Highly anticipated GPS 3 launch just days away
This article was first published in the SN Military.Space newsletter. If you would like to get our news and insights for national security space professionals every Tuesday, sign up here for your free subscription. The U.S. Air Force’s first GPS 3 satellite was encapsulated within a SpaceX payload fairing at Astrotech Space Operations on Dec. 7 in preparation for a Dec. 18 launch [...]
Academic consortium takes learning about nuclear science on the road
The Nuclear Science and Security Consortium -- a consortium of eight universities -- took their mission on the road to reach a broader audience.
Pentagon putting final touches on Space Force proposal
WASHINGTON — A team of Pentagon officials led by Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is putting the final touches on a proposed blueprint for standing up a Space Force as a separate military branch. “To use an aerospace term, ‘we’re on final approach,” Shanahan told reporters on Thursday. Shanahan and Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin met [...]
SRB Update Released with Pay for Performance Pilot
The Navy updated the Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) award plan for Active Component and Full Time Support Sailors and announced a pay for performance pilot program in NAVADMIN 302/18, released Dec. 13.
Virgin Galactic achieves space on SpaceShipTwo test flight
Updated 12:40 p.m. Eastern with statements. MOJAVE, Calif. — Virgin Galactic achieved a long-awaited milestone Dec. 13 when its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle performed its highest test flight to date, exceeding one altitude often used as the boundary of space. The WhiteKnightTwo aircraft carrying SpaceShipTwo took off from Mojave Air and Space Port here at 10:11 a.m. Eastern. The aircraft released [...]
Under Secretary of the Navy Strengthens Alliances in Norway
Under Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, completed a three—day partnership—building visit to Norway, Dec. 12. Modly met with senior military and civilian officials to discuss security and stability issues and efforts along with touring some of the Norwegian assets and facilities.
Airman places second female at World’s Toughest Mudder
An Air Force officer who only began obstacle course racing in 2016, ran right straight into her 75-mile goal, placing second place in one of the toughest obstacle course races.
Intelsat launches broadband service aimed at military and government aircraft
WASHINGTON — Satellite communications provider Intelsat announced on Thursday it is launching a new in-flight broadband service aimed at military and government aircraft. The service, called FlexAir, was the result of a year-long market study of military and government aircraft operators. The company concluded this market is under-served, Skot Butler, president of Intelsat General, told SpaceNews. “They want guaranteed availability [...]
Virgin Galactic ready for milestone SpaceShipTwo flight
MOJAVE, Calif. — A test flight more than a decade in the making is scheduled to take place Dec. 13 as Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle is set to make its highest and fastest flight to date, one that, if all goes well, will take it beyond one boundary of space. The test flight is scheduled to begin at around [...]
Air Force Space Command officially takes over as chief buyer of satellite communications for the Defense Department
WASHINGTON — The Air Force Space Command announced on Wednesday that it has officially assumed responsibility for the procurement of commercial satellite communications services for the Department of Defense. The job previously belonged to the Defense Information Systems Agency. The shift was mandated by Congress in Section 1601(a) of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill said [...]
Satellite industry seeks answers on future direction of military satcom
This article was first published in the SN Military.Space newsletter. If you would like to get our news and insights for national security space professionals every Tuesday, sign up here for your free subscription. The Satellite Industry Association’s 14th annual “DoD Commercial Satcom Workshop” is underway this week in Arlington, Virginia. The conference is considered a prized opportunity for the industry to pitch its latest [...]
C-Band Alliance members promise to buy American for new satellites under C-band plan
WASHINGTON — Members of the C-Band Alliance have stipulated that they will only buy U.S.-built satellites to replace any capacity lost through the transfer of some C-band spectrum to cellular operators for 5G, a move that could position their plan more favorably with the White House and Congress. In a filing dated Dec. 7, the C-Band Alliance, comprised of Intelsat, [...]
Service Secretaries to Host Conference on Prevention of, & Response to, Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault at U.S. Colleges & Universities
The Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Army, and the Secretary of the Air Force announce an upcoming conference on the prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault at America's colleges and universities.