Military Space – Military Space Systems

Japan launches new unit to boost defense in space

The Space Operations Squadron is part of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and is expected to grow to about 100 members once the unit is fully operational in 2023.

By: Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press May 18

United Launch Alliance still on track to meet launch schedule, CEO says

The company has seen minimal impacts to production, its chief executive told reporters.

By: Valerie Insinna May 18

US Space Force launches the mysterious X-37B space plane

The X-37B will be hosting more experiments than ever before thanks to a new payload module.

By: Valerie Insinna May 17

Want to be Space Command’s new home? Here are the criteria.

The Air Force is officially relaunching a competition to find a home for U.S. Space Command, with a wide set of criteria that could allow dozens of cities to enter the race.

By: Aaron Mehta May 15

These eight satellites will track hypersonic weapons

A draft RFP from the Space Development Agency outlines what it needs from missile-tracking satellites it plans to launch in FY22.

By: Nathan Strout May 15

Intelsat declares bankruptcy

The company's subsidiary which provides services to the Department of Defense is not part of the Chapter 11 filing.

By: Nathan Strout and Valerie Insinna May 14

Navy inks deal for synthetic aperture radar imagery

Although its first launch keeps getting pushed back, Capella Space has secured another deal with the Department of Defense for its synthetic aperture radar imagery.

By: Nathan Strout May 13

Space launch can grow alongside aviation

Anticipated increases in the frequency of space launches will soon require careful consideration for use of crowded airspace.

May 12

A bankrupt OneWeb and other troubled space startups could get some help from the Defense Department

"I will say with respect to OneWeb specifically ... we continue to work,” the Space Force's No. 2 officer says.

By: Valerie Insinna May 12

DARPA set to launch first Blackjack satellite later this year

The technology demonstration satellites will pave the way for the Space Development Agency to build an on orbit mesh network.

By: Nathan Strout May 12

SpaceX could fill the US military’s Arctic communications gap by the end of this year

U.S. Northern Command wants to explore using commercial proliferated low-Earth orbit constellations to fill their Arctic communications gap.

By: Nathan Strout May 12

Virgin Orbit gets thumbs-up for Space Force launches from Guam

VOX Space's first Guam-based launch will place several technology demonstrator cubesats on orbit for multiple government agencies.

By: Nathan Strout May 8

Here are a few of the experiments hitching a ride on the Air Force’s secret space plane

One experiment will take solar energy, convert it to radio frequency, and then beam it to earth where it can power U.S. military platforms.

By: Nathan Strout May 7

How low-Earth orbit satellites will enable connectivity across all domains of warfare

Once in place, the Space Development Agency's space-based mesh network will facilitate near-real time connections between sensors and shooters, regardless of domain.

By: Nathan Strout May 6

Moving toward a need-to-collaborate culture for national security space

Here are four ways to balance secrecy and collaboration among the public and private national security space community.

By: Jamie Morin May 6

Here’s what the Space Development Agency wants from its first 10 satellites

With the transport layer, the Space Development Agency wants to build a space-based mesh network that will ultimately enable on-orbit sensors to pass data to shooters in near-real time.

By: Nathan Strout May 5

Northrop Grumman bullish on future of on-orbit servicing

After a successful first mission, CEO and President Kathy Warden says satellite servicing "will be a robust and growing market for us."

By: Nathan Strout May 4

Northrop, Raytheon team on next-gen interceptor bid

The companies hope their team up will nab one of two spots in the competition, to be awarded later this year.

By: Aaron Mehta May 4

SEAKR moving forward with DARPA’s Pit Boss project

The company says DARPA has selected it as the sole prime for an autonomous mission management solution for Project Blackjack.

By: Nathan Strout May 3

Will the small launch market survive COVID-19? The Pentagon has concerns

The Space Force Acquisition Council is sending out a survey to industry to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the market and what the Department of Defense can do to support vulnerable sectors.

By: Nathan Strout and Valerie Insinna April 30