The US Space Force

[rooster]

Space Armageddon: Why the Pentagon fears Russia and China’s star wars weaponry

The Pentagon is reportedly gravely concerned about the threat to U.S. security posed by Russia and China’s developing space warfare capabilities.

www.foxnews.com

Its more that Russia and China are finally developing capability the US has had for a long time. I suspect that weapon reveal that I read about was the blackstar follow on.

?

"We’re not going to be range-limited any more,” General Thurman asserts. “We’ll be able to pack much more energy into fuels. This has tremendous implications for aircraft designs.”

Among other things, it means that “our younger officers, in their Career lifetimes, will probably see airplanes the size of F-15s going in and out of space,” the ASD Commander asserts.

Endothermic fuel.

That was 1987.

I remember reading that back then. Didn't believe it then. Don't believe it now.

To some its bunk to others its a paycheck. Such is life my friend.

 

[Orionblamblam]

To some its bunk to others its a paycheck. Such is life my friend.

The fact that some people get paid to promote hogwash doesn't change the fact of what it is. Aerospace is sadly not immune.

 

[Forest Green]

"We’re not going to be range-limited any more,” General Thurman asserts. “We’ll be able to pack much more energy into fuels. This has tremendous implications for aircraft designs.”

Among other things, it means that “our younger officers, in their Career lifetimes, will probably see airplanes the size of F-15s going in and out of space,” the ASD Commander asserts.

Endothermic fuel.

That was 1987.

Well technically fuel acts endothermically as it is. If you don't have enough fuel in an IC engine (too high an AFR) cylinder temperatures increase.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force's 'Digital Bloodhound' project will sniff out cyberthreats - Breaking Defense

"If we're gonna protect and defend the architecture, it can't be just something that we do against just the space threat. It's got to be against the holistic threat of both space and cyber," said SSC's Brig. Gen. Tim Sjeba.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Open for business: Space Force's 'Front Door' now fully operational - Breaking Defense

"We don't want your traditional industry brief. We want capabilities that we can get after the threat quickly," explained Col. Joseph Roth, director of SSC's Front Door industry engagement initiative.

breakingdefense.com

 

[rooster]

"We’re not going to be range-limited any more,” General Thurman asserts. “We’ll be able to pack much more energy into fuels. This has tremendous implications for aircraft designs.”

Among other things, it means that “our younger officers, in their Career lifetimes, will probably see airplanes the size of F-15s going in and out of space,” the ASD Commander asserts.

Endothermic fuel.

That was 1987.

Well technically fuel acts endothermically as it is. If you don't have enough fuel in an IC engine (too high an AFR) .

Take it or leave it. I sleep pretty good at night despite these stories about how the us is being overtaken in space and hypersonics. War is best fought with deception.

 

[publiusr]

I remember reading that back then. Didn't believe it then. Don't believe it now.

I vaguely recall that at about the same time I read glowing butt-sunshinery about how the USAF would soon have fighter-sized SSTO's with antimatter propulsion.

When International Combat Arms had John Berkey art on the covers:

John Berkey Websites — MRJAKEPARKER.COM

From the Illustrators Division

www.mrjakeparker.com

Did they ever get my hopes up.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force readies narrowband satellite communications solicitation

The service plans to request proposals for risk-reduction work on the $3.7 billion MUOS life-extension effort in early 2023.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

From earlier this month:

Space Force may seek commercial fleet to augment wartime needs

The service will hold an industry day in January to hear feedback on its concept for a Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Kyiv Faces Lengthier Blackouts as Russia Assaults Ukraine’s Electric Grid

Kyiv residents are facing prolonged blackouts, after Russian airstrikes again hit the Ukrainian electric system overnight, further degrading the country’s ability to keep the lights on.

www.wsj.com

 

[Forest Green]

Guerre en Ukraine | Washington annonce une riposte « appropriée » si ses satellites commerciaux sont attaqués

Les États-Unis répondront de manière « appropriée » à toute attaque russe sur des satellites commerciaux américains, a affirmé jeudi la Maison-Blanche, après les déclarations d’un haut responsable russe les désignant comme de potentielles cibles légitimes.

www.lapresse.ca

"Any attack on American infrastructure will see an appropriate response," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The United States would “hold Russia accountable for such an attack, should it occur,” he added.

 

[Rhinocrates]

Lines are getting blurred, the thresholds that used to be barriers are disappearing. 'Hybrid war' presents a slippery slope to escalation (sorry about the mixed physics metaphor). The whole rational for negotiations to limit theatre nuclear weapons in the late 70s and 80s was to take a rung out of the ladder of escalation. The doctrine of hybrid war is putting them back (really sorry about the mixed metaphors).

In a communiqué issued last year, NATO officials said that attacks on space-based assets could lead to the invocation of Article 5, which means that members of the NATO alliance would consider it an armed attack and assist the ally.

Nevertheless, it now seems clear that the perception of "commercial space" assets in space is changing. Russia's comments and similar remarks from China show that the countries see Western commercial satellites as military assets rather than as separate entities. For decades, of course, commercial satellites have carried US military communications, but these were viewed as independent entities whose capabilities the Department of Defense could call upon.

Now, America's adversaries see little to no difference. "It's almost like they see companies like SpaceX as a branch of the US military, a mercenary in space, if you will, which changes how you view the lawfulness of attacking them," Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director of the Secure World Foundation, told Ars.

Russia threatens a retaliatory strike against US commercial satellites

“Western actions needlessly put at risk the sustainability of peaceful space activities.”…

arstechnica.com

Primary source:

Brussels Summit Communiqué issued by NATO Heads of State and Government (2021)

www.nato.int

 

[Rhinocrates]

Addendum.

"It's almost like they see companies like SpaceX as a branch of the US military."

In these countries, branches of the military are in effect exactly what analogous entities (such as the Wagner Group) are. Therefore, that's what they would think. SpaceX and others should expect to become targets for state-instigated espionage and sabotage now.

 

[Forest Green]

I think if you make the world your enemy, the world's going to be your enemy.

 

[Forest Green]

EXCLUSIVE: US Strategic Space Review signed out, but no unclassified version is coming - Breaking Defense

"If we want deterrence to be effective, it takes three things: 1. Capabilities 2. Credible threats in the mind of the adversary and 3. The will to communicate the first two," Chris Stone, Mitchell Institute fellow, told Breaking Defense.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Saltzman assumes command of US Space Force

Gen. Chance Saltzman, who took the reins from Gen. Jay Raymond, is just the second official to assume leadership of the service.

www.defensenews.com

'Father of the Space Force' Raymond retires, as Saltzman takes command - Breaking Defense

“A resilient, ready and combat capable Space Force is indispensable to deterrence today, tomorrow and every day after that," the new Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said today. "And in the worst case, if deterrence fails, the Space Force will be an indispensable component of our...

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Phase Four's spacecraft engine first to demo AFRL's game-changing 'green' fuel - Breaking Defense

Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine told Breaking Defense that Phase Four has the potential to "disrupt the in-space propulsion market," and its technology "is important for the country."

breakingdefense.com

 

[TomcatViP]

In case this had not been posted:

Phase Four's Maxwell 2 engine:

Phase Four Unveils Game Changing Engine for LEO Constellations

/PRNewswire/ -- Phase Four, the creator of the radio-frequency thruster for satellite propulsion, announced today that it will expand its Maxwell turn-key...

www.prnewswire.com

 

[Forest Green]

Same story as above, Iodine-based fuel apparently.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Regarding the AFRL’s Oracle program, formerly known as the 'Cislunar Highway Patrol System':

Air Force Research Lab awards $76 million for lunar experimentation

AFRL expects the Oracle satellite to launch in 2025 and have a two-year mission life.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Development Agency asks for satellite 'battle management system' proposals - Breaking Defense

The on-board Battle Management, Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) software module will be tested on SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer data relay satellites.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1593800616219901953

View: https://twitter.com/ussf_ssc/status/1593800616219901953

#SpaceSystemsCommand’s Assured Access to Space directorate signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement today, paving the way for @BlueOrigin to compete for the next NSSL launch service competition and is an example of how we foster innovation! https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/Documents/PRESS RELEASES/

 

[aonestudio]

Space Force Official Warns China Could 'Surpass' US In Ongoing Space Race

Lt. Gen. Nina M. Armagno's observation comes as China prepares to launch a rocket with three astronauts aboard to travel to its space station this week.

www.military.com

 

[jsport]

New DoD SATCOM plan seeks to establish a modernized, 'holistic' network - Breaking Defense

The new plan is broken down into three imperatives: integrating data management, automating resource allocation and fusing situational awareness.

breakingdefense.com

 

[publiusr]

Perfect name to hide it from fiscal hawks-make it sound like a spysat program! Well done my acolytes! I have taught you well...next:

Trans
Atmospheric
Xploration
Capable
Utility
Transport
System.
(TAXCUTS)
We need a hundred billion bucks worth ...voice vote now-all in favor? (Rand Paul gagging noise)-"wait....what-OOF" Thanx for punching him out, Santos. "Mesa like TAXCUTS!"

 

[Byeman]

Space Force reveals which Army and Navy units are moving to the space branch - SpaceNews

A total of 11 Army and four Navy organizations are transferring to the Space Force

spacenews.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force shelves 'weather data as a service' model, for now - Breaking Defense

Space Systems Command believes that "WxDaaS" may become a viable option sometime after fiscal year 2030, said Lt. Col. Joseph Maguadog, but dedicated sats will have to do in the meantime.

breakingdefense.com

 

[jsport]

Tankers in Space? New Report Says ‘True Military Mobility’ Demands a More Agile USSF | Air & Space Forces Magazine

A new report breaks down key areas for the Space Force to build up its mobility and logistics enterprise for satellites in orbit.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[jsport]

A new radar installation in the Pacific will let US forces look over the horizon

Here's what we know about the secretive project.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[jsport]

Raytheon, Millennium get more funding for missile tracking satellites

Through the Missile Track Custody program, the service plans to launch satellites to medium Earth orbit, where space sensors can observe a larger area.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[jsport]

US Space Command’s Shaw sees need for rapid, responsive launch

Lt. Gen. John Shaw said this week there’s a growing need for on-demand launch capabilities that can be leveraged to replace or augment satellites.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[jsport]

In Major Step, Space Force Takes Over All Military Satellite Communications

The Space Force has taken over all of the Department of Defense's military satellite communication functions, a major step in building the new service.

www.military.com

 

[jsport]

'Out of control': DoD reviews use of super-secret SAP classification, for space programs and beyond - Breaking Defense

John Plumb, DoD assistant secretary for space policy, suggested overuse of SAPs is hindering information sharing across programs and, more importantly, to allies.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

White House nears plan to assign regulatory authorities for 'new' space activities - Breaking Defense

The ongoing White House-level review of what is often called "mission authorization and supervision" responsibilities has not been simple, according to several government officials involved, with the key agencies with current legal say over space regulations jockeying for a piece of the...

breakingdefense.com

 

[jsport]

Air Force advisers study use of satellites for tracking moving targets

The board will consider the risks and challenges associated with using satellites to perform the mission alongside aircraft.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[jsport]

SPACECOM plans new, unified 'Commercial Integration Office' to work with private firms - Breaking Defense

The new office will coordinate the commercial cooperation activities of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense at Schriever SFB in Colorado and the Combined Force Space Component Command at Vandenberg SFB in California.

breakingdefense.com

 

[jsport]

Space National Guard cost overstated, association says

A CBO study found that forming a service with as many as 5,800 personnel could cost nearly $500 million a year.

www.federaltimes.com

 

[jsport]

Is Space Command still coming to Huntsville? Tuberville speaks on delay

"Somebody's got to make the call," senator says.

www.al.com

 

[Forest Green]

Defending every domain from the highest domain - Breaking Defense

High-value assets in space means positioning both exquisite payloads and quick-react, short-term, inexpensive small sats across orbital regimes to accomplish specific missions.

breakingdefense.com

 

[jsport]

Boeing sees Space Launch System rocket fit for Pentagon missions

Boeing is interested in offering its gigantic Space Launch System rocket for an upcoming U.S. military launch procurement program potentially worth billions of dollars, the company said Wednesday, signaling a new strategy for a rocket once exclusive to NASA missions.

www.reuters.com