Military
U.S. was not blindsided by Russia’s anti-satellite test, say officials
"These advances in capabilities are concerning, they are not a surprise," Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of space operations, said Dec. 4 at the Reagan National Defense Forum
Changes ahead for Space Force procurement organizations
A new senior procurement executive for space programs will oversee the transfer of the Space Development Agency and a restructuring of the Space Systems Command
Three startups win prize money from U.S. Space Force accelerator
Varda Space Industries, SCOUT and Neutron Star Systems were the top three startups in the Hyperspace Challenge
Tory Bruno: ULA won’t get engines by Christmas, BE-4s coming in early 2022
“We're in the end game now,” Tory Bruno said Dec. 3 on CNBC.
U.S. Air Force Secretary Kendall: Short-term funding an ‘unfortunate’ reality for defense programs
Political fights that delay government funding bills are only helping U.S. adversaries, said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
Biden administration turns focus to space security
At the first meeting of the Biden administration’s National Space Council Dec. 1, Vice President Kamala Harris said a top concern is keeping space safe for military, civilian and commercial operations.
Mike Griffin critical of U.S. response to China’s advances in hypersonic weapons
In the global race for geopolitical dominance, hypersonic glide weapons level the playing field “not by improving their own capabilities, but by removing ours,” said Mike Griffin.
Biden taps former Air Force procurement official LaPlante to run Pentagon acquisitions
President Biden has nominated William LaPlante to be the Defense Department’s top procurement official, the White House announced Nov. 30.
DARPA to launch DoD’s first in-space manufacturing research program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in a new program will explore options to conduct biomanufacturing in space, using biological systems like microbes to construct materials for use in orbital operations.
Space Force official: Satellites in orbit have become pawns in geopolitical chess games
China and Russia have watched the United States display its military power, much of it enabled by satellites in space. China’s recent demonstration of an orbital hypersonic weapon and Russia blowing up a satellite are expected countermoves, said Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman.
Blue Canyon wins $14 million contract for deep-space inspector satellite
Blue Canyon Technologies won a $14.6 million contract to produce a small inspector satellite for operations beyond geosynchronous Earth orbit.
Analysis: DoD ‘pivot to LEO’ a win for commercial satellite industry
The U.S. Defense Department’s interest in low Earth orbit space services is a positive for satellite manufacturers and for commercial operators of broadband constellations, says a new report by the market research firm Quilty Analytics.
Startup Cognitive Space using artificial intelligence to manage satellite operations
Cognitive Space raised $4 million in seed funding for its artificial intelligence-based software designed to manage constellations of imaging satellites.
Space Force general: U.S. has a lot of catching up to do on hypersonic missile technology
“We're not as advanced as the Chinese or the Russians in terms of hypersonic programs,” Gen. David Thompson said Nov. 20. at the Halifax International Security Forum.
Japan, Australia condemn Russia for ‘irresponsible’ anti-satellite missile test
Japan and Australia have joined international condemnation of Russia for testing an anti-satellite weapon Nov. 15 that created over 1,500 pieces of debris in low Earth orbit.
New report calls for U.S. strategy to boost space economy
U.S. national security space organizations released a report Nov. 18 proposing ways to boost the nation’s space economy and technology base.
