Rachael Zisk, Payload — According to the annual State of the Space Industrial Base report, space tech is expanding beyond traditional channels, and new funding is coming from unconventional places such as Fortune 500 companies.
Space is Essential for Infrastructure. Why Isn’t it Considered Critical?
Christian Vasquez, CyberScoop — “There is no single agency in charge,” said Sam Visner, an Aerospace Corporation fellow who chairs the board of directors at the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center. “There’s no agency at this point which is pressing for a national space system cybersecurity and resilience R&D strategy, which I think is something we very much need.”
On-Orbit Servicing Mission Planned for Military Satellite in 2025
Sandra Erwin, SpaceNews — The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) project is an effort to match commercial technologies with military needs for in-orbit services. The military customer for the sensor upgrade mission is the Space Force’s Delta 11 unit that conducts training exercises and wargames.
Space Development Agency May Hire Companies to Tow Defunct Satellites
Courtney Albon, DefenseNews — The Space Development Agency issued a notice to industry, asking for analysis and studies on the feasibility and availability of in-space disposal services. At the Satellite 2024 conference, Derek Tournear, SDA’s director, said he’s interested in the business model these firms are pursuing.
Space Force Chief: U.S. Intelligence is Top-Notch, but More Insights Needed on Space Domain
Sandra Erwin, SpaceNews — At the Mitchell Institute’s Space Security Forum, Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, said the U.S. Space Force has robust intelligence about what foreign adversaries are doing in outer space. But “the demand for intelligence is continuous, it’s ever changing.”
FCC Dismisses SpaceX’s Request to Use Globalstar and Dish Spectrum in Starlink Gen2
Rachel Jewett, Via Satellite — The FCC dismissed SpaceX’s request to use certain mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum authorized to Globalstar and Dish in the Gen2 Starlink constellation. They determined it would take new rule-making to determine if there is availability for another code division multiple access (CDMA) MSS system in LEO.
Inside NASA’s SBIR Phase III Program, By the Numbers
Jack Kuhr, Payload — NASA’s SBIR funding — particularly its Phase I & II tracks — has become a vital source of capital for early-stage space startups. At the same time, it has gained a reputation for coming up short in delivering on its larger Phase III programmatic contracts, leaving companies to navigate the “valley of death.”
Deterring China Requires Better Understanding of Adversaries
National Defense Magazine — At a Defense Writers Group discussion, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. said: “I can’t just pay attention to the military movements, because there’s a lot of other things that nations will do economically, diplomatically. If you don’t pay attention to those, that may impact deterrence.”
Aerospace Corp. to Invest $100 Million in El Segundo Campus, Moves Headquarters to Washington, D.C., Area
Los Angeles Times — The Aerospace Corporation moved its headquarters to Virginia from El Segundo, and reaffirmed its commitment to its South Bay campus by announcing a $100-million investment there. Aerospace joins a growing number of defense contractors that have made the move to the nation’s center of politics and government.
Senate Bills Seek to Reform Commercial Space Regulations
The Commercial Standards Paramount to Accelerating Cosmic Exploration (SPACE) Leadership Act would instruct industry to develop voluntary industry consensus standards for occupant safety during that period. The Licensing Aerospace Units to New Commercial Heights (LAUNCH) Act directs the FAA to streamline the commercial launch licensing process by incorporating industry input.