📰Top Stories

Space Force’s Strategic Roadmap Near Completion

The U.S. Space Force is finalizing its ‘objective force’ roadmap, underlining its strategic needs and goals. As detailed by Gen. Chance Saltzman, this plan is expected to guide the service’s development and acquisition programs with a formal release set for 2026. The roadmap will define the Space Force’s priorities, focusing on areas like advanced satellite communications and missile warning capabilities, which are crucial for national security and maintaining an operational edge in space technology.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Redwire’s Innovative VLEO Mission for DARPA

Redwire Corporation has been awarded a $44 million contract from DARPA for the Otter Very Low Earth Orbit demonstration. This critical mission aims to showcase innovative air-breathing technologies using the SabreSat design. It marks a significant step in VLEO exploration, potentially changing how satellites can operate in lower orbits with extended lifespan and reduced dependence on traditional propulsion.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Space Force Grapples with Rapid Acquisition Risks

As the Space Force accelerates its acquisition processes to enhance capabilities, a senior official stressed the need to balance speed with acceptable risk levels. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy highlighted the challenges of delivering ‘100 percent capability’ quickly, urging a refined strategy to manage these rapid acquisitions effectively while ensuring security and functionality.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Re-evaluating ICBM Management: Air Force vs. Army

Discussion is intensifying over shifting the management of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) from the Air Force to the Army. According to Todd Harrison from the American Enterprise Institute, this transfer could streamline operations and potentially lead to more coherent defense strategies. The idea reflects ongoing debates about optimizing military force structuring and accountability.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

AI-Driven Cybersecurity Threats and Solutions

Emerging threats from AI-powered systems, such as the Chinese-developed Claude AI, are prompting advancements in cyber defense technologies. Experts foresee a landscape where autonomous cyber defenders battle equally autonomous threats, marking a significant shift in digital security strategies. This move encourages deeper integration of AI into the military’s cybersecurity apparatus.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Lockheed Martin and Diehl’s Naval Defense Collaboration

A new partnership between Lockheed Martin and Germany’s Diehl aims to enhance maritime air defense capabilities. By combining technologies, this collaboration seeks to offer advanced solutions adaptable to various naval forces worldwide, representing a strategic advancement in cooperative defense technology development.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: IHOPSAT-TD
• NORAD ID: 44859
• Launch Date: December 11, 2019
• Mission: This satellite is designed for Earth observation, equipped with an imaging telescope payload to gather valuable data about our planet’s surface.
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: HERA
• Fun Fact: IHOPSAT-TD is a 12U CubeSat, showcasing the capabilities of small satellite technology in conducting significant scientific observations.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track IHOPSAT-TD

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 15
  • Major: 1
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 0
  • Impact: none
  • Activity: Low

• Impact Summary

  • No risk of radio blackouts or solar radiation storms in the next 24 hours.
  • Geomagnetic outlook indicates no G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms expected.
  • No significant transient or recurrent solar wind features forecast, ensuring stable conditions for satellite operations.
  • No active regions are predicted to produce flares that could lead to radiation storms.

Long Term Forecast

• Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity (17 November - 13 December 2025)
  • Solar activity is expected to reach R1 (Minor) levels on 12-27 Nov and 13 Dec, with increases to R1-R3 (Minor-Strong) on 28-30 Nov and 01-12 Dec due to flare potential.
  • No proton events are anticipated at geosynchronous orbit.
  • High levels of greater than 2 MeV electron flux are expected on specific dates due to coronal hole influence.
  • Geomagnetic activity will fluctuate from quiet to G2 (Moderate) levels, with G1 (Minor) conditions likely on 17 Nov.
  • Active periods are anticipated on various dates due to coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) influence.

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

November 21

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:
  • Unknown Payload from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (10:47 UTC)
  • Details TBD.

November 22

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-79 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (06:59 UTC)
  • A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

November 23

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 11-30 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (08:00 UTC)
  • A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

November 25

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G:

  • Shenzhou 22 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (04:01 UTC)
  • Shenzhou 22 will be launched without crew to replace the damaged Shenzhou 20, later returning three astronauts from the Chinese Space Station.

• Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center Angara 1.2:

  • Kosmos (Unknown Payload) from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation (13:00 UTC)
  • Unknown Payload(s) for the Russian military.

November 26

• Korea Aerospace Research Institute Nuri:

  • CAS500-3 from Naro Space Center, South Korea (15:54 UTC)
  • CAS500-3, a South Korean Earth observation satellite, will be used for space technology verification and research.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Transporter 15 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare) from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (18:18 UTC)
  • Dedicated rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.

November 27

• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1a:
  • Soyuz MS-28 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan (09:27 UTC)
  • Soyuz MS-28 will carry three cosmonauts (Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikayev, Oleg Platonov) and one astronaut to the International Space Station.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.