SMC
RL10 engine added to Air Force agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne
Aerojet Rocketdyne and the U.S. Air Force have revised an existing agreement supporting development of a new large rocket engine to include work on an updated version of an upper stage engine.
Air Force chief buyer: Don’t believe the hype, space procurement ‘not broken’
Thompson: SMC is a "great industrial age model for building space weapons systems in a benign environment” but not suited to the current geopolitical reality.
Arabsat Falcon Heavy mission slated for December-January timeframe
SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy launch with a commercial satellite is scheduled to occur around the end of the year, according to customer Arabsat.
Air Force focus on resilience means big changes for spacecraft manufacturing and testing
The U.S. Air Force's plans to respond to emerging threats by launching constellations of satellites. That strategy has important implications for spacecraft manufacturing and testing.
Air Force aims for reliable launch services in spite of dramatic changes in commercial, military space
In the future, the U.S. Air Force will launch satellites of all different sizes for customers with varying degrees of risk tolerance.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson in conversation with SpaceNews
Wilson sat down with SpaceNews at the recent Space Symposium in Colorado Springs to discuss the ongoing reorganization of the Space and Missile Systems Center, space investment priorities and her plans to secure congressional support for budgets and management reforms.
A test for Air Force space technology buyers: Fast prototyping
"Other transactions authorities" allow the Air Force to go faster to prototyping.
SMC 2.0: Air Force begins major reorganization of acquisition offices
The first test for SMC 2.0 will be the next-generation missile-warning constellation that will replace the current Space Based Infrared System.
Air Force and Aerojet Rocketdyne renegotiating AR1 agreement
The U.S. Air Force and Aerojet Rocketdyne are working to revise an agreement to support development of the company's AR1 rocket engine, as questions continue about the engine's long-term future.
Op-Ed | Matching our launch infrastructure to affordable and resilient space systems
As the National Security Space community implements resiliency and disaggregation, and as we take advantage of the rapid acceleration of technology, it appears we are moving toward smaller, shorter life, and more numerous satellite programs.
Air Force looking how to “progress forward” after BE-4 testing incident, official says
Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch said Monday he is working with the Space and Missile Systems Center to figure out the next step after Blue Origin lost a set of engine powerpack hardware during a test.
SpaceX’s low cost won GPS 3 launch, Air Force says
But the military won’t be using a reusable rocket anytime soon
SMC vice commander taking Pentagon space post
Brig. Gen. Mark Baird will likely be leaving his current post as vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center.
SBIRS GEO-3 cleared for launch following engine investigation
The U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center has cleared the third missile-warning Space Based Infrared System satellite for launch following an investigation into the satellite’s engine.
Industry frustrated with slow adoption of hosted payloads
Despite the schedule and cost savings promised by flying government hosted payloads on commercial satellites, industry and former government officials expressed frustration, directed largely at government agencies, with the difficulties they’ve encountered in trying to fly such payloads.
U.S. Air Force Hails SpaceX Return to Flight
Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, commander of the Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, said, “Advancements and developments such as those demonstrated by the Falcon 9 Upgrade provide the opportunity to assure our nation’s access to space with improved resiliency."
