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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
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
On Oct. 20, SWF’s Ian Christensen will co-facilitate “The Road to Sustainability” at NeoSpace Europe 2026 in Luxembourg, alongside Muriel Hooghe of the Luxembourg Space Agency. Learn more: www.swfound.org/news/ian-chr...
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
As always, Jessica doing the heavy lifting for the rest of us. But this bit by the US saying Russia placed weapons in space as early as 2007 confuses me; maybe they misspoke and meant the 2017 activities of Cosmos 2519/2521/2523? (read about it here: www.swfound.org/publications...)
swfound.org
Secure World Foundation: 2026 Global Counterspace Capabilities Report
The 2026 report reveals growing global counterspace capabilities and urges public awareness of the risks of space conflict.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
"nearly two years after Trump ordered development of a new homeland missile-defense system, lawmakers are still struggling to establish what Golden Dome will defend, how much protection it will provide and how much it will ultimately cost." spacenews.com/what-will-go...
spacenews.com
What will Golden Dome actually defend? Senators press for answers
What will Golden Dome actually defend? Senators press for answers What will Golden Dome actually defend? Senators press for answers
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
#IAC2026 is underway in Antalya! SWF staff are participating throughout the week in discussions on space security, sustainability, debris mitigation, emerging space nations & international cooperation. Connect with our team: www.swfound.org/events/secur...
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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
Secure World Foundation @swfoundation.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
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 October 11 to rsvpembassymalaysiadc@gmail.com.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
www.thetravel.com/united-airli...
thetravel.com
United Airlines Flights Hit By GPS Jamming Flying Over The Same Major U.S. Airspace
Officials are investigating the cause.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Excited to see this (disclosure: was interviewed for it so I might show up in some of it): “Space Wars” premieres Wednesday, October 7 at 9pm ET on PBS and online ➡️ to.pbs.org/4z1sld9
to.pbs.org
Space Wars
Inside the escalating military struggle to control space and the satellites we rely on.
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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
"in December 2025, it was reported that Meadowlands had been made eligible to be sold to allies through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program" - from @SWFoundation's 2026 counterspace report Story from: www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
UK military jamming other nations' satellites to defend itself, BBC told
The head of the RAF says the UK faces "unprecedented threats" from adversaries in space, as a new unit is created to defend Britain's satellites.
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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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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Ha I'm sure your comments were very insightful
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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 · 22/09/2026
Yeah that's not a minor detail
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It is wild when all you hear is that China is our pacing threat to think knowing less about it is a good thing
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
EVERY TIME
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Yeah, I'm not trying to downplay this, but a lot of people assume that landing a LV means that they have proven they can reuse an LV, and one does not automatically mean the other
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
GMD system is literally designed to defend against a limited ICBM attack by a rogue nation so ✅. Aiming high there. And defending against a decap attack would probably mean THAAD/Aegis/PAC-3 around DC. Bet they're wishing they hadn't burned so many systems in Iran 2/2
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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
From www.scmp.com/tech/tech-tr...
scmp.com
In Focus | China’s rocket recovery was a space race milestone. Is a relaunch within reach?
SpaceX might have a head start in reusable rockets, but Chinese commercial space companies are exploring ways to catch up in the cost-saving tech.
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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
😢
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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
Uh the US uses our satellites all the time to target objects as part of conflict; we really don't want to pull on that particular thread /2
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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
www.defenseone.com/threats/2026...
defenseone.com
The Pentagon must prepare for battles around the moon: Joint Chiefs chair
Days after orbital weapons were revealed, Gen. Dan Caine ups the scope of the military’s desired reach.
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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
The rest of the Bloomberg article can be found here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article... /3
bloomberg.com
New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China
The revelation by the Air Force this week that the US now has a weapon in space stoked speculation — but few answers — about the weapon’s capability.
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vsamsondc.bsky.social @vsamsondc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
To learn more about the US' acknowledged current, non-space jammers, obligatory plug for @swfoundation.bsky.social's annual counterspace threat assessment, which can be found here: www.swfound.org/publications... 2/
swfound.org
Secure World Foundation: 2026 Global Counterspace Capabilities Report
The 2026 report reveals growing global counterspace capabilities and urges public awareness of the risks of space conflict.
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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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Reposted by @vsamsondc.bsky.social
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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