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Today’s briefing
• Space Force thinking about logistics
• SPACECOM prepares for change of command
• Armagno becomes the first female Space Force general

FUTURE SPACE OPERATIONS: The old military adage that tactics win battles but logistics wins wars is not forgotten in the Space Force’s new doctrine. “Space mobility and logistics” are key competencies that the service has to work on, according to the Spacepower vision document.  How the Space Force defines its needs for mobility and sustainment will be hugely important to space companies eyeing military contracts in areas like small launch, orbital transport services and satellite servicing.

“During conflict, space launch must be dynamic and responsive, providing the ability to augment or reconstitute capability gaps from multiple locations,” says Spacepower.

NEW CHIEF AT SPACE COMMAND: Army Gen. James Dickinson will assume command of U.S. SPACECOM from Gen. John “Jay” Raymond on Thursday at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper will officiate back-to-back change of command ceremonies for Dickinson and for Gen. Glen VanHerck, who assumes command of NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM. Other expected VIP guests include Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley and Chief of the Defence Staff Canadian Armed Forces Gen. Jonathan Vance.

SPACE EDUCATION FOR NEW OFFICERS The U.S. Air Force Academy is beefing up the content of its space program to support the needs of the U.S. Space Force. Cadets in the academy’s space program learn how to build and operate satellites. Starting this year they will also take courses in space law, strategy and operations.

IN BRIEF

AIRBUS EYES NEW CUSTOMERS FOR ONEWEB SATELLITES
Debra Facktor says Airbus foresees a growing demand for small, mass-produced spacecraft, especially from U.S. government agencies

ESA EVALUATING THREE BIDS FOR GALILEO
The European Space Agency is preparing to select two companies to build the second generation of Galileo navigation satellites under contracts to be signed in early 2021

X-37B SPACEPLANE WINS COLLIER TROPHY
The U.S. Air Force’s X-37B won for “developing and employing the world’s only reusable, autonomous spaceplane.”

DECLASSIFY MILITARY SPACE TECH? NOT SO FAST
Despite calls for a more open discussion on military space programs, leaders of the Air Force and Space Force rapid procurement organizations argue in favor of secrecy.


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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...