Australia Halts $7B Military Satellite Project with Lockheed Amid Security Concerns

Australia's government has canceled its largest military space program, JP 9102, worth $5.3 billion, which was to be developed with Lockheed Martin. The decision, attributed to evolving space threats and budget constraints, shifts focus to a multi-orbit satellite system. This move has drawn criticism from industry experts and the Space Industry Association of Australia, who argue it undermines the country's sovereign space capabilities and defense spending. The cancellation is seen as part of broader defense budget adjustments amid rising costs of the AUKUS alliance and naval expansions.