SpaceX launched the first batch of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) satellites into low Earth orbit on Sept. 10, at 1412 UTC from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, using a Falcon 9 rocket with booster B1093, which completed its sixth flight, landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff.

The SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer B mission marks the beginning of the buildout for a new U.S. military satellite constellation designed to provide global, encrypted communications for warfighters. The Falcon 9 rocket launched 21 satellites, the first of the 126-satellite Tranche 1 Transport Layer network, into a low Earth orbit (LEO).

The satellites were built by York Space Systems and are part of the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a constellation designed to be refreshed every two years with new "tranches" of satellites.

The Tranche 1 Transport Layer is a key component of the PWSA, which will consist of seven layers, including battle management, custody, deterrence, navigation, missile tracking, transport, and support.

The primary purpose of the T1TL network is to provide persistent, regional, encrypted connectivity to support military operations globally.

"The 21 spacecraft launched today are part of the @SemperCitiusSDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a new layered network of satellites in low-Earth orbit and supporting elements that will provide global military communication and missile warning, indication, and tracking capabilities," SpaceX wrote X.

The SDA has contracted York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space, and Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems to build 42 spacecraft apiece for the first tranche of the transport layer. This launch is part of a $1.8 billion contract awarded to establish the constellation.

Wednesday's mission is the first of multiple planned launches for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer, with additional launches scheduled for Q3 and Q4 2025.

The SDA was established in March 2019 to rapidly develop and field cost-effective space assets for the U.S. Department of War.

Apple held its "Awe Dropping" event on Tuesday, unveiling the iPhone 17 series, new Apple Watches, and updated AirPods Pro 3.

The launch included the standard iPhone 17, the new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, alongside refreshed Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and the AirPods Pro 3.

The iPhone 17 Air, Apple's thinnest smartphone ever at 5.6mm, was the standout announcement. It features a single 48MP rear camera, a polished titanium frame, and is powered by the new A19 processor. It is available in black, silver, gold, and a new light blue finish, with a starting price of $999.

The standard iPhone 17 features a larger 6.3-inch display with a fast refresh rate, 256GB of base storage, dual 48MP rear cameras, and an upgraded front camera, priced at $799.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models received a significant design refresh, including a new camera bar spanning the top third of the device and a switch from titanium to aluminum frames for improved heat dissipation. Both models feature 48MP telephoto cameras, a new A19 Pro chipset, and improved battery life, with prices of $1,099 and $1,199 respectively.

The Apple Watch 11 introduced new health features, including blood pressure monitoring and a new sleep score tool, with a battery life of 24 hours and 5G connectivity. The Apple Watch SE 3 also received the sleep score feature and an always-on display 

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 extended its battery life to 42 hours and added satellite messaging capabilities.

The AirPods Pro 3 feature improved audio quality, active noise cancellation, translation features, fitness tracking sensors, and a new, smaller charging case.

Apple has expanded its eSIM-only iPhone 17 lineup to include new countries, marking a significant shift from previous models.

The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be eSIM-only in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the iPhone Air being eSIM-only globally, including in China.

The eSIM-only models in these countries eliminate the physical SIM card tray, allowing Apple to increase battery capacity, particularly in the Pro models, which gain up to two additional hours of video playback.

This expansion includes Canada and Mexico for the first time, alongside a broader rollout in the Middle East and Asia.

In contrast, the iPhone 17 series will still feature a nano-SIM card tray alongside eSIM support in regions like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and India.

In China, the standard iPhone 17 models support nano-SIM cards only, while the iPhone Air model is eSIM-only.

Israeli military carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the nearly 2-year conflict. The attack, which targeted a residential complex in the West Bay Lagoon district, resulted in the deaths of six people, including the son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and the director of his office, as well as a Qatari security officer.

The strike occurred while Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting in Doha to discuss a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. administration, which had been facilitated through Qatari mediation.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and has played a key role in indirect negotiations with Israel since October 2023. The Israeli military claimed the target was the senior leadership of Hamas, specifically naming Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin as individuals targeted.

The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place order for its personnel due to reports of missile strikes.

Israel described the operation as a "precise strike" targeting those responsible for the October 7 attacks and claimed it was a "wholly independent Israeli operation."

The strike has drawn widespread international condemnation, with Qatar calling it a "cowardly" and "blatant violation" of international law, and the UN Secretary General condemning it as a "flagrant violation" of sovereignty.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement asserting that the strike was "a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility." He claimed the attack was retaliation for the deadly shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop on Monday and the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that was also posted on Truth Social by the president, that President Donald Trump was informed of the attack by the U.S. military shortly before it occurred and immediately directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar of the impending strike.

Trump "feels very badly" about the location of the attack, but the White House emphasized that the strike "does not advance Israel or America's goals."

The White House also stated that Trump assured Qatar's leaders "that such a thing will not happen again on their soil." Trump added in the Truth Social post that he has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize U.S. defense cooperation agreement with Qatar.

The attack followed a pattern of Israeli strikes against Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, in response to attacks on Israel. The strike has caused significant diplomatic tension, with Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, France, and the UN all condemning the attack as a violation of sovereignty and a dangerous escalation.

Trump administration statement:

“This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

"Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.

"However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal. President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack. President Trump wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now.

"President Trump also spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu after the attack. The prime minister told President Trump that he wants to make peace and quickly. President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace. The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country.

He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil."