Thompson: The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all want “the ability to get information from space."WASHINGTON — The U.S. plans to explore new uses of satellites and other space technology in support of soldiers on the ground.This is a clear sign that the demand for space-based capabilities is growing across the U.S. military, said Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force.All the military services are looking at ways to use space to their advantage, Thompson said in an interview with SpaceNews.“Part of this is a recognition of how critical space...…Thompson: The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all want “the ability to get information from space."WASHINGTON — The U.S. plans to explore new uses of satellites and other space technology in support of soldiers on the ground.This is a clear sign that the demand for space-based capabilities is growing across the U.S. military, said Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force.All the military services are looking at ways to use space to their advantage, Thompson said in an interview with SpaceNews.“Part of this is a recognition of how critical space...WW…

Demonstrating optical crosslinks is a top priority for SDA and DARPA as any future military network has to be able to move huge amounts of data.WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s space agency this year will launch a series of experiments — including satellites with laser links and missile-tracking sensors — as is prepares to begin deploying a network of satellites in low-Earth orbit in 2022.One of those experiments is Mandrake 2 — a pair of small spacecraft equipped with optical crosslinks that was scheduled to on SpaceX’s massive rideshare Transporter-1. The satellites were during payload...…Demonstrating optical crosslinks is a top priority for SDA and DARPA as any future military network has to be able to move huge amounts of data.WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s space agency this year will launch a series of experiments — including satellites with laser links and missile-tracking sensors — as is prepares to begin deploying a network of satellites in low-Earth orbit in 2022.One of those experiments is Mandrake 2 — a pair of small spacecraft equipped with optical crosslinks that was scheduled to on SpaceX’s massive rideshare Transporter-1. The satellites were during payload...WW…

SDA director Derek Tournear: It doesn't matter if I have one satellite or if I have 1,000 satellites, a cyber attack could taken them all outWASHINGTON — Intelligence agencies and warn China and Russia are that could strike U.S. satellites in low-Earth orbit. This will be a concern for the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency, which plans to deploy a network of satellites within range of those missiles.Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency, said April 14 that SDA has looked at potential threats to its satellites and is less worried about missile strikes than it is about...…SDA director Derek Tournear: It doesn't matter if I have one satellite or if I have 1,000 satellites, a cyber attack could taken them all outWASHINGTON — Intelligence agencies and warn China and Russia are that could strike U.S. satellites in low-Earth orbit. This will be a concern for the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency, which plans to deploy a network of satellites within range of those missiles.Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency, said April 14 that SDA has looked at potential threats to its satellites and is less worried about missile strikes than it is about...WW…

The choice of spacecraft contractors follows DARPA's selection of General Atomics to develop the nuclear reactor.WASHINGTON — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin to develop competing spacecraft concepts for a demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion, the agencyUnder a program called DRACO, short for demonstration rocket for agile cislunar operations, DARPA wants to demonstrate nuclear thermal propulsion technology — using a nuclear reactor to heat up rocket fuel to generate thrust.DARPA awarded General Atomics a to develop the nuclear...…The choice of spacecraft contractors follows DARPA's selection of General Atomics to develop the nuclear reactor.WASHINGTON — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin to develop competing spacecraft concepts for a demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion, the agencyUnder a program called DRACO, short for demonstration rocket for agile cislunar operations, DARPA wants to demonstrate nuclear thermal propulsion technology — using a nuclear reactor to heat up rocket fuel to generate thrust.DARPA awarded General Atomics a to develop the nuclear...WW…

Gen. David Thompson: “The more we can depend on commercial space for routine activities like transportation and debris removal, the more we can focus on national security."WASHINGTON — Vice Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force Gen. David Thompson said it would make sense for the government to pay companies to clean up space junk if such services existed.Orbital debris represents a risk to spacecraft and to safe operations in space, Thompson said March 16 in an interview with national security analyst John Nagl, of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.“I’ll pay by the ton if...…Gen. David Thompson: “The more we can depend on commercial space for routine activities like transportation and debris removal, the more we can focus on national security."WASHINGTON — Vice Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force Gen. David Thompson said it would make sense for the government to pay companies to clean up space junk if such services existed.Orbital debris represents a risk to spacecraft and to safe operations in space, Thompson said March 16 in an interview with national security analyst John Nagl, of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.“I’ll pay by the ton if...WW…

Reps. Frank Lucas and Brian Babin, who oversee civil and commercial space, expressed concerns about the administration's push for international regulation of space activities.WASHINGTON — The top House Republicans on the committee that oversees civil and commercial space are asking the Biden administration to update lawmakers on its plans regarding space security and space traffic management.Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; and Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), ranking member of the committee’s space and aeronautics subcommittee,...…Reps. Frank Lucas and Brian Babin, who oversee civil and commercial space, expressed concerns about the administration's push for international regulation of space activities.WASHINGTON — The top House Republicans on the committee that oversees civil and commercial space are asking the Biden administration to update lawmakers on its plans regarding space security and space traffic management.Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; and Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), ranking member of the committee’s space and aeronautics subcommittee,...WW…

The Space Development Agency expects Tranche 1 satellites to cost "significantly less" than the $14 million average price it paid for Tranche 0 satellites.WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency will solicit bids for an upcoming procurement of up to 150 satellites to be launched in late 2024, agency director Derek Tournear said March 4.A request for proposals will be issued in August and multiple contracts could be awarded before the end of the year, Tournear said at a Potomac Officers Club virtual conference.in low Earth orbit that includes a Transport Layer of data-relay...…The Space Development Agency expects Tranche 1 satellites to cost "significantly less" than the $14 million average price it paid for Tranche 0 satellites.WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency will solicit bids for an upcoming procurement of up to 150 satellites to be launched in late 2024, agency director Derek Tournear said March 4.A request for proposals will be issued in August and multiple contracts could be awarded before the end of the year, Tournear said at a Potomac Officers Club virtual conference.in low Earth orbit that includes a Transport Layer of data-relay...WW…

Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt said U.S. diplomats and military leaders are drafting language in support of an international effort to adopt rules of behavior in space.WASHINGTON — The United States and allies are drafting language in support of an international effort to adopt rules of behavior in space,  U.S. Space Command’s Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt told SpaceNews.Burt is the commander of U.S. Space Command’s combined force space component at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. She said international momentum is building for the adoption of a binding set of rules to make space safer...…Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt said U.S. diplomats and military leaders are drafting language in support of an international effort to adopt rules of behavior in space.WASHINGTON — The United States and allies are drafting language in support of an international effort to adopt rules of behavior in space,  U.S. Space Command’s Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt told SpaceNews.Burt is the commander of U.S. Space Command’s combined force space component at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. She said international momentum is building for the adoption of a binding set of rules to make space safer...WW…

Blue Canyon, a company owned by Raytheon Technologies, developed a satellite for DARPA based on its commercial X-SAT bus.WASHINGTON — Blue Canyon Technologies has received a contract option worth $26.5 million to produce six satellites for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a company spokesman told SpaceNews.DARPA has exercised the option to buy six more satellites in addition to four the agency under a $14.1 million contract.Blue Canyon said the first four satellites will be delivered by the end of the year, and the additional six satellites by the end of 2022.The spacecraft...…Blue Canyon, a company owned by Raytheon Technologies, developed a satellite for DARPA based on its commercial X-SAT bus.WASHINGTON — Blue Canyon Technologies has received a contract option worth $26.5 million to produce six satellites for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a company spokesman told SpaceNews.DARPA has exercised the option to buy six more satellites in addition to four the agency under a $14.1 million contract.Blue Canyon said the first four satellites will be delivered by the end of the year, and the additional six satellites by the end of 2022.The spacecraft...WW…

Space needs jealous advocacy. When the Chinese shot down their own satellite in 2007, Air Force and other DoD leaders were heard saying that there was no way to defend space.The president got it right. We need a Space Force. Space is too critical for the nation’s defense not to have an organization that speaks for its importance, defends it against all comers, and jealously advocates for new missions and new responsibilities. Space is too crucial to national security to be stalled by a lack of focus and an unwillingness to respond until pushed.President Trump on June 18 ordered the Pentagon...…Space needs jealous advocacy. When the Chinese shot down their own satellite in 2007, Air Force and other DoD leaders were heard saying that there was no way to defend space.The president got it right. We need a Space Force. Space is too critical for the nation’s defense not to have an organization that speaks for its importance, defends it against all comers, and jealously advocates for new missions and new responsibilities. Space is too crucial to national security to be stalled by a lack of focus and an unwillingness to respond until pushed.President Trump on June 18 ordered the Pentagon...WW…