Space

United Launch Alliance to fly second Vulcan mission in September

CEO Tory Bruno told reporters the company aims to complete the Space Force's certification process in time to fly two national security missions this year.

Pentagon tech hub to launch dozens of new projects with FY24 funding

DIU offered details on how it will spend nearly $1 billion FY24 funding, most of which will go toward speeding up existing projects and starting new ones.

Opinion

Pentagon is certain that space will be key to future conflicts

Satellites form the backbone of modern military infrastructure, supporting vital functions like precise navigation and secure communication.

Missile Defense Agency satellites track first hypersonic launch

The flight the satellites tracked was the first for MDA’s Hypersonic Testbed — a platform for various hypersonic experiments and advanced components.

Space Force picks three firms to compete for $5.6B in launch contracts

The National Security Space Launch contracts open competition for the Space Force’s launch enterprise, which to date has been dominated by SpaceX and ULA.

Space Force’s Resilient GPS program draws skepticism from lawmakers

Lawmakers say the Space Force's plan to use proliferation to boost GPS resiliency may be flawed.

US Space Force plans to boost competition for launch business. Will it work?

Incumbents with the National Security Space Launch mission may have too strong a hold on the program.

Air Force, Space Force unveil tool for AI experimentation

The services want to use the tool to better understand how AI could improve access to information and to gauge whether there’s demand within the force.

Opinion

Defining Dynamic Space Ops: What it means to stay dominant in orbit

A second tier of capabilities will become more important over time, including on-orbit servicing and autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations.

Space Force telescope proposal on Hawaii volcano meets Maui opposition

The U.S. Space Force and Air Force want to build a new facility on the top of Haleakala, Maui's highest peak, to track objects in space.

Firefly inks deal with Lockheed to launch up to 25 missions

The agreement, announced June 5, commits Lockheed to 15 launch reservations and up to 10 optional missions.

US Space Force sorts through industry ideas to boost satellite sensors

Space Systems Command is sifting through an influx of ideas from companies to determine how they might shape future space domain awareness requirements.

DARPA project uses AI to flag space weapons, spy satellites

Through the DARPA project, Slingshot Aerospace created an AI tool to spot nefarious satellites that could be hiding in large constellations.

Opinion

NATO space enterprise must throttle up — or risk falling short

Here are some actions NATO should undertake and articulate as specific objectives at the 2024 NATO summit in Washington.

Opinion

Space Force must address cybersecurity in commercial acquisitions

Cyberattacks have become the most cost-effective means for adversaries to disrupt satellites, ground stations, and user devices.

Space Force eyes advanced tech, new orbits for narrowband SATCOM

The service may launch a "transitional" capability to MEO by 2031 if those satellites can work with existing terminals without needing major modifications.