The last, best hope for space tourism just rolled onto a runway in Arizona

More in Space

• The top secret URSALA, RAQUEL, and FARRAH satellites

  Declassified National Reconnaissance Office records show that cold war electronic intelligence satellites transitioned from serving top national leaders to supporting tactical military commanders. Built by Lockheed, the compact spacecraft intercepted radar signals and gathered geolocation data while orbiting Earth from the 1970s into the 21st century. The effort fundamentally shifted how orbital surveillance directly assisted front-line army, navy, and air forces during global operations.

  30 min read
• UK plans robotic claws to pull dead satellites out of orbit in 2029

  Orbital congestion poses severe threats to essential global infrastructure, including GPS navigation, weather forecasting, and communications networks. Developed by the UK Space Agency and ClearSpace UK, the Active Debris Removal programme targets the high-speed junk currently crowding low-Earth orbit. The project seeks to establish a sustainable operational standard by showing that a single service vehicle can neutralize multiple hazards through controlled atmospheric re-entry.

  4 min read
• Putin salutes Musk's genius as Russia plays catch-up with Starlink

  Speaking alongside visiting African leaders, Russian officials acknowledged a massive technological disparity as Moscow works to establish its own low-orbit satellite communications network. Vladimir Putin confirmed ongoing coordination with American operators to manage orbital discipline, even as Elon Musk's constellation remains vital to opposing forces on the battlefield. The admission underscores Moscow's push to scale domestic alternatives while navigating complex space traffic and international tensions.

  2 min read