Acquisitions
Kendall looks to accelerate appointment of civilian leader to oversee Space Force acquisitions
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall is asking Congress to authorize a new assistant secretary for space acquisitions before the Oct. 1, 2022, date that was set in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
Voyager Space acquires propulsion company Valley Tech Systems
Voyager Space announced Oct. 4 it has acquired Valley Tech Systems, a company that developed solid-fueled propulsion for long-range missiles, as well as signal processing and geolocation technologies for the U.S. military.
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.
Kendall reorganizes Space Force acquisition office, wants faster merger with Space Development Agency
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall announced Aug. 24 he is reorganizing the office that oversees Space Force acquisition programs.
Biden to nominate CSIS’ Andrew Hunter as top Air Force acquisition executive
President Biden intends to nominate defense procurement expert Andrew Hunter to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.
National Reconnaissance Office official picked to run Space Force acquisitions command
President Biden has nominated the deputy director of the NRO Maj. Gen. Michael Guetlein for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commander of the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command.
Space Force pushing procurement reforms but culture change is a slow go
Gen. David Thompson said a shift to buying commercially provided space services is going to take time and will require a cultural adjustment.
Technology race against China a key concern for Pentagon acquisition nominee
Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, was nominated by President Biden to serve as undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.
U.S. Space Force acquisitions to get fresh look, lawmaker wants hearings
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) wants the Biden administration to put pressure on the Space Force to clean up its procurement act.
Space Force planning a ‘disruptive’ acquisitions command
Gen. John Raymond said the Space Force is close to finalizing the layout of its future acquisitions command, a large organization that will consolidate multiple agencies that currently operate independently.
Engineering software firm Ansys to acquire AGI for $700 million
Ansys announced Oct. 26 it intends to acquire space data services provider Analytical Graphics Inc. for $700 million.
Space Force developing a digital strategy for designing and producing future satellites
The Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center will test the use of digital engineering in three satellite programs.
Space Force taking extra time to organize acquisitions command
Gen. David Thompson said the new Space Systems Command will be established sometime in 2021
Space Force seeks to influence private sector investments in space technology
Industry executives said space capabilities can’t be achieved with a single product or by a single company.
Space Force buyers want a classified cloud to manage satellite programs
The Space and Missile Systems Center needs a digital workflow system for the development of classified early-warning and communications satellites.
Space Force acquisition reforms awaiting White House approval
A point of contention is the Air Force proposing "incremental" funding for space systems like satellites
U.S. Space Force creates acquisition command to build culture of innovation
The traditional way of buying satellites and other space systems is problematic, Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, the leader of the U.S. Space Force has said, as programs take a decade or longer to move through the military acquisition process and struggle to keep up with commercial space innovation.
Space Force acquisition management criticized by House appropriators
Defense committee says not having a senior civilian acquisition executive for space is a “fundamental problem."
Voyager Space Holdings announces acquisition of Pioneer Astronautics
Voyager is acquiring Pioneer Astronautics, a company that develops technologies to make human life sustainable in outer space.
HASC amendments question space acquisition reforms, challenge DoD plans to procure new systems
The committee is concerned that the Air Force’s recommendations “risk undermining congressional oversight of major space acquisition programs.”
