SpaceX wins $1.6B to launch Space Force ‘sensing and targeting’ sats
The SpaceX task order is the first to be awarded since the Space Force's July 17 massive $11.4 billion plus-up to the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 contract vehicle ceiling.
Space Force adds two startups to small, medium launch pool
The two additions to SSC's National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program bring the total number of qualified launch providers to seven.
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Acquisition reform at the speed of war
As part of the DoW’s acquisition transformation, streamlined processes must be extended to all companies in the defense industrial base.
Space Force shifts GPS III launch from ULA to SpaceX
The shift follows Vulcan's February grounding under the National Security Space Launch program to resolve persistent problems with its solid rocket boosters.
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.
A Space Force dozen: SpaceX, ULA awarded contracts to launch 12 new satellites
Spy satellites, classified payloads among the newly scheduled launches.
Space Development Agency readies launch of first satellites for comms, missile tracking
The 10 satellites, which will be lofted on a reusable SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg SFB to low Earth orbit (LEO), are the first batch of the Tranche 0 constellation, building blocks of America's resilient space strategy.
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MQ-9B and Gambit Series: Advancing European Defense Capabilities
GA-ASI will build Gambit aircraft in Europe, partnered with European-based companies, with airframes available for international procurement starting in 2027.
Project Blackjack: DARPA’s test of satellite laser links delayed
A DARPA official couldn't confirm an exact launch date for the two Telesat birds, but explained in an email today that the agency is awaiting on a launch slot as well as the availability of an integration facility.
Air Force to evaluate intel value of Hydrosat’s hot spot data
While the company currently is using already available data from satellites like NASA's Landsat and ESA's Sentinel-2, Hydrosat also intends to launch its own constellation of 16 microsats to low Earth orbit (LEO).
SES launches O3b mPower satellites, eyeing government, defense sectors
Each of the new satellites can support up to 5,000 digitally formed beams, according to SES officials, using open architectures that allow governments to tailor the network to their own security standards and maintain national custody of the data links.
NRO plans 7 spy satellite launches in 2022; one from mystery foreign spaceport
Ahead of the Wednesday launch, mystery surrounds what the mission of NROL-87 is. NRO never talks about the purpose of specific satellites, period, but the payload will be launched to an orbit consistent with that of an imaging satellite.
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Networked for the fight: Army aviation’s next advantage
As operating environments grow more complex, Link 16 provides instantaneous, mission-wide connectivity to ensure no aircraft flies alone.
SDA Demos Spotlight Tech Hurdles To JADC2 Backbone
Two of the experiments, each involving two satellites, are focused on laser links: one between satellites themselves; the other from satellites to a MQ-9 Reaper drone on the ground.
SMC Saves $53M Reusing SpaceX Boosters For GPS III
SpaceX has launched with a previously used Falcon 9 booster 38 times, says Michael Ellis, director at SpaceX’s National Security Space Launch director.
Space Force, Lockheed Harden GPS Sats, Ground Stations
The Space Force announced Saturday that it had accepted as operational Lockheed Martin's latest anti-jam upgrade to the software powering its its stop-gap operational control system for GPS III.
SMC Issues Final RFP For Five EELV Launches; SBIRS & 4 Classified Payloads
CLARIFIED: Adds SMC Comment On Launch Providers WASHINGTON: Last night the Air Force released the final Request For Proposals for five launch contracts for NRO and Air Force Space Command. The most intriguing payload is a code-word program, shared by the NRO and Air Force Space Command, known as SILENTBARKER, which has been described as […]