Commerce Department eases export controls on satellites, including for remote sensing

Commerce Department eases export controls on satellites, including for remote sensing
Commerce Department eases export controls on satellites, including for remote sensing

“The three new rules … recalibrate our approach to export controls,” a senior Commerce Department official said. “These changes will offer relief to US companies and they’ll increase innovation without compromising the critical technologies that keep our nation safe.”

Italy, US space cooperation plan includes launch, domain awareness

Italy, US space cooperation plan includes launch, domain awareness
Italy, US space cooperation plan includes launch, domain awareness

Citing new space-based threats, Rome and Washington pledge to work more closely in orbit and are paving the way for US space launches from Italian soil.

NC3 space systems face critical modernization challenges, new study finds

NC3 space systems face critical modernization challenges, new study finds
NC3 space systems face critical modernization challenges, new study finds

The study notes that NC3 is one of the least understood of the many parts that make up the US nuclear weapons architecture, in part because of the high levels of secrecy that surround it. Thus, it is difficult for policymakers and service leaders to focus needed attention on it.

Draft House subcommittee NDAA language OKs Pentagon commercial ‘space reserve’ plan

Draft House subcommittee NDAA language OKs Pentagon commercial ‘space reserve’ plan
Draft House subcommittee NDAA language OKs Pentagon commercial ‘space reserve’ plan

The draft FY25 NDAA language would force DoD to create a new pilot project designed to kickstart its nascent plans to create a so-called hybrid space architecture linking national security, commercial, civil and allied satellites into a massive mesh network.

NRO plans first phase for new proliferated spy sat constellation in May: Official

NRO plans first phase for new proliferated spy sat constellation in May: Official
NRO plans first phase for new proliferated spy sat constellation in May: Official

Next month’s launch “will be the first launch of an actual operational system,” NRO Principal Deputy Director Troy Meink said.

New DoD commercial space strategy opens door to military, financial protection for contractors

New DoD commercial space strategy opens door to military, financial protection for contractors
New DoD commercial space strategy opens door to military, financial protection for contractors

The strategy notes that contracts with commercial space providers could, if deemed necessary, “enable prioritization of Department requirements and capability needs over other commercial clients in specific situations.”

Startup Aalyria demos SATCOM software for DIU ‘hybrid network’

Startup Aalyria demos SATCOM software for DIU ‘hybrid network’
Startup Aalyria demos SATCOM software for DIU ‘hybrid network’

The company, a Google off-shoot, characterizes its Spacetime software as the “digital cartilage and autonomous brain” that can bring to life DoD’s JADC2 concept linking sensors and shooters across all domains.

Amazon, OneWeb slowly stalk SpaceX for piece of Pentagon SATCOM pie

Amazon, OneWeb slowly stalk SpaceX for piece of Pentagon SATCOM pie
Amazon, OneWeb slowly stalk SpaceX for piece of Pentagon SATCOM pie

Amazon recently launched the first two prototypes for its Project Kuiper; OneWeb now has all 634 satellites it needs to provide global internet access.

From prototypes to operations: In record-breaking year, DIU transitioned 17 new tech

From prototypes to operations: In record-breaking year, DIU transitioned 17 new tech
From prototypes to operations: In record-breaking year, DIU transitioned 17 new tech

The Defense Innovation Unit in FY22 awarded $203 million in prototype contracts across 165 vendors, started 52 new projects and saw a 47 percent increase in the total number of companies competing for a contract, according to DIU’s annual report.

Aalyria envisions communications revolution for Earth, the Moon and beyond

Aalyria envisions communications revolution for Earth, the Moon and beyond
Aalyria envisions communications revolution for Earth, the Moon and beyond

“I think what people will find is that this type of advancement, going from ground-to-space, changes the whole space economy,” Aalyria’s CEO Chris Taylor said. “I think it’s going to be monumental.”

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman
Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

The Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Gen. Chance Saltzman as the next, and second, Space Force chief was free of major fireworks — suggesting an easy ‘yea’ vote.

Into the ‘outernet’: Secure ‘internet in space’ key to future Space Force hybrid architecture

Into the ‘outernet’: Secure ‘internet in space’ key to future Space Force hybrid architecture
Into the ‘outernet’: Secure ‘internet in space’ key to future Space Force hybrid architecture

Four Pentagon offices are working together on an ambitious hybrid architecture that spans orbits as well as classification levels, officials told Breaking Defense.