Space Force
Space Force taps Air Force Research Lab leader for key acquisition post
Col. Eric Felt, director of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, will be moving to a new post this summer as deputy executive director of the Space Force’s architecture, science and technology directorate at the Pentagon.
Raymond: Space Force in 2022 to focus on the design of a resilient architecture
The U.S. Space Force will turn more attention in the coming year to the design of the military’s future space architecture, chief of space operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond said Jan. 18.
Bluestaq gets new investor to fund growth in defense and space data management
The O’Neil Group, a real estate and asset management company based in Colorado Springs, announced Jan. 18 it is making a strategic investment in Bluestaq, a technology startup that is developing an enterprise data system for the U.S. Space Force.
Space Force signals demand for commercial weather data, but will the industry deliver?
Military needs for weather data such as cloud coverage and theater weather imagery currently cannot be met by the commercial industry and likely will require significant new investment.
Pentagon warns hundreds of programs in limbo until Congress passes full-year budget
U.S. military satellite procurements and contracts for launch services have been put on hold and cannot move forward until Congress passes a full-year defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2022.
Space Force on track to absorb Space Development Agency this fall
The Space Development Agency, created in 2019 as a separate entity under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, will be transferred to the U.S. Space Force in October, the agency’s director confirmed Jan. 12.
Launch ranges lack spare parts to support growing demand
The Space Force lacks spare parts for much of the equipment needed to support launches from the Eastern and Western Ranges, an issue that could loom larger as launch activities at both spaceports increase.
Breakup of China’s Yunhai-1 (02) satellite linked to space debris collision
U.S. space tracking has linked the breakup of Chinese satellite Yunhai-1 (02) to a collision with a small piece of debris from a Russian satellite launch, according to NASA.
Space Force to take a fresh look at communications satellite needs
What mix of satellites will be needed to meet rising demand for connectivity will be the subject of a deep-dive study by the U.S. Space Force.
Space Force wants to help fund technologies to recycle, reuse or remove space debris
Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson in a video released Jan. 5 called on the private sector to help clean up space junk.
GAO raises more questions about DoD’s capabilities to monitor threats in space
GAO in a report released Dec. 22 raised concerns about a military program known as Space C2 — short for space command and control — previously run by the Air Force and now by the Space Force.
Space Force eyes lower-cost sensors to monitor geostationary orbit
GEOST won two U.S. Space Force contracts worth $38 million to develop an optical sensor payload that could be hosted on government or commercial satellites.
Space Force celebrates second anniversary as arms race in space heats up
On the second anniversary of the U.S. Space Force, officials are calling attention to its accomplishments as well as looming challenges posed by Russian and Chinese anti-satellite weapons.
U.S. military looking to build lasting relationships with commercial space industry
Government buyers are still trying to figure out how to work with private firms and attract suppliers that have not traditionally sought government contracts, officials said Dec. 14 at a TechCrunch conference.
Op-ed | How the U.S. can quickly build greater resiliency in space
The National Space Council directs the Department of Defense to “accelerate its transition to a more resilient national security space posture.”
Space Force official: U.S. has a broad range of options to respond to space aggression
If Russia, China or any other country targeted a U.S. satellite with missiles or other weapons, the United States would respond in a “proportional manner,” said Brig. Gen. John Olson, the senior reserve officer of the U.S. Space Force.
U.S. was not blindsided by Russia’s anti-satellite test, say officials
"These advances in capabilities are concerning, they are not a surprise," Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of space operations, said Dec. 4 at the Reagan National Defense Forum
Changes ahead for Space Force procurement organizations
A new senior procurement executive for space programs will oversee the transfer of the Space Development Agency and a restructuring of the Space Systems Command
Three startups win prize money from U.S. Space Force accelerator
Varda Space Industries, SCOUT and Neutron Star Systems were the top three startups in the Hyperspace Challenge
U.S. Air Force Secretary Kendall: Short-term funding an ‘unfortunate’ reality for defense programs
Political fights that delay government funding bills are only helping U.S. adversaries, said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
