DARPA Blackjack: Who’ll Get Prized Satellite Tech, Air Force Or SDA?

DARPA Blackjack: Who’ll Get Prized Satellite Tech, Air Force Or SDA?
DARPA Blackjack: Who’ll Get Prized Satellite Tech, Air Force Or SDA?

Large networks of small, cheap satellites derived from commercial technology would be harder for China or Russia to kill than a handful of expensive, exquisite military-unique birds. But who gets to build it?

SDA’s Kennedy: Cislunar Space The Next Military Frontier

SDA’s Kennedy: Cislunar Space The Next Military Frontier
SDA’s Kennedy: Cislunar Space The Next Military Frontier

As commercial activities such as mining expand from Earth to the Moon, there will be “a need for the equivalent to a Navy or Air Force” to protect that region of space, says SDA chief Fred Kennedy.

Branson: DoD ‘Very Excited’ By Virgin’s Launch System

Branson: DoD ‘Very Excited’ By Virgin’s Launch System
Branson: DoD ‘Very Excited’ By Virgin’s Launch System

Sir Richard Branson says the US military “is very excited” about the capabilities of Virgin’s Launcher One for resiliency on orbit.

Will Senate Ground Trump’s Space Force: ‘We Need Some Convincing’

Will Senate Ground Trump’s Space Force: ‘We Need Some Convincing’
Will Senate Ground Trump’s Space Force: ‘We Need Some Convincing’

Sen. James Inhofe remains cool to the Space Force and most of his colleagues on a key Senate panel sound like they’re right there with him.

Air Force Sec Says US May Demo New Space Weapon To Deter

Air Force Sec Says US May Demo New Space Weapon To Deter
Air Force Sec Says US May Demo New Space Weapon To Deter

The US has more to lose in space than our competitors, so the Pentagon is considering firing a warning shot to showcase what it can do.

DARPA Picks Three Competitors For Launch Challenge Prize

DARPA Picks Three Competitors For Launch Challenge Prize
DARPA Picks Three Competitors For Launch Challenge Prize

Tucson-based Vector Launch, Virgin Orbit, and a “stealth” startup can compete for prizes up to $10 million in the DARPA Launch Challenge.

The Stellar Dance: US, Russia Satellites Make Potentially Risky Close Approaches

The Stellar Dance: US, Russia Satellites Make Potentially Risky Close Approaches
The Stellar Dance: US, Russia Satellites Make Potentially Risky Close Approaches

US GSSAP satellites moved to within 10 kilometers of five Russian GEO-based satellites between 2016 and 2018, new Russian space observation data shows.

STRATCOM’s Hyten Calls For Space Rules After India’s ASAT Test: Update

STRATCOM’s Hyten Calls For Space Rules After India’s ASAT Test: Update
STRATCOM’s Hyten Calls For Space Rules After India’s ASAT Test: Update

SPACE SYMPOSIUM: For the first time, the United States is sharing its space war plans, known as Olympic Defender, with a small number of allies, says the head of Strategic Command. Gen. John Hyten told us in a Monday evening interview that a new version of the plan was published “last December,” he said. “Everything that…

Wilson: DoD Study Finds ‘Exquisite’ Satellites Still Needed

Wilson: DoD Study Finds ‘Exquisite’ Satellites Still Needed
Wilson: DoD Study Finds ‘Exquisite’ Satellites Still Needed

“Launching hundreds of cheap satellites each year as a substitute” for current milspace systems “will result in failure on America’s worst day if we relay on them alone,” Wilson says.

Shanahan: China Is Deploying Directed Energy Weapons

Shanahan: China Is Deploying Directed Energy Weapons
Shanahan: China Is Deploying Directed Energy Weapons

The space threat’s the thing at this year’s Space Symposium.

What About JMS? Air Force Reanimates ‘Old Clunker’ Space Tracking System

What About JMS? Air Force Reanimates ‘Old Clunker’ Space Tracking System
What About JMS? Air Force Reanimates ‘Old Clunker’ Space Tracking System

JMS was supposed to revolutionize how the US tracks objects in space. Its billion-dollar bust means the Air Force must revive SPADOC, a widely reviled vestige of the 1980s.

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Ground Stations Can Boost Mix Of Small & Exquisite Sats: Raytheon

Ground Stations Can Boost Mix Of Small & Exquisite Sats: Raytheon
Ground Stations Can Boost Mix Of Small & Exquisite Sats: Raytheon

Modern space strategy, with its focus on resilience, requires “understanding the capabilities of each satellite and managing them as a constellation:” Jane Chappell, vice president of Raytheon’s Global Intelligence Solutions (GIS) mission area. Advertisement

Theresa Hitchens Joins Breaking D, Just In Time For Space Symposium

Theresa Hitchens Joins Breaking D, Just In Time For Space Symposium
Theresa Hitchens Joins Breaking D, Just In Time For Space Symposium

Some 21 years ago I started work at Defense News, working for their brand new editor. Today, the redoubtable Theresa Hitchens, space pundit, NATO and nuclear war expert, former UN diplomat, and my longtime colleague joins Breaking Defense to report on space. Theresa will add the rest of Air Force under her wing over the…

Space Command More Important Than Space Force: CSAF Goldfein; Trump Signs SPD-4

Space Command More Important Than Space Force: CSAF Goldfein; Trump Signs SPD-4
Space Command More Important Than Space Force: CSAF Goldfein; Trump Signs SPD-4

WASHINGTON: The first concrete step to creating an independent force of trained and equipped space warriors occurred today — but that’s not the most important step on space the nation should take, the Air Force Chief of Staff said today. Setting up Space Command, so the US can more effectively fight any war that involves space assets,…