Britain into space: the first vertical rocket is ready to launch from its native land

What a turnaround — the UK is finally taking its first real step into space from its own territory. The aviation safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has officially granted permission for the country's first vertical rocket launch. And this is not some kind of scientific experiment, but a full-fledged commercial mission by a domestic company from the British cosmodrome.

The green light was given to Skyrora, a Glasgow—based company that has been working for several years to create environmentally friendly and inexpensive rockets for launching small satellites into orbit. Now they have official permission to launch their Skylark L rocket from the SaxaVord spaceport located in the Shetland Islands, the northernmost territories of the UK, where the wind blows stronger than anywhere else and the sky is almost always open.

What is Skylark L?

It is a suborbital rocket with a height of about 10 meters, capable of lifting a payload of up to 40 kg to an altitude of up to 1000 km. It uses environmentally friendly fuels based on hydrogen peroxide and kerosene, which makes it one of the cleanest in its class. Although Skylark L does not launch satellites into orbit (it requires a more powerful rocket), it is ideal for:

- Scientific experiments in microgravity.

- Testing new technologies in space.

- Fast and inexpensive launches for startups and universities.

Why is this historical?

Yes, the UK has already launched satellites, but always from other spaceports: from Baikonur, in Florida, to Kourou. And in 1971, when the Black Arrow rocket launched the Prospero satellite into orbit, it was the only launch from British soil — and it has not been repeated since. Then the program was shut down, and the country simply bought services from the United States and others.

Now, more than 50 years later, the UK is returning to the game — but in a new role: not as a superpower with nuclear missiles, but as an innovative player in the small launch industry.

What about the spaceport?

SaxaVord is a private spaceport under construction on the island of Unst, the northernmost of the inhabited Shetland Islands. This is an ideal place for launches: few people, minimal air traffic, and direct access to northern orbits, which are especially in demand for Earth remote sensing and meteorological observation satellites.

In addition to Skyrora, other companies are planning their launches, including Orbex and Saxon Space. SaxaVord is positioned as the European answer to the spaceports in New Zealand and Cape Canaveral.

What about the regulator?

A CAA permit is not just a piece of paper. It means that all aspects of safety — for people, the environment and air traffic — have been thoroughly checked. The CAA evaluated:

- Flight paths of the rocket.

- Emergency shutdown systems.

- Evacuation and emergency response plans.

- Environmental impact.

Now Skyrora can set a launch date — and, according to rumors, it could take place as early as the fall of 2025.

What does this mean for Britain?

This is the beginning of a new era. If everything goes well, the UK will be able to:

- To attract investments in the space sector.

- Create high-tech jobs in remote regions.

- Become independent from foreign spaceports.

And for Skyrora, this is a chance to enter the global small start—up market, which is now being actively explored by companies from the USA, New Zealand and Japan.

Interestingly, Skyrora was founded by Vitaly Artemyev, a native of Belarus. And it was the British innovation support system that allowed him to realize his dream. Now his rocket, assembled in Scotland, with British funding and permission, will become a symbol that a small country can reach great heights — literally.

Japan and 9 countries train together to defend space: international space defense exercises in Australia

 

The Japan Air Self-Defense Forces took part in a large international command and staff training on space defense, which took place in Australia. It was attended by representatives of 10 countries, all with the common goal of strengthening friendship and cooperation in protecting space from threats.

The main idea of these exercises is to work out a joint response to any problems in space that may disrupt the operation of satellites, communications and navigation. During the training, the countries exchanged experiences and identified all the weaknesses in order to work as a single mechanism in the face of a real threat.

This is a very important event for Japan, because now space has become very complex and even dangerous — there are many satellites, and there is a risk that someone may use space for military or cyber purposes. By working together with other countries, solutions can be found and defended faster.

During the exercises, they worked out models of real threats: how to disrupt communications, how to protect themselves from cyber attacks on satellite control. Experts from various fields worked with the participants, from space surveillance to system protection.

Such cooperation is necessary now, because a lot depends on satellites in the army and in civilian life. The better countries are friends and help each other, the safer space and, in general, the planet becomes.

For Japan, participating in such events is a way to gain valuable experience working together and show everyone that it is a serious player in global security and is ready to protect our common interests together with its allies.

France has opened the country's first space base in Toulouse for military operations in space

France has taken a historic step in developing its space capabilities by opening the country's first BA 101 space airbase in Toulouse. This base has become an important element of the expansion of the Commandement de l'Espace (CDE) program, the space operations command responsible for French military operations and the protection of national interests in space.

The significance of the opening of the BA 101 space base

- Military strategic development: The creation of a separate space base reflects the growing importance of outer space as a new theater of military operations, where France is seeking to strengthen its position.

- Support for the CDE program: The base will become a center for the management and coordination of space operations, including satellite monitoring, protection of space assets and countering threats from outer space.

- Technological leadership: Toulouse, as the center of the French aerospace industry, provides access to advanced technologies and qualified specialists.

The role of space operations in modern defense

- Protection of national satellites: Ensuring the safety of communications, navigation and reconnaissance satellites is becoming a priority for national security.

- Intelligence and surveillance: Space assets allow you to obtain important information about potential threats and respond promptly to them.

- Support for land and sea operations: Space infrastructure enhances the ability to coordinate and manage military operations in other theaters.

Prospects for the development of French space defense

- Infrastructure expansion: It is planned to further develop the base and create additional facilities to support growing tasks.

-International cooperation: France intends to strengthen cooperation with its NATO and European Union allies in the field of space security.

- Innovation and training: Special attention is paid to the development of new technologies and the training of specialists to work in outer space.

The opening of the BA 101 space base in Toulouse marks a new stage in the development of France's defense capabilities, underscoring the importance of space as a strategic area in modern security.

Trump announced the creation of the $175 billion Golden Dome space missile defense system

 

President of the USA D. Trump on Tuesday announced the concept he wants to see in his future Golden Dome missile defense program, a multi—tiered $175 billion system that will launch American weapons into space for the first time.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that, according to his expectations, the system will be "fully operational by the end of my term," which ends in 2029, and will be able to intercept missiles, "even if they are launched from space." Most likely, by this point, the complex system will already have some initial capabilities, said a U.S. official familiar with the program.

Trump also announced that General Michael Getlein, who currently holds the position of Deputy Chief of Space Operations, will be responsible for overseeing the construction of the Golden Dome.

The US military is strengthening satellite communications: 12 companies are involved in the hybrid space architecture program

The United States Department of Defense Innovation (DIU) has announced the selection of 12 private companies to participate in its Hybrid Space Architecture (HSA) program. The goal of the program is to create a secure communications network combining military and commercial satellites to provide a more stable, flexible and high—performance communications system for the needs of the Ministry of Defense.

Demonstration tests will begin as early as in the summer of 2025 and will be conducted jointly with a number of key Pentagon structures, including Space Systems Command and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. The program is aimed at integrating commercial technologies into military infrastructure, which should increase the bandwidth, security and fault tolerance of communication systems in combat and hybrid warfare.

It is expected that thanks to HSA, the military will be able to quickly reallocate communications resources, minimize vulnerabilities to enemy counteraction, and take advantage of rapidly developing civilian space technologies.

The involvement of the private sector in the project underscores the strategic commitment of the United States to accelerate innovation in the defense sector, especially in the critical areas of space security and communications.

China demonstrates hypersonic technology: defeating global targets in 30 minutes

 

China has claimed significant success in developing hypersonic weapons capable of reaching any point on the planet in less than half an hour. According to Chinese military researchers, the latest hypersonic missiles can reach speeds of up to  Mach 20, which is approximately 13,000 miles per hour, and at the same time be launched from various platforms — from ground-based launchers to satellites in space.

According to a recent report, specialists from the People's Liberation Army Missile Forces of China emphasized that the key element of this technology are gliding combat modules capable of maneuvering at supersonic speeds and accurately hitting targets. Such warheads can be integrated into various delivery systems, including spacecraft, making them potentially difficult for missile defense systems to intercept.

Of particular interest is the possibility of launching rockets from space, which opens up new horizons in the field of strategic strikes. This approach avoids traditional ballistic missile routes and reduces trajectory predictability, creating serious challenges for existing detection and interception systems.

It is reported that these technologies are at the stage of active testing and improvement. If the information is confirmed, this could lead to a significant change in the balance of power in the global defense strategy.

13 countries have joined the Russian-Chinese lunar station project

The initiative of Russia and China to create an International Scientific Lunar Station (ISS) is being actively implemented, said Dmitry Bakanov, CEO of Roscosmos. According to him, 13 countries have joined the project, including those from BRICS.

Bakanov raised this issue at a meeting of the heads of space agencies of the BRICS countries, TASS reports. He listed the countries with which cooperation is underway on the project: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Venezuela, Djibouti, Egypt, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Senegal, Serbia, Thailand, Ethiopia, South Africa.

In June 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed a law on ratification of the agreement with the Chinese government on cooperation in the creation of the MNLS. An agreement on the creation and operation of a station for the exploration and use of the Moon was signed between Moscow and Beijing in November 2022.

Earlier, Roscosmos reported that Russia, together with China, is going to send a nuclear power plant to the lunar station, and its development is underway. It is assumed that the installation will first be tested on Earth, and its sending to the Moon is planned after 2036. In addition, preliminary plans for the station include the construction of a nuclear power plant on the surface of the moon.

The US Pentagon reveals information about UFOs

 Disclosure of information on UFOs by the US Pentagon.

The Pentagon won't actually show you any real UFOs or humanoids.

instead, they will, under the guise of UFOs, show the public real vehicles that are man-made and are flying vehicles using extraterrestrial technologies, and some of these machines from the secret space program of mankind-that is, man-made.

Most likely, the solar warden spacecraft from the Human space fleet will be shown, which is also very cool.

Autonomous unmanned vehicles powered by artificial intelligence will also be shown as top-secret drones, also with ufo sauce.

-All man-made drones are triangular and pilotless. 

Since they are maneuverable, these machines have a high maneuvering load and high speeds, and they are all unmanned.

People can't stand such overloads.

South Korea launches new military spy satellite

 

South Korea's defense ministry said Seoul has launched a new military spy satellite from the U.S. space base at Cape Canaveral in Florida using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

The satellite is a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that works by sending microwave signals to Earth, which are then reflected back, creating a detailed radar image, although it looks different from the satellite images we are used to seeing.

Unlike satellites that use optical cameras, SAR satellites do not need a light source such as the sun, so they can operate at night. They are immune to weather conditions that can obscure optical satellite images.

Chinese Navy deploys new Liaowan-1 space tracking ship

 Liaovan-1

The Chinese Navy has deployed its new next—generation space tracking ship, Liaowang-1. This ship marks a significant leap in the projection of China's maritime power and space surveillance capabilities. 

The main characteristics of Liaovan-1

- Purpose: To monitor space objects, including satellites, rockets and missile tests, as well as to support Chinese military satellites such as the Beidou Navigation System.

- Radar systems: The ship is equipped with advanced radars and high-gain antennas, designed with an emphasis on functionality.

- Mobility: Liaowan-1 can operate in international waters, allowing China to expand its strategic flexibility.

Liaowan-1 is the successor to the Yuan Wang class ships, which have been in service since 1977. This ship marks the beginning of a new era in China's strategy to integrate naval operations with space military support. 

The US Space Force has announced a long-awaited contract for national security missile launches

On Friday evening, the US Space Force announced the conclusion of a long-awaited contract for the launch of national security missiles. The contract is worth about $14 billion, and it distributes missions between three leading companies: Blue Origin, SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance (ULA). This contract is known as "Band 2" of the third phase of the National Space Launch Safety Program (NSSL).

Contract Details

The contract is a fixed price with an unlimited delivery time. The missions will be distributed to launch service providers in batches over a five-year period starting in fiscal year 2025. A total of 54 launches are planned, distributed as follows: SpaceX will receive 28 launches worth $ 5.9 billion, ULA — 19 launches worth $ 5.3 billion, and Blue Origin — 7 launches worth $ 2.3 billion.

Program objectives

The goal of the NSSL program is to provide reliable and sustainable access to space to meet national security objectives. These missions include launches of sophisticated orbiters such as communications and missile attack warning systems. The launches will begin in 2027 and last until 2032.

The value of the contract

This contract is an important step in the development of the US space program. It confirms SpaceX's dominant position in the launch market, as well as opens up new opportunities for Blue Origin and ULA. The inclusion of Blue Origin in the NSSL program for the first time demonstrates the growing competition in the American space launch market.

US satellites are at risk of being attacked in the event of a war with China, the head of the US space industry has warned

 

The head of space operations of the US Armed Forces, General Chance Soltzman, warned that US satellites risk being attacked in the event of a war with China. During his speech to the U.S. Congress, Soltzman described China's rapid development of space capabilities as “amazing” and stressed that the United States is losing its dominance in space.

Soltzman pointed out that China is actively investing in ground-based and space-based weapons designed to disable enemy satellites. Among them are kinetic strikes, radio frequency interference and laser weapons. In addition, China is developing missiles and ground-based lasers capable of hitting satellites from Earth. Soltzman also mentioned that China is testing satellites capable of “catching up” and physically removing other satellites from orbit.

In addition, China is building “networks of destruction” using hundreds of satellites to detect, track and defeat forces on the Ground. This means that the United States cannot limit itself to protecting its satellites, but must also develop systems capable of neutralizing the use of Chinese space assets.

However, the budget of the US Space Force has been reduced in absolute terms, while space is becoming an increasingly contested military area. Soltzman stressed that the US Space Force is not sufficiently funded to carry out new missions. For example, the United States does not have operational quantum satellites, while China already possesses such technologies.

Experts also warn that old American satellites built according to outdated architectural standards are “easy targets" for attack. In the event of a conflict, the destruction of the satellite could lead to a global catastrophe due to orbital debris.

China is actively developing anti-space technologies: new report

 According to a new report, China is rapidly developing a wide range of anti-space capabilities as part of its ongoing efforts to provide military power in orbit.

The report on global aerospace countermeasures capabilities for 2025, published on April 3 by the Secure World Foundation, provides an updated and comprehensive analysis of developments in various countries in the field of aerospace countermeasures, focusing on technologies and strategies that may pose a threat to space objects. The document says that China is making continuous efforts to develop a wide range of offensive anti-space attack weapons, and also describes in detail a number of activities in the field of direct ascension anti-satellite defense systems (ASAT), orbital anti-satellite systems, rendezvous and rendezvous operations (RPO), directed energy weapons and electronic warfare (EW). "Over the past decade, China has conducted numerous tests of technologies and capabilities that are either offensive anti—space attack weapons or can be used as such," the report says. 

Covering long-term developments, the report includes new activities over the past year. In particular, he suggests that China has deployed an experimental satellite in geostationary orbit (GSO) to practice space jamming, citing reports from the People's Liberation Army, which, for example, state that their existing jamming methods do not work on certain types of GSO communications satellites, and calls for research into new methods and strategies. The report failed to identify which Chinese satellite or satellites conducted the experimental space jamming.

Unsuccessful launch of the Spectrum rocket

 The first launch of the Spectrum rocket by Isar Aerospace failed on March 30, when the device lost orientation control a few seconds after launch and crashed back to Earth.

The Spectrum rocket took off from the Annaya Cosmodrome in northern Norway at 6:30 a.m. eastern time. Weather conditions delayed the launch by more than a week. The company had a launch period from March 20 to March 31.

The rocket soared into the clear sky, but apparently lost orientation control about 25 seconds after launch, shortly after the company's webcast announcer announced that the rocket would perform a pitch maneuver designed to allow the rocket to gain horizontal speed and altitude.

Spectrum rocket

China paves the way for space dominance with more than 100 satellites under control

 

China continues to strengthen its position in the space sector, taking control of more than 100 huge satellites. This significant step paves the way for China's dominance in space and challenges the long-standing leadership of the United States. China's ambitious successes in space exploration are rapidly changing the global power dynamics in this area.

Chinese space achievements in recent years have been impressive. From pioneering orbital refueling to the development of stealth technology, China is making rapid progress. These successes also include aspirations to explore the Moon and Mars, which highlights the country's ambitions in the space race.

Control of more than 100 satellites allows China to significantly expand its capabilities in space. This includes improved navigation systems, enhanced communications and intelligence, and the development of new technologies. This dominance in space gives China a strategic advantage and allows it to influence global power dynamics.

For a long time, the United States has been a leader in the space sector, but China's successes pose a serious challenge to this dominance. Chinese space programs are developing rapidly, and this is causing concern in Washington. The United States is forced to rethink its strategies and increase investments in space technology in order to maintain its leadership.

China is actively developing programs to explore the moon and Mars. Successful missions such as Chang'e-4 to the Moon and the planned mission to Mars demonstrate the country's technological capabilities. These aspirations underscore China's ambitions to become a leading space power and play a key role in future space missions.

The development of stealth technology is another important achievement of China. These technologies allow satellites and spacecraft to remain invisible to radars and other detection systems, which significantly increases their survival and efficiency in space.

China continues to rapidly develop its space programs, taking control of more than 100 satellites and demonstrating ambitious successes in space exploration. These achievements challenge the long-standing dominance of the United States and change the global dynamics of power in space. In the face of increasing competition, China is striving to become a leading space power, influencing the future of space research and technology.