General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has delivered to the University of Colorado a simulator of a spacecraft that would measure solar irradiance and provide long-term climate data. The Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 simulator allows users to send and verify commands, receive thermistor data and provide information on vehicle health and telemetry. It can also […]
A SpaceX rideshare mission will launch dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellite to a sun-synchronous orbit, including a Viasat-built 12U cubesat carrying a Link 16 tactical communications radio and an L band antenna. The Transporter 8 rideshare mission is expected to be deployed on board a Falcon 9 rocket in June. Viasat developed the satellite […]
The 46th Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida will support the Space Development Agency’s demonstration of the first batch of Link 16 satellites this summer. The capabilities to be tested include network entry, sending and receiving messages within the network and relaying such transmissions to ground stations. The United States and NATO […]
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 […]
