U.S. Air Force

VentureScope sets up accelerator for U.S. Air Force personnel
VentureScope, a consulting and venture investment firm that works with entrepreneurs, won a contract to establish to an internal U.S. Air Force accelerator.

NASA’s plant-growing technology could be used to produce food at military bases
Eden Grow Systems and Rhea Space Activity won a Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 contract to look at possible applications of aeroponic technology to grow produce at inhospitable locations where some Space Force units are deployed.

On National Security | Private money accelerating overdue innovation in military space
Private space pursuits are captivating the public’s attention, creating excitement and fueling investments and innovation across the entire industry.

Orbion wins contract to demonstrate high-thrust propulsion
Orbion Space Technology announced a U.S. Air Force contract to develop and demonstrate high-thrust propulsion to help small satellites quickly dodge satellites or space debris.

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.

Umbra and Hypergiant among firms selected for Air Force JADC2 contract
The U.S. Air Force awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts to 29 companies including Umbra, Kymeta, Hughes Network Systems and Hypergiant Galactic Systems to support the Defense Department’s campaign to ensure sensors from all the services feed data into a common network.

A little love from the Air Force can put a space business on the map
The Pentagon’s renewed focus on space and the standup of the U.S. Space Force are boosting demand for technologies being developed by commercial companies. The Air Force technology accelerator known as AFWERX is responding by creating new opportunities for space entrepreneurs.

Air Force Academy to produce more officers for Space Force
As many as 116 graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy this year will join the U.S. Space Force.

Orbital Sidekick wins $16 million U.S. Air Force contract
Orbital Sidekick is speeding up its campaign to build and launch a constellation of six hyperspectral imaging satellites thanks to a $16 million U.S. government contract announced Oct. 15.

Brandywine Photonics conducts design study of constellation of hundreds of small weather satellites
Brandywine Photonics is conducting a design study for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of a constellation of hundreds of small weather satellites.