Top Stories
US Military Ends the Defense Support Program After 56 Years
The Space Force has decommissioned the Defense Support Program (DSP), a network of geosynchronous infrared satellites that monitored nuclear missile launches since November 1970. Initially launched aboard a Titan IIIC rocket from Cape Canaveral, DSP’s mission has evolved from Cold War ICBM detection to tracking events like Iraqi Scud launches during the Gulf War. The final operational DSP satellite was retired in September. Its responsibilities will now transition to the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and the forthcoming Next-Gen Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation.
Army Stands Up Autonomous Warfare Command, New Acquisition Office
Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle has signed a memo to establish the Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM), aligning with Defense Secretary Hegseth’s new Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM). The memo also appoints a Program Acquisition Executive for Autonomy and initiates new structures for managing autonomous systems in various combat roles.
Falcon Heavy Flies First NRO Mission, SpaceX Lands Four Boosters in One Day
Falcon Heavy successfully launched NROL-97 for the National Reconnaissance Office from LC-39A. This mission marked the first NRO payload on Falcon Heavy after 22 Falcon 9 missions. It was also the first mission acquired through the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contract. SpaceX achieved a historic feat by landing four boosters in one day.
Omnidea Acquires Orbex Assets, Plans PrimeNEO Rocket
Omnidea has acquired Orbex’s UK assets and intellectual property following Orbex’s previous administration. They plan to develop the PrimeNEO rocket, an evolution of Orbex’s Prime small launch vehicle, while considering launch sites in Scotland and the Azores.
Rocket Lab Signs 20-Mission Electron Deal With Synspective
Rocket Lab has secured its largest launch service agreement—20 missions for the Japanese radar imaging company Synspective. This solidifies a robust customer relationship and supports Rocket Lab’s ongoing development of its Neutron vehicle.
GDIT Replaces President Amy Gilliland After Nine Years
General Dynamics Information Technology has named Paul Nedzbala as acting president, replacing Amy Gilliland, who led the division since 2017. GDIT specializes in cybersecurity, software, and networking solutions across various sectors.
Satellite of the Day
GOES 11 – Launched in 2000 for NOAA, GOES 11 operated as a geostationary weather satellite for 11 years before being moved to a graveyard orbit.
By the Numbers
- Active satellites tracked: 16,124
- Cataloged debris objects: 14,956
- New objects cataloged yesterday: 26
- Orbital launches this year: 238 (231 successful)
- Next launch: Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer A in about 47 hours (Oct 5, 08:17 UTC)
Catalog Watch
Space-Track recently cataloged 26 new objects along with updates to 29,091 existing element sets.
Reentry Watch
- STARLINK-1797 (46698) – predicted decay on Oct 3, 19:45 UTC
- STARLINK-4390 (53653) – predicted decay on Oct 4, 12:28 UTC
- STARLINK-1433 (45711) – predicted decay on Oct 5, 08:21 UTC
- STARLINK-1856 (47143) – predicted decay on Oct 5, 13:04 UTC
- STARLINK-4386 (53649) – predicted decay on Oct 5, 15:54 UTC
Upcoming Space Launches
Schedule Changes
- Newly added: Relativity Space Terran R | Mars Lander, Dec 31, 00:00 UTC.
- Newly added: ESA Themis Demonstrator | T1H-1, Dec 31, 00:00 UTC.
- Slipped: Falcon 9 Block 5 | Dragon CRS-2 SpX-35 from Oct 13, 10:33 UTC to Oct 13, 10:33 UTC; now “Go for Launch”.
Next 48 Hours
- SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 – SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer A from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (Oct 5, 08:17 UTC).
Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.
