U.S. Space Force

By Vivienne Machi
Derek Tournear, the director of the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA), has been placed on administrative leave, “pending the results of an investigation.”
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Steve Trimble
The leader of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force in 25 years will have some new tools.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick, Robert Wall
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
The companies have developed prototypes for the Space Force’s Protected Tactical Satcom program under a 2020 contract award.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
Turion is a non-Earth imaging and in-space mobility company headquartered in Irvine, California.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
ULA flew two flights for its Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle in 2024, on Jan. 8 and Oct. 4.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
In February 2024, the U.S. Space Force set up a pilot program called Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT).
Commercial Space

By Vivienne Machi
Donald Trump is reentering the White House as the U.S. faces an expanded threat environment in the space domain.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Garrett Reim
The “Gravitas” mission is funded via a mixture of private capital and government funds.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
The service is teeing up 2025 as the year of space domain awareness as threats from China loom.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Irene Klotz
"When you’re using taxpayer direct dollars to fund something, you don't want to fail," SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell says. "I think that's a huge mistake."
Commercial Space

By Vivienne Machi
Geopolitical and environmental challenges in the northern latitudes are prompting investments in satellite communications and infrastructure.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Vivienne Machi
The spacecraft was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 7:52 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
United Launch Alliance is exploring ways to turn its Centaur upper stage into a rocket that can dynamically move around space.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
The first spacecraft from a U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office program to conduct space situational awareness are close to entering operation.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office plans to deliver the first unit of a new phased-array antenna by year-end 2025, to support the Satellite Control Network.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Vivienne Machi
If Gen. Stephen Whiting could knock only one capability need off of his wish list, it would be integrated space fires, the U.S. Space Command commander says.
Emerging Technologies

By Vivienne Machi
As the U.S. Space Force nears its fifth birthday, its senior military leader is laser-focused on increasing space domain awareness to keep ahead of adversaries.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Vivienne Machi
As the U.S. Space Force hones its next-gen multi-orbit missile-warning architecture, two elements reached milestones toward building out the GEO and LEO layers.
Space Exploration

By Vivienne Machi
The House Armed Services and Senate Armed Services committees are providing one of the U.S. Space Force’s procurement offices with a boost in resources.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Vivienne Machi
For years, mention of counterspace capabilities was taboo. but U.S. Space Force formation and on-orbit activity has led to more calls for investment and focus.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Mark Carreau
Strategic partners Ad Astra Rocket and Space Nuclear Power are seeking to advance high-power nuclear electric propulsion technologies for missions to Mars.
Space Exploration

By Vivienne Machi
As the Space Force approaches its fifth birthday, one of its most critical mission areas is undergoing a massive facelift.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Vivienne Machi
Lockheed Martin is preparing to launch its next technology demonstration spacecraft in 2025, with an eye toward U.S. programs and the international market.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi, Irene Klotz
Kim speaks with Aviation Week as Firefly prepares to enter the lunar and in-space services markets and expand its family of launch vehicles.
Commercial Space