Aerospace Group:

Space

NGA Mission To Support World Magnetic Model Launches On SpaceX Rocket

By Cal Biesecker

Monday, March 30th, 2026

SHARE:

NGA Mission To Support World Magnetic Model Launches On SpaceX Rocket

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off March 30, 2026, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., with the Transporter-16 rideshare mission. Photo: SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Monday lifted off with 119 payloads for low-Earth orbit (LEO), including three small satellites developed by competitors under the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s (NGA) MagQuest program to find new ways of collecting data on Earth’s magnetic field in support of the World Magnetic Model (WMM). The Transporter-16 rideshare mission launched at 4:02 PDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., and was the 12th flight for the first stage booster, which landed on SpaceX’s “Of Course…

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Congress

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]