U.S. Space Force

When the U.S. Space Force recently announced it had awarded nine base contracts for one of its marquee new programs, it opted to disclose only one provider: SpaceX.

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

Victus Haze put the service’s rapid-response space concept to the test, launching and commissioning a satellite in record time.

The U.S. Space Force has selected Boeing to provide two spacecraft as a bridge between the U.S. military’s existing narrowband satellite communications constellation and a future architecture.

The call came before sunrise in Mahia, New Zealand. Less than 17 hr. later, Rocket Lab launched a company-built satellite to space with its Electron rocket.

Defense tech company True Anomaly says it has successfully demoed on-orbit maneuvering activities.

The Pentagon and Congress appear ready to dissolve the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office’s specific authorities in 2027.

U.S. SPACE FORCE issues MEO MWT RFI... First CT-153 training helo arrives in Manitoba... New advisors for TERRASPACE...

The U.S. Space Force began the overhaul of one of its most storied launchpads with a sizable bang on June 16.

The U.S. Space Force is opening up an undeveloped site at its Western Range to support small- and medium-lift launch missions.

As Blue Origin races to close the gap on SpaceX, a huge explosion on the launchpad has dealt the company a significant setback. Editors discuss how Blue will respond and implications for the broader launch market.

Lockheed Martin is ready to begin production of the future interceptor, with design review and full test expected this year.

Impulse Space, an orbital transfer vehicle and rocket motor developer, has raised a $500 million Series D to fund expansion of its manufacturing capacity.

Northrop Grumman has enlisted satellite bus manufacturer Apex to support its space-based interceptor contract with the U.S. Space Force.

K2 Space says it expects to see at least 36 satellites being built in 2028 as the company scales up its production plans.

The U.S. Space Force has tapped Blue Origin to support a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) launch as early as late 2027.

The U.S. Space Force’s plans to procure new commercially derived satellite communications (satcom) spacecraft and services have been extended.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to stand up an initial space-based air moving target indication (AMTI) constellation by 2028.

Blue Origin had hoped for a quick turnaround between the problematic third flight of its New Glenn heavy-lift launcher and flight four.

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

The U.S. Space Force awarded Observable Space a $22 million award for mobile, off-grid robotic telescopes.

The Space Development Agency appears closer to disassembly than ever before.

House authorizers want the Pentagon to designate a point person to oversee the Defense Department-wide position, navigation and timing (PNT) enterprise.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a new contract for the Space Data Network Backbone program.

The U.S. Space Force expects to launch two prototype spacecraft next year as it looks toward the next generation of anti-jam satellite communications.