Amid demand for satellite support, Space Force leans on commercial
The service awarded contracts to two firms — Auria, formerly Boecore, and Sphinx Defense — to establish the cloud-based antenna marketplace prototype.
Space
Defense officials advocate for diverse target-tracking architecture
Defense officials say a moving target indicator capability that includes both air and space assets is needed until the department defines its architecture.
Varda lands third space capsule, carrying key hypersonic flight data
Funded by AFRL, Varda’s W-3 capsule landed May 13 at Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
Pentagon taps 12 more companies for space data transport network demos
The program, led by the Defense Innovation Unit, plans to start demonstrating the hybrid network this summer and launch a pilot next year.
Northrop tests tech to help hypersonic vehicles maneuver without GPS
The successful demonstration of inertial measurement unit technology on a hypersonic aircraft is an industry first.
Space Force weighs options for boosting launch resiliency, capacity
The service is exploring a range of leads for increasing launch access — including international partnerships and newer modalities like sea-based launch.
Golden Dome costs driven by interceptors, not launch, analysts say
A constellation of interceptors meant to counter low- and high-end threats would require a much more robust architecture than past estimates have assumed.
Stratolaunch hits milestone with fully reusable hypersonic testbed
Both flights met all of the Defense Department’s performance benchmarks within a 1% margin, according to Stratolaunch CEO Zachary Krevor.
Lockheed loses experimental satellite after Firefly launch mishap
The mishap caused the rocket to lose its engine nozzle extension, significantly reducing its thrust and making it unable to reach its designated orbit.
Anduril announces lighter, smaller Pulsar jammer
The system is about the size of a shoebox and weighs less than 25 pounds, allowing users to quickly deploy it against enemy threats, like drone swarms.
GOP funding boost targets Golden Dome, high-tech fighters and ships
The House Armed Services Committee will debate the package Tuesday and House Republicans expect to pass the bill in May.
Space Force weather satellite deemed ready for forecasts
The service is crafting a plan to replace its legacy weather capability, and WSF-M and its companion EWS program are a bridge to that architecture.
Defense Innovation Unit to expand US outposts with three new hubs
The new hubs will be based in Kentucky, Minnesota and Montana, according to Liz Young McNally, DIU’s deputy director of commercial operations.
Boeing looks to existing production lines for Golden Dome pitch
Boeing’s conversations with the Pentagon about Golden Dome have focused on production lines the company can ramp up and where it can invest in new tech.
Space Force gets head start on Trump’s commercial buying push
To fully implement the White House orders, Space Force officials say they need more funding, personnel and budget flexibility.
New Space Force ‘warfighting framework’ sharpens weaponization plans
The framework’s primary function is to define key terms, concepts and processes so that guardians have a common lexicon.
Pentagon inspector general report rehashes Space Command HQ debate
Meanwhile, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee claims the White House will soon name Huntsville, Alabama, as Space Command's permanent home.
