May 2025 Space News

ISS Missions With Russia Are Like Working With Nazis, Says Former US Astronaut RFE/RL 31 May 2025 -- A retired US astronaut has told RFE/RL that joint missions with Russia on the International Space Station (ISS) should be scaled back, comparing them to collaboration with Nazi Germany at the height of World War II.
US Golden Dome System Will Open Pandora's Box: Defense Spokesperson PRC MND 29 May 2025 -- Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, condemned the US for continuously expanding its military build-up and provoking arms race in outer space at a regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Chief of Space Operations lauds acquisition workforce, discusses shift in Guardian development during visit to Los Angeles Air Force Base United States Space Force 29 May 2025 -- Chief of Space Operations Gen. B Chance Saltzman visited Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base May 22, engaging more than 500 Guardian acquirers to discuss their outsized impact on missions across the Space Force and Department of Defense.
China successfully launches its first asteroid probe and sampling mission Tianwen-2, continues interstellar exploration Global Times 29 May 2025 -- China continued its interstellar exploration, with Tianwen-2 - the country's first asteroid probe and sampling mission - being successfully launched on Thursday early morning via a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.
China's first large-scale general-purpose spectroscopic telescope JUST starts infrastructure construction Global Times 28 May 2025 -- China's first large-scale general-purpose spectroscopic telescope - the Jiao Tong University Spectroscopic Telescope (JUST) project began infrastructure construction of the tower and control room on Wednesday.
Trump claims Canada would need to pay 61 bln USD to join "Golden Dome" system People's Daily 28 May 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Canada would need to pay 61 billion U.S. dollars to join his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system.
Guardians strengthen multinational partnerships and demonstrate electronic warfare during African Lion 2025 United States Space Force 28 May 2025 -- U.S. Space Forces Europe - Space Forces Africa is advancing multinational collaboration and readiness by bringing cutting-edge space-based capabilities and electromagnetic warfare expertise to exercise African Lion 2025.
Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of US nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent United States Space Force 27 May 2025 -- A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle May 21 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing United States Space Force 27 May 2025 -- In the dark hours of May 21, a flash of light split the night sky along California's coast, marking the successful launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile during operational test Glory Trip 253: An operational test designed to verify the accuracy and reliability of the United States' land-based nuclear deterrent.
China Just Punched a Massive Hole in Trump's Golden Dome Sputnik 27 May 2025 -- Trump's new missile defense shield could cost taxpayers up to $831B, according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate.Too bad it won't work against China's new super-duper stealth tech.
Spacecom Leader Outlines Vision for Space Security DoD News 23 May 2025 -- As Russian forces attacked Ukraine's communication infrastructure in 2022, the Ukrainian military turned to a commercial satellite system to maintain operations. With over 7,000 satellites in orbit, that system provided internet access, which enabled battlefield communications, drone coordination and real-time intelligence imagery that revealed Russian troop movements.
Council calls for a better use of space data to enhance crisis management EC/CEU 23 May 2025 -- The Council has today approved conclusions on the use of satellite data, in particular from Earth observation constellations, for civil protection and crisis management.
Latvia Joins the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies Latvia MFA 23 May 2025 -- On 23 May 2025, Latvia officially accedes to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, or the Outer Space Treaty.
Advanced Iranian satellite awaiting launch; more satellites to hit launch queue: Official Press TV 23 May 2025 -- The head of the Iranian Space Research Center announces that the country is to launch an advanced communication satellite, while a state-of-the-art remote sensing satellite is to hit the launch queue and several research satellites are undergoing the manufacturing process.
China adheres to peaceful use of outer space, says FM over US space chief's hype of 'threat' of China, Russia Global Times 22 May 2025 -- When asked to comment on the recent claims by US Space Operations Chief Gen. B. Chance Saltzman that surging technologies spearheaded by Chinese and Russian forces represent the "greatest threat" in space defense, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that China has always adhered to the peaceful use of outer space, and opposes the arms race in outer space, adding that China has no intention of engaging in a space race with any country, nor does it seek so-called superiority in space, according to the Beijing Daily.
MDA issues pre-solicitation notice for SHIELD Multiple Award IDIQ MDA 22 May 2025 -- Today the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) issued on SAM.gov a pre-solicitation notice for the Multiple Award Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.
Remarks by Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman at the USGIF GEOINT Symposium United States Space Force 22 May 2025 -- As delivered by U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman on May 21, 2025.
Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent USSTRATCOM 21 May 2025 -- A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle May 21 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
China expresses grave concern over US 'Golden Dome' missile defense system: FM spokesperson Global Times 21 May 2025 -- When asked to comment on report that the US released details of the "Golden Dome" missile defense system on Tuesday, which reportedly will be done in three years, consisting "next-generation" technologies across land, sea and space, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that the so-called "Golden Dome" missile defense system is a global, multi-level, multi-domain missile defense system. It openly seeks a significant expansion of outer space-based combat capabilities, including the development and deployment of orbital interception systems. It carries clear offensive implications, violates the principle of peaceful use of outer space as enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty, and will heighten the risks of space militarization and an arms race, undermining international security and arms control frameworks, Mao said.
China slams U.S. missile shield plan, warns of space arms race IRNA 21 May 2025 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for endangering the "global strategic balance and stability" through his administration's advancement of the "Golden Dome" missile defense shield program, calling on the United States to abandon the initiative.
Canada In Talks With US to Join Golden Dome Missile Defense System Sputnik 21 May 2025 -- Trump earlier said that his administration is launching the historic "Golden Dome" missile defense shield program, aimed at delivering the highest level of protection for US airspace.
China launches commercial Lijian-1 Y7 carrier rocket Global Times 21 May 2025 -- China on Wednesday launched the Lijian-1 Y7 carrier rocket with six satellites onboard.
Air, Space Force Leaders Stress Modernization, Readiness DoD News 20 May 2025 -- Senior leaders from the Department of the Air Force testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee during a posture hearing in Washington today.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Statement on Golden Dome for America DoD 20 May 2025 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) welcomes President Trump's announcement regarding the Golden Dome for America, a next-generation missile defense shield. This bold initiative, formalized in Executive Order (EO) 14186 on January 27, 2025, represents a historic investment in American security and fulfills our duty to protect the homeland first and foremost.
China's relay satellite operating smoothly, ready to support global lunar missions Global Times 20 May 2025 -- Queqiao-2, China's relay satellite for its lunar landing missions, is set to support future moon exploration endeavors by other countries, according to the country's Deep Space Exploration Lab.
Chinese firm's rocket launch completes first phase of nation's low-Earth orbit IoT satellite constellation Global Times 19 May 2025 -- Chinese commercial space firm Galactic Energy successfully conducted a sea-based launch of its CERES-1 carrier rocket at 3:38 pm (local time) on Monday, completing the first phase of the Tianqi constellation, the country's low-Earth orbit Internet of Things (IoT) satellite constellation, a move hailed as a milestone in enabling global device connectivity.
China launches first 12 of 2,800 satellites for AI space computing constellation Press TV 19 May 2025 -- China has launched 12 satellites into space, initiating the first phase of its orbital Artificial Intelligence (AI) supercomputer.
China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System rakes in 570 billion yuan in services value in 2024, leading the world Global Times 18 May 2025 -- In 2024, the output value of services provided by China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System reached 575.8 billion yuan ($79.86 billion), making a 7.39-percent year-on-year increase, according to the 2025 white paper released Sunday by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Location Based Services (LBS) Association of China.
Chinese firm's enhanced version of world's first liquid methane rocket nails first mission this year, launching six satellites into orbit Global Times 17 May 2025 -- ZQ-2E, an enhanced version of the ZQ-2 - world's first liquid methane launch vehicle to reach orbit - lifted off from Dongfeng Commercial Space Launch Site in Northwest China for its first flight this year on Saturday around 12:12 pm. The mission successfully delivered a batch of six Tianyi commercial satellites into their preset orbits, marking a complete success.
Defense Leaders Discuss Threats, Golden Dome During Budget Talks DoD News 15 May 2025 -- Senior Defense Department officials met with the Senate Armed Services Committee strategic forces subcommittee in Washington, May 13, 2025, to discuss Golden Dome, a next-generation missile defense shield aimed at protecting the U.S. from evolving aerial threats.
United States Welcomes Norway's Signing of the Artemis Accords US Dept. of State 15 May 2025 -- Norway became the 55th signatory of the Artemis Accords at a ceremony at the Norwegian Space Agency in Oslo, Norway today.
China launches new remote sensing satellites People's Daily 12 May 2025 -- China sent a remote sensing satellite group into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Sunday.
MDA Releases Advanced Capability Concepts Solicitation MDA 09 May 2025 -- Today the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) issued on SAM.gov an open call for white papers providing industry innovators an ongoing opportunity to present the government with cutting-edge concepts and ideas.
US Space Force, Italian Air Force sign statement to expand space security cooperation United States Space Force 09 May 2025 -- U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Luca Goretti signed a statement of understanding aimed at expanding mutual collaboration in the crucial sector of space security on May 8.
CSO highlights growing U.S.-Italian cooperation in space operations United States Space Force 09 May 2025 -- U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman emphasized the critical role of partnerships and the growing strategic importance of space during his remarks at the 2nd International AeroSpace Power Conference in Rome, May 8.
India affirms its growing prominence as Space power in global arena, says MoS Space India PIB 09 May 2025 -- India affirmed its growing prominence as Space power in global arena as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025 India PIB 07 May 2025 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025 via videoconferencing today
Text of PM's address at the Global Conference on Space Exploration via video message India PIB 07 May 2025
India's first human Space mission "Gaganyaan" programme has entered its final phase: Dr. Jitendra Singh India PIB 06 May 2025 -- NEW DELHI, May 6 : India's first human Space mission "Gaganyaan" programme has entered its final phase, with the first human spaceflight now scheduled for the first quarter of 2027
US Space Command hosts Global Sentinel 2025 exercise United States Space Force 06 May 2025 -- U.S. Space Command kicked off its premier space security cooperation capstone event, Global Sentinel 2025, bringing together nearly 30 partner nations plus NATO, April 28.
EU Statement at the sixty-fourth session of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 5 May 2025 European External Action Service (EEAS) 05 May 2025
Army to Roll Out Enlisted Space Ops Specialty DoD News 02 May 2025 -- The Army confirmed it will implement a new space domain-related enlisted military occupational specialty by next fall, the service's top space officer announced during a media briefing at the Pentagon today.
Senior Defense Officials Field Questions on Next-Gen Missile Defense Shield DoD News 01 May 2025 -- During a hearing on missile defense yesterday before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, a panel of senior Defense Department officials testified regarding their respective organizations' progress in developing the country's next-generation missile defense shield.

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