📰Top Stories

Space Force to Receive $26 Billion in Defense Funding for 2026

The 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill allocates a significant $26 billion to the U.S. Space Force, supporting its strategic initiatives and the “Golden Dome” missile defense project. The bill also redirects funding towards GPS enhancements while trimming down plans for the MILNET constellation. This funding move underscores the growing importance of space capabilities in national defense.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

US Space Force’s Historic Move Towards Satellite Disposal

For the first time, the U.S. Space Force has entered into a $52 million contract with Starfish Space to deorbit its satellites, marking an industry milestone in end-of-life satellite services. This pioneering effort aims to mitigate space debris by ensuring proper disposal of defunct satellites in low Earth orbit, aligning with broader space sustainability goals.

Read the full story: Space.com

AST SpaceMobile Joins Key U.S. Missile Defense Initiative

AST SpaceMobile has been chosen for a pivotal role within the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program. This involvement will see its satellite-based cellular architecture integrated into the U.S.’s advanced missile defense framework, reflecting a shift towards leveraging commercial technologies in defense systems.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

AI Integration in Space Force Training

Slingshot Aerospace has secured a $27 million contract to embed its AI technology into U.S. Space Force training programs. By incorporating the TALOS AI agent, the Space Force aims to enhance the realism and effectiveness of their orbital warfare training through advanced simulation technologies, preparing better for rapidly evolving threats.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Strategic Outlook for 2026 in Defense

An insightful look into the coming year highlights pivotal strategies and challenges that defense leaders will face in 2026. These include the impacts of technological developments and geopolitical shifts as they assess and plan for future military and space operations.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 1930
• NORAD ID: 18943
• Launch Date: March 11, 1988
• Mission: Military Communication
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: Unknown
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 1930 is a part of the Soviet Union’s Strela communications satellite system, designed to facilitate military communications and observation during the Cold War era.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 1930

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 60
  • Major: 15
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 45
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 1
  • Impact: minor
  • Activity: Moderate

• Impact Summary

  • Next 24 hours show no risk of radio blackouts.
  • No risk of solar radiation storms observed.
  • Moderate geomagnetic activity is expected, with minor geomagnetic storms anticipated.
  • Geomagnetic outlook indicates G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms due to CH HSS influences on January 22.
  • Radiation outlook indicates a decreasing chance for S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms through January 24.
  • R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts may occur with slight chances for R3 (Strong) events from January 22-24.

Long Term Forecast

• Forecast of solar and geomagnetic activity from January 19 to February 14, 2026 indicates that solar activity is likely to remain low, with possible R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) and a slight chance for R3 (Strong) levels due to returning regions.
• 10 MeV at 10 pfu proton events (S1-Minor) are expected at geosynchronous orbit on January 19-20.
• Greater than 2 MeV electron flux is anticipated to reach high levels on January 19-27 and February 12-14 due to multiple recurrent coronal holes.
• Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G1-Minor levels on January 29, with unsettled to active conditions from January 19-23, January 27-28, January 30-31, February 4-11, and February 13-14, driven by recurrent CH HSS influences. The remaining period is likely to be mostly quiet.

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

January 22

• Rocket Lab Electron:

  • The Cosmos Will See You Now (Open Cosmos Constellation Launch 1) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (10:15 UTC)
    First 2 satellites of UK-based Open Cosmos’ secure LEO broadband constellation designed to provide independent and resilient connectivity infrastructure for Europe and the world.

• Blue Origin New Shepard:

  • NS-38 from Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA (16:00 UTC)
    NS-38 is the 17th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 38th in its history.

January 25

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-20 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (15:17 UTC)
    A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 26

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • GPS III SV09 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (04:38 UTC)
    Ninth of ten GPS III missions.

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A:

  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (21:00 UTC)
    Details TBD.

• Rocket Lab Electron:

  • Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (22:45 UTC)
    The NeonSat-1A, carrying a high-resolution optical camera, is designed to test the constellation capabilities of South Korea’s Earth observation micro-satellite constellation.

January 29

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 6-101 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (04:00 UTC)
    A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 17-19 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (15:17 UTC)
    A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 31

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • BlueBird Block 2 #2 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (00:00 UTC)
    This mission will launch AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites, designed to deliver enhanced broadband services.

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