Ideas

Ep. 2: Korean summit; Space Force?; Conversations with Eric Fanning, Paul Scharre and more.

Welcome to episode two of our weekly podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Threats

US Air Force to Put Sensors on Allies’ Satellites

The move is intended to deter Russia or China from shooting down spacecraft — and provide backups if they do.

Business

US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say

The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.

Ideas

WATCH: Day Three of the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2018

Join us as we livestream the third and final day of main stage events and speakers at this year's Sea-Air-Space Expo in Washington.

Ideas

WATCH: Day Two of the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2018

Join us as we livestream the second day of main stage events and speakers at this year's Sea-Air-Space Expo in Washington.

Ideas

WATCH: Day One of the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2018

Join us as we livestream three days of main stage events and speakers at this year's Sea-Air-Space Expo in Washington.

Science & Tech

Pentagon’s New Arms-Research Chief Eyes Space-Based Ray Guns

Neutral-particle beams, a concept first tried in the 1980s, may get a fresh look under Michael Griffin.

Science & Tech

The Military Race for Space Will Turn on the Ability to Choose Commercial Services

Like a befuddled consumer facing an entire aisle of jams and jellies, the Pentagon can’t figure out how to buy smart in an exploding market.

Policy

Trump Calls for a Space Force, a Concept His Pentagon Opposes

The president’s words could reanimate a legislative proposal that the defense secretary and others thought they had killed.

Science & Tech

Pentagon May Create a Combatant Command for Space

The Defense Department is also looking at major changes to speed up how it buys satellites.

Policy

Space Corps Is At Least ‘Three to Five Years Away,’ Its Congressional Champion Says

A bipartisan team of House lawmakers slams the Air Force for pushing back on the idea of a separate service for space operations.

Science & Tech

Russia Claims It Now Has Lasers To Shoot Satellites

A defense source tells Russian media that military engineers have advanced work on the next big anti-satellite weapon.

Business

US Air Force Looks For New Ways to Buy, Protect Satellites

Ideas include smaller constellations — perhaps even spacecraft built to commercial standards.

Threats

Left-of-Launch Missile Defense: ‘You Don’t Want to Have Just One Solution to the Threat’

The 3-star commander of the US Army’s space and missile-defense efforts talks about the changing mix of ways to counter threats.

Science & Tech

The Cost To Put a Microsatellite Constellation Into Space Just Fell Through the Floor

Super-cheap rocket startup hits orbit in new test, demonstrates space maneuvering to deposit satellites.

Science & Tech

What SpaceX's Record-Breaking Year Means for Science (and the Rocketry Business)

After a triumphant year, the reusable rocketeer is planning 50 percent more launches in 2018.

Science & Tech

The US Army Knows It’s Vulnerable to Space Attack. Here’s What They Want to Do About It

Map-reading skills are just the start. Next up: looking at capabilities that provide alternatives to GPS and satellite comms.

Business

As the US Air Force Turns Its Focus to Space, This Small Team Could Lead the Way

Once seen as a threat to traditional acquisition channels, the Operationally Responsive Space office is making it faster and cheaper to put new capabilities into orbit.

Ideas

US Space Policy Should Aim to Preserve Advantage on the New Frontier

As in the 19th-century American West, the government must recognize its limited yet crucial role in fostering the nation’s interests in space.