Top Stories

Space Force Gives Sandhoo Dual Role: SDA Director and Missile Warning PAE Head

As of May 11, Brig. Gen. Gursharan Sandhoo is double-hatted as director of the Space Development Agency and head of the Space Force’s newly created missile warning and tracking Program Acquisition Executive (PAE). The Pentagon is consolidating SDA’s satellite programs under this new acquisition structure.

The move centralizes authority over proliferated low-Earth orbit missile warning architecture — the same constellation that feeds hypersonic and ballistic missile tracking data to warfighters — under a single acquisition leader. Satellite trackers watching SDA Tranche builds should note this organizational realignment may affect program timelines and contract structures going forward.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Pentagon Restructures SDA Satellite Programs Under New Acquisition Framework

The Space Development Agency’s proliferated LEO satellite programs are being pulled into a new Pentagon acquisition structure. The reorganization places SDA programs under a dedicated PAE rather than the previous arrangement.

This is the clearest structural signal yet that DoD wants tighter acquisition control over its missile-tracking constellation. SDA’s Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 satellites are already on-orbit and trackable — you can monitor the constellation directly in KeepTrack.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Portal Space Picks Quindar for Ground Support on Maneuverable Military Spacecraft

Portal Space Systems has contracted Quindar to provide ground mission support for its upcoming maneuverable spacecraft. Portal is targeting the military market with vehicles designed for on-orbit repositioning.

Maneuverable spacecraft complicate standard tracking workflows. Objects that regularly change orbital elements generate catalog maintenance challenges and can produce gaps between published TLEs and actual position. KeepTrack users following this program should watch for new NORAD IDs after launch.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Air Force Grounds Entire T-38 Fleet After May 12 Mississippi Crash

The Air Force grounded its full T-38 fleet following a crash on May 12. The service called it an “operational pause” pending investigation, with inspections expected to begin within the week.

The T-38 is the primary jet trainer for Air Force and NASA astronaut candidates. A fleet-wide grounding affects pilot pipeline throughput across multiple commands.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Pentagon Releases First Tranche of UAP Files — Experts Say Data Raises More Questions

On May 8, the Pentagon published its first large-scale release of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena records. Space.com consulted several researchers to assess the data.

The release covers historical case files rather than new detections. Analysts noted the data lacks the sensor metadata needed to draw firm conclusions about object characteristics or origin. For satellite trackers, the practical takeaway is limited — none of the released cases appear to involve cataloged space objects.

Read the full story: Space.com

Sweden Selects France’s FDI Frigate, Cites Russian Ballistic Missile Production Surge

Sweden has chosen Naval Group’s FDI frigate design for its next surface combatant. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated the acquisition will triple the country’s air defense capability, specifically referencing Russia’s increased ballistic missile production over the past year.

The FDI carries integrated air and missile defense systems. Sweden’s emphasis on ballistic missile defense capacity reflects the same threat calculus driving allied investment in space-based missile warning infrastructure.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Navy Clears MQ-25 Stingray for Low-Rate Initial Production, Contract Expected This Summer

The Navy approved low-rate initial production for the MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based refueling drone. A contract covering three aircraft is expected this summer.

The MQ-25 extends strike aircraft range aboard carriers without adding crewed tanker sorties. Boeing has been developing the platform under a 2018 contract. Three production aircraft will mark the program’s first hardware outside the test fleet.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Satellite of the Day

MOLNIYA 1-52

MOLNIYA 1-52 is a Soviet-era communication satellite that has defied expectations by remaining in orbit for over four decades. Launched on December 23, 1981, from Tyuratam Cosmodrome aboard a Molniya 8K78M rocket, this satellite was manufactured by NPOPM for GUKOS (the Soviet space command) and was originally designed for a service life of just two years. The Molniya series, named after the Russian word for “lightning,” became the backbone of Soviet long-distance communications and broadcasting, particularly for reaching high northern latitudes where traditional geostationary satellites were less effective.

The satellite operates in a highly elliptical Molniya orbit, an ingenious design that allows it to spend extended periods over the Soviet Union and northern regions. With its distinctive cylindrical body topped with six deployable solar panel arrays and a launch mass of 1,650 kg, MOLNIYA 1-52 represents a remarkable feat of Soviet engineering—having far exceeded its planned operational lifespan while continuing to relay communications across the vast expanses of the former Soviet territory. It stands as a testament to the durability of Molniya-class satellites, many of which remained active well into the 21st century.

Track this satellite in real-time: Track MOLNIYA 1-52

Upcoming Space Launches

May 20

• Agency for Defense Development South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV: Demo Flight

  • Demo Flight from Sea Launch (05:00–09:00 UTC) A demonstration test flight of South Korea’s solid-fuel small launch vehicle, launched from an offshore sea platform. Launch Preview

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Globalstar 2-R Mission 1 (x 9)

  • Globalstar 2-R Mission 1 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (12:04 UTC) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch nine HIBLEO-4 replenishment satellites for Globalstar into low Earth orbit. This is the first of two launches reconstituting the HIBLEO-4 fleet. Booster B1090, flying for its 12th time, will target a landing on drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. Watch Live Launch Preview

May 21

• Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II: GISAT-1A (EOS-05)

  • GISAT-1A (EOS-05) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad, India (03:15–07:15 UTC) GISAT-1A (GEO Imaging Satellite) is an Indian Earth-observing satellite that will operate from geostationary orbit to facilitate continuous observation of the Indian subcontinent and enable rapid monitoring of natural hazards and disasters.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-31

  • Starlink Group 10-31 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (09:26 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Watch Live

• SpaceX Starship: Flight 12

  • Flight 12 from Orbital Launch Pad 2, SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA (22:30 UTC) The 12th integrated flight of SpaceX’s Starship-Super Heavy launch system, and the first flight of a version 3 rocket. The mission will use Ship 39 and Booster 19. SpaceX will not attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster at the launch site. During the suborbital trajectory, Ship 39 will deploy 20 Starlink simulator satellites, with two designed to relay imagery of the Starship heat shield. Starship is a fully reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle with a liftoff mass of approximately 5,250 tonnes and a payload capacity of up to 100,000 kg to low Earth orbit. Watch Live Launch Preview

May 22

• Rocket Lab Electron: Viva La StriX (StriX Launch 9)
  • Viva La StriX from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (09:30 UTC) The ninth Electron mission for Japanese Earth observation company Synspective, carrying a StriX synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. The spacecraft will be deployed into a circular 572 km orbit at 44.8° inclination. Electron is a small-lift vehicle powered by electric-pump-fed Rutherford engines with a payload capacity of 300 kg to low Earth orbit.

May 23

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-37
  • Starlink Group 17-37 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Booster B1103, flying for its second time, will land on drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. Watch Live Launch Preview

May 24

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G: Shenzhou 23
  • Shenzhou 23 from Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921), Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (14:58–15:38 UTC) Shenzhou 23 will be the 23rd crewed flight of China’s Shenzhou program, continuing human spaceflight operations under the China National Space Administration. The Long March 2F/G is a human-rated two-stage rocket designed specifically to launch Shenzhou crewed spacecraft, featuring extended boosters for increased lift capability.

May 25

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-47
  • Starlink Group 10-47 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (11:41 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Watch Live Launch Preview

May 26

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A: Unknown Payload
  • Unknown Payload from Launch Pad 201, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (16:00–22:00 UTC) Details to be determined.

May 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-41
  • Starlink Group 17-41 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Watch Live

May 29

• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551: Amazon Leo (LA-07)
  • Amazon Leo (LA-07) from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (16:27 UTC) A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket will launch a batch of 29 Amazon Kuiper broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit. This is the penultimate Atlas V mission booked by Amazon as part of its Project Kuiper constellation, which aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity to underserved and remote areas globally. The Atlas V is powered by an RD-180 first stage engine and RL10 upper stage engine, with a LEO capacity of up to 18,850 kg.

May 31

• Rocket Lab Electron: The Grain Goddess Provides (iQPS Launch 7)
  • The Grain Goddess Provides from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (00:00 UTC) A synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS, continuing Rocket Lab’s dedicated small satellite launch services for the iQPS constellation.

Schedule Changes

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42: Status updated from Go for Launch to Launch Successful — this mission has been removed from the upcoming launch calendar.
• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 | Amazon Leo (LA-07): Status updated from To Be Determined to Go for Launch — this mission is now confirmed and has been added to the launch calendar, targeting May 29 at 16:27 UTC from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

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