Viasat will install a terminal on a Loft Orbital spacecraft to demonstrate its Real-Time Space Relay service to NASA. The demonstration mission, slated for launch in fall 2025, will be performed under a $53 million contract awarded through NASA’s Communications Services Project, which aims to assess commercial satellite communications services and technologies that could replace […]
The Space Systems Command has announced the completion of factory confidence tests for its Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization program payloads. According to U.S. Space Force Capt. Dale Hartley, EPS-R’s deputy brand chief, the test’s goal was to verify the payloads’ functionality and its hardware and software configurations, ensuring its readiness for transportation to the launch site, […]
The U.S. Space Force’s Overhead Persistent Infrared Battlespace Awareness Center has begun using the Raytheon-built advanced ground system for space-based missile warning. The Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution Mission Data Processing Application Framework is designed to integrate existing and future mission-focused applications to process, exploit and disseminate satellite data. FORGE MDPAF can process overhead persistent […]
Rocket Lab USA has selected six companies to support the integration and procurement of payloads for the 18 satellites being developed for the Space Development Agency. In January, the SDA confirmed awarding a $515 million prime contract to Rocket Lab to build the satellites for the beta segment of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture’s Tranche […]
The Space Systems Command is seeking to award a contract to develop and produce four space vehicles under the Evolved Strategic Communications Space Development and Production initiative. According to the solicitation notice, the SSC needs a vendor capable and experienced in delivering an XDR payload with uplink and downlink antennas and radiofrequency electronics to down-convert […]
L3Harris Technologies, one of the contractors of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet program, said it is planning a late 2025 flight testing of its newly developed communications terminal integrating military-owned and commercial constellations on a military aircraft. AFRL initiated the program in 2018 to harness commercial satellite internet service […]
NASA has announced that applications are now open for its 2024 solicitation of proposals from academic institutions, nonprofits and businesses on technologies that will support the agency’s Artemis moon missions and future Mars exploration. Almost $1.5 million in NASA funding has already been awarded to 24 projects under the solicitation program dubbed Dual-Use Technology Development […]
A report issued by the Government Accountability Office has identified a gap in mandatory cybersecurity protocols for NASA’s spacecraft acquisition process. According to GAO’s audit, while the space agency has implemented general cybersecurity requirements across its programs, mandatory guidelines specifically for acquiring spacecraft are not yet in place, Nextgov/FCW reported. Currently, NASA relies on non-binding […]
Brig. Gen. Robert Hutt, director of plans and programs for the U.S. Space Force, has highlighted the service’s vital role in the nation’s joint warfighting capabilities. At a recent Space Force Association event, Hutt said that the Department of Defense has recognized the valuable contribution of the Space Force in enabling kill chains, a term […]
NASA has selected nine companies for initial studies on commercial services that could support less costly and more frequent missions to Mars. The selected firms’ work is divided into four concept categories for a total of 12 studies. Some companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Blue Origin, will work on more than one study category. Chosen […]
