2026-09-23 Makani Lab · Theater Joint Force Space Component Posture · Presence · Partnership
BLUF — Posture: SSC's Space Safari asked industry for an RPO- and docking-capable spacecraft on a 14-day tasking-to-launch line, and the PRC orbited its first Diting-01 radio-tracking satellites for space-based electronic warfare. Partnership: the RAF stood up its first counterspace unit. Attention: KCNA imagery identifies the 20 Sep DPRK test as the Hwasongpho-11Ma-1 glide vehicle as Xi arrives for Thursday's summit.
Air & Space Forces Magazine · 2026-09-22 ResilienceSPACECOMMovement and ManeuverUSSF
SSC's Space Safari office issued an 18 Sep RFI for a commercial RPO- and docking-capable spacecraft, 14-day tasking-to-launch, need by FY29 (Air & Space Forces Magazine).
So what: Tactically responsive RPO gives the theater an on-call answer to on-orbit threats.
South China Morning Post (China) · 2026-09-22 ResilienceSPACECOMIntelligenceChina / PLA
A Lijian-1 lifted three Diting-01 radio-tracking satellites from Jiuquan on 20 Sep, China's first commercial space-based signal-locating trio (South China Morning Post).
So what: PRC space-based emitter geolocation raises EMCON risk for theater forces.
KCNA imagery identifies the 20 Sep test as the Hwasongpho-11Ma-1; ROK JCS tracked two missiles from Wonsan to 450 km and 600-plus km, apogees 60-70 km (USNI News).
So what: Depressed hypersonic profiles stress theater missile-warning timelines and cueing.
The Air Force cuts all 10 China Aerospace Studies Institute civilian billets 1 Oct; its director says that ends CASI, the service says the mission goes on (Defense News).
So what: Losing CASI thins the unclassified PLA aerospace research the theater briefs from.
UNCLASSIFIED · open-source reporting only · 8 sources · built 2026-09-23 19:13 HSTTJFSCC Daily · 2026-09-23 · page 1 of 2
UK Ministry of Defence · 2026-09-22 PlanSPACECOMProtectionFVEY
The RAF stood up No. III Space Effects Squadron, its first unit dedicated to countering hostile threats to UK satellites, announced at the UK Space Power Conference.
So what: A CSpO partner adding counterspace force structure widens combined options.
The Royal Navy XLUUV XV Excalibur launched a U.S. Mk 48 torpedo on 13 Sep, an AUKUS Pillar 2 proof of concept the U.S. Navy announced Tuesday (USNI News, Defense News).
So what: AUKUS Pillar 2 undersea autonomy will draw on theater SATCOM and PNT support.
Stars and Stripes (Pacific) · 2026-09-22 TrainPACOMFiresAllies & Partners
U.S. and Japanese forces fired mobile rocket artillery on Hokkaido during the annual Orient Shield exercise, amid Japan-Russia tension over the northern islands.
So what: Combined long-range fires rehearsals lean on theater space effects and PNT.
European governments are accelerating sovereign satellite programs after U.S. restrictions on satellite data access during recent crises (Defense News, C4ISRNET).
So what: Allied sovereign ISR changes what partners can share in a theater fight.
Watch list
Trump-Xi summit Thursday in Washington; watch PRC gray-zone and counterspace activity in the AOR.
Diting-01: confirm the space-based EW claim against official reporting before briefing it as fact.
Long March 6A with an undisclosed payload is Go at Taiyuan for 24 Sep 0845Z.
CASI closes 1 Oct: identify a replacement source for unclassified PLA aerospace research.
UNCLASSIFIED · open-source reporting only · 8 sources · built 2026-09-23 19:13 HSTTJFSCC Daily · 2026-09-23 · page 2 of 2