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Space War Update Oct 29, 2026: China’s Orbital Jammers, Starlink Probe

Space War Oct 29: US intelligence finds Chinese jammers in orbit, a Pentagon watchdog skips a Starlink probe and Vietnam joins the Artemis Accords.

ByPeter
Space war map for Oct 29, 2026 marking Washington, Cape Canaveral, Ukraine, the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing and Ha Long in
Places named in this report, Oct 28–29, 2026; numbers match the footnotes, and country-level marks are approximate. Map: Peter's World; data: Natural Earth

Key Takeaways: 5 things to know

  1. A US intelligence report says China now has jamming equipment in orbit, the first such finding by the agency, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported (see Adversary Space Activity).
  2. The Pentagon’s inspector general declined nine senators’ request to investigate Starlink and Starshield disruptions in Ukraine, saying the Air Force was better placed (see Space in Active Wars).
  3. Vietnam became the 78th country to sign the Artemis Accords on October 28, in a ceremony at Ha Long, the State Department said (see Allies & Diplomacy).
  4. United Launch Alliance said its Vulcan rocket will fly again on November 13, after a February problem delayed several Space Force missions (see Launches & Constellations).
  5. Air Force researchers recovered cargo pods from the Pacific after a test flight on SpaceX’s Starfall capsule, a step toward rocket cargo delivery (see US Space Force & Space Command).
Report detailsSpace War Update, Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Coverage Oct 28, ~1:30 PM ET to Oct 29, ~10:00 AM ETDetails
  • Publisher: Peter’s World War Room
  • Edition: Space War Update, Thursday, October 29, 2026
  • Coverage window: Oct 28, 2026, ~1:30 PM ET to Oct 29, 2026, ~10:00 AM ET
  • Times: ET unless noted
  • Sources: spaceforce.mil, spacecom.mil and war.gov checked first (no new space releases in the window), then the State Department, the Defense Intelligence Agency and specialist space and defense outlets
Space war map for Oct 29, 2026 marking Washington, Cape Canaveral, Ukraine, the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing and Ha Long in Vietnam.
Places named in this report, Oct 28–29, 2026; numbers match the footnotes, and country-level marks are approximate. Map: Peter’s World; data: Natural Earth

This October 29, 2026 Space War update covers new detail from a US intelligence report on Chinese weapons in orbit, a Pentagon watchdog’s refusal to examine Starlink limits in Ukraine, Vietnam joining the Artemis Accords and an Air Force test of cargo delivery from space.[1] It follows the Oct 28 update; see the War Room for the other theaters.

Adversary Space Activity

China’s weapons in orbit

The DIA released its 2026 report Challenges to Security in Space on October 26, as covered in our October 28 update.[13] New detail reported on October 28 shows the report goes further than earlier editions: it says China “is developing space-based technology, including on-orbit counterspace weapons, capable of holding space systems at risk,” Air & Space Forces Magazine reported.[14] By the late 2020s, the report says, “China may field space-based directed energy systems and higher-powered ground-based directed energy systems capable of threatening satellites in higher orbits.”[15]

The report now states that Chinese firms are developing jammers against synthetic aperture radar satellites, “including military reconnaissance platforms,” where its 2022 edition said China was only “probably” doing so.[16] It says Chinese satellites’ close approaches to foreign spacecraft are “largely inconsistent with the stated mission of the satellites.”[17] The War Zone also highlighted the warning on space-based directed energy weapons.[18]

Iran and North Korea

The report says Iran has jammed satellite communications and navigation signals around the Strait of Hormuz, and that during Operation Epic Fury both the United States and Iran “took offensive actions against each others’ space capabilities,” the magazine reported.[19] It says North Korea “may also be developing jammers effective against military GPS signals.”[20]

Launches & Constellations

ULA announced on October 28 that Vulcan will fly a redesigned solid rocket booster nozzle on its November 13 return.[21] The February anomaly happened during the Space Force’s USSF-87 mission, which still reached orbit, and Vulcan’s grounding has delayed missions including the first Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared missile warning satellite, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported.[22] Brig. Gen. Eric Zarybnisky, the Space Force’s acquisition executive for space access, said on October 21 that the service will use data from Vulcan’s first commercial flights to plan military launches.[23]

US Space Force & Space Command

The Air Force Research Laboratory said its agile cargo pods were recovered after splashdown in the Pacific, following the Starfall capsule’s launch on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission on October 20.[24] The war.gov news service reported on October 22 that the laboratory tested the Rocket Cargo project’s point-to-point delivery during a rideshare launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.[25] “This was a critical achievement to demonstrate the potential of Rocket Cargo delivery for point-to-point rapid global mobility for the Future Force,” said Adam Remaly of the laboratory’s Technology Transition Office.[26] No new Space Force or Space Command releases were posted in the window.

Space in Active Wars

The Pentagon’s inspector general declined a request from nine senators to investigate disruptions to Starlink and Starshield service in Ukraine, saying the Air Force was better placed to answer, the Associated Press reported.[27] Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said it is “concerning that the Inspector General has apparently decided not to investigate satellite communication disruptions that Ukraine relies on to protect its civilians.”[28] An inspector general spokesperson said the office may revisit the decision if new information arises.[29] The Russia-Ukraine War Update for October 29 covers the same dispute alongside the overnight drone attacks.

Allies & Diplomacy

Vietnam became the 78th signatory of the Artemis Accords on October 28, when Science and Technology Minister Vu Hai Quan signed them in Ha Long, the State Department said; see the Indo-Pacific Security Update for October 29.[30] US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks attended the ceremony, held during Vietnam International Digital Week.[31]

Domestic Affairs

The senators asked whether any US officials “directed, authorised, approved or had advance knowledge” of changes to Starlink and Starshield services affecting Ukraine, according to the AP report.[32] No congressional vote or hearing on military space took place in the window.

War Crimes and Civilian Harm

Allegations are attributed; findings are not established unless stated.

Not applicable: no civilian harm from space or counterspace activity was alleged in this window.

Statements by Officials

Quotes
DateSpeakerRole/OrgQuoteContext/TopicSource
2026-10-21Brig. Gen. Eric ZarybniskyUS Space Force, acquisition executive for space access“We’re doing our due diligence to make sure that we’re understanding the real fundamental physics that are going on”Vulcan return to flightairandspaceforces.com [33]
2026-10-29Adam RemalyAir Force Research Laboratory, Technology Transition Office director“This was a critical achievement to demonstrate the potential of Rocket Cargo delivery”Starfall cargo testspace.com [34]
2026-10-29Jeanne ShaheenUS senator, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee“there must be an independent accounting and review to determine responsibility”Starlink limits in Ukrainepravda.com.ua [35]

What to Watch (Assessment)

  • Whether Vulcan flies on November 13 and when it carries Space Force payloads again.
  • Whether the Air Force answers the senators’ Starlink questions.
  • Whether more countries sign the Artemis Accords before year end.

Seven lenses

Analysis

About the framework

Geography & Strategic Position

High geosynchronous orbit is where Chinese satellites have maneuvered within 10 kilometers of other nations’ spacecraft, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report says, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine (see Adversary Space Activity).[2] On Earth, the report points to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has jammed satellite signals.[3]

Military & Security

The DIA report says China’s military jamming systems combine ground-based and on-orbit equipment, the first time the agency has noted jammers in orbit, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported.[4] It also says China “probably intends to deploy additional” anti-satellite missiles able to reach low, medium and high orbits.[5]

Score 2/5Evidence confidence: MediumTrend: Deteriorating

Alliances & Diplomatic Networks

The State Department said Vietnam’s decision to join the US-led Artemis Accords extends the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership “into a new frontier” (see Allies & Diplomacy).[6]

Economic & Industrial Power

United Launch Alliance said its Vulcan rocket, grounded since a February booster problem on a Space Force mission, will return to flight on November 13 with Amazon satellites (see Launches & Constellations).[7] The Space Force has moved four missions planned for Vulcan to SpaceX rockets.[8]

Score 2/5Evidence confidence: MediumTrend: Stable

Technology & Critical Infrastructure

An Air Force Research Laboratory cargo test on SpaceX’s Starfall capsule, launched October 20 from Cape Canaveral, ended with its cargo pods recovered from the Pacific, Space.com reported (see US Space Force & Space Command).[9]

Domestic Politics & Information

In Washington, a bipartisan group of senators is pressing for answers on who decided the Starlink limits that Ukrainian officials say hurt their air defense (see Space in Active Wars).[10]

Strategic Leverage & Outcomes

Assessment: China’s widening counterspace tools and Iran’s jamming show adversaries preparing to contest US satellites in any conflict, while Vulcan’s grounding has delayed the first next-generation US missile warning satellite.[11][12]

Score 2/5Evidence confidence: LowTrend: Deteriorating

Strategic assessment

Relative advantage
The US-led Artemis Accords now have 78 signatories, with Vietnam the latest.
Critical vulnerability
Only two US providers are certified for the most sensitive national security launches, and one is grounded.
Decisive uncertainty
How quickly China fields directed energy weapons in orbit.
Likely trajectory
More jamming and close approaches in orbit, and more oversight fights over commercial satellite services in war.
Strategic outcome
Not yet determinable.

Analysis by Peter’s World using the Seven Lenses framework. Numbered notes link to the footnotes at the end of this report. Scores, where shown, are judgments, not measurements.

Additional sources

Footnotes

  1. [1] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  2. [2] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  3. [3] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  4. [4] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  5. [5] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  6. [6] US Department of State, “United States Welcomes Vietnam’s Signing of the Artemis Accords”, https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/10/united-states-welcomes-vietnams-signing-of-the-artemis-accords/. Published: Oct 28, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  7. [7] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  8. [8] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  9. [9] Space.com, “SpaceX’s Starfall capsule delivers cargo for US Air Force in landmark ‘point to point’ space mission”, https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacexs-starfall-capsule-delivers-cargo-for-us-air-force-in-landmark-point-to-point-space-mission. Published: Oct 29, 2026, 6:00 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  10. [10] Ukrainska Pravda, “Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine – AP”, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/29/8060188/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 9:48 PM ET (03:48 Kyiv Oct 29). Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Associated Press report.
  11. [11] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  12. [12] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
Show 25 more sources
  1. [13] Defense Intelligence Agency (dia.mil), “DIA Releases Challenges to Security in Space”, https://www.dia.mil/Articles/Press-Release/Article/4633953/dia-releases-challenges-to-security-in-space/. Published: Oct 26, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-10-28.
  2. [14] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  3. [15] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  4. [16] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  5. [17] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  6. [18] The War Zone, “U.S. Intel Warns China’s Space-Based Directed Energy Weapons Could Soon Threaten Satellites”, https://www.twz.com/space/u-s-intel-warns-chinas-space-based-directed-energy-weapons-could-soon-threaten-satellites. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 11:53 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  7. [19] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  8. [20] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “China Developing More On-Orbit Space Weapons: New Report”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-developing-more-on-orbit-space-weapons-new-report/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 6:03 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:09 PM ET. Reports the Defense Intelligence Agency’s 2026 space report.
  9. [21] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  10. [22] Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  11. [23] (statement) Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Statement made Oct 21, 2026 (Brig. Gen. Eric Zarybnisky, US Space Force, to reporters); published Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  12. [24] Space.com, “SpaceX’s Starfall capsule delivers cargo for US Air Force in landmark ‘point to point’ space mission”, https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacexs-starfall-capsule-delivers-cargo-for-us-air-force-in-landmark-point-to-point-space-mission. Published: Oct 29, 2026, 6:00 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  13. [25] Department of War (war.gov), “Air Force Research Lab Demonstrates Rocket Cargo Delivery”, https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4631639/air-force-research-lab-demonstrates-rocket-cargo-delivery/. Published: Oct 22, 2026, 1:44 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Summary read from the war.gov news RSS feed.
  14. [26] (statement) Space.com, “SpaceX’s Starfall capsule delivers cargo for US Air Force in landmark ‘point to point’ space mission”, https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacexs-starfall-capsule-delivers-cargo-for-us-air-force-in-landmark-point-to-point-space-mission. Statement made Oct 2026 (Adam Remaly, AFRL Technology Transition Office director, AFRL release); published Oct 29, 2026, 6:00 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  15. [27] Ukrainska Pravda, “Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine – AP”, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/29/8060188/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 9:48 PM ET (03:48 Kyiv Oct 29). Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Associated Press report.
  16. [28] (statement) Ukrainska Pravda, “Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine – AP”, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/29/8060188/. Statement made Oct 2026 (Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, quoted by the Associated Press); published Oct 28, 2026, 9:48 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  17. [29] Ukrainska Pravda, “Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine – AP”, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/29/8060188/. Published: Oct 28, 2026, 9:48 PM ET (03:48 Kyiv Oct 29). Retrieved: 2026-10-29. Associated Press report.
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  21. [33] (statement) Air & Space Forces Magazine, “ULA says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November After Monthslong Pause”, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/united-launch-alliance-vulcan-rocket-launch-again-november/. Statement made Oct 21, 2026 (Brig. Gen. Eric Zarybnisky, US Space Force, to reporters); published Oct 28, 2026, 3:59 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  22. [34] (statement) Space.com, “SpaceX’s Starfall capsule delivers cargo for US Air Force in landmark ‘point to point’ space mission”, https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacexs-starfall-capsule-delivers-cargo-for-us-air-force-in-landmark-point-to-point-space-mission. Statement made Oct 2026 (Adam Remaly, AFRL Technology Transition Office director, AFRL release); published Oct 29, 2026, 6:00 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
  23. [35] (statement) Ukrainska Pravda, “Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine – AP”, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/29/8060188/. Statement made Oct 2026 (Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, quoted by the Associated Press); published Oct 28, 2026, 9:48 PM ET. Retrieved: 2026-10-29.
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Sources

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