SN Military.Space
Defense official: We’re failing at space innovation
The Pentagon has to figure out how it will respond to China’s rapid advances in space technology, warned Chris Shank, director of the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office.
Space Force developments this week: U.S. Space Command moving forward
In the last working week of the year, there is no slowing down in the Defense Department’s space reorganization. The White House has given the Pentagon the order to stand up a U.S. Space Command as a separate combatant command.
Highly anticipated GPS 3 launch just days away
The U.S. Air Force’s first GPS 3 satellite was encapsulated within a SpaceX payload fairing at Astrotech Space Operations on Dec. 7 in preparation for a Dec. 18 launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Satellite industry seeks answers on future direction of military satcom
This year’s satcom workshop comes amid major questions about the Pentagon’s plans — or lack thereof — to buy more satellite communications services from the private sector.
Department of the Air and Space Force? Catch up on Space Force developments this week
President Trump has been insistent that a Space Force should be a completely independent military department. One way to organize the new service would be by establishing a Space Force under a larger Department of the Air and Space Force.
After two-year defense buildup, Pentagon still lags in technology innovation
At the Reagan National Defense Forum and the West Coast Aerospace Forum this weekend, analysts and former defense officials roundly criticized the Pentagon for lacking a solid plan to modernize capabilities in areas where China and Russia are advancing.
Smallsat industry hails historic SpaceX rideshare launch
After several launch delays, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on Monday successfully deployed 64 small satellites into orbit.
It’s down to the wire for Space Force legislative proposal
The clock is ticking for Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and a team of senior Pentagon officials to complete a legislative proposal that fulfills President Donald Trump’s orders to establish a military branch for space.
Military satellite communications: Buyers can’t make up their minds
One take-away from last week’s Global MilSatcom conference in London is that the satellite communications industry is giving government buyers more choices than they can handle.
DigitalGlobe: New commercial players not threatening our government business
Geospatial imagery and services provider DigitalGlobe secured a $900 million contract extension from the National Reconnaissance Office to provide commercial imagery until August 2023.
Political odds stacked against Space Force. Proponents brace for long fight
Elections have consequences. But exactly what the new power structure in Washington means for the future of the Space Force will not be known for some time.
U.S. Army kicks off new small satellite program
The Army’s interest in small satellites has not wavered. Pentagon contractor Dynetics announced last week it has been selected to develop small satellites for the USASMDC/ARSTRAT under a program named Gunsmoke-L.
Air Force leaders more vocal about their support for Trump’s Space Force proposal
Top leaders of the U.S. Air Force are doing their best to counter the narrative that they oppose President Trump’s plan to establish a Space Force.
Navy’s 3D printing project promises big payoffs for aerospace and defense manufacturing
The aerospace industry is making huge investments in additive manufacturing but producing parts that can pass quality tests in government programs, for instance, remains a challenge.
Here’s a rundown of the latest Space Force developments
At the National Space Council meeting last week, Vice President Mike Pence made an impassioned case for the establishment of a Space Force. But no matter how much President Trump wants it, congressional authorization by law is required to form a new military branch.
Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office awards contract to Sierra Nevada for weather satellite
A new office created to accelerate the acquisition of military space technologies awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. a $119 million contract last month to develop a weather satellite.
