U.S. Space Force

By Vivienne Machi
The Boeing-made autonomous and maneuverable spaceplane was launched for its seventh mission on Dec. 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Space Exploration

By Vivienne Machi
The service could readily exchange data with the members of its Commercial Integration Cell (CIC), including Intelsat itself.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
A recent bid protest and government report have heightened scrutiny of the Space Development Agency’s rapid acquisition model.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Steve Trimble, Vivienne Machi
The Space Systems Center plans to expand the reach of the optical crosslinks in stages.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
The Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT) initiative was launched in 2024.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Vivienne Machi
Space Systems Command Commander Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant served as acting director of the Space Development Agency beginning Jan. 16.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Vivienne Machi
The service is investing billions to revamp its launch infrastructure as the demand for rides to space continues to balloon.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
The military spaceplane is logging hundreds of days on orbit to collect data for future development.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Irene Klotz, Vivienne Machi
New spins on NASA-developed heat shield technologies paved the way for an era of reusable space vehicles.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
The company will use the facility to support the design, development and production of new space superiority solutions and expand its classified operations.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Robert Wall
K2 Space says it has raised $110 million in a Series B funding round as it looks to scale up production of its satellite system.
Satellites

By Steve Trimble
Firefly Aerospace won a launch service contract for the Space Force’s Victus Sol mission, the fifth in a series of orbital projects commissioned under TacRS.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Chen Chuanren
The U.S. Space Force has for the first time deployed a payload on a Japanese satellite.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
As the service mulls what will come after the current Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation, it is planning a service life extension program.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
Blauser, who currently serves as deputy director of the U.S. Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, will oversee the space procurement office.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Vivienne Machi
Sixteen companies were selected in 2023 to compete for task orders.
Satellites

By Brian Everstine
A new executive order seeks to bolster national security by reviving and expanding a massive space- and ground-based missile defense system.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall, Brian Everstine, Steve Trimble
After President Trump signed an executive order for “Iron Dome for America,” editors discuss how an idea that dates back to the Cold War could take shape today.
Check 6

By Vivienne Machi
The service has supported a steady growth in its launch cadence and does not see it slowing down in the near future.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
“It’s time to be able to move through space at will and to be able to defend ourselves when we are attacked,” ULA CEO Tory Bruno says.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall, Vivienne Machi, Irene Klotz
The world is headed for a period of launcher abundance as the New Glenn expands rocket choice in the heavy-lift segment.
Commercial Space

By Vivienne Machi
DARPA and NASA’s nuclear thermal propulsion project will miss its scheduled 2027 testing time frame, as its development has proven trickier than anticipated.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine, Vivienne Machi
Survivability and increased standoff head the list of priorities for long-term Air Force modernization.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Vivienne Machi
Derek Tournear, the director of the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA), has been placed on administrative leave, “pending the results of an investigation.”
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Steve Trimble
The leader of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force in 25 years will have some new tools.
Budget, Policy & Operations