satellites Archives

Notional graphic of Resilient MW/MT MEO Epoch 1 Space Vehicles (Millennium graphic)

Space Force MEO missile-warning satellites pass critical design review

The successful review paves the way for six satellites — part of Epoch 1 of the service’s Resilient Missile Warning and Missile Tracking-MEO (MEO MW/MT) program —…

6 days ago By Mikayla Easley

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United States Space Force rolls from the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (United Launch Alliance photo)

Silentbarker ‘watchdog’ satellites successfully launched for Space Force-NRO spy missions

Silentbarker is a joint NRO-Space Force program designed to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit.

Sep 10, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

SDA, SpaceX set to fly second batch of Tranche 0 satellites

The agency will soon launch 13 additional systems with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Sep 1, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Space Development Agency awards $1.5B for future tranche of global communications satellites

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman will each build and operate 36 satellites for SDA's Tranche 2 transport layer.

Aug 21, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (Artist rendering)

US Space Command wants more maneuverable satellites on orbit by 2028

“We need to be able to have sustained space maneuver for those platforms that we deem are the kind that need to be dynamic, as opposed to…

Jul 6, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Rendering of a L3Harris missile warning satellite. (L3Harris image)

L3Harris lands contract for Space Force missile warning sensor to track hypersonics

L3Harris will join Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing subsidiary, and Raytheon Technologies, in developing sensor payloads for the Space Force.

Jun 6, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Englehardt, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the operations section for the 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, which is deployed to support 1st Theater Sustainment Command, gauges wind speed near the Camp Buehring, Kuwait, drop zone for the April 22, 2021 air drop of four bundles using the Joint Precision Air Delivery System, JPADS. Englehardt said JPADS uses the Modular Autonomous Guidance Unit, or MAGU, to manipulate the the parafoil’s rigging to steer it using GPS to reach its programmed coordinates. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Neil W. McCabe)

Pentagon alters oversight of PNT enterprise in new guidance

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks signed off on an update to how the Pentagon oversees its positioning, navigation and timing enterprise.

Apr 26, 2023 By Jon Harper

Edward Ramey, space domain characterization common operating picture segment (SDCCS) lead integration and training support for the Joint Task Force-Space Defense, looks at a computer screen at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 19, 2022. Through the partnering of the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community and National Reconnaissance Office in the National Space Defense Center, JTF-SD brings to bear the full force of the U.S. Government and synchronizes space superiority planning and operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

As space grows more crowded, US leaders want AI to assist in future missions

At the Space Symposium, National Reconnaissance Office Director Chris Scolese emphasized that the NRO is integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning widely across the organization.

Apr 19, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, speaks to members of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense during a town hall at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 17, 2023. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Spacecom to reach full operational capability by end of year, commander says

The U.S. military's newest combatant command reached initial operational capability in August 2021 and has been working towards FOC.

Apr 18, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

SDA seeks bids for next tranche of satellites to provide global communications

The Space Development Agency is seeking industry bids for the Beta variant of its Tranche 2 transport layer consisting of 72 satellites and related ground support systems.

Apr 11, 2023 By Mikayla Easley