LOGAN, Utah — First the good news:

The agency with the world’s most extensive network of ground- and space-based tracking assets is mandated to offer — free of charge — a satellite identification, tracking and collision-avoidance service to anyone — North Korea included — who owns, operates or launches a spacecraft.

It’s a role that is becoming more important with the planned launch of thousands of small satellites into low Earth orbit.

The bad news: The agency is the U.S. Air Force. That means some . . .

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