According to Orbital Sciences, its Minotaur I launch vehicle successfully boosted a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research satellite into orbit Sept. 22 from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The technology demonstrator satellite was dubbed “streak” for the light show DARPA scientists expected it to exhibit upon launch—it did not disappoint, according to news reports. Streak’s mission, says DARPA, is to demonstrate rapid response, short mission life, and technology applications for low Earth orbit, as well as to gather LEO environmental data.
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held meetings with defense leaders from the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea during a trip to the Indo-Pacific this week.