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vsamsondc.bsky.social

@vsamsondc.bsky.social
1K followers 479 following 1.9K posts

Hates the humidity, loves cats. Works on space policy for @swfoundation.bsky.social, but opinions are mine, not my organization's. She/her

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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Andrew Parsonson @andrewparsonson.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
In a busy few days for EU defence-related space initiatives, the bloc approved a wide-ranging project that could involve up to €24B in investments, moved to strengthen its military space awareness, and revised its Space Threat Response Architecture. spacenews.com/eu-nations-b...
spacenews.com
EU nations back military space project worth up to $27 billion, propose shared tracking data
EU nations back military space project worth up to $27 billion, propose shared tracking data
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
How are Asia-Pacific countries approaching space sustainability and diplomacy? Join SWF & the Embassy of Malaysia on Oct. 13, 3–6 p.m. in Washington, DC, for a discussion on regional priorities and global cooperation. RSVP by Oct. 11: www.swfound.org/news/secure-...
Promotional graphic for an October 13 event on space sustainability and diplomacy, hosted by Secure World Foundation and the Embassy of Malaysia in Washington, D.C.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Me: there's "much more openness and willingness to talk about these sorts of capabilities, which just was not here even just a couple years ago...They're putting their money where their mouths are." www.axios.com/2026/09/30/u...
axios.com
U.K. prepares for orbital warfare
A key U.S. ally is advertising its growing space arsenal to deter Russia's aggressive space posture.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"McDowell has identified 17 small U.S. satellites as likely jammers; all of them were launched as secretive payloads over the past four years. These satellites are in geostationary Earth orbit" www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-...
scientificamerican.com
Weapons in space probably aren’t what you think
Elusive, satellite-stalking spacecraft could unleash space war—or help keep orbital peace
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Jack | China in Space 🐼🚀 🇨🇳 @china-in-space.com · 29/09/2026
Unless it slipped away from Shijian-21 at incredible speeds before returning unnoticed, it never approached the claimed Beidou satellite. Shijian-25 started to split from it at the end of 2025: www.china-in-space.com/p/china-appe...
china-in-space.com
China Appears to Have Refueled a Geostationary Satellite in World-Leading Test
Shijian-25 and Shijian-21 are no longer docked following what may have been a successful satellite-to-satellite refueling test.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Hmm - @planet4589.bsky.social says "Unless the US Space Force had been tracking the wrong objects, 'the rendezvous postulated in early 2025 could not have happened'" www.scmp.com/news/china/s...
scmp.com
Claims China’s BeiDou satellite was refuelled in orbit could change space race
Research papers suggest the historic operation occurred in February last year, a manoeuvre that could have military implications.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I guess this is one way to conduct counterspace operations bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Poland says fire at Starlink station is sabotage as Denmark warns of rising Russian threat
The satellite station is used in part to provide internet coverage to neighbouring Ukraine, the government says.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"The British military has been jamming or blocking satellites from other countries in order to defend itself from hostile threats, the BBC has been told. The RAF has been using a ground-based system for the past year" Not saying that this definitively is the US' Meadowlands but
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
David Burbach 🇺🇸 @dburbach.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
PBS NOVA will have an episode on Space Wars Oct 7th including me as an expert. Final boss for a science kid short of hosting the third run of Cosmos. I didn't make the trailer but I'm much more boring than @vsamsondc.bsky.social or @planet4589.bsky.social video.nhpbs.org/video/space-...
video.nhpbs.org
NOVA | Space Wars Preview | Season 53 | Episode 12
Inside the escalating military struggle to control space and the satellites we rely on.
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
SpacePolicyOnline @spacepolicyonline.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Make that 76! San Marino is the newest Artemis Accords signatory. www.nasa.gov/organization...
nasa.gov
NASA Welcomes San Marino Signing the Artemis Accords   - NASA
The Republic of San Marino became the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in the city of Rimini on Friday with NASA and U.S. Department of
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
SpacePolicyOnline @spacepolicyonline.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
And another Artemis Accords signatory: Côte d’Ivoire. That makes 75. www.nasa.gov/organization...
nasa.gov
NASA Welcomes Côte d’Ivoire as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory - NASA
“The United States and Côte d’Ivoire already cooperate on Earth,” said NASA’s Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “Today, we expand that partnership beyond
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Absolutely barn-burner by Steve Mirmina who argues that "The Moon should not be the Earth’s junk drawer" in "Lawful but Awful: U.S. Regulation of Commercial Activities on the Lunar Surface" papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com
Lawful but Awful: U.S. Regulation of Commercial Activities on the Lunar Surface
Commercial lunar activity is accelerating faster than the United States' regulatory framework can accommodate. The Astrobotic Peregrine mission exposed a regula
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#74 www.nasa.gov/organization...
nasa.gov
NASA Welcomes Croatia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory - NASA
The Republic of Croatia became the 74th signatory to the Artemis Accords on Wednesday during a ceremony in the capital city of Zagreb with NASA and U.S.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"According to Mulvaney, the decision was made by the previous Air University commander and forwarded by AETC under a requirement to cut civilian jobs across the Department of the Air Force." Solid decision-making going on here www.defensenews.com/air/2026/09/...
defensenews.com
Air Force, civilian staff dispute status of China Aerospace Studies Institute
CASI's director said the move will effectively end the institute, even as the service says CASI’s mission will continue.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Losing CASI is going to deprive us of analysis like this piece, which ID'd Chinese military writing that thought Luch could have been carrying an attack payload (prob a jammer) and GSSAP had the potential to jam in orbit warontherocks.com/is-military-...
warontherocks.com
Is Military Space-Based Jamming Normal? Some Worry It Is
Most open source researchers following the Chinese military space program are well aware of China’s perceptions of the U.S. Space Force and its public
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Golf said most of the interference JCO detects today originates on the ground. She expects that to change as more spacecraft operate in orbit and the military gains better visibility into radio-frequency activity in space." spacenews.com/space-force-...
spacenews.com
Space Force expands use of commercial satellites to track electronic interference
Space Force expands use of commercial satellites to track electronic interference Space Force expands use of commercial satellites to track electronic interference
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Shaw (former dep cdr of SPACECOM) on SBIs: "perhaps the least likely component of an overall new threat defense system" www.satellitetoday.com/government-m...
satellitetoday.com
Space Defense in 2040: A Networked, Weaponized, and Contested Frontier
In tomorrow's warfighting domain, the ability to see, decide, and act first may depend on constellations in orbit.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Herman said the Starlink satellites perform “20,000 maneuvers every single day.” He added that 1,000 of those daily maneuvers are to avoid collisions, “so the majority is either station keeping or orbit transfer.”" breakingdefense.com/2026/09/excl...
breakingdefense.com
EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX given unique access to classified DoD space tracking data, sources say - Breaking Defense
Commercial space monitoring firms are concerned SpaceX's ability to use the best DoD data could threaten the market, sources tell Breaking Defense.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"The MoD said the new squadron would act against those threats, using advanced technology, including electronic warfare, “to disrupt, degrade and deny hostile actions”. It is intended to support offensive and defensive space operations" 🤨 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
UK to launch military squadron to protect satellites in space
New RAF unit will warn of incoming missile attacks, and support offensive and defensive operations
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
No elements have been released for object 2026-024J, but new data is available for 2024-024H. I now believe that 24J and 24H were actually the same object, and 24J will eventually be deleted from the catalog (1/n)
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
First phase, called Epic 1 (sigh), to get fielded in 2028 are technologies "to deter a coercive decapitation or rogue nation attack against the homeland,” per Guetlein aviationweek.com/defense/miss... 1/2
aviationweek.com
Key Focus For First Golden Dome Rollout: Protect Leadership | Aviation Week
The Golden Dome air and missile defense program's first phase focuses on deterring a strike aimed at killing U.S. leadership and a limited attack by a rogue nation against the homeland.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I have been saying this!! "Despite a succession of breakthroughs in booster-recovery efforts in recent months, both on land and at sea, China has yet to reuse one – a stark contrast laying bare the gap between Beijing’s space ambitions and the challenges that remain." Link below
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Lisa Grossman @astrolisa.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
In reporting this, I learned that Russia launched a big space mirror in the 90s. Retrospective pieces c. 2015 were like "what a crazy, supervillain-y idea!" Now the idea is back, being taken seriously, and shining light (sorry) on the shortcomings of space law. 🔭🧪 www.sciencenews.org/article/refl...
sciencenews.org
Big space mirrors could bring Earth on-demand light — and upend our night sky
A space satellite that would offer light on demand has astronomers asking: Who controls the night sky?
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Early bird registration for #SWFSummit26 has been extended through Friday, Sept. 25, 9 PM MST. Join us Nov. 4–5 in Brasília for the 8th Summit for Space Sustainability—the first held in Latin America and the Caribbean. www.swfsummit.org/
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
What are ‘space weapons’, which US says it has deployed into orbit? aje.news/iag51m via @AJEnglish
aje.news
What are ‘space weapons’, which US says it has deployed into orbit?
The rare announcement from Washington is expected to raise alarm among allies and adversaries alike, experts say.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"The remarks this week by Washington's top military-space officials are part of "the increasing comfort level of the U.S. government to speak about aggressive actions in space" that has been building ​up in recent years, said Victoria Samson" www.reuters.com/business/aer...
reuters.com
US admission of orbital weapons seen as landmark moment in race with China, Russia
The U.S. acknowledgment this week that the Pentagon is operating weapons in Earth's orbit marks a landmark moment in space militarization aimed at ​deterring what U.S. officials describe as aggressive...
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"A U.S. official who spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity to provide additional context said that could include the military taking out an enemy’s satellite if it’s being used to target American troops or a U.S. satellite." 1/ wapo.st/3TygmVl
wapo.st
U.S. has deployed first space-based weapon, Air Force secretary says
The public disclosure follows years of warnings that China and Russia have been practicing offensive maneuvers in orbit.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"When asked if the Outer Space Treaty limits the military’s cislunar ambitions, Gagnon said it did not limit orbital operations. “The United States Space Force will continue to execute safe and responsible space operations in all regions of space and in all orbits,” he said." 🤨
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Current jammers are "the “Counter Communications System” — a large satellite-dish weapon fielded since 2020 — as well as a smaller, mobile model called “Meadowlands” in operation since July, and the even more mobile system known as the Remote Modular Terminal" 1/
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Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
So, USSF has space weapons now. In the current draft JSR, planet4589.org/latest.html , I describe a set of 17 USSF satellites that I am calling "USSF GEO Patrol". If @vsamsondc.bsky.social is correct that the space weapons are jammers, I think these are the likely candidates.
planet4589.org
Jonathan's Space Report - Latest Issue
Jonathan's Space Report | Latest Issue
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
“The United States stands to lose the most if space becomes a place of actual conflict, as we depend on it the most and have invested the most in it.” @vsamsondc.bsky.social, SWF Chief Director, Space Security and Stability, in Marcia Smith's SpacePolicyOnline.com article. 👉 tinyurl.com/mvc5nysj
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
"“We've talked about you know them being able to grapple a satellite and move it to a different orbit,” he said." Okay, the Chinese did that in *January 2022*, I don't see how that's suddenly a pressing concern www.defenseone.com/threats/2026...
defenseone.com
‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says
Russian and Chinese advances led to the revelation, Gen. Douglas Schiess says at AFA.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
"China stands for peaceful use of outer space and keeping it safe, and opposes any arms race in outer space or any attempt to weaponize it and turn it into a warzone. We urge the U.S. to stop expanding military build-up in outer space, and uphold global strategic stability"
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"Cost estimates placing the price for Golden Dome in the trillions of dollars are not reflective of the system actually being built, Guetlein said." Great, tell us what you're building so that estimates can reflect what is actually happening www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/202...
nationaldefensemagazine.org
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Thought DARC was circling the drain - USSF’s Gen. Stephen Purdy said in February 2025 that DARC might be one of the “slow” and “expensive” legacy systems that might be better replaced by commercial providers. Guess not? breakingdefense.com/2026/09/spac...
breakingdefense.com
Space Force picks Texas as US home for trinational DARC space radar network - Breaking Defense
The Space Force expects the US site, the third and final one in the multi-nation DARC network, to complete civil construction in 2029, and begin operations in 2030.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
More thoughts from me on this story 👇
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A lot has been made about his statement re: the US having weapons in orbit - rightfully so! - but this shouldn't be ignored: SBI "had moved from an initial contract to 'flight-ready hardware' in less than a year." I have a lot of questions about that! spacenews.com/u-s-has-depl...
spacenews.com
U.S. has deployed space-control weapons in orbit, Air Force secretary says
U.S. has deployed space-control weapons in orbit, Air Force secretary says U.S. has deployed space-control weapons in orbit, Air Force secretary says
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Me: “The US also now has to accept the Chinese and Russians doing/saying the same. I don't think that this is going to be in the interest of US national security.” US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals www.defenseone.com/defense-syst...
defenseone.com
US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals
Experts said the acknowledgment may lead to overt action by China, Russia.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I am truly touched & honored to be included in this group that @stimsoncenter.bsky.social has put together in honor of Brian Finlay. I can't make it in-person but I recorded a video sharing some of my memories of him. It will be live-streamed Wednesday at 3pm ET; link below to register
stimson.org
A Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating the Life and Enduring Impact of Brian D. Finlay • Stimson Center
Join us as we come together to celebrate and honor the remarkable life and legacy of Stimson Center President and CEO Brian D. Finlay.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
"The declaration was adopted by BRICS leaders on Saturday at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, being held from September 12 to 13 under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”." ddindia.co.in/2026/09/bric...
ddindia.co.in
BRICS Backs Peaceful Use of Space, Calls for Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space - DD India
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed the grouping’s commitment to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space and called for ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities and pre...
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Another interview I did on US-EU relations in space Trump says “The Moon is ours” as Europe debates its future in space | DW... youtu.be/FfylGgNn06s?...
youtu.be
Trump says “The Moon is ours” as Europe debates its future in space | DW News
YouTube video by DW News
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I really enjoyed this conversation, although as the token American, I was asked to explain the logic behind Trump administration decisions, which is a challenge to do. Whose space is it? Europe scrambles as US rules satellite race f24.my/C9N4.BS
f24.my
The Debate - Whose space is it? Europe scrambles as US rules satellite race
With the digital age came the scramble for minerals below and to master the heavens above. US President Donald Trump wants a thousand rocket launches per year and with SpaceX’s reusable modules leadin...
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
www.politico.eu/article/emma...
politico.eu
Macron’s space summit showed Europe isn’t ready for takeoff without the US
The two-day gathering in Paris left some observers disappointed.
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Today at the International Space Summit in Paris, SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social joins a discussion on threat perceptions in space. Learn more: tinyurl.com/2s4byc8r
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Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Today at #OS26, SWF’s @almuazcarate.bsky.social , @vsamsondc.bsky.social, and Peter Martinez will moderate panels exploring key challenges shaping international space security. #SpaceSecurity
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Let the fun begin at @unidir.org space security conference #OS26
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Starting right now!
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Kashana @kashana.blacksky.app · 07/09/2026
Possibly the most American news of all time
local12.com
Prison inmates donate more than $4,000 to pay children's school lunch debt
Residents at the prison contributed $3,810 of their own money, while Kansas Department of Corrections employees added another $457.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A German company has launched from Norwegian territory - is Norway now a launching state? www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
esa.int
Isar Aerospace achieves first launch to orbit from continental Europe
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
A thoughtful piece by @jessicawestphd.bsky.social: "We must ensure that risk reduction remains tied to prevention by resisting the normalization of dangerous capabilities and behaviours. And we must ask who is being protected from risk, and who is not." onfragileorbits.substack.com/p/interregnu...
onfragileorbits.substack.com
Interregnum: Finding Our Way Through the Now
A love letter to prevention, twenty years on
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