Space Force Futures Command won’t need ‘giant’ resources

Space Force Futures Command won’t need ‘giant’ resources
Space Force Futures Command won’t need ‘giant’ resources

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, who has been charged to establish the new Space Force Futures Command, said cislunar and dynamic space operations are areas for the command’s scrutiny, since neither have yet proven their ‘military utility.”

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 looking to fill tech ‘gaps,’ and ‘evolve’ space domain awareness: Saltzman

Space Force looking to fill tech ‘gaps,’ and ‘evolve’ space domain awareness: Saltzman
Space Force looking to fill tech ‘gaps,’ and ‘evolve’ space domain awareness: Saltzman

The space operations chief wants systems that can gather “exquisite, high fidelity information about what’s going on” in geosynchronous Earth orbit “and beyond,” more sensors in the Southern Hemisphere to keep an eye on low Earth orbit and — critically — a better way to fuse data.

‘Stop debating’ over space weapons and prepare for conflict: Space Force general

‘Stop debating’ over space weapons and prepare for conflict: Space Force general
‘Stop debating’ over space weapons and prepare for conflict: Space Force general

America’s space operators need to “get to the point of how do we responsibly… deter conflict that nobody wants to see, but if we do see it, demonstrate our ability to win?” said Maj. Gen. David Miller.

Space Force wraps initial plan for building ‘hybrid’ commercial/military ‘outernet’

Space Force wraps initial plan for building ‘hybrid’ commercial/military ‘outernet’
Space Force wraps initial plan for building ‘hybrid’ commercial/military ‘outernet’

“The outernet is the internet taken to space,” Col. Eric Felt, of the Department of the Air Force’s space acquisition office, said today.

Space Force ‘framework’ for commercial reserve satellite fleet coming in summer

Space Force ‘framework’ for commercial reserve satellite fleet coming in summer
Space Force ‘framework’ for commercial reserve satellite fleet coming in summer

Col. Rich Kniseley, newly appointed as the head of SSC’s Commercial Space Office, told Breaking Defense on Wednesday: “I’m hoping to deliver a framework to leadership this summer.”

Space Force FY24 request likely to jump by billions, but lawmakers may balk: Analyst

Space Force FY24 request likely to jump by billions, but lawmakers may balk: Analyst
Space Force FY24 request likely to jump by billions, but lawmakers may balk: Analyst

While there’s broad support on the Hill for space operations, long-time space budget guru Mike Tierney says language in recent policy and appropriations bills suggests lawmakers want Space Force and the Pentagon to “show their work.”

Viasat sees Marine’s ‘SATCOM as a service’ buy as harbinger of change

Viasat sees Marine’s ‘SATCOM as a service’ buy as harbinger of change
Viasat sees Marine’s ‘SATCOM as a service’ buy as harbinger of change

Commercial SATCOM providers have long urged DoD and the services to move from buying bandwidth in fits and starts using short-term contracts to service-style contracts that resemble a civilian’s average mobile phone or cable TV/Internet plan.

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.

New DoD SATCOM plan seeks to establish a modernized, ‘holistic’ network

New DoD SATCOM plan seeks to establish a modernized, ‘holistic’ network
New DoD SATCOM plan seeks to establish a modernized, ‘holistic’ network

The new plan is broken down into three imperatives: integrating data management, automating resource allocation and fusing situational awareness. 

‘Compromise’ NDAA boosts Space Force budget, but keeps tight reins on policy decisions

‘Compromise’ NDAA boosts Space Force budget, but keeps tight reins on policy decisions
‘Compromise’ NDAA boosts Space Force budget, but keeps tight reins on policy decisions

In somewhat of a surprise, the HASC provision to force the Space Force to create a Space National Guard was stripped from the bill in the negotiations between the two sides of Capitol Hill.

2024 budget to reflect Space Force, NRO accord on tracking moving targets from orbit

2024 budget to reflect Space Force, NRO accord on tracking moving targets from orbit
2024 budget to reflect Space Force, NRO accord on tracking moving targets from orbit

After an analysis of literally thousands of options, Space Force’s Gen. DT Thompson said, “in the end [there was] a consensus opinion inside the Department of Defense and the [Intelligence Community] on how we should proceed.”

New Space Force team to streamline ‘onboarding’ new tech for operational use

New Space Force team to streamline ‘onboarding’ new tech for operational use
New Space Force team to streamline ‘onboarding’ new tech for operational use

SpRCO head Kelly Hammett told Breaking Defense in an interview that the “operational integration” process involves “tens of force generation elements with POAMS [plans of action and milestones] that take years to close everything out.”  

Space Development Agency chief clears up ‘confusion’ about where his agency is going

Space Development Agency chief clears up ‘confusion’ about where his agency is going
Space Development Agency chief clears up ‘confusion’ about where his agency is going

SDA Director Derek Tournear said his shop will remain its own when it formally joins the Space Force in coming weeks, giving the service another acquisition outlet.