WASHINGTON — German defense contractor Rheinmetall and Italian space company Argotec launched the first satellite developed under a new partnership. The spacecraft was designed to help military forces spot activity on the ground that could signal an emerging airborne threat.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...