Space News reports that the U.S. Space Force “will use funds that Congress added to the 2023 defense budget to buy a wideband communications satellite made by” The Boeing Company, “a spokesperson confirmed Feb. 7.” The new geostationary satellite, to be named WGS-12, “will be the 12th of the Wideband Global Satcom constellation that provides communications services to the U.S. military and allies.” The Space Force “did not request funding for a wideband satellite in the 2023 budget[,] but Congress nevertheless added $442 million, an action reminiscent of the 2018 defense appropriations bill when Congress inserted $600 million for WGS-11.” A Space Systems Command spokesperson said via email, “The $442 million was added to the WGS program element to procure a WGS-12, which will be a build-to-print of WGS-11.” The 2023 appropriations bill “did not specifically direct the Space Force to buy another WGS satellite[,] although it is implied.” The legislation directs the service to “procure a protected wideband satellite to provide resilient, jam resistant tactical communications to support warfighter needs.”
Full Story (Space News)
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AIAA Statement on Passage of $484 Billion Coronavirus Relief Package
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michele McDonald
703.264.7542
[email protected]
April 23, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the passage of the $484 billion Coronavirus Relief Package.
The relief package is a necessary step to support small businesses and hospitals during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program will greatly help many small businesses that are a vital component to the aerospace and defense industry supply chain. As the nation looks to the economic recovery, additional testing will be essential to ensure the safety of aerospace workers, their families, and the wider community.
We encourage federal government officials and lawmakers to continue to support the aerospace and defense industry through the duration of the pandemic and to ensure sector stability during the economic recovery phase. The aerospace and defense contribution to the economy on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis will be crucial for restarting and building the economic engine to its pre-crisis momentum.
The aerospace and defense industry is vital to the prominent position of the United States in global competitiveness, innovation, and technical leadership. The U.S. aerospace and defense industry supports more than 2.5 million jobs and 17,000 suppliers, representing more than $928 billion in economic output for the United States and more than $237 billion in wages. The industry has improved our quality of life by transforming transportation, medicine, defense, and security.
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 85 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.