Space Force

Space Force official: U.S. has a broad range of options to respond to space aggression
If Russia, China or any other country targeted a U.S. satellite with missiles or other weapons, the United States would respond in a “proportional manner,” said Brig. Gen. John Olson, the senior reserve officer of the U.S. Space Force.

U.S. was not blindsided by Russia’s anti-satellite test, say officials
"These advances in capabilities are concerning, they are not a surprise," Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of space operations, said Dec. 4 at the Reagan National Defense Forum

Changes ahead for Space Force procurement organizations
A new senior procurement executive for space programs will oversee the transfer of the Space Development Agency and a restructuring of the Space Systems Command

Three startups win prize money from U.S. Space Force accelerator
Varda Space Industries, SCOUT and Neutron Star Systems were the top three startups in the Hyperspace Challenge

U.S. Air Force Secretary Kendall: Short-term funding an ‘unfortunate’ reality for defense programs
Political fights that delay government funding bills are only helping U.S. adversaries, said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall

Space Force official: Satellites in orbit have become pawns in geopolitical chess games
China and Russia have watched the United States display its military power, much of it enabled by satellites in space. China’s recent demonstration of an orbital hypersonic weapon and Russia blowing up a satellite are expected countermoves, said Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman.

Space Force general: U.S. has a lot of catching up to do on hypersonic missile technology
“We're not as advanced as the Chinese or the Russians in terms of hypersonic programs,” Gen. David Thompson said Nov. 20. at the Halifax International Security Forum.

Space Force satellite operators not yet ready to embrace in-orbit servicing
Space Force logistics lead Karl Stolleis said Nov. 16 at the ASCEND conference that the culture of military satellite operators has not yet caught up to the technology now available for in-orbit servicing

Space Force satellite jammers would shut down enemy communications temporarily
The U.S. Space Force will deploy an advanced electronic jammer to disrupt enemies’ satellite communications signals.

Space Force leader suggests education secretary should be on the National Space Council
arly education about the value created by space technology should be a national priority, the top enlisted leader of the U.S. Space Force said Nov. 11.

U.S. Space Force buys three new GPS satellites from Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Space Force has ordered three GPS 3F satellites from Lockheed Martin for $737 million, a spokesperson said Nov. 11.

U.S. interagency panel to update R&D strategy to tackle orbital debris
The Biden administration plans to update an existing research-and-development plan aimed at combatting orbital debris.

Space Force wants a more detailed picture of what other nations are doing in space
The U.S. Space Force needs better space situational awareness to understand what rivals are doing in orbit, said Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno at the ASCEND 2021 conference.

Op-ed | Security clearance reforms needed to accelerate space innovation
The U.S. government’s restrictive security clearance process is hindering its ability to access cutting-edge space technology and protect sensitive information from foreign espionage.

Debris removal a key goal in Space Force’s ‘Orbital Prime’ project
SpaceWERX plans to select at least one team to conduct an on-orbit demonstration of active debris removal within the next two years

Space Force launches ‘Orbital Prime’ program to spur market for on-orbit services
The U.S. Space Force is kicking off a new initiative, called Orbital Prime, to fund commercial technologies for in-space operations

One way to help prevent wars in space? Military hotlines with Russia and China
With space now considered a domain of war, hotlines between U.S. and foreign rivals might be worth contemplating, said Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, deputy chief of operations of the U.S. Space Force

NASA, Space Force see growing opportunities to use commercial space services
NASA’s chief economist Alexander MacDonald said aggressive competition for space agency contracts is “one of the most exciting things that we're seeing.”

Op-Ed | To shore up U.S. space dominance, Biden administration must boost Japan-U.S. alliance
Recent reports that China has tested a space-based, nuclear-capable hypersonic missile underscore the need for the Biden administration to take a number of steps to strengthen a Japan-U.S. alliance.

Space startups selected for accelerator program in New Mexico
A new accelerator program funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Space Force announced Oct. 27 it has selected six U.S. and international startups for its first cohort.