Major players in the space industry will most likely be awarded contracts under the two-lane approach introduced by the U.S. Space Force to encourage competition between emerging companies and industry leaders for phase 3 of the National Security Space Launch program, at least initially. Under the two lane-system, which is a response to congressional calls […]
A collaborative program office the U.S. Space Force established in 2022 has enabled Pentagon agencies developing missile warning and tracking satellites to share technical information, resolve challenges and clarify responsibility for various elements of the space architecture. The program office, consisting of the Space Development Agency, Space Systems Command and Missile Defense Agency, was created […]
The Space Systems Command has awarded Parsons Corp. a six-year, $55 million contract for work on the Missile Track Custody Epoch 1 Program, which would provide ground segment capabilities for an upcoming medium Earth orbit satellite constellation meant to provide missile warning and tracking capabilities. Work under the Epoch 1 Program includes the establishment of […]
The Department of the Air Force’s AFWERX has awarded Albedo a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research direct-to-phase 2 contract to evaluate the company’s capability to capture high-resolution thermal infrared satellite imagery with 2-meter resolution at night. Under the contract, Albedo will demonstrate to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, the U.S. Space Force […]
Light Steering Technologies, an aerospace manufacturer headquartered in New Hampshire, has secured a $1.3 million contract from the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX to enhance the Multi-Axis Scanner, a magnetic joint affixed to mirror with three linear actuators. Its intended function is similar to that of a gimbal. Aaron Castillo, LST senior vice president of business […]
Data from the Department of Defense’s Space Surveillance Network will power the early operations of the Department of Commerce’s Traffic Coordination System for Space, a planned space object management solution aimed at fulfilling a Trump-era mandate to transition domain awareness responsibilities away from the U.S. Space Command. Once operational, TraCSS would provide basic-level services to […]
SpaceX’s delay of a Falcon Heavy launch from April 18 to 26 could have scheduling ramifications for a crewed mission to the International Space Station. The company postponed the flight for an undisclosed reason after a test of the rocket’s boosters. The Falcon Heavy is meant to send the ViaSat-3 Americas and Astranis Arcturus satellites […]
Lockheed Martin will work with various NASA centers to develop technologies in support of the space agency’s mission to explore the moon and Mars. NASA selected three proposals from the company, which were submitted through a collaboration opportunity the agency announced in February 2022. Lockheed Martin will work on friction stir welded blanks for advanced […]
The first batch of classified space situational awareness satellites for the U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office’s Silentbarker program is expected to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in September. Speaking at the 2023 Space Symposium, NRO Director Chris Scolese said the program aims to build a satellite constellation that will […]
A U.S. Space Force official said the service aims by 2025 or 2026 to have the capability to launch a satellite within 24 hours after receiving a deployment order. The Space Force has been exploring ways to reduce the time needed to deploy a satellite under the Tactically Responsive Space program. During a panel discussion […]
