The US Space Force

[jsport]

Domain awareness, counterspace systems top Space Force budget needs

Awareness of the space domain and the means to protect and fight against threats are top needs for service, according to the chief of space operations.

www.defensenews.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force CMSSF Lays Out New Enlisted Guardian Career Path

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna unveiled an ambitious project to transform the career path for 4,900 enlisted Guardians.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force wants funding to expand commercial data analytics pilot program

The Space Force is looking to expand the TacSRT pilot to assist additional combatant commands in leveraging space-based commercial imagery and analytics for operations.

defensescoop.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force to field sensors for tracking air, ground targets in 2030s

The Space Force has started to invest in early studies of the capability, but Guetlein declined to confirm whether a program would be funded in FY26.

www.defensenews.com

 

[jsport]

Industry ‘hamstrung’ by Space Force-intel community’s turf war

Commercial firms say NGA-centric acquisition can’t move fast enough to help combatant commands or foster innovation.

www.defenseone.com

 

[jsport]

SDA Sets Timeline for Buying Nearly 200 More Satellites in 2025

The Space Development Agency (SDA) notified industry of its planned timeline for soliciting and procuring Tranche 3 satellites in 2025.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[jsport]

Debate over Space Guard rekindles amid growing reliance on satellites for disaster relief

Scott Pace: ‘Seeing the role that Starlink has played in North Carolina’s disaster response, I’m beginning to think there might be room for a Space National Guard’

spacenews.com

 

[TomcatViP]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZphCDXZnWc

 

[jsport]

Space Force taps Impulse Space for next round of tactically responsive space demos

Impulse Space received a $34.5 million contract to demonstrate on-orbit maneuverability for the Space Force’s tactically responsive space program.

defensescoop.com

 

[Forest Green]

OpTech secures $4.5 million U.S. Space Force contract for TacRS mission

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 12, 2024 - Optimum Technologies LLC (OpTech), known for its expertise in space mission design and advanced space hardware services, has secured a $4.5 million contract from the United States Space Force (USSF)

www.spacewar.com

Space Systems Command concludes Tetra-1 satellite mission

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 13, 2024 - Since its launch on November 1, 2022, the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC), in collaboration with Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, has successfully wrapped up the Tetra-1 mi

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Systems Command and U.S. Navy achieve major MGUE program milestone

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 13, 2024 - On September 27, 2024, the U.S. Space Force's (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC), Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Military Communications (MilComm) and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT),

www.spacewar.com

Space Force targeting more affordable GPS satellites

The program comes amid growing concern from Pentagon and other government leaders about GPS vulnerability.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Think fast: A missile-defense system built for speed

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 16, 2024 - Satellites positioned high above Earth transmit crucial data to the surface in under a second, appearing swiftly on a computer screen monitored by a U.S. Space Force operator. The operator's swift u

www.spacewar.com

Impulse Space chosen for NRO BALISTA contract to enhance agile space tech

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 16, 2024 - Impulse Space, known for its in-space transportation solutions, has been awarded a BALISTA contract by the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Office of Space Launch (OSL). The contract aims to a

www.spacewar.com

Fort Detrick Maryland chosen as permanent site for Wideband Military SATCOM training

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 16, 2024 - Fort Detrick, Maryland, has been designated as the permanent home of the Wideband Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Operations Center (WSOC), which will host the Wideband Transmission Controller Ope

www.spacewar.com

 

[jsport]

The US needs to get real about maneuver warfare in space - Breaking Defense

"It’s time for America to put real investments into space weapons capable of targeting earth-bound targets," writes Christopher Stone in this op-ed.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Orion Space Solutions set to enhance on-orbit refueling for U.S. Space Force

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 20, 2024 - Orion Space Solutions (Orion), a subsidiary of Arcfield, has secured an additional contract from the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) to extend its work on the Tetra-6 mission. Th

www.spacewar.com

Anduril Awarded Program of Record Contract to Modernize Space Surveillance Network

Anduril has been awarded a $99.7 million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and a five-year Program of Record designation by U.S. Space Systems Command to deliver Lattice as a resilient mesh networking capability for the modernization of the U.S. Space Surveillance Network...

www.anduril.com

Anduril secures contract to upgrade space surveillance network

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 25, 2024 - Anduril has been awarded a $99.7 million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, along with a five-year Program of Record designation, by the U.S. Space Systems Command to modernize

www.spacewar.com

Space Force plans to award 20 contracts for commercial reserve by 2026

The contracts will detail the level of commercial capability the service needs in peacetime and provide a means to access more capacity during conflict.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Atomic-6 receives $3.8M to advance space armor shielding

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 27, 2024 - Atomic-6 has secured a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) of $3.8 million to enhance the development of its innovative Space Armor shielding tiles. This funding will support qualification testing and

www.spacewar.com

Shape memory alloy antenna redefines communication technology

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 27, 2024 - Researchers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland have developed a revolutionary antenna that adjusts its shape based on temperature. Using additive manufacturing and shape m

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Weaponizing Space | Air & Space Forces Magazine

As CSO, Saltzman is responsible for recruiting, training, and equipping Guardians to be effective space warfare operators. Applying their capabilities is the responsibility of U.S. Space Command—and its leaders want counterspace weapons too.

www.airandspaceforces.com

Space Force hints at offense, but details remain scant.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.

Offensive weapons to hold adversaries’ space systems at risk are top priorities for both the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command, leaders made clear at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference in September.

Launch: The Fundamental Prerequisite for Space Superiority | Air & Space Forces Magazine

At the most fundamental level, this requires the Space Force to have assured access to space. The Space Force must retain a diverse stable of launch providers, while expanding options for launch locations.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force chief observes Starship test launch, signaling military interest

The Space Force is ‘monitoring Starship’s progress and look forward to potentially leveraging its capabilities in the future’

spacenews.com

 

[jsport]

https://www.politico.eu/article/china-mind-boggling-space-capabilities-worry-us-says-space-force-chief-b-chance-saltzman-russia-nasa/?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru

 

[jsport]

Who tells satellites where to take pictures? Increasingly, it’ll be robots, Maxar says

Automated scans of low-res imagery will cue high-res passes, while simulations will help manage ever-growing queues for service.

www.defenseone.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force Adds $196 Million for GPS Ground Control System

Space Systems Command awarded a $196 million contract to RTX, for more work on the new ground control system for GPS called OCX.

www.airandspaceforces.com

Maxar secures $290M 5-year contract with NGA for Luno A

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 03, 2024 - Maxar Intelligence has been chosen by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to support its Luno A program, a $290 million, five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contr

www.spacewar.com

Space Force Activates New Component in Japan

U.S. Space Forces Japan activated Dec. 3 at Yokota Air Base, the latest Space Force component and a sign of close ties between the allies.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[jsport]

New Japan-based Space Force unit will guard troops from above, regional commander says

The Space Force is standing up a new unit at Yokota Air Base, said the service’s regional commander.

www.stripes.com

 

[jsport]

Space Development Agency taps Umbra for satellite integration study

Umbra operates a constellation of high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites

spacenews.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force needs plan, funding to counter China’s rapid space growth

For the Space Force, countering China’s advancements in space is a mission in and of itself, according to the service's top intelligence official.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Umbra chosen for NRO Strategic Enhancements Stage III to boost SAR capabilities

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 05, 2024 - Umbra, a leader in space technology and operator of the world's highest-resolution commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, has secured the Stage III option under the National Reconnais

www.spacewar.com

OpenAI to partner with military defense tech company

San Francisco (AFP) Dec 4, 2024 - OpenAI and military defense technology company Anduril Industries said Wednesday that they would work together to use artificial intelligence for national security missions.

www.spacewar.com

U.S. Space Force opens unit in Japan

Washington DC (UPI) Dec 4, 2024 - The United States Space Force activated its first unit in Japan on Wednesday in cooperation with Japan's Air Self-Defense Force's own military space operations group.

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Lockheed Martin prepares TacSat for 2025 launch to enhance space connectivity

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 10, 2024 - Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has finalized preparations for its Tactical Satellite (TacSat), a next-generation technology demonstration platform set for launch in 2025 aboard Firefly Aerospace's Alph

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

China's space moves: Highly mobile satellites stalking GEO spook Space Force - Breaking Defense

"Their specific goals are to be able to track and target us high value assets at the time and place of their choosing," Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of US Space Force Indo-Pacific, told reporters at the Spacepower 2024 conference.

breakingdefense.com

Redwire secures $45M AFRL contract to advance space technologies for defense applications

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2024 - Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure development, has been awarded a $45,469,600 five-year contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorat

www.spacewar.com

Viasat secures $568M contract to enhance C5ISR capabilities for US Defense

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2024 - Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global satellite communications company, has been awarded a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. General Services Administrati

www.spacewar.com

Space Force Wants Unique Boot Camp for Guardians

Space Force leaders are contemplating separating out the service’s boot camp from the Air Force and moving it to a new location.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[dark sidius]

Saltzman Defines 6 'Core Truths' About Space Force and Warfighting

As the Space Force nears its fifth birthday, CSO Gen. B. Chance Saltzman argued his service is for warfighting, not merely support functions.

www.airandspaceforces.com

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and JROC Chair Adm. Christopher Grady referenced space weapons in a recent interview with Defense Scoop, saying, “We know that hypersonics allow us to defeat adversary hypersonics; and then, we also know that hypersonics allow us to leverage hypersonic aircraft and spacecraft missions in those two domains.”

The words are interesting is there some hypersonic programs we don't know about ?

 

[jsport]

U.S. Space Force official warns of rising Chinese threats

Gen. Michael Guetlein: ‘This new norm of behavior is very unsafe and unprofessional’

spacenews.com

 

[dark sidius]

China Is Moving ‘All Over’ Space, and USSF Leaders Want to Maneuver Too

Chinese satellites are engaging more and more in space maneuver, and Space Force officials say they need to move too to track them.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[Forest Green]

China Is Moving ‘All Over’ Space, and USSF Leaders Want to Maneuver Too

Chinese satellites are engaging more and more in space maneuver, and Space Force officials say they need to move too to track them.

www.airandspaceforces.com

Seems like nuclear-power is the best option unless they want to be refuelling regularly.

 

[Dilandu]

Seems like nuclear-power is the best option unless they want to be refuelling regularly.

They would still need to refuel the propellant.

 

[Josh_TN]

Seems like nuclear-power is the best option unless they want to be refuelling regularly.

It would probably be cheaper to replace the entire satellite routinely. Refueling on the other hand is a more realistic option that the USAF is trying to create a standard for.

 

[Forest Green]

They would still need to refuel the propellant.

I was thinking of nuclear-electric but that might not give the thrust required. How are the Chinese doing it? Regular refuelling?

SPACECOM and Space Force working to define 'triggers' for commercial reserve call up - Breaking Defense

US Space Command recently updated its commercial integration strategy, that includes advocating for the Space Force to buy technologies deemed useful for operators, said Gen. Stephen Whiting, SPACECOM commander.

breakingdefense.com

Space Force Is Testing AI to Automate Ops—and Eyeing More

The Space Force is flying new command and control software on experimental satellites that can automate some functions for ops crews.

www.airandspaceforces.com

Trump’s NASA pick says military will inevitably put troops in space

Billionaire and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman said increased human activity in space will require military protection.

www.defensenews.com

 

[dark sidius]

I was thinking of nuclear-electric but that might not give the thrust required. How are the Chinese doing it? Regular refuelling?

SPACECOM and Space Force working to define 'triggers' for commercial reserve call up - Breaking Defense

US Space Command recently updated its commercial integration strategy, that includes advocating for the Space Force to buy technologies deemed useful for operators, said Gen. Stephen Whiting, SPACECOM commander.

breakingdefense.com

Space Force Is Testing AI to Automate Ops—and Eyeing More

The Space Force is flying new command and control software on experimental satellites that can automate some functions for ops crews.

www.airandspaceforces.com

Trump’s NASA pick says military will inevitably put troops in space

Billionaire and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman said increased human activity in space will require military protection.

www.defensenews.com

Trump’s NASA pick says military will inevitably put troops in space

Billionaire and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman said increased human activity in space will require military protection.

www.defensenews.com

The real space Force.

 

[Josh_TN]

I am assuming the PRC simply orbits satellites with conventional chemical/ion thrusters, though I am not familiar with the spacecraft being referred to. Certainly the U.S. maintains a number of satellites that drift just above or below for inspection purposes. My impression based on the statements in the article is that the PRC satellites changed their altitude a lot more often than, which I would assume either requires heavier propellant loads or shorter satellite life.

ETA: also AFAIK all electric thrusters still use some kind of propellant, just in a much mass efficient way.

 

[Forest Green]

ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor

The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to tow satellites or for counterspace missions, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://www.spacewar.com/reports/CS...ond_annual_SFA_Spacepower_Conference_999.html

Saltzman emphasized the Space Force has come a long way since its inception, with nearly 15,000 military and civilian personnel now serving the organization. This represents a monumental administrative feat as the service has approximately tripled in size every year since its inception in 2019.

Saltzman also emphasized the Space Force is not just a support element; it's a military service with a unique and critical role conducting warfighting operations.

Saltzman explained. "If space is a warfighting domain, and we are a military service dedicated to it, then Guardians have an obligation to contest and control that region, making it safe, secure and stable."

1. USSF capabilities are critical to the Joint Force and the American way of life.

2. The USSF must defend its capabilities, or the Joint Force will be unable to project power.

3. The USSF must protect the Joint / Combined Force from space-enabled targeting.

4. Space is a warfighting domain.

5. The USSF is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and operating space capabilities.

6. Guardians are uniquely trained for warfighting in, from, and to space.

Home

Remarks by CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman at the 2024 Space Force Association’s Spacepower Confe

Remarks by CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman at the 2024 Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference.

www.spaceforce.mil

First Japanese satellite with US payload prepared for launch

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 16, 2024 - The first Japanese satellite carrying a U.S. payload has reached a critical milestone with its successful integration and readiness for delivery to the launch site at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

www.spacewar.com

USSPACECOM emphasizes unified strategies for space operations advantage

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 16, 2024 - Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, addressed the Space Force Association's annual Spacepower Conference on Dec. 11, highlighting the necessity of a unified operational strategy t

www.spacewar.com

 

[jsport]

U.S. Space Force to test laser communications on a GPS satellite

The GPS SV-10 satellite will carry an optical communications terminal developed by German aerospace manufacturer Tesat-Spacecom

spacenews.com

 

[jsport]

Space Force plans new ‘Futures Command’ amid pressure to speed up modernization

The Futures Command would bring more analytical firepower to justify Space Force programs and spending.

spacenews.com

 

[jsport]

Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations

The updated strategy, approved in November, focuses on SPACECOM’s core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas.

www.defensenews.com