The US Space Force

[Forest Green]

BlackSky Secures $7 Million Contract Renewal for Space-Based Imagery and Analytics Services

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 01, 2024 - BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has secured a $7 million contract renewal to provide dynamic space-based imagery and analytics monitoring services to an established international government cu

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1797698552535355865

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1797698552535355865

Air Force aims to field new moving target indication capability in 2027

The Air Force wants to start fielding new capabilities for moving target indication in 2027, DefenseScoop has learned.

defensescoop.com

GDIT's Project Enigma inches toward production contract - Breaking Defense

Project Enigma is a program designed to create a single-cloud digital environment where industry, academia and the DoD can work together on a shared network.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

ROC Stars: Air Force seeks more firms for cargo delivery via rocket - Breaking Defense

AFRL's fiscal 2025 budget plans show that the lab hopes to complete testing of the capability to air-drop cargo pallets down from Starship during FY25, and to launch a demonstration flight to "transport 30 to 100 tons of cargo to an austere site" in late FY25 or early FY26.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

F-35, Israel win big in House appropriators' $833B draft defense bill - Breaking Defense

The HAC-D's version of the spending bill contains a heavy focus on culture war issues, but does increase spending for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Defense Innovation Unit.

breakingdefense.com

The Space Force’s $29.4 billion request was cut slightly to $28.6 billion, with reductions of about $400 million to both procurement and research and development accounts.

House appropriators also slapped down the Department of the Air Force’s proposed move of National Guard space units into the Space Force. Because the bill summary and text does not lay out explicit language laying out the exact scope of the prohibition, it remains to be seen how it compares with the language approved by HASC, which would allow the Space Force to absorb National Guard space units, but only if approved by that state’s governor.

 

[Forest Green]

DARPA project uses AI to flag space weapons, spy satellites

Through the DARPA project, Slingshot Aerospace created an AI tool to spot nefarious satellites that could be hiding in large constellations.

www.defensenews.com

US Space Force sorts through industry ideas to boost satellite sensors

Space Systems Command is sifting through an influx of ideas from companies to determine how they might shape future space domain awareness requirements.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

First test of space-based hypersonic tracking sensors 'within a week,' MDA director says - Breaking Defense

Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins told CSIS that he is "absolutely" trying to speed development of the Glide Phase Interceptor, but that any changes must keep the program "viable."

breakingdefense.com

Hide and seek: Despite sharper eyes on the heavens, sneaky sats can still find shadows - Breaking Defense

Hiding in the sun, launching mini satellites and radar absorbent materials are just some of the tricks nations are using to hide their military satellites in orbit.

breakingdefense.com

Space Rapid Capabilities Office slates $1B for dynamic space ops C2 - Breaking Defense

Under the contract, SpRCO's Rapid Resilient Command and Control project, nicknamed R2C2, will buy ground software in "bite-sized pieces" to support new Space Force satellites capable of rapid and sustained maneuver.

breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com

 

[Forest Green]

US Space Force plans to boost competition for launch business. Will it work?

Incumbents with the National Security Space Launch mission may have too strong a hold on the program.

www.defensenews.com

Space Force’s Resilient GPS program draws skepticism from lawmakers

Lawmakers say the Space Force's plan to use proliferation to boost GPS resiliency may be flawed.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Missile Defense Agency satellites track first hypersonic launch

The flight the satellites tracked was the first for MDA’s Hypersonic Testbed — a platform for various hypersonic experiments and advanced components.

www.defensenews.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1801679261301965095

View: https://x.com/defense_news/status/1801679261301965095

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force boots RTX from MEO missile warning/tracking program - Breaking Defense

"This was done because the RTX Epoch 1 development effort was facing significant cost growth from the original agreement baseline, projecting slips to the launch schedule, and had unresolved design challenges," a Space Systems Command spokesperson told Breaking Defense.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Air-breathing satellites???

Redwire to Lead DARPA SabreSat VLEO Mission

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 18, 2024 - Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) announced it has secured a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to act as the prime mission integrator for an air-breathing satellite.

www.spacewar.com

US Space Force Awards Contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA for National Security Space Launch Phase 3

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 17, 2024 - The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA. The base Indefinite Delivery Indefinite

www.spacewar.com

Space Systems Command Grants Contracts for Space Laser Communication Prototypes

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 18, 2024 - The United States Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded four contracts to Blue Origin, CACI International Inc., General Atomics, and Viasat to develop space laser communication termi

www.spacewar.com

Frontier Technology Chosen for $1B Military Satellite Software Contract

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 17, 2024 - Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI) has been selected by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) as one of twenty companies to compete for the Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2) indefinit

www.spacewar.com

Vyoma Awards Aerospacelab Contract for Second Space Surveillance Satellite

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 17, 2024 - Vyoma has awarded Aerospacelab a contract to build a microsatellite that will carry Vyoma's second Space Situational Awareness (SSA) optical payload, set for launch by the end of 2025. This mission

www.spacewar.com

 

[TomcatViP]

A gorgeous blend b/w a Super Saber and the Star Trek Enterprise

View: https://youtu.be/mln4kyXqWXw

We talked about that long time ago, with ionized atmospheric conditions and very low density that can assist sustainer engines (ionized particles to electric thrusters) and air assist maneuver for orbit transfers or, I suspect, evading targeting from IADS.

 

[Forest Green]

I bet you get really nice recon pictures too. Also well below the magnetosphere, I wonder what that means as regards space nuke EMP effects.

 

[dark sidius]

View attachment 732223
A gorgeous blend b/w a Super Saber and the Star Trek Enterprise

View: https://youtu.be/mln4kyXqWXw

We talked about that long time ago, with ionized atmospheric conditions and very low density that can assist sustainer engines (ionized particles to electric thrusters) and air assist maneuver for orbit transfers or, I suspect, evading targeting from IADS.

Star cruiser...

 

[jsport]

SDA to develop separate ground system for FOO Fighter 'fire control' sats - Breaking Defense

SDA Director Derek Tournear said he expects the new FOO Fighter ground segment to be up and running in December 2026, before the first satellites are launched.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Cal Poly Releases Report on Outer Space Cyberattack Scenarios

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 17, 2024 - The Ethics + Emerging Sciences Group has published a 95-page report on the rising threat of cyberattacks targeting space systems. Funded by a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the

www.spacewar.com

US allies cite progress, but say more needed for collective response to space threats - Breaking Defense

US Space Command's recently realigned and renamed Joint Commercial Operations cell is one example of successful joint operations, agreed the four European space leaders.

breakingdefense.com

SPACECOM prepping data fusion pilot to create 'common operational picture' - Breaking Defense

Space domain awareness is one of the mission areas that SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting said currently needs improved command and control capabilities.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Next-generation material for satellites could self-heal when exposed to cosmic rays

Rochester NY (SPX) Jun 25, 2024 - The space environment is harsh and full of extreme radiation. Scientists designing spacecraft and satellites need materials that can withstand these conditions. In a paper published in January

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1806326633772486981

View: https://x.com/northropgrumman/status/1806326633772486981

https://twitter.com/x/status/1806326671861035150

View: https://x.com/northropgrumman/status/1806326671861035150

Northrop Grumman Ships Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission Satellites to Launch Site

DULLES, Va. – June 21, 2024 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) delivered its two-satellite constellation to the launch site for Space Norway's Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM). These satellites will bring commercial broadband and...

news.northropgrumman.com

Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission | Northrop Grumman

Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission will deliver game-changing broadband coverage of the Arctic maritime domain in partnership with our international allies

www.northropgrumman.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force faces 'bellicose' PLA willing to risk escalation: RAND - Breaking Defense

The RAND study warns that due to "inflated threat perceptions" about US intentions, Chinese leaders tend to "interpret U.S.-led efforts to establish crisis communication mechanisms or broader space norms as tools to control China's behavior."

breakingdefense.com

Space Force working with SpaceX to closely watch falling Starlinks - Breaking Defense

The Space Force today circulated a fact sheet explaining what the service called a "proactive" and "collaborative" effort to keep tabs on Starlink re-entries as SpaceX begins to de-orbit some 100 early variants.

breakingdefense.com

SpaceX launches U.S. spy satellites from Vandenberg

Washington DC (UPI) Jun 29, 2024 - SpaceX launched spy satellites for the United States from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday night.

www.spacewar.com

Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission Prepares for Launch

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 01, 2024 - Space Systems Command's (SSC) two Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) payloads, integrated with Space Norway's Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) vehicles, have arrived at Vandenbe

www.spacewar.com

Raytheon Awarded Contract to Develop Landsat Next Instruments

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 01, 2024 - Raytheon, a division of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has secured a $506 million contract from NASA to design and build the Landsat Next Instrument Suite (LandIS), featuring three advanced space instruments, wit

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force plans first-of-a-kind conclave to prioritize user needs - Breaking Defense

"We have to have models that allow us to meet 24/7, mission requirements while simultaneously surging to the needs and demands of combatant commanders," Lt. Gen. David Miller said.

breakingdefense.com

Space Force faces 'bellicose' PLA willing to risk escalation: RAND - Breaking Defense

The RAND study warns that due to "inflated threat perceptions" about US intentions, Chinese leaders tend to "interpret U.S.-led efforts to establish crisis communication mechanisms or broader space norms as tools to control China's behavior."

breakingdefense.com

Scout Space nabs DARPA deal to simulate autonomous satellite swarming - Breaking Defense

The BRIDGES project is Scout's first with DARPA, but the company's SDA-related software and hardware — including its "plug and play" optical sensor packages designed as hosted payloads — already have caught the eye of Space Force officials.

breakingdefense.com

ICEYE and Ukraine's Ministry of Defense Enhance Space Defense Cooperation

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jul 09, 2024 - ICEYE, a global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to bolster their c

www.spacewar.com

Scout Space Joins DARPA's BRIDGES Consortium for Enhancing Space Defense

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 09, 2024 - Scout Space Inc., a prominent in-space observation service provider specializing in space security and comprehensive Space Domain Awareness (SDA), has announced its selection to participate in the D

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Atlas V USSF-51

www.ulalaunch.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810309226738102771

Saltzman names former UK space chief 'Assistant CSO' to promote allied partnership - Breaking Defense

In his Commanders Note issued today, Gen. Chance Saltzman said the appointment marks the first time a foreign officer has been assigned to such a high position within a US service.

breakingdefense.com

Space Force revamps GA-EMS weather demo contract: $380M through 2030, second bird - Breaking Defense

"This proactive approach ensures we remain ready to meet our national defense objectives," Lt. Col. Brian Pitman, space-based weather systems material lead at Space Systems Command's Space Sensing directorate, told Breaking Defense in an email.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force's Saltzman sees 'room' for space capabilities in AUKUS Pillar II - Breaking Defense

“We are at that stage of planning” around what we should include, Saltzman noted, adding that all three nations see a potential Pillar II space agreement “as a valuable tool.”

breakingdefense.com

Army moves to expand 'space control' planning, 'interdiction' capabilities - Breaking Defense

"As we look out into 2030, we know from all the Army warfighting concepts that we have to grow space capability, and we have to grow air defense missiles," SMD Commander Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey said.

breakingdefense.com

Sweden angles to fill a void in NATO’s space plans

The Swedish government has adopted the country’s first-ever defense and security space strategy, which seeks to make Stockholm a space hub for allies.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force analyzing next-gen missile warning/tracking, NC3 options - Breaking Defense

Col. Robert Davis, program executive officer for SSC's Space Sensing Directorate, told the National Security Space Association today that the SWAC study might affect how follow-on satellites are designed and, perhaps, hardened to radiation.

breakingdefense.com

Azimuth Space Program Joins Special Warfare Orientation

Colorado Springs CO (AFNS) Jul 28, 2024 - As the largest commissioning source for the Space Force, the Academy offers an array of space-related programs. This summer, cadets joined their ROTC peers for the third consecutive year for the Azi

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Analysts Envision New, Expanded Roles for USSF Small Satellites

A new policy paper from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies argues the Space Force can do more with small satellites.

www.airandspaceforces.com

The Space Force could also deploy small sats as “co-orbital weapons to disable adversary satellites using localized kinetic, EW, lazing, spoofing, or jamming techniques,” they wrote. “These ‘hunter-killer’ SmallSats could patrol near adversary assets, hide in less monitored orbits, or remain with a larger bus or an upper-stage vehicle waiting for activation.”

Space Order of Battle: Beyond Domain Awareness | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Today threats in space are significant. Increasingly, U.S. space capabilities are contested, as Russia and China pursue threatening capabilities to challenge what was once U.S. dominance and have become near parity.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force missile warning competition robust despite RTX exit

Col. Rob Davis, who oversees space sensing programs, said, "There’s no shortage of competition in the market."

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Akima Wins $480 Million Contract to Enhance U.S. Space Force Satellite Operations

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 29, 2024 - Akima, a leading provider of products and services to the federal government, has announced that its subsidiary, Five Rivers Analytics, has been awarded the Satellite Control Network Tracking Statio

www.spacewar.com

Umbra Introduces Advanced SAR Satellite Mission Solutions

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 01, 2024 - Umbra, a leader in space technology and remote sensing, has unveiled a new business line dedicated to delivering operational Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite missions to clients seeking thei

www.spacewar.com

US Space Force's Space Systems Command completes final Atlas V launch

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 30, 2024 - The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have successfully launched the USSF-51 mission on an Atlas V 551 rocket. Liftoff occurred today at 6:45 a.m. EDT (

www.spacewar.com

 

[jsport]

Nominee: Get Space-Based Targeting Data ‘to Right People at Right Time’

The prospective next head of the Pentagon’s intelligence enterprise discussed space-based ISR and targeting at her confirmation hearing.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[jsport]

EXCLUSIVE: GMTI emerges as new front in Space Force-NGA turf battle - Breaking Defense

NGA chief Frank Whitworth defended his agency’s role in Ground Moving Target Indicator operations to Breaking Defense, as sources say there’s tension behind the scenes.

breakingdefense.com

Space Force officials have characterized their responsibilities for the GMTI satellites — and, eventually, other moving target indicator satellites (MTI) designed to track airborne targets — as simply an extension to the heavens of the Air Force’s US Code Title 10 role in JSTARS. Title 10 governs military roles and missions, whereas Title 50 governs those of intelligence agencies. That said, there long has been a gray zone between the two.

“JSTARS was the air model, providing situational awareness to the combatant commanders from the air. What we’re doing is taking that air vision and elevating it into space, so it is no different,” Gen. Michael Guetlein, Space Force vice chief, told the annual McAleese Defense Conference on March 7. “From a Title 10 perspective, we have the exact same responsibilities to provide situational awareness to the battle commander on tactically relevant timelines.”

Air Force aims to field new moving target indication capability in 2027

The Air Force wants to start fielding new capabilities for moving target indication in 2027, DefenseScoop has learned.

defensescoop.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force Endorses Orbit Fab's RAFTI as Standard for Satellite Refueling

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 06, 2024 - Orbit Fab, a leading provider of in-space refueling services, announced that its RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) refueling port has been approved by the Space Force's Space Syste

www.spacewar.com

'Space fires' to enable 'space superiority' are top SPACECOM priorities for FY27 - Breaking Defense

Gen. Stephen Whiting revealed that the command has just submitted to the Joint Force its FY27 "integrated priorities list" — an annual compendium of requirements put together by each combatant command to "inform the services and defense agencies of our warfighting needs as they prepare their...

breakingdefense.com

Air Force Research Lab eyes space data transport demo in 2026

The Air Force Research Lab is working with the Space Warfighting Analysis Center and the Defense Innovation Unit to test space data transport concepts.

www.defensenews.com

 

[jsport]

Episode 190 – Orbital Warfare: Train Like You Fight - Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

In episode 190 of the Aerospace Advantage, Orbital Warfare: Train Like You Fight, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with Lt Col Jessica “Thumper” Getrost, Commander of the 57th Space Aggressor Squadron; Lt Col Matt “BC” Bejcek, former Commander of the 98th Space Range Squadron; and Mitchell Institute...

mitchellaerospacepower.org

 

[jsport]

Space Force to demonstrate satellite maneuvering in 2026 mission

Space Systems Command and SpaceWERX awarded Washington-based Starfish Space $37.5 million to build and operate a satellite for the mission.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[Forest Green]

Scout Space Joins Space Domain Awareness TAP Lab Accelerator

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 08, 2024 - Scout Space Inc., a prominent provider of in-space observation services and Space Domain Awareness (SDA), has been selected for the U.S. Space Systems Command's Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Tools Ap

www.spacewar.com

EdgeRunner AI's Battle Buddy Recognized by Space Force SSC for Military Support

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 08, 2024 - EdgeRunner AI, a startup focused on developing Generative AI for the edge, has received commendation from the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) for its innovative offline AI platform, Bat

www.spacewar.com

 

[bobbymike]

U.S. Army gears up for space warfare, drawing lessons from Ukraine

U.S. Army gears up for space warfare, drawing lessons from Ukraine

spacenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

The Army wants its own 'Space Force.' They shouldn’t be allowed to have it. - Breaking Defense

In this op-ed, two Mitchell Institute experts argue that the Army's Space and Missile Defense Command is overstepping with its plans to increase space personnel and space control capabilities.

breakingdefense.com

Commerce IG frets delays in transition of space monitoring from DoD - Breaking Defense

The IG further is urging NOAA's Office of Space Commerce to move out more aggressively to craft a plan to set binding rules to manage the ever increasing amount of on-orbit traffic — despite the fact, as pointed out to Breaking Defense by senior NOAA officials, that Congress has yet to give OSC...

breakingdefense.com

Space Force, allies craft global supply chain strategy

Space Force says the strategy could be completed in within the next year.

www.defensenews.com

US Space Force launches Enhanced Polar System payloads with SpaceX rocket

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 16, 2024 - The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) has successfully launched two Enhanced Polar System - Recapitalization (EPS-R) payloads on August 11, 2024. The payloads were carried aboard a Spac

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Defense Science Board calls for greater commercial space tech adoption

A new report calls on the Space Force to integrate commercial technology wherever possible — from wargaming exercises to budgets and acquisition plans.

www.defensenews.com

York Space Systems Secures Contract for 10 Satellites in SDA's Tranche 2 Transport Layer Gamma

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 17, 2024 - York Space Systems (York), a Denver-based aerospace company known for its rapid deployment of comprehensive space mission solutions, has been awarded a new contract by the Space Development Agency (

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Hydrosat plans LEO sats to map literal hot spots for military, commercial users - Breaking Defense

CEO Pieter Fossel explained how the temperature of the ground, for instance, can be a critical factor for helicopter-borne special operations missions.

breakingdefense.com

Hydrosat launches first payload to monitor hot-spots on Earth - Breaking Defense

The company's capability to precisely measure land surface temperatures — using data from a wide variety or Earth monitoring satellites and a software suite for data fusion — has potential military and national security applications.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Development Agency’s global mesh network in space is moving forward, with speed - Breaking Defense

By focusing on delivering minimum viable products, the Space Development Agency is enabling a larger set of suppliers to rapidly field data transport and missile tracking systems.

breakingdefense.com

Reliant on Starlink, Army eager for more SATCOM constellation options

Army officials said at TechNet Augusta that the service wants to ensure its units have access to multiple satellite connectivity options.

www.defensenews.com

 

[TomcatViP]

The U.S. Space Force awarded a $200 million contract to Northrop Grumman to construct a radar site in the United Kingdom to monitor objects in outer space. This initiative is part of the AUKUS security alliance involving Australia, the U.K. and the United States.

Space Force awards $200 million contract to Northrop Grumman for UK radar site

Space Force awards $200 million contract to Northrop Grumman for UK radar site

spacenews.com

 

[jsport]

Defense Science Board calls for greater commercial space tech adoption

A new report calls on the Space Force to integrate commercial technology wherever possible — from wargaming exercises to budgets and acquisition plans.

www.defensenews.com

 

[jsport]

Hydrosat launches first payload to monitor hot-spots on Earth - Breaking Defense

The company's capability to precisely measure land surface temperatures — using data from a wide variety or Earth monitoring satellites and a software suite for data fusion — has potential military and national security applications.

breakingdefense.com

 

[jsport]

Pentagon is certain that space will be key to future conflicts

Opinion: Satellites form the backbone of modern military infrastructure, supporting vital functions like precise navigation and secure communication.

www.c4isrnet.com