Governments and defence analysts increasingly view control of space-enabled capabilities as essential to national security.

Satellite reconnaissance, navigation systems, and space-based communications networks underpin military planning, intelligence gathering, and battlefield awareness in the current conflict.

U.S. operations used space and cyber capabilities among the first moves in the early stages of the campaign to disrupt communications and surveillance systems before conventional strikes.

Iran operates a small fleet of Earth-observation satellites, including the Noor series launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Space-enabled intelligence systems are an integral part of modern military capability alongside land, sea, air, and cyberspace domains.

High-resolution commercial satellite imagery has allowed analysts, journalists, and governments to monitor military developments in near real time.

Iran may rely on satellite reconnaissance data from partners, including Russia, to improve targeting of U.S. forces and regional military infrastructure.

Some commercial satellite providers have restricted access to imagery of sensitive locations during the conflict to reduce the risk of military exploitation.

SpaceX and Elon Musk have not provided detailed reasons for the Starship V3 schedule delay.

SpaceX conducted propellant system and structural strength reviews on Starship V3 and completed cryogenic proof-test operations on the vehicle on Sunday the 8th.

SpaceX is developing Ship 39 as the final Starship variant to serve as a lunar landing module within NASA's Artemis program.

The Starship system is designed to be reusable, with Super Heavy and a thermal heat shield intended to enable return and relaunch maneuvers for the V3 vehicle.

SpaceX carried out final propulsion system tests and compression and structural load tests that simulate real launch stresses for Starship V3.

Starship V2 launched in October 2025.

Starship V3 has a height of 124.4 meters.

Starship V3 will perform the twelfth flight in the Starship mission series.

The Mechazilla tower at Starbase is designed to catch the Starship vehicle during descent.

Starship V3 is part of Elon Musk's long-term plans for reaching Mars.

Starship V3 has a payload capacity of more than 100 tonnes to low Earth orbit (LEO).

Ship 39 was initially planned to serve as the lunar lander for the crewed Artemis 3 mission scheduled for 2028, although the schedule has accelerated in recent months.

On January 26, 2026 Elon Musk posted on X that the Starship V3 launch would occur in six weeks.

On March 7, 2026 Elon Musk posted on X that the Starship V3 launch would occur in approximately four weeks, placing the expected launch in April 2026.

SpaceX's Starship V3 roadmap changed again the week of March 7, 2026.

SpaceX intends to use Starship V3 for transporting large cargo to support space infrastructure.

Starship V3 is powered by Raptor V3 engines that can achieve a total thrust of 80,800 kilonewtons.

The Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas has been adapted for the upcoming Starship V3 launch through installation of Propulsor 19 and construction of a second launch platform.

On 12 March 2026 Firefly Aerospace posted on X that Alpha Flight 7 achieved nominal performance and validated key systems ahead of Firefly’s Block II configuration upgrade.

Alpha Flight 7 carried a demonstrator payload developed for Lockheed Martin.

The Block II version of the Alpha rocket is the next technological upgrade of the launcher developed by Firefly Aerospace.

Alpha Flight 7 functioned as a technical verification flight that collected operational data for the development of the Alpha Block II configuration.

Alpha Flight 7 provided realistic operational conditions to verify the Alpha rocket’s performance while carrying a demonstrator payload.

Alpha Flight 7 validated components and operational procedures that will be used in the future Block II configuration of the Alpha rocket.

Demonstrator payloads are used on Alpha test flights to test technologies and demonstrate operational capabilities of new space systems.

The Alpha launch program includes test and demonstration missions designed to progressively validate infrastructure, onboard systems, and operational procedures.

Data collected during Alpha Flight 7 will contribute to subsequent phases of the Alpha launcher’s development program.

The GX certification enables the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on Viasat’s global GX satellite constellation.

Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band network is designed to support secure, high-reliability communications for global government and defense operations.

ALL.SPACE entered into a strategic partnership with Viasat on March 11.

The ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal will operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network.

The Viasat GX network expands Ka-band operational coverage into polar and other high-latitude environments.

ALL.SPACE and Viasat entered a strategic collaboration agreement to integrate, test, and certify the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal family for operation across Viasat’s global high-capacity Ka-band network.

The ALL.SPACE electronically steered Hydra terminal achieved Viasat GX Category 4 certification.

Viasat’s global GX satellite constellation provides connectivity for operations in remote and high-latitude regions.

GX Category 4 certification enables full-performance operation of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal across Viasat GX high-capacity steerable beams operating in the military Ka-band.

Expanded Ka-band coverage on Viasat GX supports government and defense missions in challenging and strategically important operating theaters.

The Viasat Global Xpress network provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access to support government and defense missions worldwide.

GX Category 4 certification enables the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to support on-the-move, on-the-pause, and at-the-halt operations.

Viasat’s global GX satellite constellation delivers assured, resilient connectivity for defense users across land and maritime domains.

Companies pursuing NASA exploration-era contracts need to understand the Space Act Agreement services-exchange architecture before CLD Phase 2 awards resume.

On February 11, 2026, NASA awarded Vast Space its first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.