Satellite manufacturing startup Apex Technology, which specializes in manufacturing standardized small satellite buses, secured a $45.9 million contract from the U.S. Space Forceds to deliver an unspecified number of satellites by 2032.
Space Force General Wants ‘More Aggressive’ Acquisition Reforms
Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Purdy, military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, wants to double down on stricter accountability for contractors and program managers.
Space Force Pursues Quick Launch Capability With New ‘Victus’ Program
Space Systems Command awarded a $21.81 million deal to Firefly Aerospace for “Victus Sol,” the fifth in a series of experiments designed to make contractors and USSF develop, transport, and launch satellites in record time.
US Space Force to Deepen International Ties, Opens Door for Australia
The U.S. Space Force will roll out its International Partnership Strategy soon, laying out a plan to improve the interoperability of space assets and maximize information sharing with allies across classification levels.
Pentagon Looks to Commercial Sector to Support Electronic Warfare in Space
National Defense – The DoD’s 2024 Commercial Space Integration Strategy’s priorities: ensure access to commercial space solutions; achieve integration prior to crisis; establish security conditions that promote integration; and support the development of commercial space solutions.
Japan Puts New US Space Force Capability into Orbit
Air and Space Forces Magazine – The successful launch aboard a Japanese H3 rocket is a milestone in the U.S.-Japan alliance. It marks just the third USSF payload to be hosted on a foreign-owned satellite.
Air Force acquisition veteran takes helm of Space Development Agency
SpaceNews – The Air Force named William Blauser as the acting director of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA). Blauser previously oversaw development of the B-21 stealth bomber and the X-37B military space plane.
DoD memo seeks review of Space Development Agency’s independent status
Breaking Defense – The DoD’s acquisition office requests Air Force to set up an “independent review team” to assess “the current state of health” of all programs comprising SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
Trump Wants an Iron Dome for America. How the Space Force Is Key to Making It Happen
Air and Space Forces Magazine – The executive order states that a plan needs to be ready before the budget for FY 2026 is prepared. It also calls for a boost in the Space Development Agency’s “Custody Layer,” a plan to field hundreds of satellites that transfer data and facilitate navigation.
U.S. Space Force Predicts 25% Boost in Launches in Next Two Years
Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, program executive officer for Assured Access to Space at Space Systems Command, said: “We’ve been going up pretty steadily at about a 25 to 30% increase [of launches] per year, and I think we’ll continue to increase at that rate for at least the next couple years.