@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 👇
Reposted
Our November Newsletter is out!
Highlights:
🌎 8th Summit for Space Sustainability in Brazil
🛰️ Handbook for New Actors launched at APRSAF
🌐 Global engagements on space law, security & policy
Read more: bit.ly/4rfdHMf
#SWF#SpaceSustainability #SpacePolicy #SpaceSecurity
Highlights:
🌎 8th Summit for Space Sustainability in Brazil
🛰️ Handbook for New Actors launched at APRSAF
🌐 Global engagements on space law, security & policy
Read more: bit.ly/4rfdHMf
#SWF#SpaceSustainability #SpacePolicy #SpaceSecurity
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Our November Newsletter is out!
Highlights:
🌎 8th Summit for Space Sustainability in Brazil
🛰️ Handbook for New Actors launched at APRSAF
🌐 Global engagements on space law, security & policy
Read more: bit.ly/4rfdHMf
#SWF#SpaceSustainability #SpacePolicy #SpaceSecurity
Highlights:
🌎 8th Summit for Space Sustainability in Brazil
🛰️ Handbook for New Actors launched at APRSAF
🌐 Global engagements on space law, security & policy
Read more: bit.ly/4rfdHMf
#SWF#SpaceSustainability #SpacePolicy #SpaceSecurity
What exactly is an active defense against nuclear explosions in space?
payloadspace.com/germany-outl...
payloadspace.com/germany-outl...
Germany Outlines its Defensive Space Plans
Germany shared its strategy to maintain security in space—including how it plans to invest in space-based defense projects over five years.
payloadspace.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
What exactly is an active defense against nuclear explosions in space?
payloadspace.com/germany-outl...
payloadspace.com/germany-outl...
"the department is poised to brief members of the House Armed Services Committee this week to talk details in a classified setting. After publication, a House source said that the briefing could happen as soon as today."
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
Golden Dome implementation plan under review, Congress may get look this week - Breaking Defense
“I predict that what you're going to see is something that is far more… limited, both in terms of the number of threats that are feasibly able to be stopped, and also in terms of the area that [can be...
breakingdefense.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
"the department is poised to brief members of the House Armed Services Committee this week to talk details in a classified setting. After publication, a House source said that the briefing could happen as soon as today."
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
"Far Eastern Energy Company (FEEC) has restricted electricity supplies to the Vostochny Cosmodrome's second-stage construction site... The reason is the project's general contractor, PSO Kazan LLC, owing over 51 million rubles in unpaid electricity bills"
www.moscowtimes.ru/2025/11/05/n...
www.moscowtimes.ru/2025/11/05/n...
На космодроме Восточный отключили электричество из-за долгов - Русская служба The Moscow Times
www.moscowtimes.ru
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"Far Eastern Energy Company (FEEC) has restricted electricity supplies to the Vostochny Cosmodrome's second-stage construction site... The reason is the project's general contractor, PSO Kazan LLC, owing over 51 million rubles in unpaid electricity bills"
www.moscowtimes.ru/2025/11/05/n...
www.moscowtimes.ru/2025/11/05/n...
France has released a space strategy, which defines "priorities for ensuring autonomous and sustainable access to space...guaranteeing the resilience of our military capabilities...and promoting responsible international cooperation" www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/publications...
Stratégie nationale spatiale 2025-2040 | SGDSN
A l’occasion de l’inauguration du centre toulousain du Commandement de l’Espace (CDE) le 12 novembre, est publiée la nouvelle stratégie nationale spatiale.
www.sgdsn.gouv.fr
November 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
France has released a space strategy, which defines "priorities for ensuring autonomous and sustainable access to space...guaranteeing the resilience of our military capabilities...and promoting responsible international cooperation" www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/publications...
Germany has finally released its space sec strategy, which has three areas of action: identify dangers and threats; promote norms and principles for responsible conduct; & "addressing threats and challenges in space by developing its own capabilities."
www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles...
www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles...
Verantwortung im All: Erste Weltraumsicherheitsstrategie der Bundesregierung
Freiheit und Sicherheit werden auch im Weltraum verteidigt. Pistorius und Wadephul stellen Weltraumsicherheitsstrategie vor.
www.bmvg.de
November 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Germany has finally released its space sec strategy, which has three areas of action: identify dangers and threats; promote norms and principles for responsible conduct; & "addressing threats and challenges in space by developing its own capabilities."
www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles...
www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles...
Huh, I was in Türkiye literally last week to discuss space issues and it never came up that they'd created a Space Command
www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-e...
www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-e...
Türkiye's Space Command: Charting national path for space defense | Opinion
The country's Space Command boosts tech industry, military power and international influence
www.dailysabah.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Huh, I was in Türkiye literally last week to discuss space issues and it never came up that they'd created a Space Command
www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-e...
www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-e...
Reposted
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social will speak at the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Peace and Security in Outer Space, Nov 26–28 in Manila. She’ll join the panel “Threats to Space Systems: Risks to Stability and Sustainability.”
#SWF #SpaceSecurity #SpaceStability #SpaceSustainability
#SWF #SpaceSecurity #SpaceStability #SpaceSustainability
November 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social will speak at the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Peace and Security in Outer Space, Nov 26–28 in Manila. She’ll join the panel “Threats to Space Systems: Risks to Stability and Sustainability.”
#SWF #SpaceSecurity #SpaceStability #SpaceSustainability
#SWF #SpaceSecurity #SpaceStability #SpaceSustainability
I think that the Wolf amendment should be modified to allow for coordination for spaceflight safety but I think that Jacqueline is right here: "This debate may be happening in a think-tank setting, but there’s no evidence it’s happening on Capitol Hill." payloadspace.com/a-debate-on-...
A Debate on the Wolf Amendment
Necessary national security safeguard, or out-of-touch barrier to communication with a leading space power? That was the question at the heart of a debate last week on whether the Wolf Amendment is st...
payloadspace.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I think that the Wolf amendment should be modified to allow for coordination for spaceflight safety but I think that Jacqueline is right here: "This debate may be happening in a think-tank setting, but there’s no evidence it’s happening on Capitol Hill." payloadspace.com/a-debate-on-...
INTRIGUING: India is reportedly working on a milspace doctrine that will be released in "two or three months," as well as a national military space strategy
www.msn.com/en-in/news/o...
www.msn.com/en-in/news/o...
MSN
www.msn.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
INTRIGUING: India is reportedly working on a milspace doctrine that will be released in "two or three months," as well as a national military space strategy
www.msn.com/en-in/news/o...
www.msn.com/en-in/news/o...
"All three taikonauts wear pressurized suits during their descent to Earth, ensuring their safety...While a depressurization would degrade or ruin most experiments returning with the crew, they would remain safe."
www.china-in-space.com/p/replacemen...
www.china-in-space.com/p/replacemen...
Replacement Shenzhou-22 Spacecraft to Launch in a Week
To maintain Tiangong's scientific value, a new spacecraft will be sent up uncrewed.
www.china-in-space.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"All three taikonauts wear pressurized suits during their descent to Earth, ensuring their safety...While a depressurization would degrade or ruin most experiments returning with the crew, they would remain safe."
www.china-in-space.com/p/replacemen...
www.china-in-space.com/p/replacemen...
"The commission notes that Washington spent years avoiding the development of offensive space systems to sidestep accusations of weaponizing orbit." Wrong:
@swfoundation.bsky.social's annual report has 50+ pp detailing US counterspace efforts dating back to the 50s
spacenews.com/chinas-space...
@swfoundation.bsky.social's annual report has 50+ pp detailing US counterspace efforts dating back to the 50s
spacenews.com/chinas-space...
China’s space ambitions hit a new gear
China’s space ambitions hit a new gear China’s space ambitions hit a new gear
spacenews.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"The commission notes that Washington spent years avoiding the development of offensive space systems to sidestep accusations of weaponizing orbit." Wrong:
@swfoundation.bsky.social's annual report has 50+ pp detailing US counterspace efforts dating back to the 50s
spacenews.com/chinas-space...
@swfoundation.bsky.social's annual report has 50+ pp detailing US counterspace efforts dating back to the 50s
spacenews.com/chinas-space...
Macron: "we will deploy our first patrol satellites … starting in 2027 to monitor, inspect, and, if necessary, counter threats in orbit. These will be complemented by our first space-based action capabilities based on lasers and jammers" breakingdefense.com/2025/11/fran...
France announces almost $5B in new military space funding - Breaking Defense
Increased focus on defense is one of five pillars in a new French national space strategy announced by President Emmanuel Macron today.
breakingdefense.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Macron: "we will deploy our first patrol satellites … starting in 2027 to monitor, inspect, and, if necessary, counter threats in orbit. These will be complemented by our first space-based action capabilities based on lasers and jammers" breakingdefense.com/2025/11/fran...
This is putting it mildly: "Creating this nationwide shield will require overcoming a number of engineering and technical obstacles, as well as the potential response from Russia and China to what they may view as destabilizing technology."
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
Golden Dome faces challenges of size, scope and scale from every angle - Breaking Defense
Defending a country the size of the US from attacks such as hypersonics and drones creates major challenges.
breakingdefense.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This is putting it mildly: "Creating this nationwide shield will require overcoming a number of engineering and technical obstacles, as well as the potential response from Russia and China to what they may view as destabilizing technology."
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
New planning doc by USSF which calls for "military activities in space that can disrupt, degrade, or destroy enemy space capability. Critically, this must be achieved without generating hazardous debris that might imperil our own space operations."
www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article...
www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article...
www.spaceforce.mil
November 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
New planning doc by USSF which calls for "military activities in space that can disrupt, degrade, or destroy enemy space capability. Critically, this must be achieved without generating hazardous debris that might imperil our own space operations."
www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article...
www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article...
Reposted
“If there’s [an] activity or conflict that makes the domain complicated to work in, cluttered & difficult, that’s going to be a draw against your investment.”
~ @VSamson_DC @ IAF GNF Session - Success in Space Thru Security, Invest., & Sustainability
👉 www.youtube.com/watch
~ @VSamson_DC @ IAF GNF Session - Success in Space Thru Security, Invest., & Sustainability
👉 www.youtube.com/watch
November 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“If there’s [an] activity or conflict that makes the domain complicated to work in, cluttered & difficult, that’s going to be a draw against your investment.”
~ @VSamson_DC @ IAF GNF Session - Success in Space Thru Security, Invest., & Sustainability
👉 www.youtube.com/watch
~ @VSamson_DC @ IAF GNF Session - Success in Space Thru Security, Invest., & Sustainability
👉 www.youtube.com/watch
Reposted
#SWF will join UNOOSA’s back-to-back conferences Nov 17–20.
@chrisjohnson.bsky.social will present on Nov. 20 at the UN Conference on Space Law & Policy on “The Rescue and Return Agreement in Action.”
#SpaceLaw #SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability
@chrisjohnson.bsky.social will present on Nov. 20 at the UN Conference on Space Law & Policy on “The Rescue and Return Agreement in Action.”
#SpaceLaw #SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability
November 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
#SWF will join UNOOSA’s back-to-back conferences Nov 17–20.
@chrisjohnson.bsky.social will present on Nov. 20 at the UN Conference on Space Law & Policy on “The Rescue and Return Agreement in Action.”
#SpaceLaw #SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability
@chrisjohnson.bsky.social will present on Nov. 20 at the UN Conference on Space Law & Policy on “The Rescue and Return Agreement in Action.”
#SpaceLaw #SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability
Two things:
1. Impressive work by Slingshot
2. This underlines the futility of classifying the existence of satellites, Russian or otherwise
payloadspace.com/slingshot-sp...
1. Impressive work by Slingshot
2. This underlines the futility of classifying the existence of satellites, Russian or otherwise
payloadspace.com/slingshot-sp...
Slingshot Spots Uncataloged Russian Sat in MEO
A Russian sat spent five weeks in MEO without the US public SDA database knowing its whereabouts. Slingshot Aerospace found it.
payloadspace.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Two things:
1. Impressive work by Slingshot
2. This underlines the futility of classifying the existence of satellites, Russian or otherwise
payloadspace.com/slingshot-sp...
1. Impressive work by Slingshot
2. This underlines the futility of classifying the existence of satellites, Russian or otherwise
payloadspace.com/slingshot-sp...
So now the thousands of interceptors will need hundreds? thousands? of systems in space to protect them? Where does this end? And what a space traffic coordination nightmare
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
Golden Dome SBIs will need to be defended from adversary attack: Experts - Breaking Defense
The satellites will need to be defended "not only from adversary kinetic or local orbital issues, but also from cyber attacks, electronic jamming and laser attacks," said Patrick Binning, a professor ...
breakingdefense.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
So now the thousands of interceptors will need hundreds? thousands? of systems in space to protect them? Where does this end? And what a space traffic coordination nightmare
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gold...
Cats love overseeing metro transactions. Spotted in Istanbul's Sirkeci train station
November 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Cats love overseeing metro transactions. Spotted in Istanbul's Sirkeci train station
Reposted
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social will speak tomorrow at the 2025 EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference on “Strategic Competition Beyond Earth,” discussing space security issues. For more info, see bit.ly/3JHaW5G #SWF #SpaceSecurity
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social will speak tomorrow at the 2025 EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference on “Strategic Competition Beyond Earth,” discussing space security issues. For more info, see bit.ly/3JHaW5G #SWF #SpaceSecurity
Presented without comment. Spotted in Gallery Place metro today
November 8, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Presented without comment. Spotted in Gallery Place metro today