How US Space Command is preparing for satellite-on-satellite combat

27-07-2025

TOWARDS THE end of last year a pair of military satellites, one American and the other French, prepared for a delicate orbital minuet. They were about to conduct a so-called rendezvous and proximity operation (RPO)—in which one or more satellites approach another to inspect or manipulate it—near an enemy satellite. They have not said which, but it is not hard to guess. 'The French have talked about Russian manoeuvres [near French satellites] over the years,' says General Stephen Whiting, speaking at the headquarters of US Space Command in Colorado Springs. 'And so…we demonstrated that we could both manoeuvre satellites near each other and near other countries' satellites in a way that signalled our ability to operate well together.'

Hashtags

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Volcano in Russia's Far East erupts for first time in centuries

Western Telegraph

2 hours ago

Western Telegraph

Volcano in Russia's Far East erupts for first time in centuries

The Krasheninnikov volcano sent ash more than three miles into the sky, according to staff at the Kronotsky Reserve, where the volcano is located. Images released by state media showed dense clouds of ash rising above the volcano. An aerial view of the eruption of the Krasheninnikov volcano (Artem Sheldr/AP) 'The plume is spreading eastward from the volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path, and no ashfall has been recorded in inhabited localities,' Kamchatka's emergencies ministry wrote on Telegram during the eruption. The eruption was accompanied by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake and prompted a tsunami warning for three areas of Kamchatka. The tsunami warning was later lifted by Russia's Ministry for Emergency Services. 'This is the first historically confirmed eruption of the Krasheninnikov volcano in 600 years,' Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. However, the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Programme, based in the US, lists Krasheninnikov's last eruption as occurring 475 years ago in 1550. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team said late on Sunday that the volcano's activity was decreasing but 'moderate explosive activity' could continue. The eruption occurred after a huge earthquake struck Russia's Far East early on Wednesday, an 8.8-magnitude tremor that caused small tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska and prompted warnings for Hawaii, North and Central America and Pacific islands south towards New Zealand.

Economist

4 hours ago

Economist

AstraZeneca's falling out with Britain

Illustration: Klaus Kremmerz I N A COUNTRY struggling to find reasons for cheer, British life sciences offer a ray of hope. The £108bn ($145bn) industry employs more than 300,000 people, many in high-value jobs, and Britain is a genuine global power. No wonder ministers like to boast about it. Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, has said it could be 'the rocket fuel for our stagnant economy'. Victory in the European Championship is a rare moment of national joy But the men seem to benefit more Torness is closing in on its 40th birthday No. But that might not be the point Despite signs of American misgivings A mighty rise in electricity costs has complicated the drive for clean power

Total solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027 will be special. Here's why.

The Herald Scotland

11 hours ago

The Herald Scotland

Total solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027 will be special. Here's why.

For a time comparison, the total solar eclipse that occured on April 8, 2024, lasted 4 minutes and 28 seconds at its peak. The solar eclipse of 1991, however, lasted 6 minutes and 53 seconds. reports the Aug. 2, 2027 eclipse will be the longest eclipse totality until 2114. The eclipse will be visible in parts of Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Unfortunately for American skywatchers, the vast majority of the U.S. won't have a view of it. The Aug. 2, 2027 solar eclipse isn't actually the next total solar eclipse though. That one, on Aug. 12, 2026, will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and parts of Portugal, according to NASA. Here's what to know about the solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027. Where will the solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027 be visible? The solar eclipse's path of totality will cross over parts of Africa, Europe and the Middle East, according to National Eclipse and NASA. Parts of the following countries are within the path of totality. Spain Morocco Algeria Tunisia Gibraltar Libya Sudan Egypt Saudi Arabia Yemen Somalia Other countries in Africa, Europe and the Middle East will have a partial view of the eclipse. Will the Aug. 2, 2027 solar eclipse be visible in the US? A partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Maine between 5:14 and 5:19 a.m. ET on Aug. 2, 2027, according to Time and Date. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@