Space Safari, DIU to select Victus Haze launchers within ‘weeks’

Space Safari, DIU to select Victus Haze launchers within ‘weeks’
Space Safari, DIU to select Victus Haze launchers within ‘weeks’

“This will be a modified mission from the Victus Nox mission,” David Ryan, space portfolio manager at the Defense Innovation Unit said, noting that “there are two parts of the mission, and DIU is working on a single part with Space Safari.”

Space Force agencies pile on to find ‘alternate PNT’ capabilities

Space Force agencies pile on to find ‘alternate PNT’ capabilities
Space Force agencies pile on to find ‘alternate PNT’ capabilities

Space Force’s primary acquisition command, Space Systems Command (SSC), is seeking industry input on the possibility of building smaller, lighter and cheaper GPS satellites.

Space Force’s Saltzman hopes to launch new Futures Command centers ‘late this year’

Space Force’s Saltzman hopes to launch new Futures Command centers ‘late this year’
Space Force’s Saltzman hopes to launch new Futures Command centers ‘late this year’

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said the new Futures Command will not just be looking at what new capabilities the Space Force should build, own and operate, but also at how commercial tech, systems and services can fill some needs. 

Space Force reexamining acquisition strategy for secure narrow-band communications

Space Force reexamining acquisition strategy for secure narrow-band communications
Space Force reexamining acquisition strategy for secure narrow-band communications

On Jan. 25, DoD announced that Lockheed Martin and Boeing have each won 15-month contracts worth $66 million to develop a new, more modern satellite design, with the service then deciding on which to use in building the two new MUOS birds. 

SSC taps Northrop Grumman’s refueling systems as ‘preferred standard’

SSC taps Northrop Grumman’s refueling systems as ‘preferred standard’
SSC taps Northrop Grumman’s refueling systems as ‘preferred standard’

Northrop Grumman has been working the Space Systems Command, DARPA and the Defense Innovation Unit to develop the capabilities to refuel and service satellites on orbit under several different study efforts.

To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops

To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops
To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops

“I don’t care what it takes to get after the threat. That’s really the cultural change that we’re embarking upon,” SSC head Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein told the Space Force Association’s inaugural Spacepower conference.

Space Force gets a new command, new geographic component in latest reorg

Space Force gets a new command, new geographic component in latest reorg
Space Force gets a new command, new geographic component in latest reorg

CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman said that the service is already looking at “criteria and processes” for future changes to integrate operations and sustainment, and better align with acquisition efforts.

Space Force taps 4 firms to vie for missile warning C2 prototype

Space Force taps 4 firms to vie for missile warning C2 prototype
Space Force taps 4 firms to vie for missile warning C2 prototype

The Space Force expects the multi-faceted Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program to cost a total of $2.4 billion.

Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX

Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX
Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX

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).  

New Space Force tech accelerator focused on space domain awareness software

New Space Force tech accelerator focused on space domain awareness software
New Space Force tech accelerator focused on space domain awareness software

The goal of the accelerator is to bring industry, government and academia together to integrate SDA computer systems to “fully leverage” data from myriad sources across the Defense Department, the Intelligence Community, other government agencies, allies and commercial firms — a seemingly unsolvable problem that has bedeviled the Pentagon for decades. 

Space Force design for new acquisition ‘Systems Deltas’ due by next month

Space Force design for new acquisition ‘Systems Deltas’ due by next month
Space Force design for new acquisition ‘Systems Deltas’ due by next month

Brig. Gen. Jason Cothern, Space Systems Command deputy commander, said that the new deltas will be organized along the same lines as SSC’s current Acquisition Deltas.

Space Force plans next MEO missile tracking satellite awards by early 2025

Space Force plans next MEO missile tracking satellite awards by early 2025
Space Force plans next MEO missile tracking satellite awards by early 2025

The “baseline” MEO missile warning/tracking configuration providing global coverage will include “approximately 27 satellites,” said SSC program lead Col. Heather Bogstie.

Space Force moves to expand acquisition of novel SATCOM capabilities/services

Space Force moves to expand acquisition of novel SATCOM capabilities/services
Space Force moves to expand acquisition of novel SATCOM capabilities/services

Brig. Gen. Jason Cothern, Space Systems Command deputy, said the service is looking “to incorporate capability-based contracts to include emerging p-LEO services, commercial X-band, space-to-cellular and small maneuverable GEO satellites, trying to stay ahead of the threat and also taking advantage of the commercial capabilities as they arise.”

Space Force launches effort to harness allied supply chain

Space Force launches effort to harness allied supply chain
Space Force launches effort to harness allied supply chain

SSC Director of International Affairs Deanna Ryals told Breaking Defense that the primary goal of the first-ever “international reverse industry days” meeting is survey the landscape of needed allied space capabilities, and figure out where countries can help fill each other’s gaps.