Norway to host US Space Development Agency RF antenna, new Link 16 test: SDA director

Norway to host US Space Development Agency RF antenna, new Link 16 test: SDA director
Norway to host US Space Development Agency RF antenna, new Link 16 test: SDA director

“On their aircraft and their ground units, they’ll be able to talk directly to us with Link 16 to our Tranche 0 satellites that are on orbit now,” Derek Tournear said at the 2024 Space Symposium.

Space Force awards contracts for Victus Haze rapid launch mission

Space Force awards contracts for Victus Haze rapid launch mission
Space Force awards contracts for Victus Haze rapid launch mission

Victus Haze is the second iteration of the Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Space-3 (TacRS-3) mission to launch a prototype satellite within 24 hours of a “go” order, but also is designed to quickly perform an up-close on-orbit inspection of a (simulated) threatening spacecraft.

Pentagon working with Ukraine, SpaceX to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink

Pentagon working with Ukraine, SpaceX to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink
Pentagon working with Ukraine, SpaceX to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink

“Just the idea of this being more available and so people can find it and try to exploit it, that’s something we just have to bake in and understand,” Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb said of commercial services like SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.

If the Pentagon has to share 5G spectrum, it wants some new ground rules

If the Pentagon has to share 5G spectrum, it wants some new ground rules
If the Pentagon has to share 5G spectrum, it wants some new ground rules

DoD officials met with a key industry group this week to outline a framework the Pentagon hopes can kickstart a discussion on a spectrum management program.

China has reached out to US on orbital safety amid thawing comms freeze: SPACECOM Chief

China has reached out to US on orbital safety amid thawing comms freeze: SPACECOM Chief
China has reached out to US on orbital safety amid thawing comms freeze: SPACECOM Chief

“[W]e’ve heard proactively from the Chinese twice on two things they wanted to talk to us about with space safety related issues,” said SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting. “We think that is very positive … ”

Space Force lays out 8 areas where it wants commercial firms to help out

Space Force lays out 8 areas where it wants commercial firms to help out
Space Force lays out 8 areas where it wants commercial firms to help out

The Space Force’s new Commercial Space Strategy pledges real money towards buying commercial solutions, a long-standing concern from industry.

NRO plans first phase for new proliferated spy sat constellation in May: Official

NRO plans first phase for new proliferated spy sat constellation in May: Official
NRO plans first phase for new proliferated spy sat constellation in May: Official

Next month’s launch “will be the first launch of an actual operational system,” NRO Principal Deputy Director Troy Meink said.

Saudi Arabia’s air and space forces merger to happen this year: Sources

Saudi Arabia’s air and space forces merger to happen this year: Sources
Saudi Arabia’s air and space forces merger to happen this year: Sources

The merger, in the works with US help, is part of what experts say is the Kingdom’s ambitious, if now-nascent defense space build-up.

Commerce’s ‘Global Vision’ for tracking on orbit systems emphasizes international coordination

Commerce’s ‘Global Vision’ for tracking on orbit systems emphasizes international coordination
Commerce’s ‘Global Vision’ for tracking on orbit systems emphasizes international coordination

A global ecosystem that shares space situational awareness data can secure a safe future for space, but much greater international coordination is needed, according to a new document from the Office of Space Commerce.

EXCLUSIVE: GMTI emerges as new front in Space Force-NGA turf battle

EXCLUSIVE: GMTI emerges as new front in Space Force-NGA turf battle
EXCLUSIVE: GMTI emerges as new front in Space Force-NGA turf battle

NGA chief Frank Whitworth defended his agency’s role in Ground Moving Target Indicator operations to Breaking Defense, as sources say there’s tension behind the scenes.

Time for a cabinet-level Department of Space? Maybe, says new report

Time for a cabinet-level Department of Space? Maybe, says new report
Time for a cabinet-level Department of Space? Maybe, says new report

If a a new department or, alternatively, a “National Space Agency,” were to be established, the DIU-supported report recommends that it be modeled on the Department of Energy (DoE), rather than the Department of Homeland Security that still suffers from an abundance of red tape.

New DoD commercial space strategy opens door to military, financial protection for contractors

New DoD commercial space strategy opens door to military, financial protection for contractors
New DoD commercial space strategy opens door to military, financial protection for contractors

The strategy notes that contracts with commercial space providers could, if deemed necessary, “enable prioritization of Department requirements and capability needs over other commercial clients in specific situations.”

Countries undergo ‘mindset’ shift in counterspace capabilities as Israel makes its entry

Countries undergo ‘mindset’ shift in counterspace capabilities as Israel makes its entry
Countries undergo ‘mindset’ shift in counterspace capabilities as Israel makes its entry

The report from the Secure World Foundation also notes the “dismal” state of cybersecurity for space systems infrastructure.