022, WSMR witnessed a landmark event in spaceflight history when the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft successfully landed just three-tenths of a mile from its designated site at White Sands Space Harbor.
This innovative, parachute-assisted landing marked the successful conclusion of Orbital Flight Test-2, a mission significantly supported by WSMR.
The data collected from this test is enhancing NASA's Commercial Crew Program and paving the way for future crewed missions, underscoring WSMR's ongoing role in shaping the future of space exploration.
Karla V. James works for the Materiel Test Directorate as the Air and Space Branch Test Officer at White Sands Missile Range.
She coordinates with NASA, Spaceport, Virgin Galactic, and other space entities, particularly when they require the use of WSMR airspace.
"An example of what we do is ensuring that there is a private industry contract with Boeing in place to guarantee that they have the range elements they need for their flight tests and missions," said James.
Entering its 80th year, White Sands Missile Range remains a beacon of innovation, safety, and dedication.
The successful Starliner landing at WSMR is a testament to the commitment of countless individuals who have worked tirelessly over the decades to enable safe space exploration.
As NASA plans to expand human spaceflight missions to the International Space Station, White Sands Space Harbor will continue to serve as a critical landing area and operational ground for astronauts.
Its role in these future missions, along with the potential for further groundbreaking tests and missions, ensures that WSMR will remain at the forefront of space exploration for years to come.
Reflecting on its storied past, White Sands Missile Range stands as a symbol of America's enduring spirit of exploration and innovation in space.
Here's to the next chapter in the legacy of America’s Range, as it is America's to inspire future generations of explorers and scientists.
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Space Systems Command, Space Development Agency Complete Successful Launch of First Tranche 1 Satellites
Sept. 10, 2025
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the successful launch of the first Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Tranche 1 (T1) Transport Layer space vehicles (SV) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
With the support of Space System Command’s Assured Access to Space (AATS) and Space Launch Delta 30, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket delivered on orbit 21 T1 data transport SVs built by York Space Systems that will provide low-latency communication links to support the warfighter with a resilient network of integrated capabilities, including tracking of advanced missile threats, enabled by beyond-line-of-sight tactical data links from low-Earth orbit (LEO).
“The start of Tranche 1 delivery, just over six years since SDA stood up as an agency, is a remarkable accomplishment highlighting the speed at which the agency moves.
More than that, as the PWSA begins to support military operations, it will enhance our strategic advantage by serving the joint warfighting force with operational capabilities previously thought infeasible from LEO,” said SDA acting director GP Sandhoo.
“We could not deliver these capabilities to the warfighter without our industry partners who have embraced SDA’s spiral development model, moving quickly to deliver commercial technology through the PWSA every two years.
The SDA team is grateful to our many mission partners on this launch including the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program and Space Launch Delta 30.”
Beginning in 2027, T1 will provide an initial warfighting capability through the PWSA to deliver regional persistence for tactical military data channels like Link 16, along with advanced missile tracking and missile warning, and beyond-line-of-sight targeting plus demonstration of UHF and S-band tactical satellite communications.
This timeline supports warfighter needs communicated to SDA by U.S. combatant commands through the agency’s Warfighter Council.
“We had a great launch today for the Space Development Agency, putting this array of space vehicles into orbit in support of their revolutionary new architecture,” said USSF Col. Ryan Hiserote, system program director for AATS’ Launch Execution.
“The NSSL team has been preparing for the start of these higher cadence operations and we are ready and eager for the remainder of SDA’s T1 launches.
We’re looking ahead, focused on countering the pacing threats and cementing the launch ops responsiveness needed for the future, right now.”
Tranche 1 launches will continue with an approximate cadence of one launch per month for the next nine months, using the NSSL launch providers, until the full space vehicle constellation is on orbit.
For each NSSL launch, the integration and mission assurance activities begin far in advance of launch. With missions coming at a higher cadence such as the SDA launches, these activities run simultaneously, showcasing the AATS team’s efficient working processes with both the launch provider and space vehicle teams.
“Establishing and documenting spaceflight worthiness for each of our missions is essential for work in the NSSL program,” said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, SSC’s chief of Falcon Systems and Operations and NSSL mission director.
“Our team, in partnership with our launch service providers, work tirelessly throughout the launch campaigns to ensure successful delivery to orbit.”
The T1 constellation will consist of 154 operational SVs, including 126 Transport Layer SVs and 28 Tracking Layer SVs, plus four missile defense demonstration SVs, equipped with optical communications terminals and Ka-band radio frequency receive/transmit capability.
Two state-of-the-art SDA Space Operations Centers will operate the T1 constellation from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama while a global network of ground entry points provide support.
The launch vehicle deployed the satellites into an insertion orbit where SDA will begin test and checkout procedures of the bus and mission payloads, which will eventually include orbit raising to reach the intended orbit at approximately 1,000 km.
SDA’s mesh network of optically-connected satellites is primarily focused on tactical data delivery to the warfighter at “the edge”, tracking and targeting for advanced missile threats, and beyond-line-of-sight targeting for time sensitive or mobile targets on land, at sea, and in the air.
The PWSA is part of a multi-orbit strategy being carried out across the U.S. Space Force to deliver the combatant commanders the capabilities they need to deter and defeat threats in, from, and to space.
https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4299787/space-systems-command-space-development-agency-complete-successful-launch-of-fi
and also serves as a major distraction the day after the UAP hearing
US Space Force unveils service dress uniform implementation plan
Sept. 10, 2025
The United States Space Force announced when Guardians will have the opportunity to be sized for and order the new service dress uniform. The process begins in late 2025 and continues into 2026.
“Our service dress uniform represents the unique identity of Guardians, blending heritage with a modern design that reflects our unity and mission,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.
“From the start, Guardian feedback shaped its design and fit. I know the force will wear it with pride.”
Guardians are not required to order the service dress uniform at this time. A mandatory-wear date will be set when the uniform is fully available to all Guardians.
Once the uniform is widely issued, a mandatory-wear date will be announced with at least 12 months’ notice.
“Our Guardians are our top priority, and this phased approach reflects that,” emphasized Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna.
“It allows us to proactively address potential challenges in production and distribution while also providing Guardians with ample time to acquire the new uniform.”
The first opportunity for pre-order will go to recruiters, training instructors, December ROTC graduates, Honor Guard, White House Social Aides, and senior leaders in November 2025.
By December, trainees at Basic Military Training and Officer Training School will graduate in the new uniform. Guardians in the National Capital Region will receive theirs by mid-December.
Guardians stationed near Military Clothing Sales stores can order between November 2025 and December 2025, with delivery by June 2026.
Those without access to a store can begin ordering online in January 2026, with uniforms arriving by June 2026.
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4299727/us-space-force-unveils-service-dress-uniform-implementation-plan/
https://babylonbee.com/news/greta-thunberg-reports-flotilla-struck-by-jewish-space-laser
Air Force, Space Force join federal push to modernize IT service delivery, strengthen readiness
Sept. 10, 2025
The Department of the Air Force is aligning with a new federal initiative to overhaul how government services are designed and delivered, a move leaders say will sharpen warfighting readiness, increase lethality and save taxpayer dollars.
Federal Chief Information Officer Greg Barbaccia announced in early September that he has been designated as the Federal Government Service Delivery Lead under the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act.
The initiative, known as GSDI, is intended to bring the speed, efficiency and user experience of federal services in line with the best private sector practices.
In a message to all federal agency chief information officers, Barbaccia outlined three guiding principles: using proven technology and standardized design; breaking down bureaucracy to build for real people; and collecting and acting on business intelligence. For the Department of the Air Force, those principles align with ongoing efforts to modernize personnel systems, logistics platforms, training resources and other mission critical services.
“Every minute an Airman or Guardian spends navigating outdated systems or redundant processes is a minute they are not focused on the mission,” said Dr. Keith Hardiman, the Department of the Air Force’s acting deputy chief information officer.
“By adopting proven technology, designing services around the user and making decisions based on real data, we can make sure our information technology investments are performing and delivering actual capability to the enterprise.”
The Headquarters Cyberspace Capabilities Center, based at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, will play a central role in implementing the changes.
The center develops and manages enterprise IT services such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, mobility and data centers, ensuring they are interoperable and aligned with operational needs.
“Our mission is to deliver secure, standardized capabilities that work anywhere our Airmen and Guardians operate,” said Col. Chris Rubiano, the center’s commander.
“When we unify requirements and eliminate redundant systems, we give the force faster, more reliable tools — and that directly supports readiness while cutting costs.”
Leaders expect Airmen and Guardians to see gradual improvements, such as better interoperability, fewer logins and faster turnaround times for common applications. Feedback from the field will be critical to shaping those changes.
“This is not change for change’s sake,” Hardiman said. “It’s about improving user experience and delivering the right capabilities, at the right time, to the right people — so our people have the digital infrastructure and tools they need to fight and win.”
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4300016/air-force-space-force-join-federal-push-to-modernize-it-service-delivery-streng/
From Soldier to Guardian: honoring 50 years of service to the nation
Sept. 11, 2025
The U.S. Space Force honored Ed Mornston, associate deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, for his 50 years of combined military and civilian service during a ceremony, Sept. 3, at the Pentagon.
"Ed has spent 18,262 days — that's more than 438,000 hours — serving this nation," said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.
"He has been a gifted intelligence officer, a voice of reason and a leader whose balanced demeanor and mentorship have influenced generations of service members and civilians."
Mornston began his career in 1975 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1980.
Over the next two decades, he served as an infantry officer in both light and heavy units, including 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Army Staff and the Joint Staff, before retiring from the Army with a distinguished record.
After his military service, he transitioned into civilian intelligence leadership roles at several agencies, including the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Joint Special Operations Command.
In 2024, he assumed the role of associate deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence at U.S. Space Force Headquarters.
Saltzman presented Mornston with the Space Force's first-ever 50-year federal service pin, a symbol of his historic longevity and lasting impact. During his remarks, Mornston reflected on the meaning of his career.
"Service in the Department of Defense and intelligence community isn't just a job, it’s a calling," Mornston said. "It means standing watch over our nation, often quietly and without recognition, so that others may live freely and securely.
The real secret is persistence and always knowing your part of a team that pulls together."
Mornston expressed his gratitude for the support of his wife, Dr. Lisa Whitzig, and for the example set by his late father, who was an Air Force officer and an intelligence leader.
"Service comes in many forms and is often a family endeavor," Mornston added. Over the course of his career, Mornston has earned numerous honors, including the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished and Meritorious.
Presidential Rank awards, the DIA Director's Award, the MacArthur Leadership Award, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
As the event concluded, Mornston reminded attendees that the recognition represented more than one person's career — it was about a collective legacy of commitment.
"Today is not about me and 50 years," he said. "It's about us, and the thousands of cumulative years of service we represent. This is how we rise to the challenges we face."
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4299897/from-soldier-to-guardian-honoring-50-years-of-service-to-the-nation/