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.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.