CSAF Leadership Library: January 2022
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. presents five new additions to the CSAF Leadership Library: "The Last Warrior: Andrew Marshall and the Shaping of Modern American Defense Strategy" "The Mind of War: John Boyd and American Security", "#GenZ podcast Gen Z and Leadership" Podcast and Netflix docuseries "Five Came Back".
Israel to sign Artemis Accords: foreign minister
Israel will sign the U.S.-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. SpaceNews
China’s Landspace appears to be preparing to launch its new methane-fueled rocket
Chinese private company Landspace is working towards a first launch of its new methane-fueled Zhuque-2 rocket with the construction of launch facilities at Jiuquan. SpaceNews
NASA safety panel recommends agency review how it manages human spaceflight programs
NASA’s safety advisers are calling on the agency to reexamine how it manages human spaceflight programs to reflect the changing relationship with industry and to better run its core exploration effort. SpaceNews
Bluestaq gets new investor to fund growth in defense and space data management
The O’Neil Group, a real estate and asset management company based in Colorado Springs, announced Jan. 18 it is making a strategic investment in Bluestaq, a technology startup that is developing an enterprise data system for the U.S. Space Force. SpaceNews
Space Force signals demand for commercial weather data, but will the industry deliver?
Military needs for weather data such as cloud coverage and theater weather imagery currently cannot be met by the commercial industry and likely will require significant new investment. SpaceNews
Industry offers cautious optimism about state of space investment
After a year that saw the rise and potential fall of one tool for space companies to raise money, executives and investors have varying degrees of optimism about the state of the industry heading into 2022. SpaceNews
China’s first launch of 2022 puts classified Shiyan-13 satellite into orbit
A Long March 2D carried the classified Shiyan-13 test satellite into orbit late Sunday, marking the start of what is planned to be a busy year of launches for China. SpaceNews
Stratolaunch plane flies again as company prepares for hypersonic tests
Stratolaunch flew its giant aircraft Jan. 16 for just the third time as company executives promise a higher rate of flight activities this year, including the first flight of a hypersonic test vehicle. SpaceNews
NASA inspector general warns astronaut corps may be too small
The size of NASA’s astronaut corps may soon fall below the minimum level the agency needs to support space station and Artemis missions and other activities, the agency’s inspector general warns. SpaceNews
Report: Nuclear propulsion would help military satellites maneuver out of harm’s way
Michael Leahy, director of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office, said nuclear propulsion could give the U.S. military an advantage over enemies by making satellites more maneuverable and less vulnerable to attack. SpaceNews
Airbus books Loft Orbital order for Florida satellite factory
Condosat operator Loft Orbital has ordered more than 15 satellite buses from Airbus in a deal announced Jan. 14 that calls for building the initial OneWeb-derived platforms in France before shifting serial production to Florida. SpaceNews
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.
Pixxel signs partnership with Rio Tinto for hyperspectral imagery
Indian hyperspectral imaging startup Pixxel has announced a partnership with mining company Rio Tinto, giving that company early access to data from satellites scheduled to launch early this year. SpaceNews
NASA leasing bill transformed into voting rights legislation
NASA’s ability to lease property at its facilities to companies or other organizations remains in limbo after a bill meant to reauthorize it was transformed in the House into voting rights legislation. SpaceNews