Spacecraft, Launch Vehicles & Satellites

WASHINGTON - The second Trump Administration has proposed to develop a"“next-generation missile defense shield" against nuclear and conventional attacks that it has called a "Golden Dome for America." Since the 1950s, Members of Congress have periodically debated the costs, feasibility, scope, and sufficiency of strategic defense systems that could limit damage to the U.S. homeland from a nuclear attack.

In these debates, some Members have stated that some of these systems could adversely affect U.S. security by destabilizing nuclear deterrence relationships with adversaries and/or by contributing to a competition in nuclear-armed missiles.

A new Insight report from the Congressional Research Service focuses on certain strategic stability issues that Congress may consider when providing oversight of or funding for Golden Dome.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12568

LEESBURG, Va. -- Trusted Space has acquired El Segundo, California-based Falcon ExoDynamics, merging mission-level command and control software with spacecraft-level autonomous flight systems for national security operations. Financial terms of the deal, which closed Thursday, were not disclosed.

The transaction combines Trusted Space’s intent modeling and battle management tools with Falcon ExoDynamics’ vehicle autonomy and proximity operations hardware and software. Historically, spacecraft navigation and mission orchestration software have been built in separate silos, slowing operational adoption. Linking these layers allows defense and intelligence operators to incrementally delegate authority to orbital assets while retaining human oversight.

Backed by a 2025 strategic investment from Washington Harbour Partners, the combined firm will maintain cleared facilities in Virginia, Colorado, and California to support classified programs for the Intelligence Community and the Department of War. Falcon ExoDynamics also leads the Handle Alliance, which develops an open bus-to-payload interface standard serving as a U.S. Space Force Modular Open Systems Approach pathfinder.

Source: Trusted Space
Associated URL: https://www.trustedspace.com/

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch and space systems, today announced a record quarter of Neutron launch contracts: eight missions across five constellation operators totaling more than $515 million, including several missions sold at an elevated base price of $70 million per launch.

· European synthetic aperture radar constellation manufacturer and operator ICEYE has signed a contract for three dedicated Neutron launches beginning from late 2028.

· U.S.-based satellite manufacturer and constellation operator Muon Space has signed a contract for two dedicated Neutron launches, one in 2029 and one in 2030.

· U.S.-based company Starcloud, which plans to design, build, and deploy data centers in space, has also booked a dedicated Neutron launch in 2029.

· These contracts follow on from a single dedicated Neutron launch booked by Canadian satellite communications provider Kepler Communications, which was signed in Q3 and recently announced, and a single dedicated Neutron launch for the United States Space Force under the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program signed in Q3.

Huge demand for Neutron ahead of its debut has grown its launch manifest to 16 missions, with the next available launch opportunities now in the 2030s. The base launch price is now $70 million, up from $55 million, reflecting strong customer confidence in and demand for the vehicle amid tightening launch availability across the industry.

Source: Rocket Lab
Associated URL: https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-lands-over-515m-in-neutron-launch-deals-from-constellation-operators-in-q3/