Space

GEOINT

Maxar reports $7 million loss in first quarter earnings

Multiple media organizations use Maxar’s satellite imagery in their reporting, notably to show activity in Ukraine as it defends itself against a Russian invasion.

Atlantic Council urges Pentagon to utilize commercial space capabilities

The Atlantic Council report urges Congress to improve its oversight of how the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community adopt commercial space services.

Satellite service provider EchoStar posts Q1 earnings

The company posted a revenue of $501.5 million in the period.

Satellite comms firm Telesat unveils first-quarter earnings

Telesat expects full-year revenue in the range of $568.4 million to $584.2 million.

DARPA’s nuclear space propulsion project advances to next phase

The agency wants to demonstrate the utility of more efficient, high-thrust propulsion systems for cislunar space operations and aims to fly a nuclear-powered space vehicle in fiscal 2026.

GEOINT

New Zealand rocket caught but then dropped by helicopter

Rocket Lab partially pulled off the feat as it pushes to make its small Electron rockets reusable.

Space Force seeks $3.7 billion for narrowband communication satellites

The service says the two satellites will extend the service-life of the Mobile User Objective System constellation to at least 2034.

How the Space Force is working with US allies

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 anti-satellite test ban must not undermine deterrence

The U.S. must convince its adversaries they cannot destroy America's critical satellites while retaining theirs.

How commercial space systems are changing the conflict in Ukraine

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.

The US military needs a modernized GPS capability to maintain superiority

The replacement of outdated GPS satellites in the constellation has not kept pace with our international competition and emerging global threats.

GEOINT

Iridium’s first-quarter results surpass expectations

The satellite phone company posted revenue of $168.2 million in the period.

Space Fence now has a direct link to key Space Force data hub

The milestone represents the first direct-connect between the Space Force's Unified Data Library and a sensor in the Space Surveillance Network.

DARPA seeks proposals on improving satellite imagery technology

The new projects come amid growing demand for satellite imagery from the government and commercial sectors.

US to encourage other nations to join ban on anti-satellite weapons testing

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.

C4ISRNET Conference

US Space Force developing plans for tactically responsive capabilities

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.

C4ISRNET Conference

US Space Force space defense squadron tasked to focus on deep space

The 19th Space Defense Squadron has been tasked to focus on the cislunar space domain as activity increases in the realm.

C4ISRNET Conference

SpaceX shut down a Russian electromagnetic warfare attack in Ukraine last month — and the Pentagon is taking notes

“The next day, Starlink had slung a line of code and fixed it," said Pentagon electronic warfare director Dave Tremper. "And how they did that was eye-watering to me."

Space Force budget presents a bridge strategy for missile warning, tracking architecture

Service officials say the strategy allows them to maintain the current capability while exploring options for a more resilient missile warning and tracking architecture.

GEOINT

US intelligence satellite launches from California

The NROL-85 satellite lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard a two-stage SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

White House commits to barring anti-satellite missile tests

The Biden administration announced Monday it is barring anti-satellite missile testing by the United States.

Defense Intelligence Agency cites 70% growth in Russia and China’s combined space assets since 2019

DIA officials characterized the growth in maturity and quantity of Russia and China's on-orbit capabilities as "dramatic."

GEOINT

Putin is holding GPS hostage. Here’s how to get it back.

Just the threat of interfering with GPS can help Putin keep the U.S. at bay.

Space companies investing in small satellite production capacity as customers shift to hybrid architectures

As government and commercial customers push for more hybrid, resilient satellite constellations, companies are expanding their production capacity and diversifying their products to respond to those needs.

GEOINT

SPACECOM requests more funding for key space domain awareness center

The $74 million request would support projects in support of the National Space Defense Center, an important command-and-control and space domain awareness capability.