:

Space

VLEO Under Examination for Possible Use by U.S. Space Force

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, August 28th, 2025

SHARE:

VLEO Under Examination for Possible Use by U.S. Space Force

Albedo Space's Clarity-1 satellite was one of the payloads on a Transporter-13 rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. on March 15 (SpaceX Photo)

The U.S. Space Force is examining very low Earth orbit (VLEO) for possible future use. LEO satellites typically orbit about 500 miles above Earth, while VLEO satellites are to operate at half that altitude and lower. "We're seeing more domains within space becoming relevant, and I think VLEO is one of them," Gillian Bussey, the Space Force's deputy chief science officer, said during question and answer at a panel on service innovation at the National Defense Industrial Association's Emerging Technologies…

Congress

U.S. Fighter Fleet Will Expand By 2040 But More Stealth Aircraft Will Mean Less Availability, CBO Says

The number of fighter aircraft in the U.S. military inventory will decline over the next few years before expanding to a greater number than currently, but their availability for operational […]

Congress

White House Details ‘Concerns’ With Shipbuilding, Spaced-Based Interceptor Oversight In House’s NDAA

The White House has detailed “a number of concerns” with the newly-passed House version of the next defense policy bill, to include the legislation’s limits on procuring Navy ships built […]

Congress

House Narrowly Votes To Pass $1.15 Trillion FY ‘27 NDAA, Blueprint For Reconciliation 3.0

The House on Wednesday narrowly voted to pass its $1.15 trillion version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and a blueprint for a third reconciliation bill […]

Congress

Senate Appropriators Press On Supplemental’s Requests Beyond Iran Scope, Hegseth Urges Full Funding

Senate appropriators have pressed Pentagon leadership on the decision to include funds in the Iran war supplemental request for items beyond the current military operation, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth […]