@vsamsondc.bsky.social
Hates the humidity, loves cats. Works on space policy for @swfoundation.bsky.social, but opinions are mine, not my organization's. She/her
Pinned
1/ Today SWF is releasing the 2025 version of our Global Counterspace Capabilities report, which tracks R&D, testing, & deployment of counterspace capabilities, edited by @VSamson_DC with editorial support by Laetitia Cesari.
swfound.org/counterspace/
swfound.org/counterspace/
It's out!! This monster has doubled in size from when we first started it in 2018; little did we know what we were getting ourselves into. Check out the 2025 edition 👇
"Reflecting on the “high-north, low-tension” cooperation enjoyed historically by Arctic nations, Jones acknowledges there are signs of strain, but she remains hopeful that cooperation will still be possible" via NATO and the Arctic Council
interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-...
interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-...
The Arctic Space Race Heats Up | January/February 2026
Geopolitical, economic, and climate change dynamics drive the need for better satcom capabilities in the strategic Arctic region.
interactive.satellitetoday.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:33 PM
"Reflecting on the “high-north, low-tension” cooperation enjoyed historically by Arctic nations, Jones acknowledges there are signs of strain, but she remains hopeful that cooperation will still be possible" via NATO and the Arctic Council
interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-...
interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-...
Track DC's snowplows here: citizeninsights.geotab.com#/dcsnowgov
Citizen Insights
citizeninsights.geotab.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Track DC's snowplows here: citizeninsights.geotab.com#/dcsnowgov
Reposted
"They say they're coming to save us from some evil? They're talking about our neighbors who take care of us ... Alex was murdered while he was helping. Mr Rogers said look for the helpers, & right now the helpers have a target on our forehead ... Mr Rogers would be here right now too, so I'm here."
January 24, 2026 at 9:14 PM
"They say they're coming to save us from some evil? They're talking about our neighbors who take care of us ... Alex was murdered while he was helping. Mr Rogers said look for the helpers, & right now the helpers have a target on our forehead ... Mr Rogers would be here right now too, so I'm here."
Interesting partnership by civil and military space orgs here: "ISRO and partnering firms will launch these satellites using indigenous launch vehicles. Once operational, the satellite constellation will be managed by the Defence Space Agency (DSA)." indianmasterminds.com/news/india-2...
Explained: Why India Is Investing ₹26,000 Crore in 52 Military Surveillance Satellites, Night Vision and AI Warfare - https://indianmasterminds.com
Learn about India’s ₹26,000 crore satellite armada programme to launch 52 advanced spy satellites with night vision by 2029.
indianmasterminds.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Interesting partnership by civil and military space orgs here: "ISRO and partnering firms will launch these satellites using indigenous launch vehicles. Once operational, the satellite constellation will be managed by the Defence Space Agency (DSA)." indianmasterminds.com/news/india-2...
"By dressing immigration enforcement officials in battle-ready attire, the agency encourages agents to understand themselves not as civil servants carrying out administrative law, but as frontline combatants operating in hostile terrain."
I wrote something for Politico about the real issue with Greg Bovino's overcoat. IMO, it isn't about whether the overcoat is tied to any particular regime, but about how immigration enforcement has become increasingly warlike in terms of strategy, discourse, and dress. 🧵
January 24, 2026 at 5:56 PM
"By dressing immigration enforcement officials in battle-ready attire, the agency encourages agents to understand themselves not as civil servants carrying out administrative law, but as frontline combatants operating in hostile terrain."
"DRDO has accelerated work on two advanced interceptor projects, AD-AH and AD-AM...The systems are being designed to deal specifically with highly manoeuvrable and ultra-fast aerial threats that can defeat traditional exo-atmospheric interceptors."
www.news18.com/india/drdo-b...
www.news18.com/india/drdo-b...
www.news18.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:21 PM
"DRDO has accelerated work on two advanced interceptor projects, AD-AH and AD-AM...The systems are being designed to deal specifically with highly manoeuvrable and ultra-fast aerial threats that can defeat traditional exo-atmospheric interceptors."
www.news18.com/india/drdo-b...
www.news18.com/india/drdo-b...
"SpaceX also revealed, for the first time, repeated encounters with other satellites. It singled out a Chinese satellite, called Honghu-2, as having more than 1000 close approaches with its Starlink satellites, likely because they operate in similar orbits." 1/2
January 24, 2026 at 5:06 PM
"SpaceX also revealed, for the first time, repeated encounters with other satellites. It singled out a Chinese satellite, called Honghu-2, as having more than 1000 close approaches with its Starlink satellites, likely because they operate in similar orbits." 1/2
Now this is the definition of praxis
I really want to hear the internal monologue of the ICE agents trying to escape their pursuers by running red lights, only to discover it doesn't work, because traffic literally stops to let us chase them
January 24, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Now this is the definition of praxis
"Crank said he has previewed the White House’s Golden Dome architecture in a classified briefing, but still awaits delivery of the architecture in a form Congress can begin to act on — even though it was expected by the end of 2025."
www.defensenews.com/news/pentago...
www.defensenews.com/news/pentago...
White House Golden Dome delays ‘frustrating’ to key lawmaker
Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Co., stressed that the U.S. must keep to its ambitious game plan regarding the missile defense shield proposal.
www.defensenews.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:16 PM
"Crank said he has previewed the White House’s Golden Dome architecture in a classified briefing, but still awaits delivery of the architecture in a form Congress can begin to act on — even though it was expected by the end of 2025."
www.defensenews.com/news/pentago...
www.defensenews.com/news/pentago...
"the goal of demonstrating an initial capability by 2028 and an “objective architecture” by 2035." and "In 2027, the program’s focus will shift toward integrating interceptors into that architecture, a task Guetlein hopes to achieve by that summer."
www.airandspaceforces.com/golden-dome-...
www.airandspaceforces.com/golden-dome-...
Golden Dome Czar Charts Two-Year Plan Focused on Command and Control, Interceptors | Air & Space Forces Magazine
The director of Golden Dome said Jan. 23 the program plans to demonstrate an initial C2 capability this summer.
www.airandspaceforces.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:12 PM
"the goal of demonstrating an initial capability by 2028 and an “objective architecture” by 2035." and "In 2027, the program’s focus will shift toward integrating interceptors into that architecture, a task Guetlein hopes to achieve by that summer."
www.airandspaceforces.com/golden-dome-...
www.airandspaceforces.com/golden-dome-...
Someone should let the Space Force know this
Pentagon no longer views China threat as top priority
Pentagon no longer views China threat as top priority
The document, a dramatic shift from previous administrations, reinforces many of the military moves already undertaken by the president.
dlvr.it
January 24, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Someone should let the Space Force know this
Reposted
in case you're curious about how angry Minnesota is about ICE, it was -20 today
January 24, 2026 at 12:38 AM
in case you're curious about how angry Minnesota is about ICE, it was -20 today
"According to Sun, China’s limited role in ending the Gaza crisis and “very little influence over the ending of the Ukraine war” were “a good manifestation” of the gap between its economic weight and security clout."
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry
As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.
www.scmp.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:14 PM
"According to Sun, China’s limited role in ending the Gaza crisis and “very little influence over the ending of the Ukraine war” were “a good manifestation” of the gap between its economic weight and security clout."
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
This is...interesting, because it's the exact opposite of the what the rest of USG has been saying about refueling allowing for dynamic space ops. Bratton: “I have not seen in wargaming the military advantage during conflict that refueling brings to space" spacenews.com/as-satellite...
As satellites become targets, Space Force plans for growth and a broader role
As satellites become targets, Space Force plans for growth and a broader role As satellites become targets, Space Force plans for growth and a broader role
spacenews.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:07 PM
This is...interesting, because it's the exact opposite of the what the rest of USG has been saying about refueling allowing for dynamic space ops. Bratton: “I have not seen in wargaming the military advantage during conflict that refueling brings to space" spacenews.com/as-satellite...
Counterpoint: it is not a tragedy
[Bratton on Space Force Guardians operating in space] “Where are we going with that? I don’t have the answer to that...It would be tragic if that didn’t happen someday."
www.airandspaceforces.com/vice-chief-s...
[Bratton on Space Force Guardians operating in space] “Where are we going with that? I don’t have the answer to that...It would be tragic if that didn’t happen someday."
www.airandspaceforces.com/vice-chief-s...
Space Force Vice Chief Says Service Should Be Thinking About Cislunar
The Space Force needs to craft a plan for cislunar operations, according to Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Shawn Bratton.
www.airandspaceforces.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Counterpoint: it is not a tragedy
[Bratton on Space Force Guardians operating in space] “Where are we going with that? I don’t have the answer to that...It would be tragic if that didn’t happen someday."
www.airandspaceforces.com/vice-chief-s...
[Bratton on Space Force Guardians operating in space] “Where are we going with that? I don’t have the answer to that...It would be tragic if that didn’t happen someday."
www.airandspaceforces.com/vice-chief-s...
"Etienne Marcuz points out that Trump has never spoken of also needing to take control of the United Kingdom...An early warning radar operated by the U.K.'s Royal Air Force at Fylingdales, in northern England, serves both the U.K. and U.S"
abcnews.go.com/Technology/w...
abcnews.go.com/Technology/w...
What to know about Greenland's role in nuclear defense and Trump's 'Golden Dome'
Greenland's strategic location makes it a focal point if there were to be a nuclear conflict involving Russia, China and the United States
abcnews.go.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:32 PM
"Etienne Marcuz points out that Trump has never spoken of also needing to take control of the United Kingdom...An early warning radar operated by the U.K.'s Royal Air Force at Fylingdales, in northern England, serves both the U.K. and U.S"
abcnews.go.com/Technology/w...
abcnews.go.com/Technology/w...
Reposted
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social was quoted as saying on the rapid growth of satellite constellations: “I remember thinking a constellation of a thousand satellites would never happen—that’s crazy big.” Read more of Victoria’s expertise at SWF: www.swfound.org/team/victori...
January 22, 2026 at 8:24 PM
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social was quoted as saying on the rapid growth of satellite constellations: “I remember thinking a constellation of a thousand satellites would never happen—that’s crazy big.” Read more of Victoria’s expertise at SWF: www.swfound.org/team/victori...
"SPACEFOR–SOUTH will work closely with U.S. Space Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Northern Command, the Air National Guard’s State Partnership Program and international partners to enhance interoperability and strengthen space domain awareness"
www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-A...
www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-A...
www.southcom.mil
January 22, 2026 at 4:22 PM
"SPACEFOR–SOUTH will work closely with U.S. Space Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Northern Command, the Air National Guard’s State Partnership Program and international partners to enhance interoperability and strengthen space domain awareness"
www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-A...
www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-A...
Good overview by GWU's Scott Pace of cyberthreats to space systems, unique challenges for space cybersecurity, and how to shore it up
nssaspace.org/wp-content/u...
nssaspace.org/wp-content/u...
nssaspace.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Good overview by GWU's Scott Pace of cyberthreats to space systems, unique challenges for space cybersecurity, and how to shore it up
nssaspace.org/wp-content/u...
nssaspace.org/wp-content/u...
We all have questions about this; me: “I think it's encouraging that Congress is saying ‘look if you want all this, you need to be able to have an open discussion about what it is and what you're trying to accomplish.’”
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
Where’s all that Golden Dome money going? Lawmakers want to know
Appropriations bill would give Pentagon two months to detail its spending on the sprawling missile-defense program.
www.defenseone.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:58 PM
We all have questions about this; me: “I think it's encouraging that Congress is saying ‘look if you want all this, you need to be able to have an open discussion about what it is and what you're trying to accomplish.’”
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
Beautiful piece @jessicawestphd.bsky.social about working in peace & sec: "Certain activities clearly count...Other forms of work such as translation, quiet prevention, relationship-building, experimentation, are harder to point to, and harder to fund." onfragileorbits.substack.com/p/its-okay-n...
It’s Okay Not to Run the Marathon
On endurance, success, and the actual work of peace and security
onfragileorbits.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Beautiful piece @jessicawestphd.bsky.social about working in peace & sec: "Certain activities clearly count...Other forms of work such as translation, quiet prevention, relationship-building, experimentation, are harder to point to, and harder to fund." onfragileorbits.substack.com/p/its-okay-n...
"the bill directs the Pentagon to submit a comprehensive spending plan for Golden Dome within 60 days after the enactment of the legislation... The department must also compile a separate budget justification book for Golden Dome starting in FY28"
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/fy26...
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/fy26...
FY26 defense bill boosts budget by $8B, largely bypassing last-minute $28B munitions request - Breaking Defense
Appropriators threw a lifeline to the Navy’s F/A-XX fighter and Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail programs while slamming the door on the Army’s agile acquisition request.
breakingdefense.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:26 PM
"the bill directs the Pentagon to submit a comprehensive spending plan for Golden Dome within 60 days after the enactment of the legislation... The department must also compile a separate budget justification book for Golden Dome starting in FY28"
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/fy26...
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/fy26...
"The U.S. should not trade adoption and leadership for a funding experiment that other sovereign systems will undercut with free alternatives. Keep basic safety free and fund public capability like the critical infrastructure it is."
spacenews.com/free-warning...
spacenews.com/free-warning...
Free warnings, better catalogs: the real fix for space safety
Free warnings, better catalogs: the real fix for space safety
spacenews.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:23 PM
"The U.S. should not trade adoption and leadership for a funding experiment that other sovereign systems will undercut with free alternatives. Keep basic safety free and fund public capability like the critical infrastructure it is."
spacenews.com/free-warning...
spacenews.com/free-warning...