TBNSpace
Pentagon mulls placing fleet of military satellites around the Moon
Publication: Space - Ars Technica
Author: Stephen Clark
Source published: 09/11/2026, 19:08:37 UTC
Briefing created: 09/11/2026, 20:15:47 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 09/11/2026, 19:38:24 UTC.
Briefings
The US Space Force announced a Request for Information regarding a potential 'proliferated cislunar constellation' of satellites near the Moon, following statements from Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy about extending military reach. This initiative follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in December 2025 that defined space policy for detecting threats from low-Earth orbit to cislunar space. The current fleet consists of geostationary satellites at 22,000 miles altitude, but the new proposal involves satellites in the Moon's vicinity. The article notes a shift in Pentagon thinking but does not confirm the specific number of satellites or their mission details.
Key points
- The US Space Force is requesting information on deploying a 'proliferated cislunar constellation' of satellites near the Moon.
- Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy stated the military was getting serious about extending its reach to the Moon following a December 2025 executive order.
Context
The US Space Force's acquisitions chief, Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, indicated the military was extending its reach to the Moon. This follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in December 2025 that defined space policy for detecting threats from low-Earth orbit to cislunar space. The article notes a shift in Pentagon thinking but does not confirm the specific number of satellites or their mission details.
Limitations
The evidence is limited to a Request for Information on a federal procurement website. Specific numbers of satellites, their mission details, and the exact timeline for deployment are not confirmed. The article does not provide a definitive forecast or impact assessment, only stating that the military is getting serious about extending its reach to the Moon.
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