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Hydrosat Unveils Osiris Constellation for Enhanced Thermal Infrared Earth Observation Ahead of 2027 Launch

Hydrosat Unveils Osiris Constellation for Enhanced Thermal Infrared Earth Observation Ahead of 2027 Launch

Hydrosat Unveils Osiris Constellation for Enhanced Thermal Infrared Earth Observation Ahead of 2027 Launch

U.S. Space Force to Award New Resilient-GPS Contracts Following Congressional Funding

U.S. Space Force to Award New Resilient-GPS Contracts Following Congressional Funding

The U.S. Space Force is preparing to award follow-on contracts for its Resilient-GPS (R-GPS) program. This development comes after Congress appropriated an additional $15 million to sustain the program, which the Space Force had initially opted not to fund in its fiscal 2027 budget request. The R-GPS program, initiated by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall in 2024, aims to deploy an initial constellation of eight small satellites by 2028. These satellites are designed to provide position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services from medium Earth orbit, operating independently yet complementarily to the existing GPS constellation. The new contracts will be awarded to the current vendors: Astranis, L3Harris Technologies, and Sierra Space. According to Col. Neil Barnas, System Delta 381 commander at Space Systems Command, these awards will prioritize 'high-risk technologies associated with this future space segment,' specifically mentioning reprogrammable space-based cryptographic devices and advanced mon...

National Taxpayers Union Urges FCC to Modernize Spectrum Coordination for Commercial Space Launches

National Taxpayers Union Urges FCC to Modernize Spectrum Coordination for Commercial Space Launches

The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is advocating for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update its process for coordinating spectrum usage in commercial space launches. The NTU emphasizes the need for a more efficient and scalable system, moving towards automated, database-assisted reviews for routine coordination requests. This modernization aims to accommodate the projected increase in U.S. launch activities, which are expected to grow from approximately 200 annually to over 1,000 by 2030, as per National Security Presidential Memorandum 17. The NTU also calls for greater transparency, suggesting that the FCC require the space launch frequency coordinator to publish performance data, including processing times, reasons for denials, and a public, cost-based fee schedule. This initiative seeks to reduce costs for federal government launch services and ensure fair treatment among competing providers, while maintaining technical protections for existing spectrum users such as federal systems, fli...

Pratt Whitney F-35 Engine Upgrade Passes Design Review Milestone

Pratt Whitney F-35 Engine Upgrade Passes Design Review Milestone

Pratt & Whitney announced that its F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) for the Lockheed Martin F-35 has successfully passed a risk reduction design review milestone. This upgrade is designed to enhance the longevity, thrust, and fuel efficiency of the F-35's propulsion system. The ECU program, initiated in early 2024, aims to deliver these improvements in F135 engines produced after fiscal year 2031. According to Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, this review confirms the program's maturity. The F135 ECU is crucial for meeting the increased thrust requirements of the ongoing Block 4 modernization program for all F-35 variants. The improvements, combined with an additional Power and Thermal Management System upgrade, are projected to increase the F-35's range and thrust by 7% and double its cooling capacity. Navy Capt. Mitch Grant, the government’s F-35 propulsion program manager, stated that the ECU program is on track to significantly improve readiness and support F-35 modernizatio...

CSIS Warns Pentagon on Space Data Network Procurement, Citing Past Mistakes

CSIS Warns Pentagon on Space Data Network Procurement, Citing Past Mistakes

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has issued a warning to the Pentagon regarding its procurement strategy for the Space Data Network (SDN). Matt Pearl, director of the Strategic Technologies Program at CSIS, highlighted concerns that the current approach, which includes a $2.29 billion award to a single provider for an SDN prototype by late 2027, risks repeating past mistakes made in the commercial launch services market. In 2006, the Pentagon supported the merger of two major launch providers, Boeing’s Delta and Lockheed Martin’s Atlas, to ensure reliable access to space. However, this decision led to a lack of competition and reduced acquisition leverage, resulting in higher prices and stifled innovation by 2013. CSIS emphasizes that while speed is a valid concern for the Space Force in fielding an integrated capability, awarding a contract to a single entity could create long-term strategic dependency if the architectural design makes it difficult for other qualified providers to...

Lockheed Martin Emphasizes AI Red Teaming for Enhanced Cybersecurity and Defense Systems

Lockheed Martin Emphasizes AI Red Teaming for Enhanced Cybersecurity and Defense Systems

Lockheed Martin is prioritizing 'red teaming' in its Artificial Intelligence (AI) development processes to proactively identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in its defense systems. According to Mike “Rabbi” Harasimowicz, Director of AI Certification and Standards at Lockheed Martin AI Center, this approach involves deliberately challenging AI systems with adversarial tactics, similar to military exercises like 'Red Flag' that test human capabilities. The goal is to expose weaknesses and improve system resilience before deployment, ensuring that AI-powered defense technologies are robust against potential threats. This strategy is integrated early in the development cycle, where it is most effective and least costly to implement changes.

France's Thales urges international framework on AI development

France's Thales urges international framework on AI development

By Florence Loeve PARIS, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Europe's largest defence technology firm, France-based Thales, called on Thursday for an international framework to govern the development of artificial intelligence.

Electra and The Atlas Group Sign Airframe Agreement for EL9 Ultra Short Aircraft Production

Electra and The Atlas Group Sign Airframe Agreement for EL9 Ultra Short Aircraft Production

Electra and The Atlas Group Sign Airframe Agreement for EL9 Ultra Short Aircraft Production

Satellogic Expands DoD Work and Prepares for Next Satellite Launch to Enhance Earth Observation

Satellogic Expands DoD Work and Prepares for Next Satellite Launch to Enhance Earth Observation

Satellogic is preparing for its next satellite launch in October, which will include two NewSat Mark VI satellites equipped with intersatellite links and one NewSat Mark V satellite intended for on-orbit transfer to a customer. The company also anticipates launching its first Merlin satellite, designed for constant 1-meter-resolution Earth observation (EO) imagery, though its inclusion in the October launch is not yet confirmed. This expansion is part of Satellogic's evolving business model, which focuses on providing continuous monitoring capabilities through its Aleph Observer platform, rather than one-off imagery sales. The company has also announced an expanded contract with the Office of Naval Research's Slingshot III program, involving on-orbit tests in 2027 and 2028 using six Mark VI satellites to validate data processing and automated filtering for defense and intelligence applications.

US orbital weapons acknowledgement a "landmark" move, US Space Command official says

US orbital weapons acknowledgement a "landmark" move, US Space Command official says

By Cassell Bryan-Low WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The U.S.

UK Military Boosts SpaceX Starshield Investment to Nearly $40 Million for Enhanced Communications

UK Military Boosts SpaceX Starshield Investment to Nearly $40 Million for Enhanced Communications

The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has significantly increased its investment in SpaceX's satellite services, allocating nearly $40 million to enhance its military communications. This deployment includes approximately 1,000 Starshield terminals and an additional 500 Starlink units. According to Reuters, the MoD spent about 13 million pounds (equivalent to $17.6 million) on Starshield for terminals and airtime, and another 16.5 million pounds on Starlink. This makes the UK the first country outside the United States to publicly acknowledge its use of Starshield, a platform specifically designed by SpaceX for government, military, and national security clients. The shift reflects SpaceX's strategy to separate its civilian-focused Starlink service from the military-grade Starshield, which offers enhanced encryption, higher network priority, and specific security features for military operations.

Rocket Lab Protests NASA's Mars Spacecraft Contract Award to Blue Origin

Rocket Lab Protests NASA's Mars Spacecraft Contract Award to Blue Origin

Rocket Lab has filed a protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office regarding NASA's decision to award a $700 million contract for a Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft to Blue Origin. Rocket Lab claims that NASA's award decision is inconsistent with eligibility criteria mandated by Congress and that the agency's technical review of Rocket Lab's proposal was 'punitive' and 'inconsistent,' containing incorrect assertions and conclusions. This protest follows NASA's selection of Blue Origin earlier this month to develop, launch, and operate a spacecraft designed to orbit Mars and relay transmissions to Earth. Blue Origin has expressed concern that the protest could delay the mission's planned 2028 launch, emphasizing the critical nature of timely deployment due to limited Mars launch windows. The dispute highlights a contentious procurement process that has involved technical proposals, political maneuvers, and public exchanges between the competing companies.