space surveillance

Northrop Grumman wins $341 million Space Force contract to develop a deep-space tracking radar
The U.S. Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $341 million contract to develop a radar site to track active satellites and debris in high orbits.

Rhea Space Activity to develop cislunar space ‘dashboard’ for U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has extended a research contract with startup Rhea Space Activity to develop a software tool to monitor and predict the trajectory of satellites in cislunar space.

Updated intelligence report calls for improved monitoring of cislunar space
An upcoming report from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) discusses international activities beyond Earth’s orbit and helps to explain the U.S. Space Force’s effort to improve observation capabilities for cislunar space.

Space Force looking to deploy radar satellites to track moving targets on the ground
The U.S. Air Force wants to use small radar satellites to track moving objects on the ground and the Space Force will help to make it happen, chief of space operations Gen. John Raymond said May 12.

Military commanders could use more satellites for tactical surveillance
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach: “Yes, I am absolutely in favor of more space-based ISR."

Military sees value in commercial data, but needs to figure out how to buy it
The emergence of commercial suppliers of SSA data, short for space situational awareness, has led to a rethinking of how the Defense Department should invest its SSA dollars.

Indian anti-satellite test proves early test for Space Fence
Still in testing mode, the U.S. Air Force Space Fence on Kwajalein Atoll detected India’s March 27 anti-satellite test and issued a break-up alert.

DARPA hands over space tracking telescope to the Air Force
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has transferred operations of a telescope designed to track objects in Earth orbit to the U.S. Air Force, ahead of a move of that telescope to Australia.

A European Space Surveillance Network Inches Forward
Europe’s fitful attempt to create an independent space surveillance network took a step forward June 16 when five nations formed a consortium to coordinate their existing optical and radar tracking telescopes in a five-year effort funded by the 28-nation European Union.

Cardillo: NGA Must Be Primed for Boom in Imaging Satellites
NGA Director Robert Cardillo said the agency must be poised to take advantage of a burgeoning Earth imaging satellite industry but also recognize how the surge in available data could aid the decision-making of the country’s enemies.