China has reached out to US on orbital safety amid thawing comms freeze: SPACECOM Chief

China has reached out to US on orbital safety amid thawing comms freeze: SPACECOM Chief
China has reached out to US on orbital safety amid thawing comms freeze: SPACECOM Chief

“[W]e’ve heard proactively from the Chinese twice on two things they wanted to talk to us about with space safety related issues,” said SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting. “We think that is very positive … ”

SPACECOM wants $1.2B in FY25 for ‘unfunded priorities,’ most classified

SPACECOM wants $1.2B in FY25 for ‘unfunded priorities,’ most classified
SPACECOM wants $1.2B in FY25 for ‘unfunded priorities,’ most classified

The SPACECOM list includes almost $704 million for three unnamed classified programs, as well as $90 million to fund a trio of classified Navy electronic warfare-based “counterspace” capabilities.

Space Force Futures Command won’t need ‘giant’ resources

Space Force Futures Command won’t need ‘giant’ resources
Space Force Futures Command won’t need ‘giant’ resources

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, who has been charged to establish the new Space Force Futures Command, said cislunar and dynamic space operations are areas for the command’s scrutiny, since neither have yet proven their ‘military utility.”

New Space Force ‘combat squadrons’ to allow tailored deployment, alleviate ‘exhaustion’: Officials

New Space Force ‘combat squadrons’ to allow tailored deployment, alleviate ‘exhaustion’: Officials
New Space Force ‘combat squadrons’ to allow tailored deployment, alleviate ‘exhaustion’: Officials

The combat squadron arrangement aligns the Space Force with how the Air Force, Army and Navy present and deploy forces to combatant commands, such as Indo-Pacific and European Command, said Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, head of Space Forces-Space.

After you: DoD, industry look to each other for investment in space mobility

After you: DoD, industry look to each other for investment in space mobility
After you: DoD, industry look to each other for investment in space mobility

Lars Hoffman, Blue Origin’s vice president of national security sales, said that a viable commercial market for space mobility and logistics “doesn’t exist right now.”

Refueling, propulsion ‘jetpacks’ near term Space Force ‘mobility’ plans

Refueling, propulsion ‘jetpacks’ near term Space Force ‘mobility’ plans
Refueling, propulsion ‘jetpacks’ near term Space Force ‘mobility’ plans

“People need to have a realistic expectation of the demand signal,” said Col. Joyce Bulson, who heads Space Systems Command’s servicing, mobility and logistics program, stressing that the service is “looking to leverage commercial services to the maximum extent possible, so we’re not looking for a significant government investment in bringing these capabilities to bear.” 

Space Force sees potential value from DoC commercial sat tracking data

Space Force sees potential value from DoC commercial sat tracking data
Space Force sees potential value from DoC commercial sat tracking data

“I would imagine that as Department of Commerce continues to mature this concept, we will definitely want to take advantage of what they’re doing,” said Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein.

Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute

Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute
Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute

The Mitchell Institute is advocating that from now on Congress bolster the Space Force’s budget by “about $250M a year” and “increase end strength by approximately 200 personnel for the new responsibilities associated with emerging national interests on the moon and the cislunar region.”

Everything, everywhere, all at once: 5 space stories from 2023

Everything, everywhere, all at once: 5 space stories from 2023
Everything, everywhere, all at once: 5 space stories from 2023

There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on in space, from Geneva to Washington to Colorado Springs to Los Angeles.

US Space Command declares ‘full operational capability’

US Space Command declares ‘full operational capability’
US Space Command declares ‘full operational capability’

The declaration comes as Congress put a hold on any spending in fiscal year 2024 on a new SPACECOM headquarters building in Colorado Spring, Colo., pending a DoD IQ investigation into President Joe Biden’s decision to keep the HQ there.

Space Force gets a new command, new geographic component in latest reorg

Space Force gets a new command, new geographic component in latest reorg
Space Force gets a new command, new geographic component in latest reorg

CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman said that the service is already looking at “criteria and processes” for future changes to integrate operations and sustainment, and better align with acquisition efforts.

EXCLUSIVE: Freedom to maneuver key for future space ‘combat mindset,’ says ex-SPACECOM deputy

EXCLUSIVE: Freedom to maneuver key for future space ‘combat mindset,’ says ex-SPACECOM deputy
EXCLUSIVE: Freedom to maneuver key for future space ‘combat mindset,’ says ex-SPACECOM deputy

“In a sense, we drive our satellites today as if we’re going to church. Our adversaries drive their satellites as if they’re going to combat,” Lt. Gen. John Shaw, who recently retired from US Space Command, told Breaking Defense in this Q&A.

White House plan for ‘novel’ space activities faces industry, Hill skepticism

White House plan for ‘novel’ space activities faces industry, Hill skepticism
White House plan for ‘novel’ space activities faces industry, Hill skepticism

“Telling me: ‘I’m creating a monster, but putting it in your closet,’ still means I have a monster in my closet. And I’d really rather not have a monster in my closet,” an industry representative told Breaking Defense.

White House asks Congress to split ‘new space’ authority between Commerce, Transportation

White House asks Congress to split ‘new space’ authority between Commerce, Transportation
White House asks Congress to split ‘new space’ authority between Commerce, Transportation

The Biden administration’s plan came, in part, in response to a different congressional proposal about how to divvy up heavenly authorities, sources told Breaking Defense.