U.S. Space Force

By Jen DiMascio
Advancements in commercial space tech helped the U.S. Space Force, Millennium Space Systems and Firefly Aerospace pull off the Victus Nox rapid launch demo.
Commercial Space

By Guy Norris
Lt. Gen. John Shaw, senior U.S. Space Force officer at Space Command, says challenges will grow as vehicles become more complex and operate further from Earth.
Space

By Garrett Reim
Space Systems Command has awarded Astroscale U.S. a $25.5 million contract to deliver by 2026 a prototype spacecraft that can refuel other satellites in space.
Space

By Brian Everstine
Frank Kendall discusses with Aviation Week the need to “reoptimize” the Air Force to acquire, plan and train better for potential near-term conflict.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Irene Klotz
The rocket lifted off at 10:28 p.m. EDT/7:28 p.m. local time on Sept. 14.
Space

By Jen DiMascio
The U.S. Space Force is standing up two new units that will target challenges emerging to electronic warfare and positioning, navigation and timing.
Space

By Brian Everstine
“The Air and Space Forces must change, or we’ll fail to prevent, or lose, a war,” U.S. Air Force SecretaryKendall says.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Garrett Reim
GEOST says its Starlite protective system will be integrated into the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tracking Layer Tranche 1 satellites.
Space

By Irene Klotz
The program, known as Silent Barker, consists of at least two launches, each with multiple payloads.
Space

By Garrett Reim
Companies work to track millions of pieces of space junk and plan for their incineration.
Commercial Space

By Irene Klotz, Garrett Reim
On its third flight, Firefly will attempt to integrate a payload and launch a rocket within 24 hr.
Commercial Space

By Irene Klotz
With three expected bidders and three planned awards, everyone wins at whatever the price.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Garrett Reim
Space Systems Command’s Victus Nox rapid launch demonstration has entered its “hot standby phase.”
Space

By Garrett Reim
ClearSpace says a leftover payload adapter floating in Earth’s orbit, that it planned to remove from space, has been hit by another piece of junk.
Space

By Brian Everstine
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) on Aug. 17 released a request for information.
Commercial Space

By Garrett Reim
Aerospace Corp.’s experimental DiskSat satellite is headed to a critical design review this week, as the program remains on track for a 2024 launch.
Commercial Space

By Brian Everstine
The Pentagon needs a new way to coordinate and advocate for “missile defeat,” the U.S. Army’s top missile defense official says.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Mark Carreau
Gallton will also be in charge of establishing the firm’s Washington regional office.
Commercial Space

By Jen DiMascio
President Joe Biden is reversing ex-President Donald Trump’s decision to move U.S. Space Command headquarters to Alabama and will keep it in Colorado Springs.
Space

By Garrett Reim
Impulse Space plans two follow-on missions in 2024 after its inaugural LEO Express 1 mission before year’s end.
Commercial Space

By Irene Klotz
Seven missions have been set aside for the third-place winner.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aviation Week & Space Technology

By Jen DiMascio, Garrett Reim, Irene Klotz
Editors discuss the meaning of exponential smallsat growth, new technologies for flying satellites in formation and U.S. national security space needs.
Check 6

By Irene Klotz
The road to launch detoured back to the rocket factory for an upper-stage modification.
Space

By Brian Everstine
Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting is President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the four-year-old command.
Space