Space

Pentagon tech hub to launch dozens of new projects with FY24 funding

DIU offered details on how it will spend nearly $1 billion FY24 funding, most of which will go toward speeding up existing projects and starting new ones.

Missile Defense Agency satellites track first hypersonic launch

The flight the satellites tracked was the first for MDA’s Hypersonic Testbed — a platform for various hypersonic experiments and advanced components.

Space Force picks three firms to compete for $5.6B in launch contracts

The National Security Space Launch contracts open competition for the Space Force’s launch enterprise, which to date has been dominated by SpaceX and ULA.

Space Force’s Resilient GPS program draws skepticism from lawmakers

Lawmakers say the Space Force's plan to use proliferation to boost GPS resiliency may be flawed.

Estonian-made combat robots in Ukraine now come with Starlink

The new satellite connectivity feature allows the vehicles to be operated from thousands of miles away, according to the manufacturer.

US Space Force plans to boost competition for launch business. Will it work?

Incumbents with the National Security Space Launch mission may have too strong a hold on the program.

Air Force, Space Force unveil tool for AI experimentation

The services want to use the tool to better understand how AI could improve access to information and to gauge whether there’s demand within the force.

Firefly inks deal with Lockheed to launch up to 25 missions

The agreement, announced June 5, commits Lockheed to 15 launch reservations and up to 10 optional missions.

US Space Force sorts through industry ideas to boost satellite sensors

Space Systems Command is sifting through an influx of ideas from companies to determine how they might shape future space domain awareness requirements.

DARPA project uses AI to flag space weapons, spy satellites

Through the DARPA project, Slingshot Aerospace created an AI tool to spot nefarious satellites that could be hiding in large constellations.

Opinion

NATO space enterprise must throttle up — or risk falling short

Here are some actions NATO should undertake and articulate as specific objectives at the 2024 NATO summit in Washington.

Space Force eyes advanced tech, new orbits for narrowband SATCOM

The service may launch a "transitional" capability to MEO by 2031 if those satellites can work with existing terminals without needing major modifications.

Defense Innovation Unit awards funding for sea-based launch pad

The award is part of a DIU effort to prototype commercial solutions that support responsive and precise space launch capabilities.

National Reconnaissance Office launches proliferated constellation

The launch is the first of six planned for this year and is part of a broader NRO effort to extend its satellite architecture across multiple orbits.

Space Force to hold annual Tactically Responsive Space demos

The Space Force aims to have an operational capability by 2026, but will maintain an annual demonstration cadence, according to Lt. Gen. Phillip Garrant.

Opinion

Unleash the Space Force

Numbers outlining China's military space prowess are understandably alarming, but they don’t tell the whole story, Todd Harrison argues in an op-ed.