Troy Meink, NRO principal deputy director, explained that the decline in launch costs is one of two critical factors in allowing NRO to begin to diversify its on-orbit force structure to include both “large and small satellites” using multiple orbital domains.
By Theresa HitchensModernizing our supply chain is a national security imperative
Closing supply chain gaps in innovating technology will reposition the industrial base to be a strategic source of value.
Gen. Michael Guetlein said that the service is “looking at losing about seven” of the 10 launches it planned under the National Security Space Launch program in FY24 if the CR is prolonged.
By Theresa Hitchens
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).
By Theresa Hitchens
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.
By Theresa Hitchens
The Space Force is interested in DRACO primarily as an option for allowing it to undertake rapid on-orbit maneuvers, but also for potential future missions out to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
By Theresa Hitchens
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.
By Theresa Hitchens
Spy satellites, classified payloads among the newly scheduled launches.
By Theresa Hitchens
How to ensure readiness of next-generation defense technology: Solving the issue of massive heat.
High-performance systems generate tremendous amounts of heat that can compromise missions and make high-tech systems less effective in tactical environments. But there is a solution to this modern-age challenge.
“The threat is racing to out pace us,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in a budget pre-briefing on March 10.
By Theresa Hitchens
“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.
By Theresa Hitchens “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.”
By Theresa Hitchens The Space Force doesn’t fare too badly under the House Appropriations defense subcommittee’s draft released today — getting a slight bump up from its procurement request but taking a cut in RTD&E.
By Theresa Hitchens
The FY23 request is $7 billion more than the $17.4 billion the service asked for in FY22, with much of it going towards R&D efforts.
By Theresa Hitchens
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.
By Theresa Hitchens
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.
By Theresa Hitchens
