Courtney Albon is C4ISRNET's space and emerging technology reporter. She previously covered the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force for Inside Defense.
During industry meetings this week, program managers will hear from companies about capabilities they're developing to address tactical ISR capability needs.
DIU plans to launch a demonstration mission in 2027, showcasing the advantages of nuclear-powered spacecraft for maneuver operations in cislunar space.
Director of the Space Force’s International Affairs Directorate Deanna Ryals says the organization aims to serve as a “front door” for Space Systems Command's work with international partners and to ensure that as the command develops and acquires new systems and architectures, it does so with allies in mind.
The agency's $4.1 billion budget is closely aligned with DoD's critical technology priorities, particularly in the areas of microelectronics, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
The fiscal 2023 funding would support experimentation sprints across the military services to mature high-priority capabilities linked to the Joint Warfighting Concept.
The war in Ukraine is certainly not the first major conflict where commercial space capabilities have been a feature, but experts say advances in technology have enabled these systems to play a much larger role than in the past.
DoD and State Department officials said this week the timing of the ban intentionally coincides with several ongoing discussions around establishing norms of responsible behavior in space.
While Congress pushes for the Space Force to craft a plan for tactically responsive launch, the service is taking a step back to ensure its entire architecture is responsive to urgent, wartime needs.