Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Departs for Deployment
The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) departed San Diego for a scheduled Indo—Pacific deployment, Jan. 17.
Recruit Training Command Grads Eligible for Nine College Credits
Curriculum changes at Recruit Training Command (RTC) will provide boot camp graduates with more college credits and potentially save the Navy millions in tuition costs.
SpaceX to test Crew Dragon launch abort system
Updated 7:30 a.m. Eastern Jan. 18 with new date for the test. WASHINGTON — NASA and SpaceX are ready to perform a test of the launch abort system of the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft Jan. 19 that will also serve as a dress rehearsal of sorts for upcoming crewed flights of the vehicle. At a Jan. 17 briefing at NASA’s [...]
Power loss halves Eutelsat 5 West B capacity, hosted payload spared
WASHINGTON — A Eutelsat Communications satellite that launched in October will enter service this month with only 45% of its intended capacity due to an unusable solar array, Eutelsat said Jan. 17. Eutelsat said an investigation into the Eutelsat 5 West B satellite concluded that one of its two solar arrays was unusable, reducing power to support communications services. Eutelsat [...]
AF Week in Photos
This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
Department of the Navy leaders Sign Guam Explosive Safety Submission
Culminating over three years of negotiation, Department of the Navy leaders today signed an agreement to establish a disciplined process for the Commander, Joint Region Marianas (CJRM) to have the authority to implement prudent explosive safety principles on Guam. The agreement will ...
SpinLaunch raises $35 million
WASHINGTON — SpinLaunch, a startup pursuing an alternative approach for placing payloads into orbit, has raised $35 million in a new funding round disclosed Jan. 16. The company, headquartered in Long Beach, California, said the new round featured several funds that included Airbus Ventures, the venture capital arm of aerospace company Airbus. Other investors include venture capital funds GV, KPCB, [...]
Aircraft Compatibility Testing Begins Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departed its homeport of Norfolk, Jan. 16 to begin Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) off the East Coast as the first aircraft, an E—2D landed, on board.
U.S. Space Force begins to organize Pentagon staff and field operations
WASHINGTON — The United States’ first chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force is still wearing his U.S. Air Force uniform. “But I’m not in the Air Force anymore,” says Gen. John “Jay” Raymond. “I’m in the Space Force.” Two days after being sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence as chief of space operations, Raymond remains, for now, [...]
Arianespace launches Eutelsat, ISRO satellites on first 2020 mission
WASHINGTON — European launch provider Arianespace completed its first launch of the year Jan. 16, sending two communications satellites into geostationary transfer orbits. The Ariane 5 rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Center at 4:05 p.m. Eastern with the 3,600-kilogram Eutelsat Konnect satellite and the 3,400-kilogram GSAT-30 satellite. Eutelsat Konnect separated from the rocket’s upper stage about 28 minutes [...]
Luxembourg establishes space industry venture fund
WASHINGTON — The government of Luxembourg has invested in a new fund intended to support space startups, a move that will be one of the last for the country’s most prominent backer of the industry. Étienne Schneider, deputy prime minister of Luxembourg and the country’s economy minister, said Jan. 16 that the government invested an undisclosed amount into Orbital Ventures, [...]
Space startups warming to U.S. government as investor, customer
WASHINGTON — Space startups are becoming more acquainted with the U.S. government as a customer and an investor, though the pathways to both remain difficult, a panel of experts said Jan. 14. “2019 was the year of government,” Carissa Christensen, CEO of analyst firm Bryce Space & Technology, said at a Washington Space Business Roundtable event here. “We saw many [...]
Surface Navy Leaders Focus on Readiness, Need to Build Future Fleet
Improving readiness, maintaining the fleet and building the surface fleet of the future were topics Navy leaders and others discussed at the Surface Navy Association's National Symposium Jan. 16.
Acting SECNAV’s Visit Reaffirms Strong Partnership with Singapore
Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly made his inaugural visit to Singapore Jan. 14—15 to reaffirm the U.S. Navy's strong partnership and ties with the Republic of Singapore Armed Forces.
ESA seeks new cooperative agreement with EU
WASHINGTON — With its funding secured for the next three years, the head of the European Space Agency is now focused on implementing those key programs while establishing a new cooperative agreement with the European Union. At a press briefing Jan. 15 at ESA’s Paris headquarters, ESA Director General Jan Woerner reviewed the outcome of the agency’s Space19+ ministerial meeting [...]