DARPA
Military experiment demonstrates intersatellite laser communications in low Earth orbit
Two small satellites launched last summer by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency successfully established an optical link during a nearly 40-minute test.
DARPA moving forward with development of nuclear powered spacecraft
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on May 4 issued a solicitation for proposals for the next phase of a demonstration of a nuclear powered spacecraft.
Phase Four wins DARPA contract to test novel propellant
Phase Four won a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency contract to demonstrate the California startup’s radio frequency thruster technology with a new propellant.
CACI ramping up production of optical terminals for low Earth orbit satellites
CACI will deliver 40 optical communications terminals for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Blackjack satellites in low Earth orbit.
Report: Nuclear propulsion would help military satellites maneuver out of harm’s way
Michael Leahy, director of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office, said nuclear propulsion could give the U.S. military an advantage over enemies by making satellites more maneuverable and less vulnerable to attack.
Mynaric selected by DARPA to design next-generation optical terminals
Mynaric has been selected to participate in a DARPA program to develop next-generation laser communications terminals.
Interoperability demo planned between DARPA’s Blackjack and PredaSAR satellites
PredaSAR won a $2 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to demonstrate interoperability between its satellites and the Blackjack military constellation.
Parsons to develop ground operations center for DARPA’s Blackjack satellites
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Parsons a $10.8 million contract to prototype a ground operations center for the agency’s Blackjack constellation.
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.
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.
DARPA seeking satellite laser terminals that can talk to any space network
DARPA is asking for ideas on how to make optical inter-satellite links that can connect government and commercial space communications systems in low Earth orbit.
DARPA awards Lockheed Martin $25 million contract modification for integration of Blackjack satellites
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency increased Lockheed Martin’s contract for satellite integration work for the Blackjack program by $25.3 million.
ExoTerra to provide Blackjack satellite thrusters
Blue Canyon Technologies selected ExoTerra Resources to provide electric propulsion for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s Blackjack Phase 2 and Phase 3 satellites.
Global microelectronic shortages trickle down to military satellite programs
Defense Department satellite programs are feeling the effects of the widespread microchip shortage that has stymied carmakers and consumer electronic manufacturers.
Space Force sees ‘advantages and opportunities’ in nuclear-powered space missions
Space vehicles powered by small nuclear reactors could be used for military missions in deep space, the vice chief of the U.S. Space Force said July 28.
NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies
NASA has selected three teams of companies to perform concept studies of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) reactors while making plans to fund similar studies for nuclear surface power systems.
Space Development Agency to launch five satellites aboard SpaceX rideshare
The U.S. Space Development Agency has five satellites riding on SpaceX’s Transporter-2 mission scheduled to launch June 25.
DoD agencies to invest more than $1 billion in low-Earth orbit space technologies
The Biden administration’s defense budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 seeks more than $1.2 billion for military space systems in low-Earth orbit.
Op-ed | America’s future in space is nuclear
Today, we have a unique opportunity to make the entire solar system — including the strategically vital region of space surrounding the Earth and the moon — more accessible.
Northrop Grumman to supply navigation payloads for DARPA’s Blackjack satellites
DARPA awarded Northrop Grumman a $13.3 million contract to provide positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) payloads for the Blackjack program.
