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T-Mobile has published an ad featuring the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 ahead of the phone’s official launch.

This is the second bit of new official Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 imagery we’ve seen today.

The phone will launch at a Galaxy Unpacked event in London tomorrow, July 22.

Samsung’s next phones and wearables are set to officially launch tomorrow at Galaxy Unpacked in London, but that’s not stopping the new hardware from continuing to break cover. Samsung itself posted a teaser image showing the unannounced Galaxy Z Fold 8 earlier today, and now, T-Mobile’s apparently published an ad for the new phone ahead of schedule.

Industry observer Tarun Vats posted a screenshot on X today showing what appears to be an ad published by T-Mobile for Business on Facebook. The ad shows a hand holding the “all-new” Galaxy Z Fold 8, calling it a “pocket-size powerhouse.”

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A friend recently called me in a panic about summer vacation plans. Like so many families, work schedules mean she can't always lock plans in advance. While she had reserved hotel rooms in Dublin, Ireland, and Edinburgh, Scotland, she hadn't yet booked the flights. Airfare, it turned out, was just too expensive and beyond her budget for a family of five. (This is why families — especially — need points and miles. You can pool everyone's miles , and most award tickets can be canceled and the points refunded at no or little cost.)

She was frantic. Her husband and kids were looking forward to a vacation that would blend history with a healthy dose of outdoor activities. She asked if I had any ideas for an alternative destination with availability at the right price. Boston, I knew, would save her summer.

Boston's Old South Meeting House. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY The historic city had everything she was looking for, and, with just a few clicks, her crew could be on their way. Full disclosure: I grew up in Boston and have always loved the city. But a recent trip back there reminded me why it's a fabulous place to visit while also introducing me to some new things, too.

Like my friend, here's why you should consider visiting Boston this year, alongside tips to make the most if it.

How to get there

Aerial view of Boston, Massachusetts. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY It's easy to fly to the very manageable Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on airlines such as Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and United. A major international hub, you'll also find direct flights from many major cities across the globe.

Alternatively, take Amtrak to South Station (within walking distance of several hotels, including the InterContinental Boston).

South Station, Boston. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY History that predates the United States

Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution, but its history is much older. Algonquian-speaking indigenous tribes lived in the area as far back as the last Ice Age. Despite displacement over the years, organizations such as the North American Indian Center of Boston exist today to empower the descendants of the area's original Native American community. Check the website's events page, which often lists cultural events open to the entire community.

The 'Cradle of Liberty' and the birth of America

Paul Revere statue in Boston's North End neighborhood. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Colonial Boston was incorporated in 1630, ten years after the Mayflower landed about 40 miles south of the city at nearby Plymouth Rock. And, of course, it was where tensions stemming from taxation without representation — the famous Boston Tea Party — ignited war with Britain in the late 1770s.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Boston became "the Ellis Island of Massachusetts": a major port of entry for Europeans, Canadians and, later, Central and South Americans. My own family was part of that migratory path, settling in the North End and East Boston. That influx of people and ideas built the vibrant and diverse city that exists today.

North Square in Boston's Italian North End neighborhood. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Related reading: A walking tour of Boston's North End – What to see, do and eat in Little Italy

A guided tour is the best way to learn more about Boston's rich history. There are many providers, but my group worked with Hub Town Tours , which specializes in introducing the city to small groups (16 people or fewer). While we opted for a customized private tour just for our group, the company offers three group tours:

Freedom Trail History: Follow a pedestrian path through the city to hear all about what happened between 1760 and 1776.

Irish famine memorial. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Beacon Hill: Underground Railroad History Tour visits historic sites along cobblestone streets, the elite homes of Boston's upper class and abolitionist landmarks, such as the African Meeting House.

Back Bay: Walking the Women's Heritage Trail, with stories of the fight for women's suffrage (Boston Common, Back Bay, Public Garden, Newbury Street and Copley Square).

Sculpture in Boston Common. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY If you've never been to Boston before and don't know much about the American Revolutionary period, go for the 2.5-hour Freedom Trail tour. A brick-lined path links 16 important landmarks so you could just explore on your own, but Hub Town Tours' guides are historians and archaeologists and access to them — and their stories — brings this part of Massachusetts to life. It's worth going with a guide.

Old State House. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Among the sites you'll visit are Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground (dating to 1660), King's Chapel & First Burying Ground (dating to 1630), Benjamin Franklin Statue (he went to school at Boston Latin in 1635) and Old City Hall, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, the Site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, North Square and Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Terrace and more.

Happening now: America's 250th anniversary celebration

Custom House Tower. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY You can't scroll through TikTok these days without seeing details about events around the country centered on America's 250th anniversary. Boston actually started celebrating last year on April 18, 2025, to give a nod to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride warning Bostonians that the British were on their way to wreak havoc. Festivities continue throughout 2026 and include the following:

Sail Boston 26 , where Boston Harbor hosts an international fleet of Tall Ships from July 11–16.

Patriots of Color exhibit at the Family Heritage Experience on Newbury Street: Running until Dec. 31, 2026, this is a fascinating look at the stories of Black, Native and multiracial Bostonians who fought for independence.

America At 250 at The MFA (Museum of Fine Arts): The Art of Americas collection is on display from June 21, 2026–July 4, 2027, featuring pieces such as Paul Revere's Sons of Liberty Bowl (1768), Gilbert Stuart's unfinished portrait of George Washington (1796) and a work by Alan Michelson, a Mohawk member of the Six Nations of the Grand River, which proffers a modern critique of Washington, known to the Mohawk nation as "Town Destroyer."

There are many more events, so take a look at the Boston 250 calendar for a full rundown.

Other 'can't miss' things to do in Boston

Boston Tea Party Museum. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Beyond historic sites, there are many cool things to see in Boston — many of which are perfect for families. And there are many museums to discover. Don't forget Bank of America's Museums on Us benefit, which unlocks free entry to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and The Institute of Contemporary Art on the first full weekend of every month. (Eligible products include any credit or debit card issued by Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank.)

One trip to the city won't allow you to see it all, but here are a few staples to consider.

Kid-friendly activities: The interactive Boston Tea Party Museum is a lot of fun. You can literally throw bales of tea into the harbor from a replica 18th-century ship. Pair that with the Children's Museum (right next door) and the N ew England Aquarium .

Boston Children's Museum. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Dine and shop at the Seaport (home to restaurants, breweries, waterfront parks and even an F1 arcade) and stroll along the Harborwalk (a near-continuous 43-mile path along Boston's shoreline).

Boston's Seaport. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Catch a baseball game at historic Fenway Park or take a tour of the ballpark.

Explore Chinatown : Check out Pao Arts Center, pop into specialty markets and apothecaries, take a selfie under the Chinatown Gate, and, of course, sample excellent dim sum, noodles, Peking duck and more.

Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the city's Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. The collection is world-class, and there's even a true crime exhibit telling the story of a famous art heist that took place there in 1990. Well worth the visit.

Walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway , stretching from Chinatown's gate (Essex St. and Surface Rd.) to the North End (Cross and Hanover streets). Free events are held throughout the year, and it's a wonderful place to let kids run off some steam, experience the Greenway Carousel, enjoy seasonal flowers, splash in the fountains or simply grab lunch from nearby food trucks and enjoy a picnic-style meal on the grass.

Rose Kennedy Greenway sculptures. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Take a whale-watching harbor cruise or take a ferry or water taxi to one of Boston's 34 outer islands that comprises Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park .

View of Boston's skyline for a water taxi. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY If walking is a challenge, there are several hop-on, hop-off trolley experiences in the city.

Related reading: Best credit cards for entertainment spending

What to eat and drink

Boston is a multicultural city and you'll find restaurants serving cuisine from around the globe. However, you can't visit Beantown without sampling some of the following specialties:

New England clam chowder

Fried clam strips and bellies

Lobster rolls (Connecticut style, warm and dripping with butter, or Rhode Island style, cold and accompanied by mayo)

Oysters on the half shell

Boston baked beans

Boston cream pie

Cannoli (order from a North End bakery that fills the shell with ricotta right in front of you)

Sfogliatelle, aka a "lobster tail" (a flaky horn-shaped pastry filled with cream — pick one up in the North End)

Samuel Adams beer (the brewery's research hub is in Jamaica Plain)

Related reading: Best credit cards for dining

Use your Amex Resy credit at a speakeasy

Here's a fun way to cap off an evening in Boston. Book the Loyall Counting Room speakeasy at the InterContinental Boston. I won't give away too many of the night's secrets, but it's hidden away beyond Bar Fellini in the lobby. The hotel grants limited access to this intimate space (Wednesday–Saturday, 5–10 p.m.).

InterContinental Boston speakeasy. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Mixologist Rey Cruz led our group through some inventive cocktail choices, each with ingredients and stories tied to the American Revolution and the history of Boston. You can also order small bites. The venue qualifies for the Resy statement credit (up to $100 back quarterly), a benefit of the American Express Platinum Card® (enrollment required). Simply pay with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required.

Related reading: How to maximize dining experiences and save money with this Amex benefit

Where I stayed: InterContinental Boston

InterContinental Boston. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY When I grew up in Boston in the early 1980s, the Seaport — east of the Financial District and across from the Fort Point Channel — didn't exist as it does today. A lot has changed over the last 20 years, as the $14.6 billion "Big Dig" transformed much of Boston. The project moved the elevated Central Artery (I-93) underground, creating the beautiful Rose Kennedy Greenway walking path and making way for a massive waterfront experience (much of it on manmade land) that's packed with museums, activities, hotels, restaurants and bars.

From the Seaport, you can easily walk to the Financial District, Downtown Boston, Boston Common and the Public Garden, the North End and more. You can also commute by water taxi.

Related reading: The best IHG hotels in the world

InterContinental Boston. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY On previous visits to the city, I've always stayed closer to the Boston Common or Public Garden, so I was excited to make the InterContinental Boston my home-away-from-home for my most recent trip. Often, I worry about staying in larger luxury hotels because, while they are, in fact, luxurious, they sometimes aren't unique to the destination's landscape. I was elated to see so many New England touches throughout the InterContinental. It truly channeled Boston's spirit. Case in point: Order the lobster roll from the room service menu. It's exquisite.

A yummy lobster roll from InterContinental Boston's room service menu. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY The facade of the building's two towers evokes a sailing ship, which is apropos since the address at 510 Atlantic Street is right on the water. I also love that the hotel used limestone from the Big Dig as wall accents on certain floors. If you look closely, you'll see fossils from bygone days. It's a cool way to incorporate the massive transformation of this part of town that made way for the hotel itself.

InterContinental Boston lobby. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY The interior color palettes of sand, light green, sky and sea blue give the hotel a very New England feel, and every single room — whether water- or city-facing — seems to have a spectacular view. My 480-square-foot room overlooked the water and the Boston Tea Party Museum. It was fun watching visitors toss tea into the harbor every so often and to see families in rented pedal boats that looked like swans, ducks or dragons.

Boston Tea Party Museum as seen from a guest room at the InterContinental Boston. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY The room was equally equipped for vacation (a luxe king-size bed, a chaise longue, an armchair, a snuggly bathrobe and slippers, a soaking tub and a separate shower in the marble-decked bathroom) or for work (a desk with plenty of real estate to spread out, with a view of the city right out the facing window). I also made good use of the in-room coffee/tea maker and appreciated the ironing board and iron.

InterContinental Boston ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY There's a good-sized indoor pool, and the fitness center was fully equipped. Sadly, I didn't get in a workout there.

InterContinental Boston indoor pool. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Instead, I started and ended each day with a brisk walk from the hotel along the Harborwalk, across the Evelyn Moakley Bridge (Seaport Blvd.), through Martin's Park along the Fort Point Channel and then back across the retractile-style Summer Street Bridge. It was a great way to get to know the hotel's neighborhood.

Boston Seaport. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY The property is very well maintained — not a nick or scratch on anything in my guest room, and the public spaces are absolutely stunning. But what really stood out was the staff. Every person I interacted with was knowledgeable about the hotel and the Greater Boston area, and they seemed excited to share their perspectives with me. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the InterContinental Boston for solo travelers, couples or families (there are some lovely suites and connecting rooms).

The food and beverage at the hotel's restaurants and bars exceeded my expectations. Breakfast buffets can be ho-hum, but I enjoyed the options at Matria. The friendly waiter glanced at the plate I had made for myself, piled high with fresh fruit, and then recommended the made-to-order acacia bowl. (One made-to-order entree is included in the price of the buffet.) The sunny dining room — accented with orchids and other flowers — made for a pleasant start to the day.

Matria, InterContinental Boston. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Later in the trip, I dined at the Terrace on the Waterfront for some pre-dinner Champagne and oysters (offered on special Thursdays from 4–7 p.m.). You can't beat waterfront views, $1 oysters and Moet & Chandon.

Oysters at InterContinental Boston. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY We followed that up with an excellent meal at Matria consisting of roasted tomato focaccia ($14), farro salad ($22) and gnocchi alla Bava (fontina and Parmesan cheese with toasted hazelnuts and black pepper, $24). The meal rivaled some of the spots I've tried in the North End. The focaccia was a standout. I'd go back just for that.

Matria farro salad. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY After dinner, we noticed several groups sitting at fire pit tables, enjoying s'mores. That looked incredibly fun, whether you're looking for a romantic evening or something to keep the kids entertained.

S'mores tables at InterContinental Boston's Matria. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY The terrace's adjacent lawn area is the spot to lounge during the day, enjoy yoga or simply watch the boats go by in the channel.

The hotel also has its own water taxi launch. The concierge can help you arrange transportation to and from the airport, the North End and other destinations across the city. It's a relaxing way to get around Boston and affords you some incredible photo ops.

InterContinental Boston's water taxi stop. ANDREA M. ROTONDO/ THE POINTS GUY Bottom line

Boston is an ideal getaway — especially in the spring, summer and fall — for either a weeklong or weekend getaway. You can blend history, art, sports, culture and fine dining in just one trip. And it has so much extra to enjoy during the 250th. I'm already planning my next trip back, and can't wait to see what's new on my next visit.

Related reading:

Celebrate America's 250th birthday: Book these hotels for less than $250 this summer

Route 66 road trip planner: The best stops along the way

10 points hotels to book near major cities for an easy, last-minute summer getaway

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Runoff from Greenland's rapidly melting ice sheet could severely disrupt currents in the Atlantic Ocean that regulate the global climate, researchers say. But the fresh water won't trigger the complete and irreversible collapse of the circulation that some research predicts, a new study suggests.

By 2100, Greenland meltwater could cause a reduction in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) equivalent to an additional 10% to 20% on top of the weakening that many scientists already expect for this huge system of currents, researchers found.

Previous research suggests the AMOC, which moves heat from the tropics to the Northern Hemisphere and cold water back south toward Antarctica, is at its weakest in more than 1,000 years due to Arctic ice melt and soaring ocean temperatures. Models indicate that the circulation will continue to weaken for decades to come , potentially unleashing freezing weather in Northwest Europe, additional sea-level rise along the U.S. East Coast and droughts around the equator.

The AMOC loops around the Atlantic Ocean, bringing warm waters north along the ocean's surface and cold waters south along the ocean floor. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) The new study revealed that by 2300, Greenland's ice sheet could cause a whopping 40% of AMOC weakening on top of the declines projected by some climate models if we continue to cook the planet. The results highlight the effects on the AMOC of a growing freshwater pulse from Greenland that most climate models currently don't take into account, the authors said.

"By the year 2100, yes, we have something, but the greatest fraction is what we add later," study co-author Jost von Hardenberg , a professor in the Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy, told Live Science.

Meltwater from the Arctic and Greenland slows the AMOC by preventing the formation of deep currents in the North Atlantic that drive the circulation south toward Antarctica. Deep currents form when masses of cold, salty water sink to the seabed, but inputs of fresh water and rising water temperatures are blocking this step by diluting and warming surface waters.

While Arctic meltwater is commonly integrated into climate simulations, researchers have been slower to include runoff from the Greenland ice sheet in models, partly because this runoff may not be as disruptive as Arctic meltwater on shorter timescales, von Hardenberg said.

"In order to represent correctly the Greenland melt, you need a specific, dynamic model for the Greenland ice sheet. It's nice to have, but it requires a lot of resources to develop," von Hardenberg said

The Community Ice Sheet Model version 2 (CESM2) is one of the few available simulations of the Greenland ice sheet. For the study, von Hardenberg and his colleagues used a global climate model called EC-Earth3, which does not include the Greenland ice sheet. The team added the ice sheet from CESM2 to explore how it might affect the AMOC over the next few centuries. Adding the ice sheet separately enabled them to compare AMOC weakening with and without Greenland, clearly revealing the impact of the ice sheet on the AMOC's strength.

The results, published June 19 in the journal Science Advances , suggest the Greenland ice sheet will have a big influence on Atlantic ocean currents, especially after 2100.

"Greenland starts really melting strongly only after that date," von Hardenberg said. "If you go farther in our simulation — we go up to the year 2300 — that is also when this meltwater really becomes extremely strong."

Yet unlike other studies that show the AMOC collapsing irreversibly under climate change, in this model, the circulation recovered once the team switched off the meltwater or dialed down greenhouse gas emissions. Both the simulations that didn't include the Greenland ice sheet and those that did had similar results, recovering partially when the meltwater was turned off and fully when greenhouse gas emissions were stopped.

The recovery in the model suggests that the AMOC is more stable than previously thought and doesn't suddenly flip from an active state into a collapsed one, von Hardenberg said. "It's consistent with a strong weakening, but not a shutdown," he said.

Overall, the findings show that it is important to include the Greenland ice sheet in climate models — something von Hardenberg and his colleagues are planning to do in the next version of the EC-Earth3 model.

"It's really something which is worthwhile doing to better constrain the uncertainty of these future simulations," von Hardenberg said. "If we have a larger set of models which include this component, we will be in a better position to try to answer the question, 'How much do we expect AMOC to decrease in different scenarios?'"

Other experts agreed that integrating the Greenland ice sheet in climate models will increase the accuracy of AMOC predictions.

"What makes the study particularly interesting is that it directly tests a process that has often been highlighted as an important source of uncertainty in future AMOC projections," said Jonathan Baker , a senior climate scientist at the Met Office in the U.K. who was not involved in the study.

The results are consistent with previous research showing that Greenland meltwater causes additional AMOC weakening, but whether the system could collapse is still uncertain, given that the team used only one model, Baker told Live Science in an email. "Repeating these experiments across a wider range of models will be important to assess how robust the findings are," he said.

Nicholas Foukal , an assistant professor at the University of Georgia's Skidaway Institute of Oceanography who was not involved in the study, said he doesn't think the use of a single model limits the analysis.

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"I think this result is robust and I am glad to see the authors come to this conclusion in such a high-resolution and realistic coupled climate model," Foukal told Live Science in an email. "This finding also agrees with other modeling results that require immense amounts of fresh water, much more fresh water than is available on Greenland, to cause irreversible change in the AMOC."

However, a third expert said the model used in the study is unrealistic, because its parameters make the AMOC more resilient than those of other models. Therefore, the study should be replicated in other models to draw unbiased conclusions.

"While the experiment reported is interesting, its outcomes are neither surprising nor should be interpreted as exemplary for the whole model ensemble," Sybren Drijfhout , a professor of physical oceanography at the University of Southampton in the U.K., told Live Science in an email.

Researchers should investigate the impact of the Greenland ice sheet on the AMOC further, von Hardenberg said. "It would be interesting in the future to check it [the AMOC's recovery with Greenland meltwater] with other models, but of course it's encouraging to see it in one case," he added.

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A spacecraft equipped with two robotic arms, developed by Northrop Grumman, is set to be launched today. The company plans to establish an entire fleet of these Mission Robotic Vehicles (MRVs), ostensibly to offer a commercial service to refuel and repair satellites in orbit. However, the question has been raised about whether the MRV could also be used to attack enemy assets in space . The U.S. Space Force has said publicly that it is pursuing offensive space-based capabilities , primarily to help protect friendly satellites from growing threats.

Whether the MRV , or a derivative thereof, could be employed in an offensive role explicitly came up during a quarterly Northrop Grumman earnings call this morning. The company does not appear to have ruled out the possibility.

“As part of our satellite servicing portfolio, we’ve developed the first commercial robotic spacecraft capable of repairing, relocating, and servicing satellites in geosynchronous orbit via two robotic arms,” Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden had highlighted in her introductory remarks at the start of the call. “It can also install life extension jetpacks onto other satellites for government or commercial customers, prolonging their useful life for up to eight years.”

“The spacecraft is known as the Mission Robotic Vehicle, or MRV, and our first MRV is scheduled to launch later today, weather permitting,” she added.

“You probably can’t provide quantitative terms here, but just from a qualitative perspective, what’s the potential market for an offensive version of that spacecraft that could be used to disable adversary satellites?” Scott Mikus, Director for Aerospace, Defense and Space Research at Melius Research , asked later on during the call.

“So I appreciate the question. I will leave it up to the U.S. government to decide how that capability might fulfill mission objectives that they have in that regard,” CEO Warden said in response. “But certainly, it’s our objective to offer our clients options for technology deployment, and for them to determine policy for when and how they might deploy that technology.”

To take a step back, if all goes to plan, a SpaceX Falcon 9 space launch rocket carrying the MRV will blast off from Cape Canaveral sometime in a four-hour window starting at 5:15 PM ET today. The rocket will also carry three Mission Extension Pods (MEPs), which are the “life extension jetpacks” that Warden mentioned.

As noted, the MRV has two robotic arms that allow it to place the MEPs onto other satellites in orbit, as well as perform other tasks. The arms are part of what is formally called the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) payload. The RSGS system was developed through a program led by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), in cooperation with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). It is worth noting here that RSGS is the product of U.S. government work in this vein stretching back decades. There have also been other similar developments elsewhere globally, including in China and Russia, as we will come back to later on.

The MRV’s upcoming mission will include rendezvousing with satellites belonging to Australian firm Optus and SES in Luxembourg and attaching MEPs to them, according to a report from Spaceflight Now . Both of these companies are commercial telecommunications providers.

Northrop Grumman’s fact sheet on the MRV says the spacecraft is capable of performing an array of on-orbit inspection and servicing missions beyond refueling via the MEPs. The robotic vehicle can also be used to ‘tow’ satellites from one position to another and help clear debris. All of this requires the ability to maneuver very closely with other target objects in space. This, in turn, brings us to the question of the MRV potentially offering an offensive anti-satellite capability.

For years, TWZ has highlighted how robotic arms on spacecraft are an inherently dual-use capability that could be used to launch attacks in space. In general, arms like this could be used to damage or destroy key systems on adversary satellites, such as optics or solar panels, or to just pull them out of orbit . In the latter case, the target could be towed into a degrading orbit where, if control could not be reestablished, it would re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and be destroyed.

The U.S. military itself has repeatedly pointed to adversary satellites with robotic arms as one of many potential threats to its own space-based capabilities.

“We’re basically responding to a warfighting domain where our adversaries have already put interceptors in space, and we want to make sure that we rebalance that in terms of deterrence,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force’s top officer, said at a roundtable at the Air & Space Forces Association’s (AFA) annual Warfare Symposium in February. Saltzman was responding to a direct question from our Howard Altman.

“Interceptors by definition refer to a handful of well-acknowledged capabilities that other countries have, like ground and air-launched anti-satellite missiles or capabilities like the SJ-21 [the Chinese Shi Jian 21 satellite], which has a grappling arm,” a Space Force spokesperson also told TWZ at that time when asked for clarification about the “interceptors in space” Saltzman had mentioned.

‘Inspector satellites’ that could have dual-use purposes have been a hot topic of discussion for years now , with Russian developments drawing particular attention . A ‘killer satellite’ with close maneuvering capability could employ a variety of means beyond robotic arms to try to disable, damage, or even destroy a target in space. This could include electronic warfare jammers, directed energy weapons , chemical sprays, and small projectiles . The space-based inspector could itself be used as a kinetic kill vehicle and deliberately smashed into the target.

A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency graphic highlighting some of the ways on-orbit attack can be carried out, including via robotic arms. DIA

Close inspection of other satellites in space also provides opportunities to gather intelligence about their capabilities and monitor their activities. U.S. satellites, as well as those belonging to Russia and other countries, have been observed doing just this over the years . Some commercial satellite imagery firms are even now offering space-based situational awareness as a service .

A commercial image of Landsat 8 taken from another satellite, WorldView-3, in orbit. Maxar Technologies (now Vantor) via NASA

As underscored by DARPA and NRL’s work on RSGS payload, the U.S. military already has a clear interest in the MRV spacecraft’s core capabilities. On-orbit refueling, in particular, is seen as offering vital freedom of maneuver to help safeguard friendly satellites from attack. Right now, ‘running and hiding’ is the most immediate option available for responding to threats, but doing so requires satellites to burn precision fuel, eating into their operational lifespan.

The Space Force also has an entire unit dedicated to a still-evolving “orbital warfare” mission set that has defensive and offensive elements.

“Protecting and defending satellites can’t simply be done by protect and defend. You can’t run away from a bully forever. Sometimes you got to turn around and punch,” Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, head of U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command (CFC), said at another roundtable at the AFA Warfare Symposium in February. “So protect and defend, although necessary, is insufficient to deliver space control. We also need, as part of our joint force, the ability to attack.”

Gagnon cited China’s massively expanding space-based capabilities as a key driver behind this viewpoint. He’s also mentioned plans for Space Delta 9 , the formation tasked with orbital warfare, to begin exploring new offensive and defensive tactics using an experimental satellite.

"Orbital Warfare" patch and previously unseen (at least by me) shoulder sleeve insignia worn by a member of the US Space Force's Space Delta 9.

— Joseph Trevithick (@franticgoat.bsky.social) 2024-07-12T13:13:57.752Z

“This prototype will be operated by my Orbital Warfare Delta. This is the only Orbital Warfare Delta in the United States government. Their job will be working on their maneuvers, which is one of the seven joint functions of warfighting, so that they can deliver offensive and defensive capabilities that are precise and not imprecise,” he explained. “They’re going to work on driving that spacecraft in a way that we couldn’t drive spacecraft before.”

The scale and scope of demands to protect U.S. satellites in orbit is only set to grow significantly in the coming years, fueled further now by the Golden Dome initiative. Golden Dome is a multi-faceted effort aimed at delivering a hugely expanded national missile defense architecture . A core element of the plan as it stands now is space-based anti-missile interceptors , which will be supported by large, distributed sensor and communications satellite constellations. In a report released in May, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assessed that 7,800 interceptors in orbit could be needed to make the concept work.

L3Harris

As already noted, the U.S. military has a clear interest in the on-orbit refueling and servicing capabilities that Northrop Grumman’s MRV spacecraft is designed to provide now. This could also be key to protecting and sustaining elements of Golden Dome, as well as other critical new space-based sensor and other satellite constellations.

The scheduled launch of the first MRV spacecraft today is a very important milestone all around, and one that might open the door to a very different kind of ‘armed’ space-based capability.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

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