Breaking Defense reports, “The Space Force announced today that its software-centric program for managing, processing and disseminating space monitoring data, the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS), has been accepted as ‘operational.’ The move paves the way for the service to finally rid itself of its dysfunctional 1980s-era computer system called the Space Defense Operations Center (SPADOC), which as been used to keep tabs on satellites, spacecraft and dangerous space junk even after nearly two decades of failed replacement efforts.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Tag: Space Force
Space Force Takes Delivery of GPS Control System Following Years of Delays
Space News reports, “The U.S. Space Force has accepted delivery of the initial version of its long-delayed Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), marking a key milestone for a GPS infrastructure upgrade that has become emblematic of Pentagon software development challenges. The Space Force’s Space Operations Command announced it accepted delivery of the ‘modernized operating system for the Global Positioning System, which is designed to maintain resiliency of the constellation and improve positioning, navigation and timing services to meet user demand now and in the future.’”
Full Story (Space News)
Space Force Releases Launch Guidelines Prioritizing Military Missions as Demand Surges
Space News reports, “In these new guidelines the Space Force seeks to balance its dual role as both a supporter of the thriving commercial space sector and steward of national security space capabilities.
Full Story (Space News – Subscription Publication)
Space Force to Support Development of Atomic-6 Solar Power for Satellites
Space News reports, “Composite materials startup Atomic-6 secured a $2 million agreement with the U.S. Space Force to mature its solar power array for military satellite applications, the company announced July 2.”
Full Story (Space News)
Space Force Asking Industry for Ideas On ‘Quick and Efficient’ SBI Deployment
Defense Daily reports, “The U.S. Space Force program executive office for space combat power is soliciting input from industry on the rapid fielding of space based interceptors (SBI), which the Trump administration’s Golden Dome is to use against hypersonic and ballistic missiles…”
Full Story (Defense Daily – Subscription Publication)
Sierra Space Marks Third Testing Milestone on Resilient GPS (R-GPS) Technology for USSF
Inside GNSS reports, “Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime announced today another successful demonstration of the company’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) technology for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). In this third milestone, Sierra Space demonstrated an early integration of the R-GPS satellite technology through FlatSat flight software and hardware subsystem testing, in addition to successful communication with ground software.”
Full Story (Inside GNSS)
Space Force’s Secretive X-37B Space Plane Surpasses 1 Year in Orbit
SPACE reports, “In case you forgot it was still up there. That U.S. Space Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) has silently slipped past one-year of flight time. The craft is engaged in performing aerobrake maneuvers, a technique to alter its orbit around Earth, as well as safely dispose of its attached service module.
Full Story (SPACE)
SpaceX Starship Booster Caught by Launch Gantry During Landing
Aviation Week reports, “A SpaceX Super Heavy booster flew itself back to its Boca Chica Beach, Texas, launchpad where it was caught by a pair of mechanical arms on the gantry 7 min. after liftoff, nailing one of the primary goals of the fifth Starship-Super Heavy integrated flight test (IFT-5).”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
More Info (AIAA Statement)
Space Force to Test New Orbit-Switching Maneuver on X-37B Space Plane
Defense One reports, “A U.S. X-37B space plane is slated to test a new way of rapidly changing its orbit, part of the Space Force’s quest for fuel-sipping maneuverability. The spacecraft will experiment with aerobraking, which uses Earth’s atmosphere to slow down and switch orbits. “The use of the aerobraking maneuver—a series of passes using the drag of Earth’s atmosphere—enables the spacecraft to change orbits while expending minimal fuel,” the service said in a release today.”
Full Story (Defense One)
Space Force Assigns 21 Launch Missions to ULA, SpaceX as Part of NSSL Phase 2 Contract
Space News reports that on October 31, Space Systems Command “announced 21 launch missions have been assigned to United Launch Alliance and SpaceX as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract the companies won in 2020. These missions assigned for fiscal year 2024 mark the fifth and final year of the Phase 2 contract. Of the 21 missions, ULA received 11 and SpaceX 10. These missions are projected to launch over the next two to three years.” Col. Chad Melone, senior materiel leader for mission solutions at the Space Systems Command, said, “Under our Phase 2 contract, ULA and SpaceX have been committed partners, and our combined team remains dedicated to delivery of critical assets to our warfighters as we complete this phase of the NSSL program and embark on NSSL Phase 3 starting in FY25.
Full Story (Space News)