UNCLASSIFIED

Space Watch

2026-W39 · 21 Sep – 27 Sep 2026
Makani Lab · Space Watch
Orbital Warfare · SATCOM · SDA · PNT · Satellite Control · Missile Warning · ISR · EW
BLUF — PRC researchers claim the first in-orbit refuelling of a high-orbit BeiDou satellite (SCMP); DPRK flew an updated Hwasong-11Ma hypersonic glide missile on 20 Sep. Attention item: 18 SDS screening puts Russian payload COSMOS 2369 against FY-1C debris at Pc 1.6e-2, TCA 28 Sep 1922Z.

Last 7 days by mission area · 235 items

Orbital Warfare 12SATCOM 19Space Domain Awareness 19PNT / Navwar 7Satellite Control 5Missile Warning 14ISR 15Electronic Warfare 5Space Enterprise 139

Rising terms · 7d vs prior

commercial41 (+33.1)contract26 (+16.9)SpaceX22 (+13.5)Space Force32 (+13.1)

By the numbers · 7d

Orbital launches 4 (2 PRC, 1 US, 0 failed) · max Kp 4.33
GPS NANUs 0 (0 unusable) · reentries 20 (16 payloads)
Conjunctions < 1 km, next 7 d: 28,863 (23332 active pairs)
Space-Track emergency-reportable CDMs 33, TIP reentries 17 (0 high-interest)

Counterspace spotlight — BeiDou / PLA PNT · PRC (CNSA/PLA) · BDS, BeiDou-3

Why now
A PRC team says China refuelled a high-orbit BeiDou satellite for the first time (SCMP, 26 Sep); if true, PLA PNT satellites can be serviced in orbit.
Mentions, 30d · PACOM relevance
1 this week. BeiDou IGSO and GEO satellites sit over the western Pacific; PLA fires inside the first island chain rely on them.
Capabilities / TTPs
  • Global PNT from MEO, IGSO and GEO satellites
  • Two-way short messaging through GEO satellites
  • Claimed in-orbit refuelling of a high-orbit satellite (SCMP)
Implications
  • Refuelling adds life and maneuver margin to PRC high-orbit satellites
  • PLA precision fires keep PNT if GPS is contested in the theater

Orbital WarfareCounterspace threats and space superiority: ASAT tests and weapons, co-orbital a

Claims China’s BeiDou satellite was refuelled in orbit could change space race
South China Morning Post (China) · via TJFSCC Daily · 2026-09-26
PRC researchers claim a first refuelling of a high-orbit BeiDou satellite (SCMP; paper under peer review).
So what: Refuelling in high orbit extends PRC satellite life and maneuver budget near U.S. GEO assets.
Consider: Consider requesting 18 SDS custody of BeiDou GEO/IGSO satellites and nearby PRC servicers.
PACOMSPACECOMRendezvous & proximityCounterspace threatBeiDou / PLA PNT
Space Force Seeks Maneuverable Spacecraft for On-Demand Launch
Air & Space Forces Magazine · 2026-09-22
SSC Space Safari RFI (18 Sep) seeks a commercial RPO/docking spacecraft: 14-day tasking-to-launch, FY29.
So what: On-demand RPO spacecraft give CCDRs a response option to adversary on-orbit threats.
Consider: Be aware TacRS missions will be publicized less; consider how theater needs reach Space Safari.
SPACECOMRendezvous & proximityAcquisition & contractsTactically Responsive Space (Victus)

Missile WarningMissile warning and tracking from space and ground: SBIRS and Next-Gen OPIR, res

North Korea Tests New Hwasong-11Ma Hypersonic Missile
The War Zone · 2026-09-22
DPRK showed a 20 Sep Hwasong-11Ma-1 hypersonic glide test from Anbyon; ROK and Japan detected two launches.
So what: A maneuvering glide phase stresses missile warning and tracking sensors over the peninsula.
Consider: Recommend reviewing the displayed pull-up trajectory with MW crews; DPRK claims are unverified.
PACOMMissile launches & testsHypersonic

PNT / NavwarPosition, navigation and timing and navigation warfare: GPS constellation status

Space Force Expands Commercial Satellite Monitoring of GPS Jamming to Global, Standing Operation
Inside GNSS · 2026-09-24
The JCO made its commercial-satellite GPS jamming and spoofing detection a standing, worldwide operation on L1, adding other bands; DoD wants it for all six geographic CCMDs, JCO's lead said at AMOS (Inside GNSS).
So what: Unclassified interference baselines the theater can share with allies, cued by commercial sensors.
Consider: Consider requesting JCO interference baselines for the Korean peninsula and South China Sea.
SPACECOMCENTCOMGNSS interferenceCommercial integrationGPS
UNCLASSIFIED · open-source reporting only · 6 sources · built 2026-09-27 06:53 HSTSpace Watch · 2026-W39 · page 1 of 2

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Space Domain AwarenessKnowing what is on orbit and what the environment is doing: space surveillance a

Pentagon taps Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly for recon satellites that can monitor other space systems
DefenseScoop · 2026-09-21
DIU and SSC picked Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly (Jackal) for GHOST-R, commercial GEO space-to-space imaging prototypes under RG-XX; launch in 2028, government operations by 2029. Values undisclosed.
So what: More, cheaper GEO inspectors improve custody of PRC RPO satellites over the Pacific.
Consider: Be aware GHOST-R is a 2028-29 capability; near-term GEO characterization stays with GSSAP.
SPACECOMAcquisition & contractsCommercial integrationGSSAP / Silent Barker

Space EnterpriseThe service and the enterprise behind the mission areas: force design and organi

RAF launches first ever space squadron dedicated to defending Britain's satellites
UK Ministry of Defence (space) · 2026-09-22
The RAF stood up No. 3 Space Effects Squadron, its first unit to disrupt, degrade and deny threats to UK satellites; Nos. 4-6 are planned, per the Chief of the Air Staff on 23 Sep (UK MOD, Via Satellite).
So what: A CSpO partner now fields a space effects unit, widening combined space control options.
Consider: Consider the new squadron in CSpO and Olympic Defender partner engagement.
EUCOMAllies & partnersOrganization & people

Nothing significant this week: SATCOM · Satellite Control · ISR · Electronic Warfare

Watch list

  • 28 Sep 1922Z: COSMOS 2369 vs FENGYUN 1C DEB, Pc 1.6e-2 at 20 m (CDM 1719047617); watch 18 SDS updates.
  • 2 Oct 0353Z: NROL-97 on Falcon Heavy; ~5 Oct (TBC): SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer A on Falcon 9.
  • 7 Oct: ROK Nuri with NeonSat-2 to 6; 28 Sep 1215Z: Starship Flight 14, first Starlink deploy.

Recommendations (for awareness)

  • Consider asking 18 SDS for GEO/IGSO custody of BeiDou satellites and nearby PRC servicers to test the refuelling claim.
  • Be aware JCO GPS-interference monitoring is now standing and global; consider requesting AOR baselines.
  • Recommend reviewing Hwasong-11Ma-1 trajectory data with MW crews; a glide phase stresses ballistic-only tracking.
UNCLASSIFIED · open-source reporting only · 6 sources · built 2026-09-27 06:53 HSTSpace Watch · 2026-W39 · page 2 of 2