The Space Force successfully launched its seventh GPS III satellite into orbit Dec. 16—shaving more than a year and a half off the typical timeline for launching the highest priority national security spacecraft and switching rocket providers to do it.
Space Systems Command is adding six more satellites to its medium-Earth orbit missile warning/missile tracking constellation, awarding a $386 million contract to Millennium Space Systems.
SpaceX secured orders for Phase 3 launches under the National Security Space Launch program, the first provider to do so, even as the Space Force continues its push to increase its launch options.
The Space Force’s “Victus” series, aimed at showing the service can respond to new developments in orbit on tactically relevant timelines, gained steam Oct. 4 with the announcement of two new missions in 2026.
The Space Force’s planned constellation of missile warning/missile tracking satellites in medium-Earth orbit took a small hit June 17, as the service canceled a contract for three space vehicles due to rising costs and schedule delays. Space Systems Command notified RTX, formerly called Raytheon, that it ...
Medium-Earth orbit—the range of space 2,000 to 35,786 kilometers above the surface mostly known as the home of GPS satellites and not much else—has been getting more and more attention from the Space Force in recent years. In its latest move, the service is eyeing ...
It’s set to be a busy summer for the Space Force, with the service planning to provisionally stand up its new Space Futures Command and two new Integrated Mission Deltas, according to a senior leader. Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant, head of Space Systems Command, offered ...
The Space Force’s first mission to launch a satellite in record time was so nice, the service is doing it twice for the follow-up.Space Systems Command, with some help from the Defense Innovation Unit, awarded two contracts for its next tactically responsive space mission, Victus ...
The Department of the Air Force’s space acquisition boss called for industry to stop low-bidding contracts and for the Pentagon to only select realistic proposals on Feb. 23, arguing that failures to do so eventually forces the Space Force to “rob our future to pay ...
As Pentagon and Space Force leaders start planning for a future of dynamic space operations where satellites can maneuver as needed and get refueled to prolong their service lives, industry leaders are preparing to deploy new technology and finalizing their concepts of operations for what ...
Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant became the second ever leader of Space Systems Command on Feb. 1, pledging to align the Space Force’s main acquisition arm with the visions of Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
The Space Force aims to boost its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program from 12 launches in fiscal 2023 to 21 missions in 2024, with United Launch Alliance (ULA) responsible for 11 missions and SpaceX handling 10.