Rod McGuirk, AP — South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said the possibility was discussed during two days of meetings between South Korea and Australia’s defense and foreign ministers that ended in Melbourne.
Rocket Lab Slips Neutron Rocket Due to Archimedes Engine
Michael Bruno, Aviation Week — The first launch of Rocket Lab’s proposed medium-lift Neutron is slipping to no earlier than mid-2025 due to development of its Archimedes engine, executives said May 6.
NASA to Fund More Development of Innovative Exploration Technologies
Mark Carreau, Aviation Week — NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program (NIAC) selected six visionary concept studies — including a lunar railway system and fluid-based telescopes — for additional funding and development.
NRO’s First Batch of Next-Generation Spy Satellites Set For Launch
Sandra Erwin, Space News — NRO aims to quadruple the number of spacecraft in orbit. This expansion, coupled with the new technology aboard the satellites, is expected to deliver a ten-fold increase in intelligence gathering.
How Aerospace Corporation and Space Foundation are Diversifying Space
Susan Karlin, Fast Company — SWF2030 believes its success stems from two elements: involving senior executive volunteers to ensure a greater corporate commitment; and having companies share traditionally private workforce data.
U.S. State Dept Reduces Arms Licensing Burden for UK, Australia
Mike Stone and David Brunnstrom, Reuters — The U.S. and Australia unveiled a plan to reduce licensing requirements for transferring military gear and sensitive technology among the United States, Australia, and Britain under the AUKUS pact.
More Satellites, Less Space: New Report Highlights Risk Growth on Orbit
Theresa Hitchens, Breaking Defense — Increased congestion in LEO and GEO are increasing space insurance premiums, according to a new report from Slingshot Aerospace.
USSPACECOM Visit Cements Commitment to Bolstering the Alliance in Korea
U.S. Forces Korea Public Affairs — Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of the United States Space Command, visited the Republic of Korea April 21-22, 2024, as part of his first overseas visit. He engaged with senior government and military leaders to further the U.S.-ROK discussions on space and missile defense capabilities in modern warfare, and aims to bolster the integration of space assets within the broader defense framework of the Korean Peninsula.
Space Force to Industry: Prove Value of New Commercial Space Services
Sandra Erwin, SpaceNews — At an Atlantic Council event, Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, deputy chief of space operations for strategy, said that Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman wants the Space Force’s new commercial strategy to lead to greater adoption of commercial technology, “and [to] make ourselves maybe a little uncomfortable and go into new areas where we haven’t explored or we haven’t partnered with commercial as much.”
Space Force Outlines Vision for Hybrid Military-Commercial-Allied Mission Architectures
Lauren Williams, Defense One — The U.S. Space Force Commercial Space Strategy, a document that complements the Pentagon’s broader “2024 DoD Commercial Space Integration Strategy,” aims to galvanize a “pivot to a new model” for using commercial space tech, including hybrid space architectures that combine systems from the Defense Department, private industry, and allies.