Signals & Space Monthly Briefing

December 2020

Prepared by the CyberWire (Tuesday, December 1, 2020) At a glance. Reusable launch vehicles, commercially flown crews. Mars roving and a round-trip to the lunar surface. Fostering innovation and acquisition. Space exercises. Space Force updates: priorities, organization, and projected operations. An attack surface as big as low earth orbit. Ave atque vale, Arecibo. Reusable launch vehicles, commercially flown crews. The almost ten-year hiatus in US launches of crewed spacecraft (a history summarized in a piece by WIRED) ended on November 15th when a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched a Crew Dragon capsule to deliver four astronauts to the International Space Station. Since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011, the US had depended on Russian launch vehicles and spacecraft for human spaceflight. SpaceX has continued to enjoy success in recovering and reusing its Falcon boosters, an operation that has, for the company, become routine. Space.com observed that the November 24th launch of sixty Starlink satellites marked not only the seventh use of a launch vehicle, but the hundredth time SpaceX has recovered a booster for further reuse. An op-ed in the New York Post calls the Crew Dragon mission the opening of a new phase of the space age: the "sustainable age," in which space operations are conducted not principally for reasons of domestic politics or international competition, but because those operations return economic value. And SpaceX is no longer the only commercial player in that sustainable age. Four days after the successful Crew Dragon flight and the recovery of its Falcon 9, SpaceX's smaller competitor Rocket Lab put thirty small satellites into orbit from facilities in New Zealand and recovered its reusable Electron launch vehicle. UPI notes that Rocket Lab is now the second company to fly and recover a reusable booster. Mars roving and a round-trip to the lunar surface. China's Chang'e 5 lunar mission is expected to reach the moon's surface on December 1st, Ars Technica reports. The craft, launched on November 23rd from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site aboard a Long March 5 rocket, entered lunar orbit on November 28th.The uncrewed mission will collect samples from the surface and return them to earth, the first such return since the last Apollo lunar mission. NASA's own robotic exploration of Mars continues. The Curiosity rover has been returning high-quality pictures (including what Space.com calls "a stunning selfie" from the Mary Anning location). Curiosity will be joined on Mars by the Perseverance rover, scheduled to arrive at the Jezero Crater on February 18th, 2021. Fostering innovation to keep systems up to the state-of-the art. A new US Congress and Administration are inbound, but existing efforts to find ways of streamlining Federal acquisition can be expected to continue into 2021. Such efforts seem destined to become increasingly international. This month a joint US-UK International Space Pitch Day selected ten winners of small but significant seed contracts intended to foster innovation. The winning companies, C4ISRNet reports, included winners from four countries: one from India (114 AI Innovations Limited), one from Australia (Clearbox Systems), three from the UK (Clutch Space Systems, Riskaware Limited and Telespazio Vega UK, and Spire Global UK), and five from the US (Cognitive Space, precursor SPC, Rocket Communications, Slingshot Aerospace, and Swim.ai). Space Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for an anti-jamming satellite prototype in the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program. C4ISRNet says the contract, worth $258 million, was announced on November 8th. Boeing and Northrop Grumman had earlier been given ESSC prototyping contracts. C4ISRNet reports that the Space Development Agency aims to shake up acquisition in ways that will overcome the notoriously difficult and requirements-bound processes familiar in other, historical Defense acquisition programs. How successful it will be remains of course to be seen, but the Space Development Agency at least presents itself as making as much of a fresh start as law, policy, and agency equities are likely to permit. Air Force Magazine says that plans now call for Space Systems Command, Space Force's analogue of Air Force Materiel Command, to stand up early in the summer of 2021. The Space Enterprise Consortium, inherited from the Air Force, is expected to serve as a focus of Space Force rapid prototyping efforts. Space exercises. On November 3rd and 4th US Space Force for the first time led the Schriever Wargame, Colorado Springs Military News Group and UPI report. The fourteenth Schriever Wargame saw participation from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the UK and the US. Its focus was on "strategic messaging in the space domain." Such allied participation is not expected to be exceptional. US Space Command head General James Dickinson sees allied participation in exercises, operations, and staffs as a permanent feature of SPACECOM's way of doing business. Space Force's role in leading the exercise marks another milestone in the maturation of the young Service. An essay in War on the Rocks argues that such exercises should play a central role in shaping and clarifying Space Force missions, doctrine, and organization. Space Force updates: priorities, organization, and projected operations. Space Force may be the youngest Service, but consensus among Defense experts is that it can be expected to hold its own and continue to develop under the next US Administration. It may not receive the level of Presidential attention it's enjoyed during its first years, but it is thought likely that Space Force will be permitted to follow the path forward it's marked out so far. The Chief of Space Operations has issued planning guidance that outlines the lines that development is to follow. General James defined five priorities that will shape Space Force's organization, going forward: "Empower a Lean and Agile Service" "Develop Joint Warfighters in World Class Teams" "Deliver New Capabilities at Operationally Relevant Speeds" "Expand Cooperation to Enhance Prosperity and Security" "Create a Digital Service to Accelerate Innovation" In sum, however, General James says "the ultimate measure of our readiness is the ability to prevail should war initiate in, or extend to space." Two Air Force units, the Space Analysis Squadron and the Counter-Space Analysis Squadron, are moving to Space Force where they'll form the nucleus of a new National Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Air Force Magazine reports. Two developments reveal, albeit through a glass and darkly, some of the more exotic missions Space Force will be charged with. One is the recurring discussion of cislunar space as a new military frontier, "moon patrols," as Space News rather melodramatically characterizes the projected mission. The other has more immediate effect: Space Delta 9, responsible for "orbital warfare," is now operating the Air Force's X-37B space plane, Military.com reports. An attack surface as big as low earth orbit. SpaceX has continued to add satellites to its Starlink constellation, and PCMAG, for one, gives the service, now in beta, high marks. Early users in rural Montana and Idaho report reliable delivery of high-bandwidth Internet access that's made things urban users have long been accustomed to, like streaming movies and television, realistically possible for the first time.  The users report occasional outages (normally less than ten seconds) and brief periods where 170Mbps download speed drops to 20 Mbps, but these don't appear to have affected their enthusiasm for the new service. Those imperfections are generally put down to the limited number of satellites in the constellation ("only" about 800), and Starlink is expected to outgrow such imperfections as it scales up to its designed size, And it's affordable, too, at least compared to the DSL people were bucketing along with. Space.com writes that beta users pay $499 for Starlink ground equipment and $99 per month for the service. Military networks are also growing more interoperable and mutually dependent. The Services have evolved disparate data standards, and C4ISRNet observes that there's a general recognition that incompatibilities among them constitute an obstacle to the sorts of joint, multi-domain operations the Department of Defense envisions for the future. The US Army's Project Rainmaker affords a representative example. Breaking Defense reports that the Service's C5ISR Center is working to develop a "foundational data fabric" that would link joint networks of otherwise incompatible systems. The goal in principle is to connect every sensor with every shooter, whether those sensors and shooters are space-based or terrestrial. Thus cyberspace is clearly entangled with (outer) space. This brings together two domains whose respective legal and policy regimes may prove difficult to reconcile. That space-borne systems increasingly require protection from cyberattack is clear. Space Policy Directive-5, released on September 4th of this year, outlines five principles of "Cybersecurity for Space Systems:" "Space systems and their supporting infrastructure, including software, should be developed and operated using risk-based, cybersecurity-informed engineering.... Space system configurations should be resourced and actively managed to achieve and maintain an effective and resilient cyber survivability posture throughout the space system lifecycle." "Space system owners and operators should develop and implement cybersecurity plans for their space systems that incorporate capabilities to ensure operators or automated control center systems can retain or recover positive control of space vehicles. These plans should also ensure the ability to verify the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical functions and the missions, services, and data they enable and provide." 'Implementation of these principles, through rules, regulations, and guidance, should enhance space system cybersecurity, including through the consideration and adoption, where appropriate, of cybersecurity best practices and norms of behavior." "Space system owners and operators should collaborate to promote the development of best practices, to the extent permitted by applicable law" "Security measures should be designed to be effective while permitting space system owners and operators to manage appropriate risk tolerances and minimize undue burden, consistent with specific mission requirements, United States national security and national critical functions, space vehicle size, mission duration, maneuverability, and any applicable orbital regimes." How such protection might be achieved under current US cyber doctrine is less clear, an essay in Lawfare argues. US Cyber Command has been working to "defend forward" through the "persistent engagement" of adversaries. Such persistent engagement involves not simply defending friendly networks and systems, but actively working to disrupt and degrade adversaries' capabilities. That doctrine may be difficult to apply in the context of international space law, which generally prohibits interference with other nation's space systems. Some observers comment that SPD-5 will shift system development from stressing on time-to-market toward a new emphasis on security. In any case, at one level that emphasis is now a requirement: beginning December 1st, Breaking Defense reminds us, future Defense systems will be required to meet more rigorous standards of cybersecurity. Ave atque vale, Arecibo. An icon of the space age and one of the biggest and most recognizable ground stations in the world, the Arecibo radio telescope, has come to the end of its life. A series of failures in supporting cables proved impossible to fix, Space.com reports, and the National Science Foundation announced on November 19th that Arecibo will be decommissioned. Hail and farewell, Arecibo: you'll be missed. As if 2020 needed any other anxieties and agita, here's another one: some scientists, Space.com adds, are warning that the loss of Arecibo has reduced our planetary defense capabilities. The observatory had been good at tracking asteroids. [1844]   Today's edition of the CyberWire reports events affecting Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Selected Reading Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities (2) Trends (2) Marketplace (11) Products, Services, and Solutions (24) Technologies, Techniques, and Standards (32) Design and Innovation (10) Research and Development (12) Legislation, Policy, and Regulation (46) Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement (1) Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities Planned satellite constellation poses a collision threat, NASA says: reports (Space.com) AST & Science's planned SpaceMobile network could threaten the "A-Train" group of Earth-observing satellites, according to NASA. WarGames for real: How one 1983 exercise nearly triggered WWIII (Ars Technica) From the archives: Say hello to the KGB software model that forecasted mushroom clouds. Trends Why the SpaceX 'ferry' just truly launched a new Space Age (New York Post) This week, while Americans on the ground saw the ­embarrassment of lost counts and found ballots, a part of America that works was making history: SpaceX and NASA launched four astronauts into orbi... Cyber's uncertain future: These radical technologies and negative trends must be overcome (C4ISRNET) The fate of the world may literally hinge on which states develop and appropriately introduce the radical technologies that are likely to disrupt cyberspace and the world. What are they, and what disruption do they pose? Marketplace UK government pays $500 million for stake in space startup OneWeb (Computing) OneWeb's emergence from bankruptcy means buyout by the UK government and Bharti Global can go ahead. 10 winners chosen in International Space Pitch Day (C4ISRNET) This is the first time the U.S. Air Force has partnered with an ally for a pitch day since the service launched the concept in March 2019. US Space Force awards third contract for anti-jamming SATCOM prototypes (C4ISRNET) Three companies will build prototypes for the Evolved Strategic SATCOM program, a new constellation of anti-jamming, protected satellites. Space insurers hoping to break even after recent losses (SpaceNews) After two consecutive years of losses, the space insurance industry is hoping to break even this year while seeking continued increases in premiums. Stock Picks, Stock Market Investing (SeekingAlpha) Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX) inks agreement to acquire privately held Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), a provider of small satellites and spacecraft systems components. Airbus Wants To Sell Space Services To U.S. Spy Agencies. That Raises Some Questions. (Forbes) Airbus will have to overcome hurdles to work with the National Reconnaissance Office. Major defense contractor hiring hundreds in Denver metro area, Colorado Springs (Denver Business Journal) The defense contractor seeks candidates for its space, nuclear ground systems and missile defense projects. Small rocket company Rocket Lab aims for orbital reusability (UPI) Small launch company Rocket Lab has a big agenda for the end of 2020, including plans for its first liftoff from U.S. soil and its first attempt to recover a first-stage booster after launch. Northrop Grumman Awarded Additional Cargo Resupply Missions to the International Space Station (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded two additional missions by NASA under the Commercial Resupply Services contract-2 (CRS-2) with launches occurring in 2023. Northrop Grumman will deliver a combined... QinetiQ wins UK Dstl award to develop Optical Ground Station (Air Force Technology) QinetiQ has received a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to construct a relocatable Optical Ground Station (OGS). Mercury Named One of the Top Places to Work for 2020 by The Boston Globe (GlobeNewswire) Achieves #12 ranking among large Massachusetts-based companies Products, Services, and Solutions SpaceX launches advanced ocean-mapping satellite for NASA and Europe, nails rocket landing (Space.com) The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will map Earth's rising sea levels. SpaceX rocket launches for record 7th time, nails landing at sea in 100th Falcon 9 mission (Space.com) SpaceX keeps setting reuse records. SpaceX Is Ready to Launch Its First Official Crewed Mission (Wired) Saturday's SpaceX launch will mark the return of regular crewed launches in the US after nearly a decade hiatus. NASA certifies SpaceX's Crew Dragon for astronaut flights, gives 'go' for Nov. 14 launch (Space.com) SpaceX's next astronaut flight for NASA is "go" for launch this weekend. The company has been certified for regular flights to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX Crew Dragon launches 4 astronauts to space station in 1st operational flight for NASA (Space.com) SpaceX has officially begun space taxi missions for NASA. SpaceX opens Starlink satellite internet to public beta testers: report (Space.com) Testers will pay $499 for the Starlink ground equipment, then $99 per month for service. From Painfully Slow to Lightning Fast: SpaceX's Starlink Makes Rural Internet Usable (PCMAG) Rural Americans have long dealt with slow internet. But in interviews, SpaceX Starlink beta testers in Montana, Idaho, and elsewhere report speedy service that has transformed the way they use the web. Rocket Lab on road to reusability after successful booster recovery (Space.com) And CEO Peter Beck still plans to eat his hat, as promised. Rocket Lab launches satellites, recovers booster in 'Return to Sender' mission (UPI) California-based Rocket Lab successfully launched more than two dozen small satellites into space on Thursday night from New Zealand and became just the second company to land a first-stage booster for reuse. Virgin Galactic delays SpaceShipTwo test launch due to COVID restrictions (Space.com) A new target date will be announced soon. Northrop Grumman Rocket Boosters Help Successfully Launch United Launch Alliance's Atlas V (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Three of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) 63-inch-diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM 63) rocket boosters were used for the first time today to help successfully launch and deploy the National Reconnaissance Office... Curtiss-Wright and Concurrent Real-Time Team to Bring RedHawk Linux to the Ultra-Small Parvus DuraCOR 312 Mission Computer (Aviation Pros) Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solutions division, a proven leading supplier of ultra-small form factor (USFF) mission computing and networking solutions, announced the validation of Concurrent Real-Time's RedHawk Linux real-time operating system (RTOS) for use on the Parvus DuraCOR 312, a powerful and highly modular USFF mission computer. The next astronauts to ride a SpaceX rocket arrive at Florida launch site (Space.com) NASA's Crew-1 team is ready to fly. Northrop Grumman validates OMS-compliant AESA sensor (Air Force Technology) Northrop Grumman has announced the successful validation of an open mission systems (OMS) compliant active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor. SpaceX just test fired the Falcon 9 rocket for its astronaut launch for NASA (Space.com) SpaceX fired up the Falcon 9 rocket that will launch its next astronaut mission for NASA on Wednesday (Nov. 11), setting the stage for a Nov. 14 liftoff. Boeing and Clearbox to develop satellite communications system | Australian Manufacturing Forum (Australian Manufacturing Forum) Boeing Defence Australia and Sydney technology company Clearbox Systems will collaborate to develop a next generation satellite communication (SATCOM) system for the defence department project known as Joint Project 9102. JP9102 aims to deliver a system which will enable the joint command and control of deployed Joint Task Forces beyond the range and capacity of... L-com Debuts New 10 Gig, Cat6a/7 PoE Midspan Injectors (PR Newswire) L-com, an Infinite Electronics brand, and a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that they have... L-com Introduces New Triple-Speed Ethernet Switches with SFP Ports and 802.3at Support (Yahoo) L-com, an Infinite Electronics brand and a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has introduced a new series of PoE+ 802.3at-compliant Industrial Ethernet switches with 10/100, 10/100/1000 RJ45 ports and 1000FX SFP ports to address harsh environment networking applications. Northrop Grumman Enhances Alliance Security with Delivery of Fifth NATO RQ-4D Phoenix (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully ferried the fifth NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft, via a non-stop transatlantic flight. The aircraft departed on Wednesday, Nov.... SpaceX's Starship SN8 prototype fires engines for 3rd time, encounters problem (Space.com) But SN8 is still standing. Northrop Grumman Supports Successful Flight Test for US Missile Defense Agency (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) The Missile Defense Agency successfully intercepted a Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) built Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target that was launched during a flight test from the Reagan Test Site in... Palantir Enters Mission Command Space With US Army Futures Command Prototype (Odessa American) Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR) announced today it was chosen by the US Army to receive one of two prototype contracts for the Common Data Fabric and Data Security solution to support network design experimentation for the Army's next network modernization set of technology, termed Capability Set 23. Army, Northrop Grumman deploy enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station capabilities (Homeland Preparedness News) Army and Northrop Grumman personnel said the recent deployment of enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capabilities in South Korea enables early warning of missile attacks and other events. "This is a tremendous milestone in our decades-long mission of delivering ... Read More » Orolia begins selling M-Code-capable GPS receivers (C4ISRNET) GPS III satellites are capable of broadcasting the M-Code signal, but the U.S. military needs an M-Code-capable ground system and receivers to get the new signal into the hands of troops. Technologies, Techniques, and Standards Space Force can ramp up protection of space architecture as launches hit light speed (Washington Examiner) The rapid pace of rocket launches from the eastern range is more than just a commercial space boon. STARCOM: Training Troops To Fight Space Wars, Boldly (Breaking Defense) "We've decided that the topic is important enough and unique enough that we need a group of people who understand it down to its most fundamental levels." Schriever Wargame: Critical Space Event Concludes (Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group) For the first time, the U.S. Space Force has led Schriever Wargame, a two-day critical, in-depth space training event with more than 200 attendees from eight countries. Schriever Wargame is designed to explore critical space issues to include investigating military... Continue Reading Schriever Wargame: Critical Space Event Concludes More Space Wargames, Please (War on the Rocks) How would the United States respond if China or another adversary launched a missile against a vital communications satellite? Is that a clear red line Joint Staff developing service-wide campaign plan for multidomain operations (C4ISRNET) A 60-page campaign document in the works could help coordinate the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control development across the services. EMS Not its Own Domain of Warfare, Strategy Implementer Says (Air Force Magazine) The Electromagnetic Spectrum isn't yet considered a full domain of warfare, but an aspect of every other domain, said Air Force Brig. Gen. Darrin P. Leleux. US Air Force to reorganize network, security groups under single entity (C4ISRNET) The 688th Cyberspace Wing is combining three of its groups to create a network and security operations center. US Army working on new electromagnetic deception tool (C4ISRNET) The Army is prototyping a new deception tool its calling the Modular Electromagnetic Spectrum Deception Suite, or MEDS. HALO space habitat module passes preliminary design review (New Atlas) Northrop Grumman has announced that its Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module has passed its preliminary design review. The module, which forms a key element of NASA's Gateway deep space outpost, will act as a way station for future missions to the Moon and beyond. China rolls out Long March 5 rocket for Chang'e 5 moon sample-return mission launch (Space.com) Humanity hasn't returned samples from the moon since 1976. Northrop Grumman Completes Preliminary Design Review for NASA's Gateway Crew Module (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully completed its initial preliminary design review (PDR) event for the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO). The module will serve as living quarters for astronauts... Project Rainmaker: Army Weaves 'Data Fabric' To Link Joint Networks (Breaking Defense) The Pentagon's grand plans for Joint All Domain Command & Control require translating masses of data across incompatible systems. "Unless you get the underpinnings of a foundational data fabric," Maj. Gen. Peter Gallagher told me, "it will never happen." US Air Force prepares for its first information warfare exercise (C4ISRNET) The Air Force is planning to host its first information warfare-focused exercise at a new training range. Missile Defense Agency completes unprecedented homeland defense test (PR Newswire) As part of a historic Missile Defense Agency demonstration and for the first time ever, an intercontinental ballistic missile target was... National Reconnaissance Office launches new intelligence satellite (C4ISRNET) NROL-101 was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with help from the Space Force. Atlas V rocket launches NROL-101 spy satellite to orbit (Space.com) United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully sent an Atlas V rocket into space today (Nov. 13), following a series of delays due to hardware issues and poor weather conditions at the launch site. Keeping classified geospatial analysis on track during the pandemic (GCN) To continue developing artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to process geospatial data, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency found innovative ways to fill workflow gaps created by the pandemic. India's space agency breaks dry spell with its 1st rocket launch of 2020 (Space.com) After nearly 11 months without a rocket launch, ISRO is back in action. The space agency successfully launched 10 satellites to orbit Saturday (Nov. 7), including a new Earth observation satellite and nine smaller payloads. US Space Force launches fourth GPS III satellite (C4ISRNET) The satellite was launched into orbit using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. NASA gets back in contact with Voyager 2 after seven months offline (Computing) The 42-year-old spacecraft is currently in deep space but still beaming back data to Earth The International Space Station can't last forever. Here's how it will eventually die by fire. (Space.com) It took 42 launches to get the International Space Station up. What will it take to get it down? Space Force Has A Unit Dedicated To Orbital Warfare That Now Operates The X-37B Spaceplane (The Drive) Space Delta 9 is charged with not only keeping watch for potential threats in space, but being ready to defeat them, if necessary. The Space Force Is Now in Charge of the Secret X-37B Space Plane (Military.com) The Space Force created a unit dedicated solely to orbital warfare -- and it includes the secret X-37B space plane. Moon patrols could be a future reality for Space Force (SpaceNews) U.S. military space activities today are confined to Earth orbit. As NASA begins to establish a permanent presence at the moon and works with the private sector to develop a cislunar economy, the military foresees playing a role protecting those interests if they were challenged by a foreign power. Space Force leads first training exercise since its inception (UPI) The U.S. Space Force led Schriever Wargame, a two-day space training event attended by 200 people from eight countries, which concluded last week. SpaceX's Starship may help clean up space junk (Space.com) Orbital cleanup could be among Starship's many tasks. Pentagon plans to open a school focused entirely on beating drones (Stars and Stripes) The Pentagon wants to open a new school in the coming years specifically to teach troops to spot and kill small enemy drones, as the military seeks a uniform approach to defeating the small, unmanned aircraft, which officials have labeled a growing battlefield threat. NGA adds small satellite imagery to its unclassified collection (C4ISRNET) The agency is adding Planet Federal and BlackSky data to its Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery system, a portal that provides access to map-ready, unclassified imagery to the federal government and 55 foreign partners. China launches 13 satellites on a single Long March 6 rocket (Space.com) China launched a Long March 6 rocket early Friday (Nov. 6), successfully sending 13 satellites into orbit. Data standards pose a sneaky obstacle to joint war fighting (C4ISRNET) Data underpins the Pentagon's CJADC2 concept, but experts say cultural barriers stand in the way of the services sharing their data. Adm. Trussler: Information Warfare 'All About Speed for Advantage' (Seapower) ARLINGTON, Va. —The admiral who sponsors the resources for the U.S. Navy's information warfare operations said the modern warfare environment is increasingly governed by the speed of information and its effects on decision-making. "It is all about speed for advantage,"... When information moves fast, who has time to make a decision? (C4ISRNET) Battlefield advantages today may be fleeting, necessitating faster decisions and action. Design and Innovation Space Force, AFRL To Demo Mobile Lunar Spy Sat (Breaking Defense) The highly mobile D2S2 satellite will carry a 20cm camera to test the sensor performance needed for lunar imaging. Could an on-orbit gas station extend the lives of military satellites? (C4ISRNET) A new space-based fuel depot built by Orbit Fab could provide a unique refueling opportunity for future military satellites. Pentagon innovates new weapons to 'fight through' next-gen cyberattacks (Fox News) The flight trajectory of ICBMs, targeting accuracy of an Abrams tank 120mm cannon, sharing of enemy location intelligence in real-time or the decreasing of critical sensor-to-shooter times for small arms, missile attacks, bomber strikes and other weapons systems ... increasingly rely ... on computer systems. US Army Wants Data Analytics to Spot 'Emerging Tech Leaders' (Defense One) The Army plans to issue a call later this month through its Small Business Innovation Research program. Let Your Robots Off The Leash – Or Lose: AI Experts (Breaking Defense) In DARPA-Army experiments, soldiers tried to micromanage their drones and ground robots, slowing their reaction times and restricting their tactics. Can AIs earn troops' trust? The Plan to Turn Scrapped Rockets Into Space Stations (Wired) Spent rockets are dangerous space trash, but they could be the future of living and working in orbit. Here's how the Pentagon will test industry's counter-drone tech for an enduring capability (Defense News) The Army is moving forward to find an enduring collection of tools to defeat small unmanned systems that can be used across the services. Pentagon's artificial intelligence hub shifts its approach to now 'seek out problems' (C4ISRNET) The Defense Department wants to ensure it's delivering tools that war fighters will actually use. That requires strong relationships across the globe. Silent Sentinel selected in US Air Force Challenge (Intelligent Aerospace) Team PSSAP competed in the 'Base Security and Defense' challenge, looking to demonstrate comprehensive and affordable perimeter security and actionable intelligence. Innovation at DoD (Federal News Network) Enrique Oti, chief technology officer for Second Front Systems, discusses innovation in the federal government with a focus on national security. Research and Development China's Chang'e 5 enters lunar orbit for historic attempt to return moon samples (Space.com) China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft has entered orbit around the moon ahead of an historic attempt to collect samples from the moon and return to Earth. China's Chang'e 5 poised for historic moon landing to collect lunar samples (Space.com) China has reached another milestone in its quest to bring home moon rocks, separating the Chang'e 5 mission hardware into two pairs of spacecraft in preparation for landing. China launches historic Chang'e 5 mission to collect the first moon samples since 1976 (Space.com) It's been 44 years since humanity last brought lunar samples home. Arecibo radio telescope, an icon of astronomy, is lost (Space.com) Arecibo Telescope's illustrious scientific career is over. Arecibo observatory supporters ask White House to help save damaged radio telescope (Space.com) "This might seem like a disaster, but I think we can transform it into an opportunity to make the Arecibo Observatory a better institution," one of the movement's organizers said. NASA's Curiosity rover snaps stunning selfie on Mars (photo) (Space.com) Photos of robots working on other planets never get old. NASA's next Mars rover will land in less than 100 days (Space.com) Perseverance's touchdown is just around the corner. Can the EmDrive actually work for space travel? (Space.com) Don't get your hopes up. US Air Force opens new space lab (C4ISRNET) The Deployable Structures Laboratory will research and develop high-strain composite materials for the U.S. Space Force. AFRL's Newest Lab Aims At Building Things In Space (Breaking Defense) One of the first projects the new DeSel lab will work on is testing structures for a futuristic capability that could be enabled by on-orbit assembly and manufacturing: space-based solar power. Astronomers detect millions of signals from an intelligent civilization: Us (Live Science) The universe seems like a lonely place. Fly over Jupiter in this stunning video from NASA's Juno spacecraft (Space.com) Using images from NASA's Juno spacecraft, a scientist has compiled a stunning virtual flyover of the solar system's behemoth, Jupiter. Legislation, Policy, and Regulation Space Cybersecurity in the Age of Defending Forward (Lawfare) A recent policy directive detailing the United States's cybersecurity principles for "space systems" raises important questions concerning U.S. legal obligations in space under international law. The US is Out of the Open Skies Treaty. What's Next? (Air Force Magazine) The United States is now officially out of the Open Skies Treaty, but questions remain about the road ahead. China lashes out at US withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty with Russia (Military Times) With the official withdrawal from the treaty, which allowed the U.S. and Russia overflight rights to inspect military facilities, only one arms-control pact is still in force between the former Cold War foes. Trump accepts US presidency transition to Biden must begin (BBC News) The president says a key federal agency should "do what needs to be done", but he vows to fight on. Biden begins choosing national security team (Defense News) President-elect Joe Biden is moving to fill out his national security team with a raft of appointments to top positions that signal his intent to repudiate the Trump administration's "America First" doctrine. Biden's choice for secretary of Defense still in flux (POLITICO) While Michèle Flournoy is a strong contender, people close to the president-elect say he's not entirely sold. U.S. space commander calls for deepening security ties with S. Korea in space field (Yonhap News Agency) By Oh Seok-min SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- The chief of the U.S. Space Operations Command... Britain announces its largest military investment since the Cold War (Washington Post) Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced Britain's biggest boost in military spending since the end of the Cold War, as the country looks to head off threats from China and Russia and exert "global influence" as a power separate from the European Union. As UK ramps up defense spending, Pentagon tells other allies to follow suit (Stars and Stripes) The U.K.'s $21.8 billion increase, doled out over four years, is the largest boost in defense spending since the end of the Cold War. UK to launch new Space Command (Janes.com) The United Kingdom is to set up a Space Command, with operations set to begin in 2021. Space traffic management bill clears Senate committee (SpaceNews) A Senate committee approved a bill Nov. 18 that gives the Commerce Department authority for civil space traffic management. Pentagon expected to increase Space Force funding in coming years (C4ISRNET) While the fiscal 2022 and 2023 budget requests haven't been finalized yet, the head of the Space and Missile Systems Center says they will include increased spending on space systems. National Space Intelligence Center Takes Shape (Air Force Magazine) Two squadrons in the National Air and Space Intelligence Center in Ohio will form the basis of a new National Space Intelligence Center. Space Force plans National Space Intelligence Center in Ohio (UPI) The Space Force is planning to form a National Space Intelligence Center in Ohio, a spokeswoman confirmed. Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions (Breaking Defense) "I don't think we're at the position to know both what the demand is, but also where industry is going, what's the viable way to consider other orbits if we were asked to do," says Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of SMC's Space Vehicles Directorate. "Revolutionary change" expected from new Indian space policy (SpaceNews) A draft policy on opening up India's space sector will bring transformational change, the chairman of the commercial arm of the Indian space agency said Nov. 10. Starting Dec. 1, Cybersecurity Is No Longer Optional (Breaking Defense) "This is the start of a new day in the Department of Defense where cybersecurity, as we've been saying for years is foundational for acquisitions, we're putting our money where our mouth is. We mean it," Katie Arrington says. Space Command Widens Embrace Of Allies (Breaking Defense) "We're looking internally to my headquarters, as well as here at Peterson, to bring some of our great allies and partners into our staff and into our operations and processes here at the Combatant Command level as well," said SPACECOM head Gen. James Dickinson. Securing the final frontier: Digital twins, satellites and cybersecurity (C4ISRNET) Cybersecurity in space systems has struggled to keep pace with the rapid evolution of threat actors and exploits. China Set To Beat US, Russia Again In Space Launch Race (Breaking Defense) China has launched 29 satellites through Sept. 30, compared 27 launched by the US. The US has far more satellites already in space. Space Systems Command to Stand Up Next Summer (Air Force Magazine) Military officials are in the home stretch of making decisions that will shape the Space Force's future Space Systems Command. US Space Force Likely to Survive in Biden Administration, Experts Say (Military.com) The development of the Space Force will likely face little opposition as it further defines its role within the Pentagon. Senate Weighs in on Space Force Transfers, Procurement (Air Force Magazine) The Senate Appropriations Committee's version of the fiscal 2021 defense spending bill looks to continue shaping the young Space Force. US Space Force chief lays out his priorities in new guidance (C4ISRNET) Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Gen. Raymond Targets Combat-Ready Space Force (Breaking Defense) "While we will extend and defend America's competitive advantage in peacetime, the ultimate measure of our readiness is the ability to prevail should war initiate in, or extend to space," the new Chief of Space Operations (CSO) Planning Guidance says. Gotta go fast: How America's Space Development Agency is shaking up acquisitions (C4ISRNET) The Space Development Agency was established to approach space differently than legacy organizations. How has it done so far? Space Force Plans for New Intel Hub, More Training (Air Force Magazine) New Space Force guidance directs the service to create a National Space Intelligence Center and other benchmarks. Can Space Force Be the First Military Branch Built for Women? (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force has a chance to make history as the only military branch built with women in mind from the start. Space Force Attracting Digitally Savvy Young People, Leader Says (U.S. Department of Defense) The Space Force is building out the service with the goals of not only defending U.S. and partner assets in space, but also developing capabilities that might be needed in the future, said its Space Force Vows to Defend the Final Frontier in New Recruiting Ad (Military.com) "Earth is only half the battle," the narrator says. Space Force Is About to Get Its First Astronaut (Military.com) A NASA astronaut will transfer into the U.S. Space Force later this month while onboard the International Space Station. Air Force Academy Looks to Become a Place for Space (Air Force Magazine) Colorado's U.S. Air Force Academy is expanding the opportunities available to students who are interested in joining the Space Force. Air Force, Space Force select 520 for chief master sergeant (Air Force Times) This is the first time the new Space Force has had its own chief master sergeant promotion selections. Space Force's Guardian Angels: The crack squad that keeps astronauts alive if things go wrong (Washington Examiner) CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — When Space Force's future first astronaut, U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Hopkins stepped onto the SpaceX capsule for Crew 1 liftoff Sunday, 21 of Space Force's "Guardian Angels" were at the ready to rescue him should he need to abort and splashdown anywhere on earth. Burt Tapped for Two Key Space Combat Jobs (Air Force Magazine) Maj. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt is slated to take on leadership roles in two key space combat organizations. Space Force No. 2 Returns to Work After COVID-19 Diagnosis (Air Force Magazine) Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David D. Thompson returned to work at the Pentagon on Nov. 9 after quarantining with COVID-19. US Space Force changes timeline for hiring a prototyping consortium manager (C4ISRNET) With the reloaded Space Enterprise Consortium, the Space and Missile Systems Center hopes to build on the success of the original consortium in fostering rapid prototyping of space systems. Colorado lawmakers set sights on future Space Command headquarters (Fox News) Colorado Springs would be an ideal location for future Space Command headquarters, say lawmakers in the Centennial State. Lawmakers want Arizona picked for Space Command headquarters (Durango Herald) Members of Arizona's congressional delegation are advocating for the state to be selected as the location of the permanent headquarters... Keep U.S. Space Command Where It Is (Forbes) Keep U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs and let us get on with building a stronger U.S. Space Command by not diverting resources to move the command for no good reason. Trump's Thanksgiving Day Message Includes Callout to Space Force (Military.com) Trump also made calls to service members in Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Marine Corps stands up space unit at Offutt Air Force Base (SpaceNews) The Marine Corps activated a new unit called Marine Corps Forces Space Command as a subordinate organization to U.S. Space Command. Marine Corps Forces Space Command is here (Marine Corps Times) MARFORSPACE will consist of space-focused Marines who were formally assigned to Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command. Esper fired as defense secretary (Defense News) Defense Secretary Mark Esper fell out of favor with President Donald Trump over a variety of issues. Christopher Miller Named Acting Defense Secretary (GovCon Wire) President Donald Trump has named Christopher Miller, director of the National Counterterrorism Cente Jim Bridenstine will step aside as NASA chief when President-elect Biden takes over: report (Space.com) Even if he's asked to stay on. Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement The Pentagon failed its audit again, but sees progress (Defense News) The Defense Department remains the only U.S. government agency that has yet to pass an audit.

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