space launch

Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27

SpaceX was assigned seven NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches under a contract worth $714 million; ULA two launches worth $428 million.

Draft Trump EO would loosen commercial space regs, citing national security links

The draft EO would eliminate, waive and/or loosen federal environmental protection reviews required for launch licenses, including for those from Space Force ranges.

Global military space spending growth trend continues in 2024, topping $60B

While US spending on national security space continues to dwarf that of the rest of world, non-US military space spending has jumped a whopping 76.5 percent over the last five years.

Space Force eyeing international launch sites to increase ‘resilience’

While not necessarily a near-term possibility, Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen said the Space Force is "looking at increasing the resiliency, increasing the ways that we have to get assured access to space, that's where the these initial discussions with our international partners are coming in."

Golden Dome’s need for more SBIs may moot savings from lower launch costs: CBO

The smaller SBI price tag enabled by the drop in launch costs could be offset by the need for a much larger number of satellites to fulfil Trump's Golden Dome plan, the Congressional Budget Office study caveats.

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.

New Biden MTCR policy will free long-range missile tech, space launcher sales to key allies, partners

The new guidance "strengthens the U.S. ability to deter our adversaries, expands U.S. exports .... and broadens the scope of future space partnerships with U.S. allies and partners," one recent Biden official told Breaking Defense.

ULA expects to be certified for national security launch ‘momentarily’

ULA CEO Tory Bruno expressed confidence that the Vulcan Centaur would be able to loft its two manifested launches scheduled for early next year for the National Security Space 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.

US leads world in 2023 launches, sats on orbit: study

SpaceX alone was responsible for 98 of the 109 launch attempts made by the US in 2023, and 1,937 of the 2,234 US satellites successfully orbited.

First European Union space defense strategy calls for better threat response abilities

The European Council's decision document on the new space security and defense strategy also cites the need for the EU to maintain the "technical sovereignty" of its space industrial base and supply chain.

US-Australia space launch accord likely on agenda at Biden-Albanese meeting

"We need launch capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere," said Deanna Ryals, director of international affairs at the Space Force's Space Systems Command, recently.

AFRL taps Ursa Major for hypersonic, space launch engines

Responsive launch is enabled by the fact that Draper's hydrogen peroxide fuel is easily storable, Ursa Major CEO Joe Laurienti told Breaking Defense, which cuts down prelaunch logistics — whereas other highly toxic liquid fuels often used to provide the high thrust needed for a missile to reach hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 and above) require special handling.

White House taps DoD, State to ensure US access to low Earth orbit

"As the United States leads the world in the exploration of the Moon and Mars, maintaining U.S. preeminence in space research is important as the use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) grows and the development of space enters a new era," states the new national strategy for LEO R&D.