Signals & Space Monthly Briefing

August 2020

Prepared by the CyberWire (Monday, August 3, 2020) US alleges Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon. US Space Command reported that, on July 15th, Russia's Cosmos 2543 satellite ejected a high-speed object in the vicinity of a second Russian satellite. C4ISRNET said that General John "Jay" Raymond, SPACECOM Commander and U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, characterized the event as the test of an anti-satellite weapon. "The Russian satellite system used to conduct this on-orbit weapons test is the same satellite system that we raised concerns about earlier this year, when Russia maneuvered near a U.S. government satellite," he said. "This is further evidence of Russia's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems, and consistent with the Kremlin's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk." Military Times reported that Russia's Defense Ministry described the test as involving “a small space vehicle” that “inspected one of the national satellites from a close distance using special equipment.” The test's outcome, Moscow said, “provided valuable information about the object that was inspected, which was transmitted to the ground-based control facilities.” Space Command said this explanation was nonsense, that the capability being tested was inconsistent with the stated purpose of Cosmos 2543. Space Command summed up: “The Russian satellite system used to conduct this on-orbit weapons test is the same satellite system that we raised concerns about earlier this year, when Russia maneuvered near a U.S. government satellite.” The incident came as US and Russian negotiators held bilateral talks on space security. The Wall Street Journal said that the US is looking for voluntary norms whereas the Russians want a formal treaty that would preclude the militarization of space. Mars probes: Chinese, Emirati, and American. On July 20th, NASA launched its Perseverance rover to Mars. WIRED explained that the rover is highly autonomous ("a self-driving car") and that it will be significantly involved in looking for signs of alien life that may exist or that may have once existed on Mars. The mission includes a number of firsts: it carries a microphone to record the sounds of the spacecraft's descent to the surface, it carries a "zoomable" camera, it's powered by US-made plutonium, it holds space suit samples for testing on the planet, it will collect samples of Martian soil for return to earth, and it will also host a lightweight drone ("the first extraterrestrial aircraft"). The $2.7 billion mission will also, the Wall Street Journal wrote, conduct experiments relevant to ultimate human occupation of Mars, including testing ways of extracting oxygen from the Martian atmosphere. Perseverance was not the only, or even the first, mission to Mars that departed this past month. On July 23rd China launched Tianwen-1 from Hainan. The mission includes an orbiter, lander, and rover. CNBC said that Tianwen-1 will concentrate on the geological structure of Mars with a view to achieving greater understanding of the planet's environment. The mission is particularly interested in Martian soil, surface material composition, and the distribution of and water-ice on the planet. And on July 12th, the United Arab Emirates launched Al Amal (“Hope”), a Mars orbiter destined to study the planet's weather patterns, flown aboard a Mitsubishi rocket from Tanegashima, Japan. The mission will last for a full Martian year, roughly six-hundred-eighty-seven earth days, the Telegraph reported. The mission has its obvious scientific purpose, but it's also a step by the UAE toward a high-tech, post-oil economy. There's a US connection to the mission: the UAE enlisted the support of the University of Colorado in development of the craft and management of the mission. WIRED noted that the craft itself was assembled in Boulder. Sponsored by Cosmic AES Do you have what it takes to solve complex signal-processing problems? At Cosmic AES, we design high-performance, adaptable solutions for the signals, space, and cyber domains. We’re looking for creative problem-solvers with engineering experience and a clearance. See what Cosmic AES has to offer. Launch and recovery, and commercial space travel. SpaceX's Dragon capsule, "Endeavor," successfully returned its NASA crew from the International Space Station on August 2nd. It was what the AP called a "retro-style" spashdown in the Gulf of Mexico about forty miles from Pensacola, the first such US return from spaceflight in nearly half a century. A SpaceX recovery ship picked the capsule up within half an hour of splashdown. The mission director of Lockheed Martin's Orion Artemis II spacecraft expressed skepticism about the competition's prospect of delivering a flight to the moon. POLITICO ran an op-ed from the company's Tony Antonelli, a former astronaut, who applauded SpaceX's round trip to the International Space Station, but questioned the Dragon's suitability for lunar travel. 5G spectrum allocation controversy continues. According to Breaking Defense, Iridium has expressed its intent to bring a lawsuit against the US Federal Communications Commission's decision to release L-Band spectrum for use by Ligado in its forthcoming terrestrial 5G network. “From our perspective, the record is clear that the Ligado order adopted this spring is detrimental to satellite communications, users, consumers. We are asking the FCC, Congress and — if needed — the courts to change the outcome, to change or modify,” the company said. Iridium emphasized that it's not a Ligado competitor. “So, this isn’t that we’re trying to knock out a potential competitor through counteracting their regulatory arbitrage. This is about harmful interference and legitimate concerns,” the company's counsel explained. “The L-band has always been zoned or licensed exclusively for satellite service.” The anti-Ligado side has attracted considerable Congressional support as well. C4ISRNET reported that Senator James Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma and chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has placed a hold on the renomination process of Federal Communications Commission member Michael O’Rielly. Senator Inhofe will remove the hold until Mr. O'Rielly expresses his intention of voting to overturn the FCC's Ligado decision. And an amendment to the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act would prevent the Department of Defense from doing business with any company whose activities interfered with GPS signals. Ligado isn't of course named, but it's clearly intended. Satellite market moves. Bankrupt OneWeb has attracted significant investment, led by the British government with $500 million from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund, but with international participation as well. The satellite-based service is seen as a solution to providing rural broadband service in the UK, the Telegraph reported. US-owned Hughes Network Systems will participate with $50 million. Space system innovation. A study led by a panel of experts (Brigadier General Steven J. Butow, Defense Innovation Unit; Dr. Thomas Cooley, Air Force Research Laboratory; Colonel Eric Felt, Air Force Research Laboratory; and Dr. Joel B. Mozer, United States Space Force) called for a US strategy to secure the health and capacity for innovation of the US space industry. The State of the Space Industrial Base 2020 sees the worlds as entering a period of long-term competition for space power. "Success in this long-term strategic competition requires that the US seamlessly integrate multiple elements of national power. This report provides US policymakers and industry leaders comprehensive recommendations on the path forward to address the growing threats to US space power and how to ensure a strong US space industrial base as a foundation to US space leadership." C4ISRNET discusses the implications of this "North Star" approach to the space industrial base. The US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) launched four payloads on July 15th from Wallops Island, Virginia, aboard a Northrop Grumman Minotaur rocket. The NRO provided few details on the satellites themselves--the payloads are classified--but it characterized their capabilities are "revolutionary, C4ISRNET reported. The launch is NRO's first from the Wallops Island facility. The NRO is also devoting increased attention to expanding its use of commercial satellite imagery, C4ISRNET reports, especially since its 2017 assumption of responsibility for acquiring such imagery. Commercial imagery had formerly been the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's job. According to Breaking Defense, language in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act would require both the NRO and the NGA to consider commercial alternatives before developing their own specialized, purpose-built solutions. Houston-based Hypergiant Industries has received a US Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a constellation of reprogrammable satellites, "Chameleon Constellation." The new constellation, whose first satellite is expected to be launched in 2021, will be able to be given new missions as needed, a more flexible approach to low-earth orbit spacecraft than the specialized systems that have hitherto been typical, according to C4ISRNET. Hypergiant says that the military will be able to update “functionality and mission profiles on the fly based on real-time emergent scenarios and information.” Chameleon Constellation is expected to eventually have thirty-six satellites. US Space Force has selected Raytheon to develop the next generation of military weather satellites, C4ISRNET reported. The Next Generation Electro-Optical Infrared Weather Satellite, which Raytheon says previous work will enable the company to design within eight months, will replace the 1960s-era Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). Sierra Nevada and two other, unnamed, companies have received contracts from the US Defense Innovation Unit to study concepts for a projected Unmanned Orbital Outpost. Sierra Nevada described the Unmanned Orbital Outpost as “essentially a scalable, autonomous space station for experiments and logistics demonstrations,” Space News wrote. The contracts are for studies only, not development or construction. There are also some satellite surrogates operating in the atmosphere. Google's Loon balloon began delivering Internet service to Kenya on July 7th, the New York Times reported. US Space Force evolution and reorganization. TIME magazine visited Buckley Air Force Base to see how the newest US military service is evolving. It highlights the Service's mission of protecting US space assets from threats like the Russian anti-satellite capability mentioned above. Five Air Force organizations have been transferred to Space Force, where they will form Star Delta Provisional, to be based at Colorado's Peterson Air Force Base. This and other reorganizations were announced on July 24th, Air Force Magazine reports. Space Force inactivated three space wings and eight lower echelon commands that had belonged to Air Force Space Command. The Service also activated Space Training and Readiness Delta Provisional, two garrison commands, and eight mission deltas. A "delta" is the Space Force equivalent of an Air Force wing. Semper supra, Lieutenant, uh Ensign... ...which might be translated as "always above," or "forever on top," or "up there all the time," or "so over this," (our translations) is now the new Space Force motto, according to Military Times. Other miscellaneous bits of Space Force news include descriptions of its new logo, a slim, upward-pointing delta whose use in space-related heraldry goes back, Space Force says, to 1961. And a proposed amendment to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act would require Space Force to use Navy as opposed to Air Force ranks, Military.com reports. Thus second lieutenants would be ensigns, majors would be lieutenant commanders, colonels would be captains, and so on. Space Force uniforms? FLOTUS may have been consulted, Military.com also reports. Space Force also has horses, or one at least, an animal named "Ghost" who carries conservation personnel over the rough grounds at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Military Times says that Ghost, a mustang from the Bureau of Land Management, now works for the 30th Space Wing. All of these items are being reported with an air of whimsy, but there's a serious side to the events they describe. Space Force is creating a new organization, a new acquisition system, and all the other formal aspects of a military Service. But it's also in the process of creating a new Service culture, and that hasn't happened in the US since the Air Force became independent of the Army in 1947. Ranks, uniforms, mottos, and heraldry will all go into the creation of that culture, and are all worth taking seriously. To take the question of rank, for one, the Congressional sponsors of the NDAA amendment think it important that ranks be different from those used by the Air Force. The model for this is the US Marine Corps, administratively part of the Department of the Navy just as Space Force belongs, as a distinct service, to the Department of the Air Force. The Marines use ranks close to those used by the Army, and that, some members of Congress argue, is an important part of the Corps' identity as a distinct service. So when reading stories of this kind, recall that Space Force is building a new Service, and that such cultural moves are a serious part of doing so, and not just a gag line in the Netflix television series Space Force. [2048]   Today's edition of the CyberWire reports events affecting Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Selected Reading Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities (8) Trends (3) Marketplace (38) Products, Services, and Solutions (12) Technologies, Techniques, and Standards (19) Design and Innovation (15) Research and Development (5) Academia (2) Legislation, Policy, and Regulation (31) Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement (5) Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities Russian Sat Spits Out High-Speed Object In Likely ASAT Test (Breaking Defense) "I don't see another obvious explanation other than it was a weapons test," said Brian Weeden of the Secure World Foundation (SWF). Russia conducted anti-satellite test in space, says US Space Command (C4ISRNET) U.S. Space Command claims that Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon July 15, the latest in a number of Russian on orbit actions U.S. officials have deemed aggressive. US accuses Russia of testing anti-satellite weapon in space (Military Times) The head of U.S. Space Force said a July 15 event involving a small space vehicle is GPS interference crashed a survey drone in the UK. Will the debate resonate in the US? (C4ISRNET) Dana Goward argues that a December drone mishap in the United Kingdom may be viewed as a relatively minor event, but could have a impact on a debate over GPS interference in the United States. US Report: North Korea’s New Missiles Can Evade Air Defense Systems (Al-Manar TV Lebanon) A new report by the US Congressional Research Service [CRS] has called attention to a trio of missil... Why Are Mysterious Fires Still Burning in Iran? (Foreign Policy) The incidents could raise fears of a military miscalculation between Tehran and Washington. Iran threatens retaliation after what it calls possible cyber attack on nuclear site (Reuters) Iran will retaliate against any country that carries out cyber attacks on its nuclear sites, the head of civilian defence said, after a fire at its Natanz plant which some Iranian officials said may have been caused by cyber sabotage. Mysterious Explosion and Fire Damage Iranian Nuclear Enrichment Facility (New York Times) Iran released a photograph showing evidence of what appeared to be a major explosion at the site. Early evidence suggests it was most likely an act of sabotage. Trends Space Business: Earth Attacks! (Quartz) About every 26 months, the Earth finds itself between the sun and Mars, the ideal position to launch spacecraft to explore the red planet. Saving Space from ‘Star Wars’-Style Misperceptions (War on the Rocks) Dogfights in orbit. Spacecraft blasting at each other with lasers. Targets that erupt into fireballs and vanish. The world still doesn’t know what a Leaders see data as ‘ammunition’ in future warfare (US Army) Army leaders: Data will be 'ammunition' in future multi-d... Marketplace US, UK launch military-space competition for startups (Defense News) The two countries have jointly put up $1.3 million to tap into potential new ideas in six technology areas from small companies, innovators and others around the world. Military Aims to Urgently Provide Disruptive Satellite Capabilities (SIGNAL Magazine) The threats to the U.S. military and the nation are such that additional space-based capabilities must be rapidly fielded. UK to enter satellite race after winning bid for OneWeb (Financial Times) British government’s joint venture with Bharti will compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink Britain blasts off for a bold new space adventure with OneWeb (The Telegraph) As UK takes a stake in the low-earth orbit satellite firm, the journey is about to begin Rocket Report: Surprise Israeli launch, Britain decides to bail out OneWeb (Ars Technica) “iRocket will be competing with SpaceX.” Britain's OneWeb bid secures $50m from US satellite billionaire (The Telegraph) Hughes Network Systems, owned by Charlie Ergen's Echostar, will invest in the deal Abu Dhabi wealth fund joins bid for bankrupt satellite firm OneWeb (The Telegraph) Auction for satellite operator that could provide internet and navigation services taking place this week The secretive UK fund behind the government’s $500m investment in OneWeb (The Telegraph) The NSSIF had a key role in the recent OneWeb deal Space Force walks back stimulus contracts for small launch providers (C4ISRNET) The government says it “is re-evaluating its strategy on how best to proceed with this action. The Army is procuring its new tactical network tools (C4ISRNET) Army PEO C3T was given acquisition authority in July for its first iteration of a new integrated tactical network. Amazon vows to invest $10B in Kuiper satellites after getting FCC’s go-ahead (GeekWire) The Federal Communications Commission has authorized Amazon’s Project Kuiper to provide satellite broadband access, but under strict conditions. Costa Rica Selected for Global Network of Radars Monitoring Low Earth Orbit (Israel Defense) LeoLabs, a leading commercial provider of low earth orbit (LEO) mapping and space situational awareness services, announced last week that Costa Rica will be the site of its next space radar. IBM Security closes acquisition of Resilient Systems (Intelligence Community News) Denver, CO-based Voyager Space Holdings, Inc., the world's first space-focused holding company, announced on July 13 the acquisition of Pioneer Astronautics in Thales Alenia Space wins lion's share of newly awarded Copernicus contracts (SpaceNews) Thales Alenia Space of France and Italy won the largest share of prime contracts the European Space Agency awarded July 1 for further development of six new Copernicus satellite missions. Raytheon UK Will Develop Advanced GNSS Anti-jam for Ministry of Defence (Inside GNSS) The UK Ministry of Defence Equipment and Support office tasked Raytheon to develop a prototype system to exploit assured and resilient position navigation and t Raytheon Technologies Inks $2.3 Billion Missile Defense Contract (Thomasnet) The company will produce seven radar-based mobile missile defense system units that will eventually be sold to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. BAE Systems acquires Military GPS business from Raytheon (OTCMKTS:BAESY) (Seeking Alpha) Augmenting its portfolio with technology that enables reliable navigation and guidance for a range of defense missions, BAE Systems (OTCPK:BAESY -1.9%) completed its acquisition of the Collins Aerospace Military Global Positioning System business from Raytheon Technologies (RTX -0.6%).This asset purchase will add GPS anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology to BAE's portfolio.Being a pioneer in its field for 40-years, Iowa-based Military GPS business has a global installed base in 1.5M+ devices on more than 280 airborne, ground, and weapon system platforms. U.S. Army Awards Distributed Common Ground System Capability Drop 2 to BAE Systems (Odessa American) The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems an initial order under its Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Capability Drop 2 Program. Alion Awarded $75M Fighter/Bomber Enterprise Task Order To Support The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Fighters/Advanced Aircraft And Bombers Directorates (PR Newswire) Alion Science and Technology announces today that it has been awarded a $75M Fighter/Bomber Enterprise task order to support the Air Force Life... SAIC Adds New Innovation Factory Hub in Huntsville (WashingtonExec) Science Applications International Corp. has announced plans to add a new Innovation Factory Hub in Huntsville, Alabama, the company’s second largest A New Direction for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Business (Satnews) Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., has new direction for the business and has unveiled a new leadership team and has signaled the company’s intent to expand its presence in the U.S. space and intelligence markets. Airbus eyes American geospatial market with new US entity (Geospatial World) Airbus is eyeing a bigger pie in the American geospatial intelligence and imagery market with the establishment of a new entity in the US. Maxar renews four international defense and intelligence contracts (Geospatial World) Maxar Technologies has announced that it has renewed four contracts and expanded a fifth contract in the second quarter of 2020–together valued at more than $120 million–with international defense and intelligence customers for uninterrupted access to Maxar’s current satellite constellation. These contracts, including a one-year agreement and four multi-year agreements, will allow the customers to […] Wickr Awarded Multi Million Dollar U.S. Air Force Contract to Extend Secure Communication Services Across All Major Department of Defense Agencies (PR Newswire) Wickr, Inc., the secure collaboration platform known for its robust end-to-end encryption and the ability to securely operate on Zero Trust... Epirus, a venture-backed startup, inks deal with Northrop for counter-drone tech (Defense News) Epirus, a startup whose leadership team draws from Raytheon, Northrop and Silicon Valley, has landed its first deal with a name-brand defense prime. Northrop Grumman to Provide Extended Life Capability for Perseverance Mars Rover Mission (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) This summer, Northrop Grumman is playing an important role in a historic phase of Mars exploration. Northrop Grumman’s LN-200S inertial measurement unit (IMU) will provide extended life inertial navigation for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL)... Northrop to Provide US Military Counter-UAS C2 Platform (GovCon Wire) The Department of Defense has selected Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) to provide a command-and-control DoD selects Northrop Grumman for Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System - Homeland Preparedness News (Homeland Preparedness News) The Department of Defense (DOD) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system for future Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) procurements. “Our FAAD C2 has been saving lives at Forward Operating Bases and … Read More » Virgin Galactic’s latest test flight puts it one step closer to commercial space travel (Popular Science) The test flight was conducted under a set of stringent operational protocols to ensure safety against COVID-19, including enforced social distancing as advised by state guidelines as well as universal mask usage. When the Millennium Falcon’s Hyperdrive Fails, It’s Time to Hop on a Real Spaceship (Wall Street Journal) Having played a role in Disney’s Star Wars theme park, Virgin Galactic’s new CEO now needs to make an attraction of a real spaceship. Navy issues RFI for GEOINT data processing capabilities (Intelligence Community News) Ashburn, VA-based Telos Corporation announced on June 16 that it has been awarded an additional five year, $15.6 million contract by the Defense Information Eutelsat and Intelsat sign multi-year deal to secure 48°East for Eutelsat Quantum (SatellitePro ME) The 48°East position, with its extensive coverage, notably of the MENA region, is ideally placed to address, amongst others, the unique needs of government users. SAIC Adds Innovation Factory Hub in Huntsville (Huntsville Business Journal) SAIC is adding an Innovation Factory Hub to its Huntsville site, expanding its presence and support to local customers. Mercury Systems Receives $11.7M in Digital RF Memory Jammer Orders from U.S. Navy (Yahoo) Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical technologies for aerospace and defense, announced it received $11.7 million in orders against its previously announced $152 million 5 year sole-source basic As it moves aggressively to restore confidence, Boeing flies into an uncertain future (Washington Post) The company has expressed optimism as it restarts its 737 Max line and the FAA undertakes test flights. NRO and Space Force stick with Rocket Lab despite failed launch (C4ISRNET) Despite an anomaly that caused the company's most recent launch to fail to reach orbit, both the Pentagon and the intelligence community are moving forward with their scheduled missions with Rocket Lab. Why Shares of Kratos Defense & Security Are Soaring Today (The Motley Fool) A big Skyborg win only adds to the company's attractiveness to investors -- and potentially to acquirers, too. Indiana To Host Inaugural Midwest Defense Innovation Summit (WBIW) Leaders in the defense development sector today announced the inaugural Midwest Defense Innovation Summit, scheduled for October 20 – 21, 2020 in Carmel, Ind. Products, Services, and Solutions CYSEC and Leaf Space partner to offer end-to-end cyber security protection for satellite communications (Cysec Systems) Leaf Space, an Italian company providing ground segment services for smallsats has signed an MoU consolidating a partnership agreement with CYSEC, a Swiss cybersecurity company, to offer end-to-end cyber security protection for satellite communications. SpaceX capsule and NASA crew make 1st splashdown in 45 years (AP NEWS) Two NASA astronauts returned to Earth on Sunday in a dramatic, retro-style splashdown, their capsule parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico to close out an unprecedented... SpaceX Falcon 9: How to watch the workhorse rocket launch a military satellite today (CNET) South Korea's Anasis-II military satellite launched atop a Falcon 9. SpaceX sets a turnaround record, flying the same rocket in 51 days [Updated] (Ars Technica) Every booster still undergoes detailed inspections between launches. SpaceX delays launch of Starlink, BlackSky satellites again due to rocket checks (Space.com) A new launch date has not been determined. SpaceX's rescheduled Starlink launch includes fix for satellites that ruined Neowise views (Los Angeles Business Journal) The mission, which includes two satellites for BlackSky, has already been postponed a couple of times. Rocket Lab Electron launch fails to reach orbit, 7 satellites lost (Space.com) Something went wrong minutes after liftoff. Radiation hardened software defined radio (Intelligent Aerospace) RAD5545 software defined radios are on their way to Lockheed Martin to support future space missions. L-com Releases USB 3.0 Cables with Ferrites and LSZH Cable Jackets (PR Newswire) L-com Global Connectivity, a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has just released a... Northrop Grumman Delivers Three GEM 63 Rocket Motors for United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered three of its 63-inch-diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM 63) for United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket. The three motors were shipped from the Northrop Grumman... Northrop Grumman to offer electromagnetic pulse counter-UAV weapon (Flight Global) Northrop Grumman has signed a distribution agreement with Epirus to sell the start-up's electromagnetic pulse counter unmanned air vehicle weapon. Northrop Grumman Provides Navigation System for NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover Mission (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will once again be the provider of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to support an expedition to Mars when NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Perseverance Mars Rover... Technologies, Techniques, and Standards Could OneWeb help solve Britain’s rural broadband problems? (The Telegraph) Broadband satellites are launching in their thousands and Britain is splashing $500m on them, but how well do they work? Space Force squadron gets new advanced terminal for secure communications (C4ISRNET) A new Advanced Family of Beyond-Line-of-Sight Terminal was installed for the 4th Space Operations Squadron in June. National Reconnaissance Office launches “revolutionary” satellites from Virginia (C4ISRNET) Four National Reconnaissance Office payloads were launched into orbit aboard a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket July 15. Northrop Grumman Minotaur 4 launches NRO mission, its first from Virginia spaceport (SpaceNews) This was the NRO’s 54th launch since 1996 and its first launch on a Minotaur 4. Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches Minotaur IV Rocket Carrying Satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully launched its Minotaur IV space launch vehicle and placed a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) spacecraft into orbit at 9:46 a.m. EDT on July 15. The Minotaur IV was... Space Force’s stopgap polar communications system passes another milestone (C4ISRNET) The ground system that will control the Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization payloads had passed its delta critical design review. How the Army is approaching Joint All-Domain Command and Control (C4ISRNET) In an interview with C4ISRNET, the U.S. Army’s program executive officer for intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors talks about how to ensure soldiers can detect, recognize and identify the enemy. Third Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Satellite Now Climbing To Orbit On Its Own Power (Media - Lockheed Martin) After a successful launch this afternoon, the third Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-built GPS III satellite is now headed to orbit under its own propulsion. The satellite has separated from its rocket... Lack of atomic clocks could hamper OneWeb's sat-nav plans (The Telegraph) Reliable atomic clocks are central to satellite navigation systems Opinion | The right tool to go to the moon (POLITICO) Lockheed's Orion mission director, a former astronaut, contends talk of using SpaceX's Dragon capsule to get to the moon is just talk. How new Houston-made satellites mimic chameleons in space (Houston Chronicle) Like the versatile reptile, Hypergiant’s Chameleon Constellation of satellites could be quickly updated and reconfigured while in orbit. Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems (Real Clear Defense) While most countries struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the civil wars in Syria and Libya have become battlegrounds for foreign states backing different local sides. A Bird? A Plane? No, It’s a Google Balloon Beaming the Internet (New York Times) A commercial deal in Kenya marks the first application of balloon-powered internet in Africa, the region with the lowest percentage of internet users globally. The Space Review CSI: Rocket Science (Space Review) Every rocket project in history has run into problems. How an engineering team responds to failures, and even plans them, is almost more important than the failures themselves. LTG Fogarty Stresses Command-Centric NetOps (SIGNAL Magazine) Protecting critical data is paramount to the Army’s vision for command-centric network operations. Air Force wants to expand training for cyber teams (C4ISRNET) The Air Force has selected an Air National Guard base to be the center for training its defensive cyber teams. COVID-19 is changing the Air Force’s cyber training (C4ISRNET) The Air Force has postponed much of its internal network cyber training at the expense of cyber mission force personnel to avoid readiness issues. How Army network modernization efforts ensure equipment works with allies (C4ISRNET) The Army continuously tests network gear at exercises with allied partners across the globe. Saddle up for a ride through the cosmos, partner — Space Force has horses (Military Times) Horses? Where we’re going, we don’t need horses. Design and Innovation Virgin Galactic gives first glimpse inside SpaceShipTwo (The Telegraph) The space travel company has hundreds of customers signed up to be among the world's first space tourists Raytheon to design weather satellite prototype for US Space Force (C4ISRNET) The new electro-optical/infrared satellite is intended to replace the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. Hypergiant is building a reprogrammable satellite constellation with the Air Force (C4ISRNET) The company is hopeful that it's 36 satellite Chameleon Constellation will be used as a low Earth orbit test range for the U.S. Space Force. The Subtle Art of 'Hacking' UFOs (Vice) The UFO community might be looking for aliens, but with projects like Sky Hub, their work could yield technological breakthroughs even if they don't find any. Pentagon AI team sets sights on information warfare (C4ISRNET) The JAIC's newest mission area is joint information warfare. The unlikely way to improve Air Force information warfare: forums (C4ISRNET) One way the Air Force’s new information warfare command is trying to bring together the disparate parts of the organization is through forums where leaders put representatives from different components in the same room. Army 3-star general vows to ‘hunt down’ internet trolls in hilarious video (Task & Purpose) Simply amazing. How new prototyping dollars will help Army network modernization (C4ISRNET) The new funds will prevent emerging technology projects from falling into the US and British armies eye technology collaboration (Defense News) Government officials have signed an agreement that could lead to the joint modernization of the British and U.S. armies in key technology areas. Air Force trusted computing experts eye potential $950 million project for cyber enabling technologies (Military & Aerospace Electronics) The ACT 3 program will emphasize enabling technologies for prototype technologies for operational environments, and ways to buy limited quantities. Navy cyber security experts say they plan to deploy shipboard cyber defenses aboard 180 ships by next year (Military & Aerospace Electronics) Delivering cyber baselines enables Navy experts to identify capability risks during a ship’s availability or scheduled modernization. Stepping up cyber protections for networks on Navy ships (Federal News Network) The Navy is seeking help from industry to improve the cybersecurity of ship-board networks. Four companies will square off to win money to build Skyborg drone prototypes (Defense News) Not all the companies that won Skyborg contracts are assured to score orders to build prototypes. L3Harris developing a constellation of small spy satellites for U.S. Air Force (Intelligent Aerospace) The classified “responsive space” program moved from contract to deployment in two years, Sandra Erwin reports for SpaceNews.com. Three companies studying “Orbital Outpost” space station concepts for Defense Department (SpaceNews) Three companies have received study contracts from a Defense Department agency regarding concepts for small, uncrewed space stations in low Earth orbit. Research and Development NASA Just Launched Its New Perseverance Rover to Mars (Wired) The new rover is its biggest, most autonomous yet and may lead us to the first signs of ancient life on the Red Planet. China launches ambitious attempt to land rover on Mars (AP NEWS) China launched its most ambitious Mars mission yet on Thursday in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet. Engines... China’s first mission to Mars (Nature Astronomy) As the Tianwen-1 spacecraft is scheduled for launch in late July or early August, the mission chief scientist and his team provide an overview focusing on the scientific objectives and instrumentation of China’s first Mars mission. UAE attempts to become fifth ever nation to reach Mars (The Telegraph) This week's launch to the Red Planet aims to gather new insights into its changing weather patterns NGA looking to academia and industry to boost research efforts (C4ISRNET) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency wants industry researchers and academia to offer new research and development concepts through its new Broad Agency Announcement. Academia SES partners with University of Luxembourg for satellite-terrestrial networks (SatellitePro ME) Titled INSTRUCT, the research initiative is funded by the Industrial Partnership Block Grant (IPBG) programme. UCCS now a founding member of the Space ISAC (UCCS Communique) UCCS joins organizations including Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton and Northrop Grumman in facilitating collaboration across the global space industry. Legislation, Policy, and Regulation STRATCOM Boss: U.S. Must Rethink Deterrence Given Russian, Chinese Capabilities (Air Force Magazine) Given Russia’s vast improvements to its defense posture and the fact that China is on a track to become a strategic peer to the United States, the Defense Department needs to rethink its deterrence strategy, U.S. Strategic Command boss Adm. Charles A. “Chas” Richard said. Report calls on US government to develop ‘North Star’ vision for space (C4ISRNET) More than 120 space specialists, including representatives from the Pentagon, are calling on the United States to develop and promote a “North Star” approach for industrial development to maintain American leadership in space. U.S., Russia Hold Talks on Space Security (Wall Street Journal) The first U.S.-Russia space-security talks since 2013 had the two countries at odds over the goals. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace vows to counter space threat from Russia and China (Politics Home) Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has vowed to counter threats in space from Russia and China. With Cold War Language, Pompeo Defines Trump’s Plan for ‘Totalitarian’ China (Defense One) In the fourth major China policy speech by administration leaders in the past month, Pompeo says the US can’t go back to the era of engagement. Can China’s Military Win the Tech War? (Foreign Affairs) How the United States Should—and Should Not—Counter Beijing’s Civil-Military Fusion What a Shift in Britain's Foreign Policy Means for the US (Defense One) Britain seems to be rejoining the fray, thinking strategically again. Milley Assigns Service Roles In All-Domain Ops Concept (Breaking Defense) The Air Force will lead work on the concept for command & control, the Navy will lead joint fires, and the Army has logistics. Where do Space Force and Space Command fit into the Pentagon’s cyber plans? (C4ISRNET) Space Force is looking to transition Air Force cyber operators to its ranks within the next year, however, those forces will not be part of the joint U.S. Cyber Command cyber mission force quite yet. The US needs to take action to deter near-peer rivals in space (C4ISRNET) The United States must resolve to make its space assets more resilient to interference or attack. America Really Does Have a Space Force. We Went Inside to See What It Does (Time) Less than eight months after its launch, Space Force is trying to justify its existence Raymond: Space Force Looking at Partnering More with the UK (Air Force Magazine) USSF is looking at future launches to bring on allied payloads or other ways to collaborate with the UK to strengthen international cooperation in space. Space Force Boss's Office Staffs Up (Air Force Magazine) Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper nominated multiple Airmen for promotions July 29 as they head to new leadership positions within the Space Force. Stovepipes in space: How the US can overcome bureaucracy to improve capabilities (Defense News) Space-based efforts are made less efficient and effective by the over-classification and compartmentation of both program and intelligence space information. Air Force moves to enact space acquisition reforms, despite hold up of legislative proposals (C4ISRNET) While a report outlining reforms to how the military buys space systems has been held up by the Office of Management and Budget, the Air Force is planning to move forward with changes that don't require legislative input. Under Senate’s Eye, NRO, NGA Stress Commercial Imagery Plans (Breaking Defense) "NGA expects unclassified space-based geospatial data to become ubiquitous and widely available," says NGA's David Gauthier. Inside the intelligence community’s new plan for commercial imagery (C4ISRNET) The National Reconnaissance Office plans to issue a number of commercial imagery contracts toward the end of this year. Here's how it's making that decision. Senate NDAA Mandates NRO To ‘Maximize’ Commercial Imagery Use (Breaking Defense) "This language from the SASC serves notice that they intend to keep a close eye on the NRO’s commercial remote sensing program," observed Keith Masback, a former senior defense and intelligence official. Inhofe moves to block FCC commissioner’s confirmation over Ligado fight (C4ISRNET) The move may not have much impact on how the Ligado situation plays out, however. Dozens of lawmakers are opposed to Ligado’s plan. Can they undo the FCC’s decision? (C4ISRNET) Will 32 Senators and 50 members of Congress be enough to block Ligado from moving forward? Ligado would be banned from DoD contracts under House plan (C4ISRNET) The House Armed Services Committee passed a ban on the Pentagon awarding contracts to firms that interfere with GPS signals. To be competitive in 5G, the US must play offense, not defense (C4ISRNET) The U.S. squabbling with itself only yields an uncontested “win” for China. Air Force information warfare command reaches critical milestone (C4ISRNET) Less than a year after being created, 16th Air Force reached its full operational capability this week. Marine Corps activates new battalion to fight in cyberspace (Camp Lejeune Globe) An impactful change to Marine Corps cyberspace and information technology modernization occurred June 4 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with the activation of 1st Network Battalion, which marked Michael Kratsios, White House CTO, named to top Pentagon tech job (Defense News) Kratsios comes from a Silicon Valley background. Space Force Gets Its First Delta Echelon as Air Force Turns Over More Units (Military.com) The U.S. Air Force has realigned some of its major space wings and transferred their missions to the Space Force. Space Force Announces Significant Reorganization (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force on July 24 significantly overhauled its command structure, inactivating wings and activating new commands known as deltas. Space Force motto goes above but not beyond (Military Times) Space Force released its official motto and logo. Space Force unveils delta logo and 'semper supra' motto (Fox News) The official motto "represents our role in establishing, maintaining and preserving U.S. freedom of operations in the space domain,” tweeted Space Force. Nominee to lead Space Command voices support for declassifying space (C4ISRNET) Lt. Gen. James Dickinson, the nominee to replace Gen. John Pentagon IT shop looks to boost security level on its remote collaboration platform (C4ISRNET) The Defense Department created a secure remote environment for unclassified work to support mass telework brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Now it may beef up cybersecurity for this technology. Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement Court threat to taxpayer rescue of satellite operator OneWeb (The Telegraph) OneWeb has warned the court that the dispute over operator's debts 'could very well scuttle' the takeover Iridium Publicly Threatens Lawsuit To Overturn FCC’s Ligado Vote (Breaking Defense) "I think there's some very compelling petitions for reconsideration before the FCC right now, so I'm hoping that they would hit the pause button," says Iridium's legal rep Robert McDowell. Esper announces leak investigation at Pentagon (Defense News) The secretary is launching a new push to address operational security concerns. Russia Arrests Space Agency Official, Accusing Him of Treason (New York Times) The detention of Ivan Safronov, a former journalist who had been working as an adviser at Roscosmos, took many by surprise. He was accused of passing secrets to an unnamed NATO country. NASA Still Struggling With Agency-Wide Cybersecurity Program (GovInfo Security) A recent Inspector General's report finds that NASA still struggles with implementing an agency-wide cybersecurity policy despite spending approximately $2.3

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