U.S. Space Force

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $398 million contract to develop and build the Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications-Prototype (PTS-P).

A U.S. Space Force-led on-orbit refueling demonstration is now slated for next year.

SkyFi secures SOCOM contract to develop imagery tools for troops and explores Asia-Pacific partnerships for sovereign intelligence and shared imagery platforms.

The stand-up and operation of a notional Golden Dome missile defense architecture would cost about $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years, the Congressional Budget Office says in a new report.

AST SpaceMobile plans satellite launches with Blue Origin and SpaceX, aiming to expand its constellation and integrate AI tools for better performance.

Aviation Week editors discuss how space control is front and center for the U.S. Space Force, allied services and adversaries.

The U.S. Space Force is assisting an undisclosed partner nation that is interested in launching national security missions from a sovereign spaceport, a recent government notice shows.

The U.S. Space Force plans to add $4.4 billion for a nascent program to build next-generation space domain awareness satellites for geosynchronous orbit.

Spacecraft developer Quantum Space says former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will serve as its next chief executive.

Anduril Industries has gathered five industry partners to support its work on the U.S. Space Force’s space-based interceptor program, the company says.

Firefly Aerospace has made progress building and testing the major flight components of the future Eclipse medium-lift launch vehicle, CEO Jason Kim says.

The White House has nominated Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess to serve as the Pentagon’s third Chief of Space Operations.

The Space Force’s focus areas for fiscal '27 investments are in space control capabilities, bolstering its launch infrastructure, and test and training support.

U.S. Space and defense officials say an acquisition coordination office is being established, focused on cislunar operations.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The U.S. Space Force’s fiscal 2027 budget request shows intent to award the next two GPS III Follow-On satellites over the next two years.

U.S. Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein now refers conditionally to the prospect of fielding a space-based layer of interceptors.

Space technology company True Anomaly has raised $650 million in a recent Series D fundraising round.

The U.S. Space Force has identified the 12 companies currently on contract to develop space-based interceptors ahead of a planned 2028 demonstration.

The Blue Origin New Glenn’s AST SpaceMobile deployment mishap has ramifications beyond the satellite services provider.

The U.S. Space Force may finally be getting serious about highly maneuverable spacecraft, as satellite builders debut new platforms.

News In Brief

The U.S. Space Force has awarded its first prototype contracts in support of the Kronos program.

More than 40 companies have expressed interest in elements of the Aerospace Corp.-developed DiskSat flat satellite platform.

One of the U.S. Space Force’s main acquisition offices could soon undergo a significant revamp.