Blue Origin on track for NSSL certification after second successful New Glenn launch
Blue Origin also stuck the landing of New Glenn's reusable first stage, becoming only the second company after SpaceX to do so.
Space Force awards first next-gen critical launch contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX, ULA
While the number of launches contracted to Blue Origin is small, the award represents a vote of confidence for the company founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.
The questions that warfighters ask the most are now answered with data analytics
CDAO’s Advana data analytics platform is ingesting data from about 500 DoD business systems.
ULA’s Vulcan rocket certified for national security launches
With that thumbs up from Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space program office in hand, ULA now is the second fully certified launch provider, along with SpaceX, cleared under the Space Force's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket reaches orbit in first test flight
Service leaders see the launch vehicle as a future competitor to SpaceX's Falcon series rockets that currently have a lock on the most critical launches under the Defense Department's National Security Space Launch program.
Space Force launches for ULA’s Vulcan slip to next year
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, chief of the Space Force’s Space Systems Command, stated that the service will not move forward with awards for the newest round of the National Security Space Launch program until Congress approves the fiscal 2025 budget.
ULA’s Vulcan rocket makes second launch in quest to qualify for Space Force missions
Should Vulcan get the Space Force go-ahead, both planned NSSL missions are expected to fly by the end of the year as planned.
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AI is transforming pilot training and the aircraft they fly
Modeling and simulation get an AI upgrade for more realistic training and improved autonomous platforms.
Blue Origin, Stoke join Space Force pool of small launch vendors
The OSP-4 contract vehicle was designed by the Space Force to allow both mature launch providers and promising new companies — that is, those judged as about a year away from launch capability — to vie for individual task orders for missions that don't require services under the more critical National Space Security Launch program.
ULA now plans September launch to qualify Vulcan for Space Force missions
ULA CEO Tory Bruno explained that Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli asked Lockheed Martin and Boeing to create an independent review team to "help" Vulcan production rates and launch site readiness remain on track.
Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX
The planned launches, which will take place starting in FY26, include sending a second SILENTBARKER watchdog satellite jointly developed by the service and the National Reconnaissance Office to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).
Space Force sticks to plan for 3 high-value launch providers through 2028
Interested companies have until Dec. 15 to respond to the service's dual requests for proposals: one for the critical, high-dollar NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches; and the other for Lane 1 small launches.
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Powering the future: Securing America with domestically made microelectronics
Onshoring and investment in military-specific semiconductors anchor a cornerstone of the defense industrial base.
Space Force plans to ‘guarantee’ future launch missions with 3 providers faces near term challenge
While Space Systems Command hasn't publicly expressed concerns, outside observers point out that there is a real possibility that only Elon Musk's SpaceX will be able to undertake National Security Space Launches in the next few years.
Space Force plans to open access for small providers to multibillion launch contracts
"We developed an acquisition strategy consisting of a dual-lane approach that provides access to diverse commercially available systems," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Space Force's acquisition lead for space launch.
With billions at stake, lobbying heats up for future rights to Space Force launches
"Key for us is allowing on-ramps, allowing for some smaller launches to have a chance," a senior Space Force official told Breaking Defense, in order to avoid billion-dollar "Titan-era prices."
Space Force to loft 2 new ‘neighborhood watch’ sats, as leader frets launch funds
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond said should a year-long continuing resolution come to pass, the disruption for sat launches would "ripple" for years.