The Space Review
@thespacereview.com
Essays and commentary about the final frontier
The Space Force recently revealed earlier this month that it has “space control” weapons in orbit, with implications on efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. www.thespacereview.com/article/5322/1
The dilemma of space weaponization
The Space Force revealed earlier this month that it has 'space control' weapons in orbit. Ajey Lele examines the implications that announcement has on efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space.
www.thespacereview.com
October 3, 2026 at 2:44 AM
The Space Force recently revealed earlier this month that it has “space control” weapons in orbit, with implications on efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. www.thespacereview.com/article/5322/1
A devastating flood in the Himalayas was monitored by satellites, but those images could not provide timely warnings to people affected by it. The ability of turning watching into warning from space is critical for both natural disasters and missile defense. www.thespacereview.com/article/5323/1
The watchers and the warning: what a Himalayan flood asks of Golden Dome
A devastating flood in the Himalayas was monitored by satellites, but those images could not provide timely warnings to people affected by it. Bharath Gopalaswamy and Daniel Dant describe how the…
www.thespacereview.com
October 3, 2026 at 12:13 AM
A devastating flood in the Himalayas was monitored by satellites, but those images could not provide timely warnings to people affected by it. The ability of turning watching into warning from space is critical for both natural disasters and missile defense. www.thespacereview.com/article/5323/1
On its 14th test flight, SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time Monday, deploying a set of Starlink satellites. A report on the long-awaited milestone and the push now to demonstrate the vehicle’s rapid reusability. www.thespacereview.com/article/5324/1
Starship (finally) reaches orbit
On its 14th test flight, SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time, deploying a set of Starlink satellites. Jeff Foust reports on the long-awaited milestone and the push now to demonstrate…
www.thespacereview.com
October 2, 2026 at 2:09 AM
On its 14th test flight, SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time Monday, deploying a set of Starlink satellites. A report on the long-awaited milestone and the push now to demonstrate the vehicle’s rapid reusability. www.thespacereview.com/article/5324/1
In the aftermath of World War II, it seemed obvious to many that the future of warfare would involve rockets in orbit designed to deliver nuclear weapons. One study explored a concept for “Satellite Bombs” that didn’t get very far. www.thespacereview.com/article/5325/1
Nuke the site from orbit: American orbiting nuclear weapons during the Cold War
In the aftermath of World War II, it seemed obvious to many that the future of warfar would involve rockets in orbit designed to deliver nuclear weapons. Dwayne Day and Hans Dolfing examine one study…
www.thespacereview.com
October 2, 2026 at 1:53 AM
In the aftermath of World War II, it seemed obvious to many that the future of warfare would involve rockets in orbit designed to deliver nuclear weapons. One study explored a concept for “Satellite Bombs” that didn’t get very far. www.thespacereview.com/article/5325/1
An archive of letters and manuscripts belonging to Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was digitized years ago, but not easily searchable. A new project has created a machine readable version of the archive. www.thespacereview.com/article/5314/1
The letters Tsiolkovsky asked for
An archive of letters and manuscripts belonging to Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was digitized years ago, but not easily searchable. Vladimir Beskorovainyi describes his project to create a machine readable…
www.thespacereview.com
September 26, 2026 at 10:25 PM
An archive of letters and manuscripts belonging to Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was digitized years ago, but not easily searchable. A new project has created a machine readable version of the archive. www.thespacereview.com/article/5314/1
The conflict in the Persian Gulf has caused some countries there to take steps to improve access to satellite imagery. But those measures could fall short of what is needed for true satellite imagery independence. www.thespacereview.com/article/5315/1
The Gulf states did not buy imagery independence
The conflict in the Persian Gulf has caused some countries there to take steps to improve access to satellite imagery. Kelevitch argues that those measures fall short of what is needed for true…
www.thespacereview.com
September 26, 2026 at 9:40 PM
The conflict in the Persian Gulf has caused some countries there to take steps to improve access to satellite imagery. But those measures could fall short of what is needed for true satellite imagery independence. www.thespacereview.com/article/5315/1
A Falcon 9 upper stage hit the Moon last month, creating a small crater. The bigger impact of the incident nay be thinking about how to prevent similar incidents in the future as activity on the Moon increases. www.thespacereview.com/article/5316/1
A crater of our own making: what the SpaceX lunar impact reveals about the future of Moon governance
A Falcon 9 upper stage hit the Moon last month, creating a small crater. Rachita Agrawal says the bigger impact of the incident should be thinking about how to prevent similar incidents in the future…
www.thespacereview.com
September 26, 2026 at 2:44 AM
A Falcon 9 upper stage hit the Moon last month, creating a small crater. The bigger impact of the incident nay be thinking about how to prevent similar incidents in the future as activity on the Moon increases. www.thespacereview.com/article/5316/1
Strategists have tried to apply concepts from the theories of air power and sea power to space. However, spacepower requires rethinking concepts like territory in a regime where everything is in motion. www.thespacereview.com/article/5317/1
The orbit is the territory: rethinking spacepower in a domain where nothing stays still
Strategists have tried to apply concepts from the theories of air power and sea power to space. Michael Uhall discusses why spacepower requires rethinking concepts like territory in a regime where…
www.thespacereview.com
September 26, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Strategists have tried to apply concepts from the theories of air power and sea power to space. However, spacepower requires rethinking concepts like territory in a regime where everything is in motion. www.thespacereview.com/article/5317/1
In the early 1960s, the US Air Force launched nearly a dozen Samos satellites with varying designations. But what happened to one class of satellite, Samos E-3, that never launched? www.thespacereview.com/article/5318/1
To E-3 or not to E-3: the liminal Samos E-3 program
In the early 1960s, the US Air Force launched nearly a dozen Samos satellites with varying designations. Dwayne Day examines what happened to one class of satellite, Samos E-3, that never launched.
www.thespacereview.com
September 25, 2026 at 2:09 AM
In the early 1960s, the US Air Force launched nearly a dozen Samos satellites with varying designations. But what happened to one class of satellite, Samos E-3, that never launched? www.thespacereview.com/article/5318/1
The Falcon 9 has been one the most successful launch vehicles in the history of the Space Age, but it won’t fly forever. The space industry is coming to grips with the looming end of that rocket for commercial missions. www.thespacereview.com/article/5319/1
Coming to terms with the end of the Falcon 9
The Falcon 9 has been one the most successful launch vehicles in the history of the Space Age, but it won't fly forever. Jeff Foust reports on how the space industry is coming to grips with the…
www.thespacereview.com
September 25, 2026 at 1:53 AM
The Falcon 9 has been one the most successful launch vehicles in the history of the Space Age, but it won’t fly forever. The space industry is coming to grips with the looming end of that rocket for commercial missions. www.thespacereview.com/article/5319/1
NASA is leading a new effort to develop a lunar base, one that requires development of many technologies needed to live on the lunar surface for extended periods. Those technologies can also help create an asteroid mining industry. www.thespacereview.com/article/5309/1
The road to the asteroid belt runs through the Moon
NASA is leading a new effort to develop a lunar base, one that requires development of many technologies needed to live on the lunar surface for extended periods. Chad McElroy and Jacob Smagula argue…
www.thespacereview.com
September 21, 2026 at 10:52 PM
NASA is leading a new effort to develop a lunar base, one that requires development of many technologies needed to live on the lunar surface for extended periods. Those technologies can also help create an asteroid mining industry. www.thespacereview.com/article/5309/1
The first Star Trek movie features a spacecraft based on the recently launched Voyager missions. The filmmakers worked with NASA to help them design Voyager 6. www.thespacereview.com/article/5310/1
Voyager 6 seeks the Creator
The first Star Trek movie features a spacecraft based on the recently launched Voyager missions. Dwayne Day described on how the filmmakers worked with NASA on the design of Voyager 6.
www.thespacereview.com
September 20, 2026 at 10:23 PM
The first Star Trek movie features a spacecraft based on the recently launched Voyager missions. The filmmakers worked with NASA to help them design Voyager 6. www.thespacereview.com/article/5310/1
In the early 1960s, Junkers, a German aerospace company pursued studies of a reusable spaceplane with support of a famous designer. www.thespacereview.com/article/5311/1
The Junkers spaceplane
In the early 1960s German aerospace company pursued studies of a spaceplane with support of a famous designer. Hans Dolfing examines the designs Junkers examined for a reusable spaceplane.
www.thespacereview.com
September 20, 2026 at 1:28 PM
In the early 1960s, Junkers, a German aerospace company pursued studies of a reusable spaceplane with support of a famous designer. www.thespacereview.com/article/5311/1
Satellite operators are increasingly turning to automated systems to avoid potential collisions based on when the probability of a collision passes a threshold. But that threshold alone should not be sufficient to trigger a maneuver. www.thespacereview.com/article/5312/1
A collision probability is not permission to maneuver
Satellite operators are increasingly turning to automated systems to avoid potential collisions based on when the probability of a collision passes a threshold. Burak Oktenli argues that threshold…
www.thespacereview.com
September 19, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Satellite operators are increasingly turning to automated systems to avoid potential collisions based on when the probability of a collision passes a threshold. But that threshold alone should not be sufficient to trigger a maneuver. www.thespacereview.com/article/5312/1
Ukrainian cruise missiles struck a Russian factory last month that produces Soyuz rockets, with some reports claiming the attack caused serious damage. A close examination of available evidence helps better understand the significance of the attack. www.thespacereview.com/article/5313/1
An analysis of Ukraine’s missile strike on the Progress rocket factory
Ukrainian cruise missiles struck a Russian factory last month that produces Soyuz rockets, with some reports claiming the attack caused serious damage. Bart Hendrickx examines the evidence to better…
www.thespacereview.com
September 19, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Ukrainian cruise missiles struck a Russian factory last month that produces Soyuz rockets, with some reports claiming the attack caused serious damage. A close examination of available evidence helps better understand the significance of the attack. www.thespacereview.com/article/5313/1
Firefly Aerospace today is known for work on lunar landers and other spacecraft, but had its start in launch. A documentary follows the early years of Firefly as it worked on its Alpha rocket amid technical and financial obstacles. www.thespacereview.com/article/5303/1
Review: To the Black
Firefly Aerospace today is known for work on lunar landers and other spacecraft, but had its start in launch. Jeff Foust reviews a documentary that follows the early years of Firefly as it worked on…
www.thespacereview.com
September 15, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Firefly Aerospace today is known for work on lunar landers and other spacecraft, but had its start in launch. A documentary follows the early years of Firefly as it worked on its Alpha rocket amid technical and financial obstacles. www.thespacereview.com/article/5303/1
The Indian space agency ISRO recently conducted the first launch since a January failure, putting an imaging satellite into orbit, overcoming challenges with both launch and spacecraft development. www.thespacereview.com/article/5304/1
ISRO’s comeback with the successful launch of EOS-05
Last week, the Indian space agency ISRO conducted the first launch since a January failure, putting an imaging satellite into orbit. Ajey Lele discusses the challenges ISRO has faced with both launch…
www.thespacereview.com
September 14, 2026 at 10:52 PM
The Indian space agency ISRO recently conducted the first launch since a January failure, putting an imaging satellite into orbit, overcoming challenges with both launch and spacecraft development. www.thespacereview.com/article/5304/1
In the early 2000s, Russian engineers proposed converting the Backfire bomber into an air-launch platform, but one that never got off the ground. www.thespacereview.com/article/5305/1
Backfire to space: The Backfire bomber and Skif rocket system
In the early 2000s, Russian engineers proposed converting the Backfire bomber into an air-launch platform. Dwayne Day examines the details of that concept.
www.thespacereview.com
September 13, 2026 at 10:23 PM
In the early 2000s, Russian engineers proposed converting the Backfire bomber into an air-launch platform, but one that never got off the ground. www.thespacereview.com/article/5305/1
The success of Star Wars triggered the development of imitators, including a short-lived TV series aimed at children called Space Academy, a good premise undercut by low budgets. www.thespacereview.com/article/5306/1
Space Academy (no, the other one)
The success of Star Wars triggered the development of imitators, including a short-lived TV series aimed at children. Dwayne Day discusses the good premise of Space Academy, albeit one undercut by…
www.thespacereview.com
September 13, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The success of Star Wars triggered the development of imitators, including a short-lived TV series aimed at children called Space Academy, a good premise undercut by low budgets. www.thespacereview.com/article/5306/1
Like many TV producers, Gene Roddenberry lobbied 60 years to win awards for his new series, Star Trek. He took an unusual approach to seek television’s highest honor. www.thespacereview.com/article/5307/1
Mission Impossible: How Star Trek used the aerospace community to try and win an Emmy
Like many TV producers, Gene Roddenberry lobbied 60 years to win awards for his new series, Star Trek. Glen Swanson examines the unusual approach he took to seek television’s highest honor.
www.thespacereview.com
September 12, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Like many TV producers, Gene Roddenberry lobbied 60 years to win awards for his new series, Star Trek. He took an unusual approach to seek television’s highest honor. www.thespacereview.com/article/5307/1
In the summer of 1962, scientists gathered at the University of Iowa to discuss the future of space research. An examination of the far-reaching impacts of that little-known event. www.thespacereview.com/article/5308/1
The 1962 Iowa Summer Study
In the summer of 1962, scientists gathered at the University of Iowa to discuss the future of space research. Danny Robb examines the far-reaching impacts of that little-known event.
www.thespacereview.com
September 12, 2026 at 9:40 PM
In the summer of 1962, scientists gathered at the University of Iowa to discuss the future of space research. An examination of the far-reaching impacts of that little-known event. www.thespacereview.com/article/5308/1
During the final years of the Soviet Union, its policy of Perestroika opened up cooperation with the West on space missions. Louis Friedman reviews a book on the topic and some avenues of collaboration not included in the book. www.thespacereview.com/article/5297/1
Review: The Soviet Space Program and International Collaboration during Perestroika
During the final years of the Soviet Union, its policy of Perestroika opened up cooperation with the West on space missions. Louis Friedman reviews a book on the topic and some avenues of…
www.thespacereview.com
September 8, 2026 at 12:49 AM
During the final years of the Soviet Union, its policy of Perestroika opened up cooperation with the West on space missions. Louis Friedman reviews a book on the topic and some avenues of collaboration not included in the book. www.thespacereview.com/article/5297/1
What was a small building in a forgotten corner of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station used for decades ago? Uncovering the mystery of facility number 49941 at the Cape. www.thespacereview.com/article/5298/1
Little building, big mystery
What was a small building in a forgotten corner of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station used for decades ago? James Behling uncovers the mystery of facility number 49941 at the Cape.
www.thespacereview.com
September 7, 2026 at 10:52 PM
What was a small building in a forgotten corner of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station used for decades ago? Uncovering the mystery of facility number 49941 at the Cape. www.thespacereview.com/article/5298/1
NASA announced it was calling off an effort to reboost the orbit of its Swift space telescope because of problems with the reboost spacecraft. The lessons both the company and the agency learned from that effort that could apply to future missions. www.thespacereview.com/article/5299/1
Learning from a satellite servicing mission’s failure
In mid-August, NASA announced it was calling off an effort to reboost the orbit of its Swift space telescope because of problems with the commercial spacecraft launched to reboost it. Jeff Foust…
www.thespacereview.com
September 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
NASA announced it was calling off an effort to reboost the orbit of its Swift space telescope because of problems with the reboost spacecraft. The lessons both the company and the agency learned from that effort that could apply to future missions. www.thespacereview.com/article/5299/1
Many in the public see space as primarily a playground for billionaires. While that reputation is not undeserved, the role of wealthy private actors in commercial space may signal a predictable stage of technological development rather than a dystopian one. www.thespacereview.com/article/5300/1
Space has a billionaire problem, but it also has a billionaire solution
Many in the public see space as primarily a playground for billionaires. Kelsie Goddard argues that while that reputation is not undeserved, the role of wealthy private actors in commercial space may…
www.thespacereview.com
September 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Many in the public see space as primarily a playground for billionaires. While that reputation is not undeserved, the role of wealthy private actors in commercial space may signal a predictable stage of technological development rather than a dystopian one. www.thespacereview.com/article/5300/1