@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 👇
For SBIs for Golden Dome: "Kinetic midcourse awards (hit-to-kill interceptors during the missile’s coasting phase) are expected in February 2026." www.defensenews.com/space/2026/0...
Space warfare in 2026: A pivotal year for US readiness
As the Space Force enters 2026 amid escalating threats from China and Russia, it faces a pivotal year as it transitions to full-spectrum warfighting.
www.defensenews.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
For SBIs for Golden Dome: "Kinetic midcourse awards (hit-to-kill interceptors during the missile’s coasting phase) are expected in February 2026." www.defensenews.com/space/2026/0...
"According to Indra Group, the space particle impact occurred at about 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) in altitude." I'm stuck on why the satellite was that far out ?
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
‘Space particle’ slams into Spain’s new communications satellite high above Earth
The extent of the damage to SpainSat NG-2 is unknown.
www.space.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:25 PM
"According to Indra Group, the space particle impact occurred at about 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) in altitude." I'm stuck on why the satellite was that far out ?
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
Reposted
Well it's surprises all the way till the very end of the year from Chinese spaceflight huh! This Long March 7A has successfully launched at 22:40 UTC with a pair of spacecraft named Shijian 29 A & B, for "demonstration of new technologies for spatial targets detection" purposes.
December 30, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Well it's surprises all the way till the very end of the year from Chinese spaceflight huh! This Long March 7A has successfully launched at 22:40 UTC with a pair of spacecraft named Shijian 29 A & B, for "demonstration of new technologies for spatial targets detection" purposes.
Reposted
Every time I see the issue of providing, sharing, or public SSA data I am reminded of a Dr. T.S. Kelso quote from years ago.
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
December 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Every time I see the issue of providing, sharing, or public SSA data I am reminded of a Dr. T.S. Kelso quote from years ago.
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
Reposted
This event does provide an opportunity for comparison analysis across SSA data sources: Government, Commercial, SupGP, etc. It could be a valuable case study providing insight for data sharing and open data discussions.
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
December 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
This event does provide an opportunity for comparison analysis across SSA data sources: Government, Commercial, SupGP, etc. It could be a valuable case study providing insight for data sharing and open data discussions.
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
#OpenData #SpaceSafety #CelesTrak #SDA #SSA #STM
Are the Chinese giving us the ride to the Moon because 2028 seems...ambitious, given how Starship is faring. Also this changes the directive to provide SSA data for free, instead saying that it should be available "for commercial and other relevant use"
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
ENSURING AMERICAN SPACE SUPERIORITY
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
December 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Are the Chinese giving us the ride to the Moon because 2028 seems...ambitious, given how Starship is faring. Also this changes the directive to provide SSA data for free, instead saying that it should be available "for commercial and other relevant use"
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
From the bird site; first time that this has happened to Starlink as far as I know
December 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
From the bird site; first time that this has happened to Starlink as far as I know
This is hilarious: "Investigations reporter Katherine Long tried to convince Claudius it was a Soviet vending machine from 1962, living in the basement of Moscow State University.
After hours—and more than 140 back-and-forth messages—Long got Claudius to embrace its communist roots"
After hours—and more than 140 back-and-forth messages—Long got Claudius to embrace its communist roots"
Gift link, probably the funniest thing the Wall Street Journal has done this year.
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
An AI agent ran a snack operation in the WSJ newsroom. It gave away a free PlayStation, ordered a live fish—and taught us lessons about the future of AI.
www.wsj.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This is hilarious: "Investigations reporter Katherine Long tried to convince Claudius it was a Soviet vending machine from 1962, living in the basement of Moscow State University.
After hours—and more than 140 back-and-forth messages—Long got Claudius to embrace its communist roots"
After hours—and more than 140 back-and-forth messages—Long got Claudius to embrace its communist roots"
Reposted
I take it all back we should absolutely let AI run the vending machines
December 18, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I take it all back we should absolutely let AI run the vending machines
Really cool visuals of how these RPOs work, but getting on my hobbyhorse about how language matters and describing all RPOs as "dogfighting" is inaccurate and inflammatory
(gifted link)
wapo.st/3MHJgi6
(gifted link)
wapo.st/3MHJgi6
Why U.S. and Chinese satellites are ‘dogfighting’ in orbit
U.S. and Chinese satellites routinely spy on each other in orbit, rehearsing for more aggressive operations in the event of war.
wapo.st
December 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Really cool visuals of how these RPOs work, but getting on my hobbyhorse about how language matters and describing all RPOs as "dogfighting" is inaccurate and inflammatory
(gifted link)
wapo.st/3MHJgi6
(gifted link)
wapo.st/3MHJgi6
"When looking at who is throwing their hats into the ring to win a piece of the program, it’d be easier to name the companies who haven’t made a Golden Dome-centered announcement this year." Isn't that the truth
Golden Dome: 2025 Wrapped payloadspace.com/2025-wrapped...
Golden Dome: 2025 Wrapped payloadspace.com/2025-wrapped...
Golden Dome: 2025 Wrapped
In 2025, Golden Dome captured the attention of the space industry. It drove hundreds of millions in venture funding, sparked the creation of new hardware (or at least new marketing specifically target...
payloadspace.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
"When looking at who is throwing their hats into the ring to win a piece of the program, it’d be easier to name the companies who haven’t made a Golden Dome-centered announcement this year." Isn't that the truth
Golden Dome: 2025 Wrapped payloadspace.com/2025-wrapped...
Golden Dome: 2025 Wrapped payloadspace.com/2025-wrapped...
Reposted
Our December newsletter is out! 🎉 Catch up on key insights, publications, and a 2025 wrap-up by Dr. Peter Martinez.
👉 bit.ly/3Y2u0yI
Don’t miss future updates. Follow our newsletter on LinkedIn to stay informed and engaged with SWF’s work.
#SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability #SpaceSecurity
👉 bit.ly/3Y2u0yI
Don’t miss future updates. Follow our newsletter on LinkedIn to stay informed and engaged with SWF’s work.
#SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability #SpaceSecurity
December 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Our December newsletter is out! 🎉 Catch up on key insights, publications, and a 2025 wrap-up by Dr. Peter Martinez.
👉 bit.ly/3Y2u0yI
Don’t miss future updates. Follow our newsletter on LinkedIn to stay informed and engaged with SWF’s work.
#SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability #SpaceSecurity
👉 bit.ly/3Y2u0yI
Don’t miss future updates. Follow our newsletter on LinkedIn to stay informed and engaged with SWF’s work.
#SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability #SpaceSecurity
"'the international community - especially major spacefaring nations such as China and the US - should step up cooperation and establish a data-sharing mechanism as soon as possible,' Wang noted."
www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/...
www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/...
www.globaltimes.cn
December 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"'the international community - especially major spacefaring nations such as China and the US - should step up cooperation and establish a data-sharing mechanism as soon as possible,' Wang noted."
www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/...
www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/...
Okay so at least we know now that Starshield has its own terminals: "The award includes seven Starshield terminals to be installed at the three Deep Space Network sites in Australia, California and Spain."
spacenews.com/nasa-to-test...
spacenews.com/nasa-to-test...
NASA to test SpaceX’s Starshield in pilot program
NASA plans to test SpaceX’s Starshield satellite network, designed primarily for national security users, to support operations of the Deep Space Network.
spacenews.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Okay so at least we know now that Starshield has its own terminals: "The award includes seven Starshield terminals to be installed at the three Deep Space Network sites in Australia, California and Spain."
spacenews.com/nasa-to-test...
spacenews.com/nasa-to-test...
"The French announcement explained that while the blue-on-bleu satellite rendezvous was the second conducted with the US military, it was the first jointly planned under Olympic Defender." Obligatory: sacre bleu!
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/fran...
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/fran...
France, US practice satellite moves under joint space war plan
It "illustrates France's ability to conduct dynamic and responsible operations to deter adversaries," the country's Space Command said.
breakingdefense.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:31 AM
"The French announcement explained that while the blue-on-bleu satellite rendezvous was the second conducted with the US military, it was the first jointly planned under Olympic Defender." Obligatory: sacre bleu!
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/fran...
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/fran...
Interesting how LeoLabs, COMSPOC, and Slingshot all have nothing to say about this
spacenews.com/spacex-claim...
spacenews.com/spacex-claim...
SpaceX claims close approach to Starlink satellite by payload from Chinese launch
A reported close approach between a Starlink satellite and a recently launched Chinese spacecraft highlights the challenges of coordinating spacecraft.
spacenews.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Interesting how LeoLabs, COMSPOC, and Slingshot all have nothing to say about this
spacenews.com/spacex-claim...
spacenews.com/spacex-claim...
"Sky's analysis, based on data from internet registry APNIC, suggests that one in five Starlink users (21%) are accessing the service from countries where the company has no licence to operate – such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iraq."
I've been working with the incredible Data & Forensics team over at Sky News for the last couple months on this analysis of Starlink's activities. Definitely eye-opening, and raises substantial questions over corporate accountability and rule of law:
news.sky.com/story/elon-m...
news.sky.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk's race for space
Elon Musk's race for space
news.sky.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
"Sky's analysis, based on data from internet registry APNIC, suggests that one in five Starlink users (21%) are accessing the service from countries where the company has no licence to operate – such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iraq."
Reposted
As 2025 winds down, prepare for what’s ahead in the space sector. 🚀 Explore SWF resources like the 2024 Handbook for New Actors, 2025 Counterspace Capabilities Report, and 2025 COPUOS Briefing Book to be ready for 2026. www.swfound.org/publications
#SpaceSustainability
#SpaceSustainability
December 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
As 2025 winds down, prepare for what’s ahead in the space sector. 🚀 Explore SWF resources like the 2024 Handbook for New Actors, 2025 Counterspace Capabilities Report, and 2025 COPUOS Briefing Book to be ready for 2026. www.swfound.org/publications
#SpaceSustainability
#SpaceSustainability
The pilot program will have two rounds of funding: "Up to $600,000 will be offered for each successful project, with a total of $1.8 million available over two years. The pilot will support a minimum of three projects."
www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gove...
www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gove...
www.beehive.govt.nz
December 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The pilot program will have two rounds of funding: "Up to $600,000 will be offered for each successful project, with a total of $1.8 million available over two years. The pilot will support a minimum of three projects."
www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gove...
www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gove...
"Space Force now sees the surveillance and reconnaissance missions as requiring separate assets: surveillance as “scanning the environment;” reconnaissance as “closer in” viewing of specific objects with the aim of “informing the kill chain.”" 1/2
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/spac...
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/spac...
Space Force will not partner with NRO for next-generation surveillance satellites - Breaking Defense
Interested firms have until Jan. 9 to respond to a Space Force request for information about new wide-field-of-view cameras for a SILENTBARKER replacement constellation.
breakingdefense.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
"Space Force now sees the surveillance and reconnaissance missions as requiring separate assets: surveillance as “scanning the environment;” reconnaissance as “closer in” viewing of specific objects with the aim of “informing the kill chain.”" 1/2
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/spac...
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/spac...