May 21, 2026

Peterson SFFB Needs More Room as Space Force Doubles in Size (Source: The Gazette)
As the U.S. Space Force prepares to double in size, Peterson Space Force Base is pushing to secure more personnel, operational space, and updated infrastructure. The projected personnel growth and ongoing operational demands at Peterson are reshaping base infrastructure and strategic planning in several key ways.

To accommodate this massive personnel increase, Space Base Delta 1 leaders at Peterson are actively evaluating building capacity. The base is aiming to optimize workspaces and make room for rising national security demands, even as the broader Space Command headquarters planning continues. Officials report that current facilities at local installations, such as Schriever Space Force Base, are maxed out, emphasizing the urgent need for new operational centers. The Space Force plans to reach a personnel milestone of up to 20,000 active-duty troops and civilians over the next five to ten years. (5/19)

Starfighters Space Expands Mu-g Technologies Partnership with Midland Facility Integration and Joint NASA Microgravity Response (Source: Starfighters Space)
Starfighters Space, together with Mu-g Technologies, announced an expansion of its strategic partnership. Starfighters will assist Mu-g’s flight test program for its Dassault Falcon 50 from its facilities located within the Midland Air & Space Port (KMAF), and the two companies are jointly responding to NASA’s Request for Information for Parabolic Flight Services. (5/20)

Amazon Leo Gears Up to Challenge Starlink (Source: Geekwire)
Amazon Leo is preparing for the commercial launch of its satellite broadband network, aiming to compete with SpaceX's Starlink. Amazon Leo has more than 300 satellites in orbit and plans to increase this to more than 3,200 by mid-2029. The project, initially called Project Kuiper, faced challenges in developing cost-effective customer terminals and optical laser links between satellites. Amazon Leo aims to provide high-speed connectivity, especially in remote areas, with downlink speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. (5/19)
 
Sandhoo to Lead Space Force Missile Warning, Tracking (Source: Breaking Defense)
The US Space Force has announced Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo as head of the new Missile Warning and Tracking Portfolio Acquisition Executive office. Sandhoo will also serve as the permanent director of the Space Development Agency. The office will oversee the Tracking Layer of satellites in low Earth orbit, the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared constellation and the Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking Medium Earth Orbit program. (5/19)

NASA-Funded Research May Create Chinese Security Risk (Source: Payload)
NASA has potentially funded or supported hundreds of scientific collaborations since 2015 that might involve Chinese researchers, a new Congressional report says. The House Select Committee on China’s report, released Thursday, says these collaborations may violate the Wolf Amendment, which is a law that prohibits NASA from working with Chinese researchers.

NASA and OSTP cannot use government money to collaborate with China or Chinese-owned companies under the amendment, unless Congress and the FBI authorizes an exception. NASA is at risk of violating the law, the report states. Academic coauthorships have “included entities within China’s defense research and industrial base, many of which are designated on publicly available US government lists identifying entities posing national-security risks.”

The report recommends creating a task force—composed of Department of Justice and NASA’s Office of the Inspector General officials—to scrutinize potential violations. It also urged NASA to “pursue suspensions and debarments” for universities who repeatedly violate the amendment by working with China. (5/20)

The Exploration Company Completes Nyx Test Model Vibration Testing (Source: European Spaceflight)
The Exploration Company has completed a series of vibration tests on a Nyx Structural Test Model (STM) to assess how the capsule will perform during launch conditions. Nyx is a modular space capsule designed to initially transport cargo to and from low Earth orbit destinations. Planned future iterations of the capsule are expected to be capable of transporting crews to low Earth orbit and cargo to the surface of the Moon. (5/20)

Starfighters Turns Texas Facility Toward Microgravity Flight Testing (Source: Space News)
Starfighters Space is utilizing its hangar at Midland International Air & Space Port in Texas as a staging ground for commercial microgravity flight testing. The company partnered with Mu-G Technologies to modify and test a Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft, and together they are jointly responding to a NASA Request for Information (RFI) for commercial parabolic flight services.

The Midland, Texas facility is acting as a hub for both flight testing and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification work. The joint effort directly answers NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's RFI, which aims to identify and rebuild commercial microgravity capability across North America. (5/20)

Australia's Southern Launch Aids Varda W-6 Capsule Re-Entry (Source: Australian Defence)
Southern Launch has announced the safe return of Varda Space Industries’ W-6 capsule to the Koonibba Test Range. The W‑6 re‑entry is the fourth capsule to land at the Koonibba Test Range in just over 12 months, putting orbital re‑entries on a path to becoming as routine as space launch. "Four capsules safely returned in just over 12 months is a proven, repeatable capability. Southern Launch has built the infrastructure and the expertise to make orbital re‑entry as routine as launch, and the W‑6 mission is further proof of that," Lloyd Damp said. (5/20)