Appropriations, Procurement, and Acquisitions
With billions at stake, lobbying heats up for future rights to Space Force launches (Breaking Defense) "Key for us is allowing on-ramps, allowing for some smaller launches to have a chance," a senior Space Force official told Breaking Defense, in order to avoid billion-dollar "Titan-era prices."
DoD Satcom: Big money for military satellites, slow shift to commercial services (SpaceNews) Big money for military satellites signals a slow shift to commercial services.
Space Development Agency plans for ‘enduring’ satellite experimentation testbed (C4ISRNet) The initial solicitation will be for 10 satellites, the agency expects the program to provide an “enduring” test and experimentation capability.
Space Acquisition Lead Says Space Force Should Explore Fixed Price Contracts (Via Satellite) The Department of the Air Force’s top space acquisition official said that he wants to use the cost and schedule realism injected by the National
Paul to oppose small business program Pentagon uses to spur innovation (Defense News) A key U.S. lawmaker says he will oppose reauthorization of federal small business innovation grants favored by the Pentagon, raising doubts about how Congress will avert their expiration Sept. 30.
How Lori Garver Launched NASA’s Commercial Space Partnerships (Wired) WIRED spoke with the agency’s former deputy administrator about how she architected a major shift to working with the fledgling private space industry.
NASA Awards Spire Global $6 Million Contract Extension for Earth Observation Data (Via Satellite) Spire Global received a $6 million, year-long extension from NASA for the agency’s Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program. Spire announced
Army Selects Palantir to Build TITAN Program Competitive Prototype (Business Wire) Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR) announced today that it is one of two companies awarded a prime contract by the Army to build a prototype for
Space Business and Market Trends
How the Space Industry Competes Amid the Tight Market for Talent (Satellite Today) Company leaders and hiring managers describe changing their recruiting techniques, allowing more remote work, and in some cases, a willingness to hire from outside the industry to come out on top amid the tight market for talent.
Space Software Startup Leanspace Raises $6M Seed Round (Via Satellite) French startup Leanspace raised a 6 million euro ($6.35 million) seed round to further its mission to simplify space software. European VC firm Karista
Lux Capital Invests in Tom Mueller's Impulse Space Startup (Via Satellite) Impulse Space, an in-space transportation services startup launched in 2021 by SpaceX founding member Tom Mueller, has secured $10 million in funding from
SpaceX Said to Fire Employees Involved in Letter Rebuking Elon Musk (New York Times) In an email, Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president, said the letter had made other employees “feel uncomfortable, intimidated and bullied.”
Bad News for Boeing: SpaceX Wins 5 More Contracts (Nasdaq) It began with just 12 contracts. In 2014, NASA embarked upon a three-year mission to explore new ways of sending astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and to seek out new partnerships with private industry, tasking SpaceX and Boeing (NYSE: BA) with a request to build two new spaceships for a combined $6.8 billion.
Disrupted by SpaceX, ULA was in ‘serious trouble.’ Now it’s on the road back. (Washington Post) CEO Tory Bruno vowed to transform the company; he’s developing a new rocket and has won a historic launch contract
Boeing-backed rocket maker partners with Blue Origin to battle SpaceX (Seattle Times) By 2014, United Launch Alliance wasn’t the rocket industry stalwart it had been since its founding almost a decade earlier when it had a monopoly on lucrative Pentagon contracts to lift national security satellites into orbit.
Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio Win Italian MoD SICRAL 3 Follow-On Contract (Via Satellite) Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio have won a new deal with the Italian Ministry of Defense (MoD), the two companies announced June 17. It is a follow-on
Eyes wide open: Airbus eyes growing US market for space-related optical systems (Breaking Defense) "I'm focusing on laser communication terminals because I think that's the strongest candidate to build in the US," Rob Geckle, CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, told Breaking Defense.
BlackSky Wins AI Contract from Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (Via Satellite) The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded BlackSky Technologies a contract worth up to $241 million over five years to create and optimize data sets
Viasat Rolls Out New Residential Internet Plans, Shareholders Approve Inmarsat Merger (Via Satellite) Viasat is rolling out new residential internet service plans in the U.S., pledging to deliver up to 150 Mbps in select areas, ahead of its ViaSat-3
Japan’s GITAI Opens US Headquarters in Los Angeles (Via Satellite) Japanese space robot company GITAI is expanding to the United States with a U.S. subsidiary and new office in Los Angeles. The company announced the new
BlackSky Promotes Imagery Industry Veteran to CFO (Via Satellite) BlackSky Technology has named its new CFO. The geospatial intelligence company announced June 16 that it promoted Chief Development Officer Henry Dubois,
Anokiwave Appoints New Satellite Focused Exec (Via Satellite) Anokiwave has appointed Ryan Jennings as its new vice president of satcom and systems, the company announced June 16. Anokiwave is a fabless semiconductor
SatixFy Names David Ripstein as New CEO (Via Satellite) SatixFy Communications named David Ripstein, formerly of GreenRoad Technologies and Radcom to lead the company as CEO. Ripstein succeeds industry veteran
Mark Dankberg Returns to Role as Viasat CEO (Via Satellite) Mark Dankberg is returning to his role as Viasat CEO, about a year and a half after shifting to executive chairman. Dankberg, who co-founded the company
Boeing lands new CISO (iTnews) Mark Cross takes on new role.
SatixFy Names David Ripstein as New CEO (Via Satellite) SatixFy Communications named David Ripstein, formerly of GreenRoad Technologies and Radcom to lead the company as CEO. Ripstein succeeds industry veteran
Launch Services
Elon Musk wants SpaceX's biggest rocket ready to launch in July, but experts say he may not get his wish (Business Insider) Elon Musk has very optimistic timelines and there's still much work to be done on Starship with July just days away , according to some space experts.
Virgin Orbit is Now Licensed to Launch in Brazil With New Subsidiary (Via Satellite) Virgin Orbit is now licensed to launch from Brazil through its new subsidiary, Virgin Orbit Brasil Ltda, and could potentially conduct the first domestic
Relativity to Launch Satellites for OneWeb’s Gen-2 Constellation (Via Satellite) OneWeb signed a launch contract with Relativity Space to launch satellites in its Gen 2 network on the new Terran R rocket. The deal, announced Thursday,
Rocket Lab Launches NASA Capstone Mission to Unique Lunar Orbit (Via Satellite) Rocket Lab launched the CAPSTONE mission for NASA early Tuesday morning, sending the spacecraft on a journey to a unique lunar orbit. CAPSTONE — Cislunar
Virgin Orbit Targets September for First UK Mission (Via Satellite) Virgin Orbit is looking at a September timeframe for its first mission from the United Kingdom, CEO Dan Hart said in a pre-launch press briefing ahead of
Can Europe’s Newest Spaceports Turn the Continent into a Global Launch Hub? (Via Satellite) In order to have meaningful access to space to meet the demand for launch services, the world needs more spaceports and launch centers. British and
Arianespace Launches Satellites for Measat and India on Ariane 5 (Via Satellite) Arianespace orbited two Geostationary (GEO) telecommunication satellites on Wednesday evening, for Malaysian operator Measat and the Indian
SpaceX Launches C-band Satellite SES-22 for SES (Via Satellite) SpaceX launched SES’s first C-band satellite on Wednesday in the FCC’s initiative to clear C-band spectrum. A Falcon 9 rocket launched the satellite from
D-Orbit Signs Launch and Deployment Contract with Kepler Communications (Via Satellite) Space logistics company D-Orbit will deploy two satellites for Kepler Communications as part of an agreement announced Thursday. The contract covers the
US Space Force
Space Flag Becomes USSF’s First Joint Accredited Exercise (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force’s Space Flag exercise has been affirmed by the Joint Staff as having Joint National Training Capability accreditation.
Space Force mulls new acquisition approach for next phase of medium, heavy launches (C4ISRNet) The Space Force hasn’t finalized its plans for Phase 3 of its National Security Space Launch program, but its new acquisition executive said this week it is considering the possibility of including more launch vehicle classes as part of the contract.
New Space Force acquisition exec eschews more reorganization (Breaking Defense) Frank Calvelli says he will use the congressionally mandated Space Acquisition Council to herd the various Space Force acquisition cats.
Space Force seeks a bigger voice in military operations (Air Force Times) The Space Force is vying for influence after the space enterprise has been in the background for several decades.
Space Force stands up new intel center; Air Force's NASIC keeps some space-related analysts (Breaking Defense) Not all analysts charged with space-related intel work at the legacy NASIC will move to the new office, sources tell Breaking Defense.
US Space Force Establishes National Space Intelligence Center (Via Satellite) The U.S. Space Force established the National Space Intelligence Center in Dayton, Ohio on Friday, to provide intelligence and technical expertise in the
Space Force to establish intelligence unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (SpaceNews) The U.S. Space Force on June 24 plans to formally establish the National Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Space Force Set to Establish New Delta to Run Intel Hub (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force will formally establish Space Delta 18 and the National Space Intelligence Center on June 24.
Space Force envisions digital future for testing and training (C4ISRNet) The Space Force is on a path toward creating a National Space Test and Training Complex, but the endeavor also presents some challenges — most of which lie in creating virtual training and testing environments that realistically depict the space domain.
How Do You Create a Guardian? A Look Inside Space Force's First Specialized Basic Training (Military.com) Over three months, Military.com interviewed more than a dozen Guardians, drill sergeants, recruiters and officers, and visited the two-month basic training in Texas.
Space Force keeps expanding, wants to pull in guardians from the rest of the military (Task & Purpose) The military’s newest branch also now has its first force-specific basic training graduates, while it is also looking to bring in transfers from the Army, Air Force and other services.
Deadline approaching for troops to apply to join Space Force (Military Times) The Space Force plans to employ 15,000 troops and civilians by the end of the year.
Space Force Accepting Transfer Applications, Plans to Add 243 Guardians (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force is accepting applications for transfer from members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force for fiscal 2023.
Exclusive: Inside Space Force boot camp with recruits to US military's newest branch (CNN) The US Space Force has hit a critical milestone: dedicated basic training for its early recruits.
Air Guard troops doing space missions face identity crisis (Air Force Times) Commanders say Air National Guard troops assigned to space missions have become orphans as leaders wrangle over whether to create a Space National Guard.
Episode 81 - Space National Guard: An Imperative or Extraneous? (Podbean Biz Podcast App) In Episode 81 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Space National Guard: An Imperative or Extraneous? John Baum chats with Col Michael Bruno, Lt Col Scott McGuire, and Mitchell...
Space Force License Plates Coming to Colorado (Military.com) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bipartisan bill into law last week funding commemorative license plates for the Space Force.
Space Force Poised to Get a New Plans and Programs Chief (Air Force Magazine) The Pentagon has nominated Maj. Gen. Philip Garrant to be deputy chief for strategy, plans, programs, and requirements for the Space Force.
Military Space Operations
Starship Troopers: Pentagon wants rocket-launched soldiers anywhere on earth in hours (Task & Purpose) As part of a partnership with SpaceX, one scenario looks at rapidly deploying soldiers around the globe in hours on a rocket
Ukraine war raises questions about military insight into commercial SATCOM (Breaking Defense) “We have seen a massive flow of commercial SATCOM capabilities come into theater and in many ways that has enabled us to kind of spread out our MILSATCOM capabilities and take advantage of those commercial SATCOM capabilities,” Brig. Gen. Chad Raduege said. “That has driven its own unique lesson learned in that we often don’t have quite the insight on the commercial side that we have on the military side."
How Russia telegraphed invasion of Ukraine in space and online (Defense News) While the discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Europe’s largest land warfare tradeshow has focused on how militaries fight on the ground, Major Gen. Michel Friedling, the head of France’s Space Command, said Russia’s use of cyber and space weapons sent a critical message.
Hawaiian Space Force Antennas Collect Vital Data with ‘Antiquated’ Equipment (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force 21st Space Operations Squadron in Hawaii operates two near-obsolete antennas vital for the collection of space data.
Products, Services, and Solutions
NanoAvionics Sells In-Orbit Satellite Equipped With Hyperspectral Imager (Via Satellite) NanoAvionics recently sold one of its operational satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), a first for the company. The 6U satellite “D2 / Atlacom-1,” which
Telespazio Signs Reseller Agreement With BlackSky (Via Satellite) Telespazio has signed a new deal with BlackSky which will enable the company to make BlackSky geospatial products and services commercially available to
Google makes Earth Engine available to all businesses and governments (ZDNet) For the past decade, researchers in academia and the nonprofit world have had access to increasingly sophisticated information about the Earth's surface. Now, any commercial or government entity will have access to Earth Engine
Iceye Now Offers Governments and Companies Their Own SAR Satellites (Via Satellite) Iceye is expanding its business to now give governments and large multinational corporations the option to purchase their own radar imaging satellites. As
SpaceX Works to Educate Airlines on Virtues of Starlink and LEO In-flight Connectivity (Via Satellite) SpaceX’s top Starlink executive is leading the drive to convince airlines that Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-powered in-flight internet services would
L3Harris Infrared Space Technology to Enhance Battlefield Imagery and Missile Defense Detection (Business Wire) A L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) infrared instrument set to launch June 30 will significantly improve the ability to capture high-resolution imagery
Northrop Grumman to build Space Force prototype for cyber protection of satellite networks (Breaking Defense) The prototype, called Space End Crypto Unit (ECU), is being developed in tandem electronics firm Aeronix, with planned delivery in 2024.
Boeing Signs on for Aireon Space-Based ADS-B Data Services (PR Newswire) Aireon, the world's leading provider of space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) services, will deliver its flight data...
ESA contracts Inmarsat to help with airspace congestion and uncrewed integration (Military Aerospace Electronics) Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a new contract focusing on the globalization of their Iris air traffic modernisation program.
Tmytek Debuts Antenna-in-Package for 5G Mobile and Satcom Applications (Via Satellite) TMY Technology Inc. (Tmytek) recently debuted its antenna-in-package (AiP) solutions for 5G mobile and satcom applications. The solution is an 8x8
Speedcast to Provide Managed VSAT Backup Network for Retailer in Mexico (Via Satellite) Speedcast has won a multi-year contract from a large American multinational retailer to provide a managed VSAT backup network for close to 3,000 store
Viasat Taps Avanti for Capacity to Serve Energy Customers (Via Satellite) Avanti Communications will team up with Viasat to support the connectivity needs of Viasat’s customers in the energy sector. Capacity from Avanti’s fleet
Orbit Logic Wins New Software Deal with Satellite Vu (Via Satellite) Satellite Vu will use Orbit Logic’s collection planning software for the operation of its planned constellation of high-resolution thermal imaging
Mercury’s data recorder to help monitor global warming (GlobeNewswire News Room) Company selected by Ball Aerospace for methane emissions monitoring program...
Energy Transfer Taps Orbital Sidekick to Monitor Pipeline Assets (Via Satellite) Energy infrastructure company Energy Transfer has selected Orbital Sidekick to monitor its assets in the Permian Basin with satellite technology. Orbital
Mercury's ultra-compact tuners help counter adversarial threats (GlobeNewswire News Room) Purpose-built modules smaller than stack of credit cards enable mission-critical signals intelligence...
The company that's covering for AT&T's failures (Verizon's and T-Mobile's too) (ZDNet) How do you get a cell phone signal when and where you really need it? This could be one way.
Satellite and Ground Station Operations
Globalstar and Thaicom Deploy SPOT Trackers on Phuket Island for Traveler Safety (Via Satellite) Globalstar is working with Thaicom and the Thailand Marine Department to deploy its SPOT Gen4 satellite trackers to provide safety and security for
Lockheed to provide Space Force with ground terminal for ballistic missile early missile warning sensors (Military Aerospace Electronics) SBIRS provides infrared sensing from space to support the U.S. military and allies with ground stations and satellites to improve threat detection.
Globalstar Introduces New Platform for Satellite Asset Tracking (Via Satellite) Globalstar is introducing a new portfolio of satellite asset tracking hardware and software solutions called the Realm Enablement Suite. The company said
SES-17 Ka-Band Satellite is Now Operational (Via Satellite) SES’s Ka-band satellite, SES-17, is now fully operational over the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean at 67.1 degrees West, the company
Policy, Strategy, and Regulation
SPACECOM, Commerce wrapping up framework accord on space surveillance (Breaking Defense) The MoA will be followed by a set of annexes that include how the Defense Department will share funds, personnel and/or technology to help the Office of Space Commerce stand up a civil structure for space situational awareness (SSA).
In NDAA, HASC orders unclassified Pentagon strategy for satellite protection (Breaking Defense) The House Armed Services Committee would require Space Force to establish specific requirements for satellite protection prior to starting any major new acquisition program.
HAC-D scolds Space Force on lack of 'realistic budgets' (Breaking Defense) "The Space Force's ambitious plans for new architectures, programs, and mission areas, do not appear to be backed up with credible budget projections in the outyears to actually deliver these capabilities," House defense appropriators chide in report language accompanying their FY23 spending bill.
Biden Administration Directs Use of Technology to Combat IUU Fishing (Via Satellite) President Biden on Monday issued a National Security Memorandum (NSM) aimed at combating illegal fishing by distant water fleets in the world’s oceans and
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Spotting Objects From Space Is Easy. This Challenge Is Harder (Wired) A battle royale called the Smart program has charged teams with a daunting first task: Identify construction sites on Earth using only data from orbiters.
Eutelsat and TIM Tests Validate Multicast Transmission (Via Satellite) TIM, Broadpeak, and Eutelsat have been testing multicast signal distribution over a satellite network in Italy, the companies announced June 27. The
Viasat to test 5G networking for Marine Corps operations (Defense News) The U.S. Marine Corps plans to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations in the near future, both for offensive and defensive reasons. But command and control remains a big barrier.
Solar Power from Space: A Solution to Net Zero? (Via Satellite) The world’s energy consumption is increasing and will continue to grow. According to a report by the University of Oxford, current global energy consumption is more than 160 billion megawatt hours per year, of which solar energy today contributes only 0.58 billion megawatt hours.
Space security researchers worldwide qualify for 3rd annual Hack-A-Sat competition (Space Systems Command) The third annual Hack-A-Sat qualification round took place May 21-22 virtually with more than 800 teams and 2,500 individual security researchers working through a set of space-related cybersecurity challenges for a chance to win cash prizes and entry into the final event.
International space security researchers qualify for the 3rd annual Hack-A-Sat competition organized by USSF and USAF (Satnews) The third annual Hack-A-Sat qualification round occurred virtually May 21-22, with more than 800 teams and 2,500 individual security researchers working through a set of space-related cybersecurity challenges for a chance to win cash prizes and entry into the final event.
UK startup to test tiny engine for (relatively) high-speed space maneuvers - Breaking Defense (Breaking Defense) "Magdrive's future is American, 100%," said Mark Stokes, CEO of the Oxford, England-based startup.
NASA’s Giant SLS Rocket Is One Step Closer to Launch (Wired) After three aborted attempts, engineers successfully completed a practice countdown that included filling the tanks with liquid oxygen and hydrogen.
How Better Chips Could Lead to More Successful Space Businesses (Via Satellite) Buying a new battery for your car will set you back around $100. If you need to buy one for a small airplane, you're easily looking at $500 for the same
US Army reaches for the sky to solve communication needs (Defense News) Look, up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. It's aerial tier networking.
Space Technology
GEO 2.0: The Future of Geostationary Orbit (Satellite Today) From healthier orders for large satellites to software-defined payloads, microsats, multi-orbit service and a key role in the data relay networks of the future, there is a lot going on in GEO. In this digital era, operators and service providers are given a new level of flexibility to rival the stuffy perception of a once rigid industry.
The FAA Moves to Zero Trust Strategy for Preventing Cyber Attacks (Via Satellite) Luci Holemans, ATO Cybersecurity Group Manager at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), spoke about what initiatives the FAA is taking to promote
Space Force says DARC software on track, following GAO concerns (Breaking Defense) Along with worries over basing schedule and international partners, GAO had fretted software development could delay completion of the first radar site.
Konica Minolta scores 3D printer deployment to Aussie satellite manufacturer Fleet Space (CRN Australia) Implemented printers from 3D Solutions.
Space Science
NASA and ESA establish new research group for Mars sample return program (Military Aerospace Electronics) The first Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group meeting is scheduled for June 28-29, NASA says.
The Gaia Mission Keeps Unlocking Secrets of the Galaxy (Wired) New data from the ESA’s probe, now eight years into its mission, adds significant detail to its portrait of nearly 2 billion objects in the Milky Way.
Threats and Risks to Space Systems
Peeling Back the Onion on Space Crowding: Myths vs. Reality (Satellite Today) Experts debate the space situational awareness issue
SPACECOM, Commerce wrapping up framework accord on space surveillance (Breaking Defense) The MoA will be followed by a set of annexes that include how the Defense Department will share funds, personnel and/or technology to help the Office of Space Commerce stand up a civil structure for space situational awareness (SSA).
Russia publishes Pentagon coordinates, says Western satellites 'work for our enemy' (Reuters) Russia's space agency published the coordinates of Western defence headquarters including the U.S. Pentagon and the venue of NATO's summit on Tuesday, saying Western satellite operators were working for Russia's enemy - Ukraine.
Russian Space Agency Targeted in Cyberattack (Wall Street Journal) The website of Russia’s space agency was hit by a cyberattack after it posted satellite imagery and coordinates of the White House, the Pentagon and other Western decision-making bodies, the agency’s press service said.
Dmitry Strugovets, the head of space agency Roscosmos’s press service, wrote We
Space-based assets aren’t immune to cyberattacks (CSO Online) Russia's attack on Viasat satellites exposed how vulnerable space-based assets are and the potential for spillover damage.
West moving towards war in space: Russia space agency (Daiji World) Moscow, Jun 19 (IANS): Western astronautics are
The International Space Station swerved to avoid colliding with shrapnel from a Russian anti-satellite missile test (Business Insider) Debris from an anti-satellite test Russia conducted late last year threatened to collide with the International Space Station, forcing an avoidance maneuver.
Miscellanea
Mystery rocket crashes into the Moon – and no one (on Earth) is owning up (The Telegraph) Nasa scientists baffled at who was behind the launch and why its impact was spread over two distinct craters
China's alien-hunting telescope is finding wealth of mystery signals (Newsweek) From fast radio bursts to pulsars and other strange signals, the alien-hunting FAST telescope has made a number of discoveries in its short life.
Spirals of blue light in New Zealand night sky leave stargazers ‘kind of freaking out’ (the Guardian) Social media abuzz with pictures and theories about formations thought to be from exhaust plume of SpaceX rocket
NASA: Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches (AP NEWS) NASA wants its moon dust and cockroaches back. The space agency has asked Boston-based RR Auction to halt the sale of moon dust collected during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission that had subsequently been fed to cockroaches during an experiment to determine if the lunar rock contained any sort of pathogen that posed a threat to terrestrial life.
Listen Now: Cockroaches that ate Apollo 11's moon dust are up for sale. NASA ain't happy about it (NPR One) Space on NPR One | 1:02