Threats

The D Brief: Russia races for gains; House passes NDAA; Taiwan talks to Trump team; USAF preps for transition; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Business

ULA’s Vulcan won’t launch any Space Force missions this year

The new heavy-lift rocket has yet to receive certification from the service.

  • Audrey Decker
Business

One contractor is on the Space Force’s naughty list

The service has never confirmed putting companies on the blacklist until now.

  • Audrey Decker
Policy

Military services upping recruiting goals after rebound in 2024

Recruitment numbers are looking better after more recruiters are getting into communities.

  • Audrey Decker
Policy

Space Force’s effort to bring in new launch providers hasn’t worked yet. Officials aren’t surprised.

SpaceX won the first set of launches in Lane 1 of NSSL Phase 3 competition.

  • Audrey Decker
Business

Boeing will look to ‘do less and do better’: CEO

Defense and commercial aircraft will remain at the company’s core, but “some things on the fringe” might have to go.

  • Audrey Decker
Defense Systems

Secret space plane tests new orbit-switching maneuver

The aerobraking X-37B will use Earth’s atmosphere to change its altitude using minimal fuel.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

Industry ‘hamstrung’ by Space Force-intel community’s turf war

Commercial firms say NGA-centric acquisition can’t move fast enough to help combatant commands or foster innovation.

  • Audrey Decker
Business

Can ULA clear the final hurdle on Vulcan?

The company is preparing to launch the heavy-lift rocket for the second time, on Friday.

  • Audrey Decker
Business

Aerojet digging ‘out of this hole’ as it clears rocket backlog, president says

Thousands of motors behind schedule last year, the company says its deliveries are catching up again.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

The D Brief: US troops to Mideast; Navy oiler aground; US sets date for Iraq exit?; Dueling robot wingmen; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Defense Systems

The Space Force issued thousands of smartwatches to replace PT tests

Here’s how it’s going.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

Budget drama could snag Pentagon’s satellite launch award

While source selection will continue, launch mission assignments for 2025 could stall.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Threats

Space Force aims to track enemy aircraft with satellites by 2030s

Research underway to shift tracking of air and ground targets to more survivable orbiting assets.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

US falling dangerously behind China on GPS development: Pentagon’s former space-policy leader

The Pentagon needs other position-navigation-timing systems if it loses connection to GPS satellites.

  • Audrey Decker
Science & Tech

Near-autonomous satellites could be coming in a decade, Space Force envisions

AI-powered spacecraft would need fewer vulnerable ground stations, chief buyer said.

  • Audrey Decker
Defense Systems

Space operations boss wants more virtual simulations to boost training

After a recent demo, Lt. Gen. David Miller said Space Operations Command needs realistic simulations to train at the highest levels.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Threats

ULA owners add ‘review team’ after Pentagon airs concerns about launch schedule

CEO also announces payload change for Vulcan’s upcoming certification flight.

  • Audrey Decker
Science & Tech

Space Command renews call for ways to refuel satellites in orbit

Despite others’ reservations, commander says U.S. space assets need to be able to outrun adversaries.

  • Audrey Decker
Ideas

Move Guardsmen into the Space Force? You'll lose most of them instead

Air Force leaders don’t understand why people serve in the National Guard.

  • Bobbi Doorenbos
Next