WASHINGTON — The most far-reaching effects of the budget crunch to date have hit home in the U.S. military space program, as the Air Force is delaying and revising plans for its next-generation space-object tracking system while preparing to shut down the current system.

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Mike Gruss is SpaceNews' chief content and strategy officer. He brings a wealth of expertise in strategic content, audience engagement, and media innovation, honed through leadership roles at Sightline Media Group, where most recently he was editor-in-chief...