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.
Vulcan’s first Space Force launch to carry long-delayed experimental PNT satellite
Vulcan's heaviest version, which will use six solid rocket motors, still awaits Space Force certification.
Modern Tech in Indo-Pacific Operations
Explore how networked warfare, AI, and 3D-printed drones are reshaping US Indo-Pacific strategy.
Amazon launches first 27 operational Kuiper satellites to compete with Starlink
There are a lot of hopes within DoD and the Space Force for Project Kuiper's success, with officials seeing the constellation as offering diversity beyond Starlink in the supplier base for so-called proliferated LEO services.
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.
ULA’s Vulcan rocket certified for national security launches
With that thumbs up from Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space program office in hand, ULA now is the second fully certified launch provider, along with SpaceX, cleared under the Space Force's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program.
Awaiting Space Force certification, ULA says future missions could aim to baffle Chinese watcher sats
ULA CEO Tory Bruno separately told reporters his firm identified a "manufacturing" error as the cause of an anomaly in its latest certification launch.
presented by
AI is transforming pilot training and the aircraft they fly
Modeling and simulation get an AI upgrade for more realistic training and improved autonomous platforms.
Space Force plans 18 NSSL launches in 2025, including on ULA’s Vulcan
Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Space Force acquisition leader for assured access to space, said her focus going forward is "resiliency" across her portfolio, which includes launch vehicles, range infrastructure and capacity, and base security.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket reaches orbit in first test flight
Service leaders see the launch vehicle as a future competitor to SpaceX's Falcon series rockets that currently have a lock on the most critical launches under the Defense Department's National Security Space Launch program.
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.
Space Force launches for ULA’s Vulcan slip to next year
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, chief of the Space Force’s Space Systems Command, stated that the service will not move forward with awards for the newest round of the National Security Space Launch program until Congress approves the fiscal 2025 budget.
presented by
Meeting modern airpower needs with faster R&D cycles for propulsion
As aircraft shrink, threats expand, and technology accelerates, aircraft engines must iterate along with the threats.
ULA’s Vulcan rocket makes second launch in quest to qualify for Space Force missions
Should Vulcan get the Space Force go-ahead, both planned NSSL missions are expected to fly by the end of the year as planned.
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.
ULA’s Vulcan makes orbit, first step toward OK for DoD launches
ULA's Vulcan Centaur needs one more successful flight test to be certified to carry payloads to orbit under the Space Force's National Security Space Launch program.
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).