2026-W40 · 28 Sep – 04 Oct 2026 Makani Lab · Space Watch Orbital Warfare · SATCOM · SDA · PNT · Satellite Control · Missile Warning · ISR · EW
BLUF — DPRK fired a missile on 3 Oct that KCNA called a hypersonic intermediate-range strategic missile; ROK JCS said it flew over 700 km. The Space Force retired the last DSP satellites, so SBIRS alone carries GEO missile warning until Next-Gen OPIR. SDA launches 21 more PWSA transport satellites on 5 Oct. Attention item: DPRK tempo, the second hypersonic-class launch in two weeks.
Last 7 days by mission area · 303 items
Orbital Warfare 16SATCOM 24Space Domain Awareness 20PNT / Navwar 9Satellite Control 4Missile Warning 30ISR 18Electronic Warfare 4Space Enterprise 178
SpaceNews reports Yaogan-40 and Guowang launches closing September ahead of a busy PRC Q4 manifest. Launch Library logs nine Yaogan satellites launched in September.
Mentions, 30d · PACOM relevance
1 this week. Yaogan coverage spans the First Island Chain, Guam and the sea approaches the joint force must cross.
Capabilities / TTPs
Yaogan-40 triplets, officially for 'electromagnetic environment probing' (Launch Library)
Multi-satellite groups on LM-4B and LM-6A; Yaogan 53/56 put six satellites up on one launch
EO, SAR and ELINT families that feed PLA long-range targeting (taxonomy assessment)
Implications
More Yaogan revisits shorten the windows in which forces can move unobserved in the Western Pacific.
Each new group needs 18 SDS custody and pass products before it can inform theater counter-ISR plans.
Missile WarningMissile warning and tracking from space and ground: SBIRS and Next-Gen OPIR, res
Yonhap News (English) · via TJFSCC Daily · 2026-10-03
DPRK fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea on 3 Oct KST; ROK JCS said it flew over 700 km. KCNA called it a hypersonic intermediate-range missile drill (Yonhap).
So what: Second hypersonic-class DPRK shot in two weeks for the space layer to detect and track.
Consider: Consider reviewing how MW/MT data from the 3 Oct launch reached theater users.
The last two DSP satellites went to graveyard orbit after a September USSPACECOM exercise; SBIRS carries GEO missile warning until Next-Gen OPIR (Air & Space Forces).
So what: Theater missile warning now rests on SBIRS alone until the first Next-Gen OPIR GEO reaches orbit.
Consider: Be aware the DSP retirement may change assumptions in older MW plans and checklists.
SPACECOMMissile defenseSBIRS / Next-Gen OPIR
SATCOMMilitary and commercial satellite communications: WGS, MUOS, AEHF/ESS, protected
SDA launches 21 Northrop Grumman T1 Transport Layer satellites on 5 Oct, taking PWSA to 84 in four planes (DefenseScoop); Tranche 0 is being deorbited (Inside Defense).
So what: Each new plane adds regional data-transport coverage for the theater.
Consider: Consider tracking T1TL checkout and when SDA declares an operational capability date.
Space Force and MDA reset the SCAR program as a Commercial Solutions Opening for government-owned, leased or antenna-as-a-service options to relieve the 19-antenna SCN. White papers are due 15 Oct (Air & Space Forces).
So what: SCN capacity limits how often theater-relevant satellites can be contacted and commanded.
Consider: Be aware commercial antenna leasing brings the cyber and multi-tenant risks the notice names.
SpaceNews reports China's ninth and tenth September launches carried Guowang and Yaogan-40 satellites ahead of a busy Q4 manifest. Launch Library logs Yaogan-40 Group 04 (three satellites) from Taiyuan on 24 Sep.
So what: More Yaogan groups add PLA revisit over U.S. and allied forces in the Western Pacific.
Consider: Consider asking 18 SDS for custody and overflight data on the new Yaogan-40 group.
The President nominated Lt. Gen. David Miller Jr., the DCSO for strategy, plans, programs and requirements and a former SpOC commander, to lead USSPACECOM and succeed Gen. Whiting (DefenseScoop).
So what: A new USSPACECOM commander will set space-control priorities that flow to the component.
Consider: Be aware of the confirmation timeline; Whiting is expected to retire by January 2027.