Military
Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, ULA win Space Force contracts for rocket technology projects
Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance were selected to participate in Space Force development projects to advance rocket engine testing and launch vehicle upper stages.
Orbit Fab to launch propellant tanker to fuel satellites in geostationary orbit
Orbit Fab, a startup offering a refueling service in space, will launch a propellant tanker to geostationary orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 lunar lander mission projected for late 2022 or early 2023.
Northrop Grumman to launch new satellite-servicing robot aimed at commercial and government market
Northrop Grumman in 2024 plans to launch a new servicing vehicle equipped with a robotic arm that will install propulsion jet packs on dying satellites.
GAO steps up criticism of Space Force’s missile-warning satellite procurement
The Space Force is providing Congress overly optimistic forecasts of its planned procurement of missile-warning satellites, GAO said in a new report.
Space Force discussions with private sector on future space architecture to remain classified
The first briefing with space and defense contractors planned by the Space Force’s Warfighting Analysis Center Oct. 27 will be at a classified facility.
Space Force looking for ‘unity’ in acquisitions despite a medley of agencies
Despite a medley of organizations overseeing space procurements, the Space Force and the intelligence community have stood up a coordinating group to make sure there is “unity of effort,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, commander of the Space Systems Command.
Space Force talent strategy is a departure from the norm
Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond unveiled the “Guardian Ideal” document Sept. 21 at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber conference
Space Force reveals which Army and Navy units are moving to the space branch
A total of 11 Army and four Navy organizations are transferring to the Space Force
Space Force unveils dress uniforms for guardians
On Sept. 21 at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber conference, the chief of space operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond unveiled the service’s dress uniform.
Space Force to brief industry on its future architecture for space-based missile warning
The Space Warfighting Analysis Center will brief industry representatives Oct. 27 on the results of its first “force design” study focused on space-based missile warning and missile tracking
Kendall: If China can’t beat the U.S. in the air it will try in space
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall in a keynote speech Sept. 20 warned that China’s rapid advances in nuclear and conventional weapons will challenge the United States both in the air and space domains.
L3Harris’ missile-tracking satellites pass early design review
L3Harris announced Sept. 20 that the Space Development Agency has approved the company’s proposed design for a missile tracking satellite.
Space Force grappling with aging infrastructure used to operate satellites
The ground stations and tracking antennas the U.S. military relies on to communicate with its satellites — known as the Satellite Control Network, or SCN — are decades old and short of the capacity needed to keep up with the projected growth in space activities.
Space Force to consider space sustainability in any future conflict
The U.S. military will take space sustainability factors into account should it have to respond to an attack on its satellites, a Space Force official said Sept. 16.
U.S. generals planning for a space war they see as all but inevitable
The Pentagon has declared space is a warfighting domain. Generals and executives in the space industry are preparing to defend the ultimate high ground.
L3Harris opens manufacturing facility in Indiana for DoD missile-defense satellites
L3Harris Technologies on Sept. 16 opened a classified facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the company will assemble and test satellites for U.S. missile-defense programs.
