Signals & Space Monthly Briefing

November 2021

Prepared by the CyberWire At a glance. Hypersonic strike: China demonstrates FOBS technology. Debris removal as a dual-use capability. Cybersecurity and space systems. Commercial launch demonstrations. Commercial space stations? Space Force and acquisition reform. Space Force notes. Hypersonic strike and (maybe) even a "Sputnik moment." On September 20th US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall took the occasion of his keynote address to the Air Force Association to warn that China might be developing a capability to deliver "global strikes from space." Subsequent questions revealed that he had in mind a fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS, to revive the Cold War acronym), and also that he disclaimed any specific knowledge of any particular Chinese system under development. Breaking Defense, in its coverage of the address, spoke to a number of outside experts who were uniformly skeptical of Secretary Kendall's warning. But it's turned out that the Secretary was right. Not only is China developing such systems, but it actually tested one, and back in August at that. The Washington Post and others reported that China has tested a hypersonic vehicle capable of performing as a fractional orbital bombardment system able to deliver nuclear weapons. The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark A. Milley, said last week in a Bloomberg interview that, "I don’t know if it’s quite a Sputnik moment, but I think it’s very close to that. It has all of our attention.” Some observers thought "Sputnik moment" overheated. An essay in Foreign Policycalls the tests "bad news, but not a significant breakthrough." A piece in World Policy Review argues that the phrase is likelier to darken counsel by inducing panicky reactions than it is to serve as a useful moment of clarity. It shows that China has developed some surprising technological prowess, and thereby improved its own deterrent position, but such back-and-forth is to be expected in great power competition. In fairness to General Milley, the Sputnik metaphor wasn't his own; he was reacting to statements by others who'd characterized it as such. A hypersonic FOBS is worrisome for a number of reasons. It presents a novel attack phenomenology, for one thing. It could, for example, deliver a weapon over the South Pole as opposed to the North Pole trajectories most US missile defense sensors have traditionally been deployed to detect. It would fly a flatter trajectory than a ballistic missile, would be significantly faster than other strategic threats, and, finally, would be maneuverable. All of these characteristics complicate the missile defense problem, and so the hypersonic threat is one to be taken seriously. An op-ed in TheHill asks, rhetorically, who should be in charge of the US response to this threat, and answers "Space Force." The author argues that the new Service should be tasked with developing and deploying a boost-phase detection and intercept system capable of stopping such weapons in the early stages of their flight. In-orbit conflict, and debris removal as a dual-use capability. Breaking Defense reviews ways in which China, Russia, and the US are working to hold one another's satellites at risk, and to defend their own against the competition's efforts. The work involves improved ways of tracking, monitoring, and approaching satellites. All three of the leading space powers are working, to varying extents, on all three. Some of those capabilities are inherently dual-use. Space debris has become a growing concern insofar as clutter not only promises to make human spaceflight marginally more dangerous, but to put orbital systems generally at risk. A number of programs are in progress to develop a capability to capture and deorbit debris. Those technologies, of course, are inherently dual-use. Any ability to maneuver alongside an object in orbit and capture it could be used against an adversary's satellites as easily as it could be used against unwanted junk. Space.com reports that on October 23rd a Long March 3b put a developmental debris-removal satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite's mission is to test "space debris mitigation technology." The UK is also looking into orbital debris removal: Via Satellite reports that Astroscale has been selected to lead this British development and demonstration mission. As low earth orbit grows increasingly crowded, debris and satellite deconfliction aren't the only problems. WIRED writes that new constellations comprising large numbers of small satellites are already producing enough light pollution to have an effect on astronomy. Space.com also discusses the problem, and sees "no easy fix." Cybersecurity and space systems. Threats to space systems are as likely to be cyber as they are kinetic, and governments increasingly recognize this. Space News reports that the US National Reconnaissance Office, as it moves  toward increased use of commercial imagery, has established cybersecurity standards providers must meet if they wish to do business with the NRO. (For an industry perspective on cybersecurity for space systems, see this overview of the challenges and recommendations for appropriate response recently published by Booz Allen Hamilton.) Space systems are generally recognized as making essential contributions to a range of critical infrastructures, and US policies designed to improve the security and resilience of such infrastructures in the face of continuous, pervasive, and growing cyber threats will have their effect on the space sector as well. US National Cyber Director Chris Inglis told Via Satellite that he hoped effective information sharing and measures designed to avoid mutual interference among the sixteen critical infrastructure sectors would serve the best interests of space operations. Commercial launch demonstrations. This month's high-profile commercial space travel demonstration came courtesy of Blue Origin, whose New Shepard carried a crew of four civilian passengers on a suborbital round trip from Texas to the Karman Line and back. The October 13th flight carried William Shatner, the actor who created the role of Captain Kirk in Star Trek, and who became, at the age of 90, the oldest person to fly into space. Mr. Shatner described himself, Space.com writes, as being "moved to tears" by the experience. Blue Origin received congratulations on its flight from the founder of its competitor SpaceX: Business Insider reports that Elon Musk told Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos that sending Mr. Shatner up and returning him safely to Texas was "cool." SpaceX plans its next crewed orbital flight, originally scheduled to go up on Halloween, for this month. The company also begun ground tests of its Tintinesque Starship Super Heavy, the vehicle it sees as its "Gateway to Mars." Other competitors are working on their technology. Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic thinks it will resume crewed flights in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Wall Street Journal reports. And Boeing continues to work through valve issues in its Starliner, which it now believes may have been exacerbated by its Florida launch site's warm, humid climate. The company has slipped its launch for NASA into 2022. Commercial space stations? Blue Origin is also working on a commercial space station. TheHill reports that the company's Orbital Reef will serve as a “mixed use business park.” Blue Originhopes, with its partner Sierra Space, to put the Orbital Reef up between 2025 and 2030. Space Force and acquisition reform. Making the US Defense acquisition system less sclerotic and better able to field new technology quickly and affordably has long been regarded as a challenge, and Space Force set itself a goal of designing its procurement processes to avoid some of the friction and rigidity it would otherwise inherit from its parent services. Breaking Defense surveys the field and gives Space Force mixed reviews, seeing some successes and some failures. In general, industry gave the new Service poorer reviews on its efforts for reform than did Defense Department respondents. Some of that disparity may be accounted for by the space industry's sense, as revealed by an Aerospace Corporation survey, that industry remains encumbered by a confusing, even contradictory, regulatory burden. In fairness to Space Force, that regulatory burden is not being imposed by the most junior Service, but it's part of the environment with which it must contend. Other Space Force notes. The US House Intelligence Committee has approved giving Space Force its own intelligence center, Breaking Defense reports. What sort of reserve component Space Force will get remains undecided, with Congress and the White House taking markedly different views on the matter. Congress, Politico says, is inclined toward the creation of a Space National Guard, but the White House doesn't like that idea at all. The US Navy seems largely to have given up its organizational space equities to the youngest Service (although obviously the Navy will retain its operational dependence upon space systems). The US Army, in contrast, intends to hang onto its own Space Brigade, Air Force Magazine reports. While a number of Army personnel and assets have been transitioned to Space Force, the 1st Space Brigade will stay put. The Army believes it essential to retain that capability. And, of course, Space Force is trying to get out from under the shadow of the Air Force. [1491]   Today's edition of the CyberWire reports events affecting . Selected Reading Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities 'Global Strike From Space;' Did Kendall Reveal Chinese Threat? (Breaking Defense) WASHINGTON: When Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall used his Sept. 20 keynote speech at the annual Air Force Association conference to claim that China is developing the ability to launch “global strikes from space” against US targets, it raised more than a few eyebrows and sent military analysts scrambling. After all, the decision to bring up… China’s Orbital Bombardment System Is Big, Bad News—but Not a Breakthrough (Foreign Policy) An attempt to evade missile defenses threatens to worsen a costly arms race. ‘Hundreds’ Of China Hypersonic Tests Vs. 9 US; Hyten Says US Moves Too Slowly (Breaking Defense) Gen. Hyten said he's "probably" going to approve "today or tomorrow a new requirement for Integrated Air and Missile Defense," which is a pillar of the Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC). Top U.S. general calls China’s hypersonic weapon test very close to a ‘Sputnik moment’ (Washington Post) Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said China’s test of a hypersonic weapons system is “very concerning” — and “very close” to a Sputnik moment as Beijing rapidly expands its military capabilities. Don’t Turn China’s Hypersonic Missile Test Into a ‘Sputnik Moment’ (World Politics Career) The recent Financial Times report that China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon has pundits, generals and members of Congress worried about a “Sputnik moment.” This is indeed something U.S. leaders should labor to avoid—not because it represents a new security threat, but because it implies undue panic. Hypersonic missile defense is a job for the Space Force (TheHill) The recent revelation that China has tested two hypersonic glide missiles has rocked the American national security establishment. US, China, Russia Test New Space War Tactics: Sats Buzzing, Spoofing, Spying (Breaking Defense) Models shared exclusively with Breaking Defense offer a rare glimpse into nation-on-nation run-ins in space as satellites follow, flee, and, allegedly, listen in on each other. Trends Boeing Commercial Satellite President Ryan Reid Sees Potential in 702X's Software-Defined Future (Via Satellite) In May this year, Ryan Reid was appointed the new President of Boeing Commercial Satellite Systems International, after a more than 20-year career with the company. It is an interesting time to be the top exec of a satellite manufacturer given the inflection point that the market is at right now. Reid is responsible How 'The Expanse' Is A Cautionary Tale For Real World Space Commercialization: Excerpt (Breaking Defense) As the march of space commerce continues apace, the United States and other space nations will need to consider how they intend to harness the benefits of commercial space exploitation and corral the risks. Just a matter of time when regular conversations will be held on a satellite network: SiA (ETTelecom.com | Satcom) In an interview with ETSatcom’s Mansi Taneja, Satcom Industry Association (SiA) India President Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri said it’s just a matter of .. Marketplace The Case for Asset-Based Financing for the Space Sector (Via Sateliite) Both long standing and recent trends in the space industry have shed light on new needs for financing space activities. The development of new ventures in the space sector has created new demands for financing while displaying peculiar characteristics shared by only a handful of other industries. ESA Establishes New Commercialization Unit to Grow European Presence in Space Industry (Via Satellite) The European Space Agency (ESA) has established a Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Procurement to help European companies succeed in the commercial space industry, the agency announced Oct. 21. This new directorate will play a role as Europe looks to go more digital and green over the coming decades. SSC Invests Into Esrange Space Center for 2022 Launch (Via Satellite) Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) has taken a step toward launching satellites from northern Sweden in 2022. SSC announced Oct. 6 that it has signed a 12 million euro ($13.9 million) loan agreement with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) to finalize a new spaceport at Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, northern Sweden. The NRO to Start New Procurement Effort to Take Advantage of Commercial Capabilities (Via Satellite) The U.S. agency that has spent its 60 years developing exquisite satellite systems to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for government needs said on Thursday it will shortly begin a new procurement effort designed to quickly assess and take advantage of commercial capabilities to meet NRO establishes licenses and cybersecurity rules for commercial imagery providers (SpaceNews) The National Reconnaissance Office roadmap for bringing commercial satellite imagery into its hybrid space architecture emphasizes cybersecurity and licenses that enable the agency to share data with partners inside and outside the U.S. government. NRO Trims Red Tape For Commercial Imagery Data (Breaking Defense) "LiDAR is a really neat technology, and we've got to take advantage of it," NRO Director Chris Scolese said. NGA looks to corral satellite imagery, other data in push for ‘synthetic persistence' (Federal News Network) The agency wants to “know where everything is all the time,” in the words of one official. Secretive satellite agency opens up to industry with new contract vehicle (Federal News Network) The National Reconnaissance Office wants to take advantage of commercial innovation more quickly than it has in the past. NGA taking a ‘try before you buy’ approach to commercial solutions (C4ISRNet) The agency is using bailment agreements and other contracting tools to test out commercial services before committing to them, allowing it to evaluate and integrate those services faster. EXCLUSIVE: Imagery Industry Seeking Direct DoD Sales In Wake Of Tiny NRO Bid (Breaking Defense) "I'd call it a VERY minor slow toe dip," said one stunned company rep, trying to find polite words. NGA Renews Maxar's G-EGD Imagery Contract for Second Option Year (Via Satellite) The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has renewed its contract with Maxar Technologies to provide imagery and geospatial data for the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (G-EGD) program. The renewal, which was effective Sept. 1, allows Maxar to continue providing more than 400,000 U.S. government users NASA wants to buy more astronaut rides on private spaceships (Space.com) NASA wants more private-sector firms to ferry its astronauts up into space, including missions to and from the International Space Station. After Satellite 'Olympics,' IC Rethinks Wary Stance On Foreign Commercial Data (Breaking Defense) US firms won "gold" in only three of the nine categories — the same number as China — in the NGA's "Commercial Imaging Olympics." US Space Force Seeks Better Awareness of GEO (Via Satellite) The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command is seeking information from companies able to provide sensors to improve the space domain awareness of objects in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). “The government has identified a need for evolutionary or revolutionary space-based SDA sensors to augment current and planned Space Force Plans Up To $2.3B In COMSATCOM Contracts (Breaking Defense) The planned buy with the largest potential value is for DoD-wide SATCOM services from commercial operators of p-LEO constellations, with multiple awards totaling $875 million slated in August 2022. Space Force awards SpaceX, Rocket Lab $39M for rocket testing (Orlando Business Journal) United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin received awards, bringing the investment round to $87.5 million. USAF selects BAE and Sierra Nevada for open architecture signals intelligence technology (Intelligent Aerospace) Under the contract awarded in June 2021, the team will provide a sensor prototype that gives insight into adversaries’ actions by collecting and analyzing electronic signals. BAE Systems and Sierra Nevada enter GHOST programme (Shephard Media) Their open architecture technology will be part of the USAF full-spectrum intelligence Infostellar Raises $6.2M in Series B Financing to Grow Network of Ground Station Service (Via Satellite) Japanese Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) company Infostellar has raised 700 million yen ($6.16 million), in a Series B funding round. This brings total funding to 1.9 billion yen ($17 million). Infostellar said in a Oct. 21 announcement that the Series B round is still open and will close later this year.  CACI adds space, intel firms to growing tech portfolio (Defense News) Defense contractor CACI International on Thursday announced it made two acquisitions in the last quarter, in line with plans to increase its technology-focused business, according to CEO John Mengucci. Muon Space Raises $10M Seed Round for Climate-Focused Constellation (Via Satellite) Climate-focused satellite constellation startup Muon Space has raised a $10 million seed funding round, led by Costanoa Ventures. In addition, Space Capital, Congruent VC, Ubiquity Ventures, South Park Commons, and Climactic VC also participated in the funding round announced Wednesday.  Muon Space plans to build Steve Wozniak's stealthy space startup Privateer hires chief scientific adviser (Space.com) Aerodynamicist and 'space environmentalist' Moriba Jah has come aboard the Privateer ship. Rocket Lab Buys Software Company for $40M in Second Acquisition  - Via Satellite - (Via Satellite) Rocket Lab has made its second acquisition, Advanced Solutions, Inc. (ASI), a space software company, for $40 million. The launcher announced Tuesday that the acquisition has been completed, and includes the possibility of an additional $5.5 million performance earnout.  Colorado-based ASI. offers flight software, 4iG to Acquire Majority Stake in Spacecom for $68M (Via Satellite) Spacecom, the Israeli satellite operator, is going through an acquisition that will place the majority of the company under Hungarian ownership. Hungarian telecommunications company 4iG announced Oct. 12 that its subsidiary Hungaro DigiTel (HDT), a joint subsidiary of 4iG and Antenna Hungária, has entered into a Private Equity Firms White Hat, Magnetar Invest $100M in Comtech (Via Satellite) Comtech Telecommunications is receiving a $100 million capital injection that the company said will accelerate growth in its satellite technology, 911 business, and M&A strategy.  The company announced Monday that current shareholder White Hat Capital Partners LP and Magnetar Capital are investing $100 million ABL Space Systems Nearly Doubles Valuation After Closing Additional Series B Funding (Via Satellite) Smallsat launcher in development ABL Space Systems has closed a $200 million expansion of its Series B investment round raising the company's valuation from $1.3 billion to $2.4 billion. The company initially raised $170 million in a Series B funding round this past March. This reported valuation as a private company HawkEye 360 CEO Says Next-Gen Satellites Reaped $50M in New Contracts This year (Via Satellite) HawkEye 360 CEO John Serafini said Thursday that the radio frequency (RF) data and analytics firm's newly launched next-generation satellites have enabled the company to secure more than $50 million in new contracts since the start of 2021. The company's formation-flying satellites are designed to detect, Hughes Signs JUPITER Satellite Systems Contract with Egyptian Government (Via Satellite) Egypt's state-owned National Company for Telecommunications Services (NCTS) has contracted Hughes Network Systems to develop the ground systems that will support the operation of the government's TIBA-1 Ka-band satellite. TIBA-1's mission is to bridge Egypt's digital divide and provide connectivity to those in rural Boeing Takes $185M Charge in Q3 for Second Orbital Flight Test (Via Satellite) The Defense, Space & Security segment for Boeing took a $185 million earnings charge in the third quarter of 2021 to pay for the second uncrewed Orbital Flight Test for its Starliner spacecraft for NASA.  Boeing announced the charge Wednesday in its Q3 earnings results. The Orbital Flight Test for Starliner is Eutelsat Confirms Takeover Attempt by Billionaire Telco Investor (Via Satellite) Patrick Drahi, the Franco-Israeli telecoms entrepreneur who founded Altice NV and recently became BT’s largest single investor, sent an unsolicited proposal to take over Eutelsat, the French satellite operator confirmed in statements issued late Wednesday and early Thursday. In the statements, Eutelsat revealed that Eutelsat Increases Stake in OneWeb, Announces Globacom Deal (Via Satellite) Eutelsat now has a close to 23% stake in OneWeb. The company announced Oct. 6 that it is spending another $165 million to increase its stake in OneWeb from 17.6% to 22.9%. Eutelsat will now be the second-largest shareholder behind Bharti Global, which holds 30%, strengthening its position as a key shareholder and Mercury Systems announces appointment of Mitch Stevison as Executive Vice President, Chief Growth Officer (GlobeNewswire News Room) ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercury Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical... BlackSky Appoints Susan M. Gordon to Board of Directors (Valdosta Daily Times) BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) welcomes Susan M. (Sue) Gordon to its Board of Directors. Ms. Gordon is the former principal deputy director of national intelligence, the nation’s highest-ranking career intelligence officer. In that capacity, Ms. Gordon managed the operations of the intelligence community and was a key advisor to the President and National Security Council. Head of Lockheed Martin Space to retire (C4ISRNet) After more than 20 years, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space Rick Ambrose plans to retire in 2022. Inside Blue Origin: Employees say toxic, dysfunctional ‘bro culture’ led to mistrust, low morale and delays at Jeff Bezos’s space venture (Washington Post) ‘It’s condescending. It’s demoralizing,’ said one former top executive of conditions prompting many to leave the company Viasat Launches Direct-to-Customer In-Flight Connectivity Service for Business Jets (Via Satellite) Viasat launched a direct and customizable Ka-band In-flight Connectivity (IFC) service for business aviation on Monday called Viasat Select. The Carlsbad, California-based satellite and telecommunications operator said that Viasat Select's connectivity plans include: global and regional unlimited plans; Greenland Telco Signs Deal for Satellite Capacity on Hispasat Amazonas Nexus (Via Satellite) Hispasat has signed a new deal with Greenland's state-owned communications company, Tele Greenland, to bring satellite connectivity to remote communities. The telco will lease capacity on the Amazonas Nexus satellite until the end of the satellite's lifetime, Hispasat announced Oct. 8. Hispasat said this agreement Virgin Galactic Falls After Delaying First Commercial Flight (Bloomberg) Shares slide on unexpected rescheduling to late next year. Company cites potential issue with joint materials in lab test. Viasat wins new tech deal from Department of Defense (InfotechLead) Viasat has won a tech deal from Department of Defense (DoD) to provide vulnerability assessment testing and response support L3Harris Secures Second Weather Forecasting Accuracy Study Contract from NASA (Via Satellite) L3Harris Technologies will conduct a second advanced study for NASA that aims to significantly improve the accuracy and timeliness of U.S. weather forecasting, according to the terms of a new contract the organizations announced Thursday. Slated to begin this month, the study will involve L3Harris testing and Lockheed’s Acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne Delayed (Breaking Defense) “The Aerojet Rocketdyne transaction continues moving through the regulatory approval process, and we now anticipate closing in the first quarter of 2022,” said Lockheed CEO James Taiclet. Kleos Space Picks ISISPACE to Manufacture its Observer Mission (Via Satellite) Kleos Space has signed new contracts with satellite builder Innovative Solutions in Space (ISISPACE) and global launch services provider Spaceflight to build and manage the launch its fourth satellite cluster of four satellites, the Observer Mission (KSF3) in mid-2022, the company announced Oct. 19. Kleos OneWeb Distributor Alaska Communications Signs BBTC as Customer (Via Satellite) Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative (BBTC), which serves the Bristol Bay area of Alaska, will soon be using OneWeb’s satellite capacity to connect its offices and facilities. OneWeb distributor Alaska Communications announced the new customer agreement on Tuesday. The service will begin in November. Eventually, BBT Northrop Grumman Establishes New Microelectronics Packaging Facility for Next-Generation Defense Applications (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) continued investment in the future of defense microelectronics systems takes another leap forward with the creation of its “Micro-Line” (μ-Line) in Apopka. The company’s new μ-Line... Exolaunch Looks to Boost Business and Policy Presence With New US Offices (Via Satellite) German rideshare provider Exolaunch is expanding its business presence in the United States, by opening offices in Washington, D.C., and Denver, Colorado, and hiring Chris Hearsey as CEO of subsidiary Exolaunch USA.  The Tuesday announcement comes about a year after Exolaunch first said it planned to expand with a Airbus U.S. Space and Defense names new CEO (Defense News) Airbus’s American subsidiary is replacing its chief executive. Spithout Out as Inmarsat Maritime President, Operator's Leadership Shuffle Continues (Via Satellite) Inmarsat's 2021 executive leadership shake-up continues. The U.K. operator confirmed Thursday that it has replaced Ronald Spithout, who has led its Maritime business unit since 2014, with Ben Palmer, the former head of Northrop Grumman’s European mission systems division. Palmer will take over as Inmarsat's President DSCA Director Heidi Grant Lands New Job at Boeing Defense, Space & Security (Via Satellite) Boeing has hired U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director Heidi Grant to lead Boeing’s defense, space and government services sales teams, the aerospace manufacturer announced Oct. 14. She succeeds Jeff Shockey, who departed the company in July. Mike Manazir, who has served as Shockey's interim Retired Astronaut James Reilly Joins Booz Allen as Executive Adviser (WashingtonExec) Booz Allen Hamilton has hired retired NASA astronaut and former director of the U.S. Geological Survey, James F. Reilly II, as an executive adviser. Inmarsat names Ben Palmer as new President of Maritime Business (ETTelecom.com | Satcom) Palmer, who comes with over 25 years of experience, recently led Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems division across Europe. Rodolphe Belmer to Leave Eutelsat, Take Role as Atos CEO (Via Satellite) Eutelsat Communications announced Wednesday afternoon that CEO Rodolphe Belmer will step down at the beginning of 2022. He is leaving to become CEO of French information technology company Atos, which generates more than $12 billion in revenue annually.  Belmer leaves just one month after Eutelsat rejected an Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler to Retire as Company Plans Chapter 11 Exit (Via Satellite) After almost seven years as CEO and more than 18 years at Intelsat, CEO Steve Spengler plans to retire once the company completes Chapter 11 financial restructuring and selects a successor. Intelsat announced the change Thursday morning, and said Spengler will lead the company until then.  The Intelsat news came as a Steve Spengler Reflects on a Tumultuous Period for Intelsat (Via Satellite) Intelsat has had a tumultuous 18 months and has made some of the biggest headlines in the industry, going through Chapter 11 restructuring. Acquiring Gogo Commercial Aviation while in bankruptcy in 2020 was a surprise, but the move has already improved the operator’s financials and its position in the mobility market. Debora A. Plunkett elected to Board of Directors of Mercury Systems; William K. O’Brien appointed Chairman of the Board with retirement of Vincent Vitto (GlobeNewswire News Room) Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical... Spire Global Names Theresa Condor as First COO (Via Satellite) Spire Global has named Theresa Condor as the company’s first chief operating officer (COO). As COO, Condor will be responsible for Spire’s Weather, Aviation, Earth Intelligence, and Space Services business units worldwide. The company announced the appointment on Oct. 26.  Condor was formerly executive vice president Products, Services, and Solutions Starlink satellites move data quickly among themselves with lasers for fast transmit speeds and low latency (Intelligent Aerospace) Lasers can provide immense bandwidth, thanks to advances in technology that allow more precise control of a beam; traditional RF links can’t keep up, Rob Pegoraro reports for Fast Company. Some Starlink customers have canceled their preorders, after paying a $100 deposit up to 9 months ago and receiving no contact from SpaceX (Business Insider) SpaceX said Starlink would go live in their area in mid or late 2021, but some customers became so fed up of waiting that they cancelled the deposit. Blue Canyon Technologies Delivers the First of Four CubeSats to NASA’s Ames Research Center for Starling Technology Demonstration (SpaceRef) Blue Canyon Technologies Delivers the First of Four CubeSats to NASA’s Ames Research Center for Starling Technology Demonstration - SpaceRef Nanoracks, Voyager Space, Lockheed Martin Team Up for Commercial Space Station (Via Satellite) ​​Nanoracks, Voyager Space, and Lockheed Martin are working together to develop the first commercial space station, known as Starlab. The companies announced the collaboration Thursday, and they expect Starlab to be in operation by 2027.  Nanoracks will be the lead, using its experience in commercial International Chinese company aims for suborbital space tourism with familiar rocket design (Space.com) If you're seeing a mashup of Blue Origin and SpaceX, you're not seeing things. Blue Origin unveils plans to build a private space station called Orbital Reef by 2030 (Space.com) The company has teamed with Boeing, Sierra Space and others for the commercial space station. Jeff Bezos is launching a new 'business park' in space (TheHill) “Orbital Reef will provide anyone with the opportunity to establish their own address on orbit,” Blue Origin and its collaborators said. Blue Origin, Sierra Space to Build Orbital Reef ‘Business Park’ in Space (Via Satellite) Blue Origin and Sierra Space have plans to build a commercial space station, described as a “business park” in space for research, industrial, international, commercial, and tourism customers. The companies plan to build the station — called Orbital Reef — with the help of Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Blue Origin Puts Safety Conversation Center-Stage for Shatner Launch (Via Satellite) Blue Origin made safety a primary focus of the conversation around its second human spaceflight launch on Wednesday as the company faces allegations and concerns relating to leadership, safety, and workplace culture.  Recently Blue Origin has come under fire after Alexandra Abrams, the former head of Employee William Shatner moved to tears by space launch with Blue Origin (Space.com) "I am overwhelmed. I had no idea," William Shatner said following his spaceflight. How it feels to go into space: ‘More beautiful and dazzling and frightening than I ever imagined’ (the Guardian) Chris Boshuizen was one of four astronauts – including William Shatner – who flew into space with Blue Origin. Here he describes the wonder of the journey Elon Musk congratulates Jeff Bezos for Blue Origin flight, saying it was 'cool' to send 90-year-old 'Star Trek' actor William Shatner to space (Business Insider) Elon Musk congratulated Blue Origin's latest spaceflight, saying it was "cool" to send "Star Trek" actor William Shatner. Falcon Heavy could launch three U.S. Space Force missions in 2022 (SpaceNews) USSF-67 is the third U.S. national security launch to be added to the Falcon Heavy’s crowded 2022 manifest. SpaceX shows off its 'Gateway to Mars' for Starship launches in video (Space.com) The company is waiting on regulatory approval for its first orbital mission. SpaceX fires up SN20 Starship prototype for 1st time (video) (Space.com) SpaceX is prepping SN20 for the Starship program's first orbital test flight. Elon Musk says SpaceX could launch Starship orbital flight test next month (Space.com) SpaceX's latest Starship prototype could blast off into orbit earlier than expected. SpaceX, NASA delay launch of Crew-3 astronauts to space station due to weather (Space.com) There'll be no spooky astronaut launch for SpaceX this Halloween. Astronauts taken off Boeing Starliner for SpaceX Crew Dragon (Register) All change on 2022 ride to the ISS Boeing's next Starliner test launch for NASA slips to 2022 (Space.com) Starliner was originally supposed to launch in early August. Boeing Working Through Starliner Valve Issue (Aviation Week) Boeing is nearing the end of a winding technical analysis of a valve problem that scotched plans for an uncrewed orbital flight test of its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in August. Boeing Starliner Valve Issue Caused by Humid Florida Weather (Digital Trends) Boeing's Starliner capsule won't be carrying astronauts to the International Space Station soon, but officials say they are zeroing in on fixing of the issue. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Pushes Back Commercial Space Flights (Wall Street Journal) The company said it believes it will launch private-astronaut flights in the fourth quarter of 2022. World View to start flying passengers on stratospheric balloon rides in 2024 (Space.com) Seats are $50,000 apiece. 3, 2, 1 ... action! Russia launches film crew to shoot movie on space station (Space.com) Russian actress Yulia Peresild, producer Klim Shipenko and cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov have launched on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station to film a feature-length movie in space. Hancom to Launch Korea's First Private Earth Observation Satellite in First Half of 2022 (Via Satellite) Hancom InSpace will launch Korea's first private satellite for Earth observation in the first half of 2022, the company announced September 29th. Once launched, the satellite, Sejong-1, would make Hancom the world's first company to achieve a three-tiered remote sensing image data service belt - linking satellites, OneWeb Considers Indian Launch Capabilities for Future Missions (Via Satellite) OneWeb is exploring launching future satellites in its constellation from India, the home of its chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal. The company signed letter of intent with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to potentially use the Indian-built PSLV (Polar EnduroSat Signs Launch Contract With German Isar Aerospace (Via Satellite) EnduroSat has signed a launch contract with Isar Aerospace, a German smallsat launcher in development, to launch its satellites on rideshare missions between 2022 and 2025. Financial terms of the deal and the specific number of launches were not disclosed in the Monday announcement.  EnduroSat is based in Bulgaria, Viasat Launches Direct-to-Customer In-Flight Connectivity Service for Business Jets (Via Satellite) Viasat launched a direct and customizable Ka-band In-flight Connectivity (IFC) service for business aviation on Monday called Viasat Select. The Carlsbad, California-based satellite and telecommunications operator said that Viasat Select's connectivity plans include: global and regional unlimited plans; YahClick Partners With Universal Satcom Group for Broadband in Middle East and Africa (Via Satellite) YahClick is teaming up with the Universal Satcom Group to offer high-speed broadband across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), the company announced Oct. 3. YahClick and its partner Hughes Networks Systems along with Universal Satcom Group will offer high-speed broadband through the Al Yah 2 satellite coverage. The OneWeb Distributor Alaska Communications Signs BBTC as Customer (Via Satellite) Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative (BBTC), which serves the Bristol Bay area of Alaska, will soon be using OneWeb’s satellite capacity to connect its offices and facilities. Spire Upgrades Maritime Data Platform with Open-Source Query Support (Via Satellite) Space-based data, analytics, and services provider Spire Global released an updated version of its maritime data service on Wednesday. The upgrade, "Maritime 2.0," aims to improve Spire's marine data capabilities, including vessel location, weather forecasting, Automatic Identification System (AIS) global shipping Honeywell Releases New Magnetometer for Small Satellites (Via Satellite) Honeywell is aiming to make a big impact in the small satellite market with the release of a new 3-Axis system designed to measure the Earth's magnetic forces. Honeywell said its newest 3-Axis Space Magnetometer is now fully qualified  and will be rolled out to meet the needs of the emerging new space segment, where HySpecIQ Picks BridgeComm's Optical Downlink Terminals for LEO Constellation (Via Satellite) HySpecIQ has selected BridgeComm's high-speed optical downlink for its Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, the companies announced Monday.  Bridgecomm said these laser communication downlink terminals and network of optical ground stations will provide high data transmission capabilities for the HySpecIQ mission. Facebook Renews Its Ambitions to Connect the World (Wired) The social media behemoth outlines plans to bring speedy internet access to hard-to-reach places. Eutelsat Signs Broadcast Capacity Agreement with Ukraine’s Zeonbud (Via Satellite) Ukrainian broadcaster Zeonbud has signed an agreement with Eutelsat Communications for capacity on the EUTELSAT 9B satellite for broadcast distribution.  The long-term contract was announced Monday. Eutelsat capacity will power Zeonbud’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network and “potentially extend its offer Planet Unveils Next-Generation Pelican Satellite Fleet (Via Satellite) Planet plans to upgrade its SkySat satellite fleet with a higher resolution constellation called Pelican, the company announced Tuesday during its user conference.  Planet said the better resolution on the Pelican constellation will show fine details like road markings. It is designed to exceed SkySat’s global HawkEye Commissions New Cluster of Satellites Post-Launch (Via Satellite) HawkEye 360's new cluster of satellites has entered commercial service after it was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 30. The trio of satellites, known as Cluster 3, has begun initial operating capability and has begun to deliver Radio Frequency (RF) data and insights to customers. HawkEye now has nine SpaceLink CEO Says OHB's Galileo Heritage Was Key Factor in Constellation Award (Via Satellite) OHB Systems AG (OHB) will build the satellites for SpaceLink’s data relay constellation in a contract that is expected to exceed $300 million in value. The companies announced the deal on Thursday, and are in the process of finalizing the contract.  SpaceLink, a subsidiary of Electro Optic Systems (EOS), plans to OneWeb Starts Service Demonstrations After Latest Launch (Via Satellite) OneWeb is kicking off broadband service demonstrations after a Thursday Arianespace launch brough its constellation to 358 satellites.  A Soyuz rocket, operated by Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate, took off from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome at 6:40 pm. local time on Thursday, Oct. 14. All 36 OneWeb satellites Telesat Picks Ciena for Backhaul Network Techology (Via Satellite) Telesat has chosen Ciena to deploy routing and switching platforms for terrestrial backhaul solutions for its Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation Lightspeed.   Ciena is a networking systems, services, and software company based in Maryland. It will supply the hardware and software that will provide high-speed, Leaf Space Adds Significant New Ground Station Capacity (Via Satellite) Leaf Space is adding five new ground stations in West and South Australia, British Colombia, Iceland and Bulgaria, the company announced Oct. 14. The aim is to further increase Leaf Space's capability to provide GSaaS solutions to its customer base. Leaf Space, which is based in Lomazzo, Italy, will now operate 15 Dish Network Signs 5G Network Cloud Partnership with Nexsys-One (Via Satellite) Dish Network contracted Nexsys-One to provide an end-to-end, cloud-based network deployment software solutions for Dish's planned nationwide 5G network build. Nexsys-One is a privately owned cloud-based Telecom enterprise software provider. Its platform automates forecasting and tracking, and will automatically French Space Agency Chooses Orange Business Services to Help Transform and Shape Its Data-centric Strategy With Cloud-based Data Lake (Yahoo Finance) PARIS, October 19, 2021--The French Space Agency (CNES) has chosen Orange Business Services to lead an industry consortium, including HPE, Scality and Tealenium, to design, deploy and maintain a new storage solution for its scientific and spatial data. This will help CNES fully modernize its storage infrastructure to better utilize the enormous amounts of data from its satellites. Inmarsat Details IoT Connectivity Partnership with Hiber (Via Satellite) Inmarsat is pursuing a new partnership with satellite Internet of Things (IoT) startup Hiber. Inmarsat will provide the satellite connectivity backbone on which it Hiber will continue to build Hiberband, its low-cost, low-power IoT, the companies announced Oct. 12. Mike Carter, president of Inmarsat Enterprise told Technologies, Techniques, and Standards Report: China’s PLA has made ‘extraordinary progress’ in procuring AI for combat (The Record by Recorded Future) China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) appears to be spending about the same as the U.S. military on artificial intelligence, or AI, and has made ‘extraordinary progress’ in procuring AI systems for combat and support operations, according to a new report. China launches military satellite that will take aim at space junk (Space.com) The launch was a 'complete success', although we don't know much about its mission yet. General Dynamics, Epirus team up to integrate counter-drone swarm system on combat vehicles (Defense News) General Dynamics Land Systems and Epirus are teaming to bring a counter-drone swarm capability to combat vehicles. SES-17 On Way to Final Orbit After Successful Launch (Via Satellite) The newest SES satellite SES-17 is on the way to its final placement in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) after a successful launch by Arianespace over the weekend.  Arianespace launched SES-17 on Sunday, Oct. 24 on an Ariane 5 rocket from the Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 11:10 pm local time. The satellite Ariane 5 rocket successfully launches two satellites into orbit on its heaviest mission ever (Space.com) The rocket and two satellites for SES and the French military weighed a combined 11.2 tons. China just test-fired a massive solid-fueled rocket (Space.com) China has test fired a huge new solid rocket motor, creating more propulsion options for the country’s growing space activities. China's Shenzhou 14 is on standby to launch in case of space station emergency (Space.com) The spacecraft could launch with just 8.5 days' notice. South Korea's 1st Nuri rocket fails to put payload in orbit in debut space launch (Space.com) The space agency knew that for a new rocket, the first launch usually doesn't succeed. Enabling the Edge: Cloud Capabilities Push Satellite Forward (Via Satellite) Cloud computing – pushing an organization’s data away from on-premise servers to the virtual environment – is commonplace today for enterprises, with nearly seven in 10 businesses already using cloud technology in one capacity or another, and many reporting dramatic jumps in efficiency and revenue growth Massive Technical Leaps Push Satellite to the Fronthaul of 5G IoT (Via Satellite) Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s “big day for American leadership” was Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 — The start of a public auction of 120 megahertz of 3.7 gigahertz C-band spectrum to be repurposed for 5G. Pai’s 5G FAST plan, which he spent years promoting as the creator of, “millions of jobs, billions of dollars in investment, innovation on our shores, and stronger economic growth,” grossed $80.9 billion in government revenue. Renting the Ground: The Growing Future of Ground Segment as a Service (Via Satellite) New Space is greedy for ground. Traditional Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites are stationary relative to the Earth — they hang at a fixed point in the sky and a single ground station can be in constant line-of-sight contact. But the New Space non-GEO constellations — in Low- or Medium-Earth orbit (LEO or MEO) — move across the sky, requiring multiple ground stations across the globe to stay in touch. Space Cyber Defense: An Adaptive, Proactive Approach (Booz Allen) National security organizations need an adaptive, proactive cybersecurity approach to protect space assets. How a bill of materials prevents an agency from buying a bill of goods (Federal News Network) SBOM. It sounds like a play on a word you can’t say, but it stands for software bill of materials. New Compass Call Electronic Warfare Plane Takes To The Skies (Breaking Defense) The U.S. Air Force is one step closer to having a new aircraft for jamming enemy communications. US Space Force Missile Warning System Ready for Launch (The Defense Post) The US Space Force’s sixth and final Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite is ready for launch. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency boss reveals data strategy (C4ISRNet) The agency wants to ensure it can process the vast torrent of data it faces, and feed the most valuable intelligence to joint war fighters around the world. Between E-3 And Eyes In Space, The Air Force Needs A Bridge, Now (Breaking Defense) The Air Force has valiantly breathed life into the decades-old E-3 Sentry platform, but as top service officials recently suggested, it can no longer wait for the jump to space-based systems, the authors write in this op-ed. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Bradley Bowman, Maj. Lauren Harrison and Ryan Brobst argue that as Russia… Air Force's X-37B robotic space plane wings past 500 days in Earth orbit (Space.com) That enigmatic U.S. military X-37B robotic space drone has now chalked up more than 500 days circling the Earth. Agricultural Use Cases for Satellite Push Beyond GPS, to Analytics and Telecom (Via Satellite) The agriculture industry is accustomed to using satellite technology for GPS purposes, and now pushing deeper into satellite technology and using or exploring the use of imagery and sensing, and telecom capabilities.  Al Savage, manager of the Starfire Network for John Deere spoke virtually on Wednesday as part of As SpaceX's Starlink Ramps Up, So Could Light Pollution (Wired) The constellation of internet-providing satellites is growing. Now the company and its rivals must avoid creating brighter night skies and space debris. Megaconstellations could destroy astronomy and there's no easy fix (Space.com) Global satellite-based high-speed internet access will come at a cost, polluting the skies and contaminating astronomical observations. Army banks on new unit to help transform its data handling (Defense News) The Multidomain Task Force will be integral in helping shape the Army's approach to managing its data. Multidomain ops drive change to Army’s 1st Space Brigade (Defense News) The 1st Space Brigade is taking its six-person Army space support teams and creating four-person space control planning teams. The US Army will soon be able to see itself in cyberspace on the battlefield (C4ISRNet) Commanders will soon have a tool to visualize and understand the cyber terrain in their battlespace. ESA to Integrate Iceye’s SAR Data into Copernicus Mission (Via Satellite) Iceye’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery will be integrated into Europe’s Copernicus imagery program, the company announced with the European Space Agency (ESA) on Tuesday. Iceye is the first European New Space company to take part in this program.  Copernicus is the world’s largest Earth Observation (EO) Meet the Orion Service Module, the European-built brain of NASA's new spacecraft for moon trips (Space.com) The Orion's capsule European Service Module uses engines inherited from the space shuttle. China just put its next-generation spaceship on display (Space.com) Making its public debut is China's next-generation crewed spacecraft. ESA Signs On as Customer for Kepler Aether Service (Via Satellite) The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Kepler Communications a 500,000 euro ($581,000) contract to test satellite hardware terminals. Kepler Communications is working to build an in-space data transfer network called Aether. This ESA award is part of a project exploring satellite telemetry and control using Ovzon to Supply DoD With 50 Mobile Satellite Terminals (Via Satellite) Ovzon has won a new contract worth close to $2 million to supply the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), with satellite terminals, the company announced Oct. 18. Ovzon will provide an unnamed DoD customer with 50 of its new, ultra-small, Ovzon T6 mobile satellite terminals. This represents the largest single order to Airbus Zephyr Solar High Altitude Platform System (HAPS) reaches new heights (Intelligent Aerospace) The stratospheric flights flew for around 18 days each, totaling more than 36 days of stratospheric flight in the campaign. BAE Systems Team Competing With Northrop Grumman for U-2 SIGINT Payload - Defense Daily (Defense Daily) The Air Force has awarded a BAE Systems/Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) team a contract for Global High-altitude Open-system Sensor Technology (GHOST), Design and Innovation ‘It is a game changer’: Waging war on climate change from space (POLITICO) The explosion of Earth observation satellites may be the key to getting control of the crisis — if the data is shared and the capacity is built to utilize it. Astroscale to Lead UK Study of Active Debris Removal Mission (Via Satellite) The UK Space Agency has awarded Astroscale’s U.K. subsidiary a bid to an study active debris removal project  The feasibility study will prepare the groundwork for an Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission to remove two defunct satellites from space in 2025. The proposed study, called Cleaning Outer Space Mission Army Seeks 'Cutting Edge' Network-Aided PNT Technologies For Battle (Breaking Defense) The notice is part of a broader Army push to acquire assured PNT solutions for soldiers on the future battlefield. Hispasat Demonstrates Satellite Connectivity Bubbles on High Voltage Towers in Rural Spain (Via Satellite) Hispasat took part in a pilot project installing satellite terminals on high voltage towers to roll out connectivity bubbles in rural settings. The company says this demonstration will help to bridge the digital divide in Spain. The company announced Oct. 19, that the Red Eléctrica Group, through Hispasat, the This Atomic Clock Will Transform Deep Space Exploration (Wired) The toaster-sized device could help make human travel to Mars—and beyond—a reality. Space Force teams with venture capital company on SpaceWERX (C4ISRNet) The partnership will help the Space Force understand how to invest in venture capital efforts. Space Force wants to learn how venture capitalists assess startups (SpaceNews) An agreement just announced between the U.S. Space Force and a venture capital firm is a pilot project intended to help government buyers understand how investors assess space industry startups. Army, NRO Pioneer Direct Sat Imagery Downlink In 'Scarlet Dragon' (Breaking Defense) The ability to directly access remote sensing satellite data for targeting has long been a Holy Grail for the Army. From sci-fi to reality: How the US Space Force launched a digital revolution (Defense News) It appears the Pentagon is prepared to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. NextNav, Satelles collaborate on Bay Area alternative PNT testbed (GPS World) NextNav and Satelles Inc. have partnered on an alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) testbed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Northrop Grumman to Design Signals Intelligence Sensor Prototype for US Air Force (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a contract to complete the design of a next-generation, open standards-based signals intelligence (SIGINT) sensor for high-altitude intelligence,... UMAV has successful USAF airship flight and eyes near-space operations (Intelligent Aerospace) The DATT 600 airship is designed for a 15,000-to-20,000-foot altitude. The technology can be developed to reach near space. Northrop Grumman Connects Warfighters to the Future (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) During a sophisticated flight test of the U.S. Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), developed by Northrop Grumman, data from Army, Air Force and Marine Corps sensors and weapons systems were fused on a network. This... Research and Development Water vapor detected on Jupiter's ocean moon Europa (Space.com) But only on one side of the mysterious moon. Astronomers Get Ready to Probe Europa’s Hidden Ocean for Life (Wired) Jupiter’s most enigmatic moon, one of a few ocean worlds in the solar system, will be the target of upcoming missions by NASA and the European Space Agency. This NASA spacecraft is on its way to Jupiter’s mysterious asteroid swarms (MIT Technology Review) The spacecraft named Lucy is just starting its 12-year journey to see what asteroid clusters can teach us about the early solar system. Pentagon’s Top Science Official Adds to Tech-Breakthrough Wishlist (Defense One) Heidi Shyu, R&D undersecretary, said she went looking for tech areas to trim—and found that some vital ones had been overlooked. Not all Mars spacecraft might need such deep cleaning, scientists find (Space.com) We've learned that much of Mars isn't all that hospitable to life as we know it after all. Capella Space Signs Research and Development Agreement with US Army SMDTC (Via Satellite) Capella Space has signed a research and development agreement with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center (SMDTC) to use its data from space.  Capella announced Oct. 21 that SMDTC will integrate its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data into the U.S. Army's Payload Development Lab. Capella said the Academia SES Expands Partnership with University of Luxembourg With Joint Lab (Via Satellite) SES is expanding its partnership with the University of Luxembourg to encompass more cybersecurity elements, the company announced Oct. 14. Together with the University of Luxembourg’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), the two organizations will create a joint lab that will explore Legislation, Policy, and Regulation Adversaries Capitalize While US Debates Space as Critical Infrastructure, Panelists Say (Via Satellite) The United States is still in the discussion phase of whether or not space systems should be considered a critical infrastructure sector, while adversary China reportedly tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile, Dr. Dawn Beyer, Lockheed Martin senior fellow, said Tuesday during the Value of Space Summit hosted by A Chinese-Russian Moon Base? Not So Fast. (Foreign Policy) Plans to compete with NASA’s lunar exploration project face substantial obstacles. From spy satellites to mobile networks, South Korea is pinning its space hopes on a new rocket - Space Bollyinside (Bollyinside - US Local News & Breaking News Stories) South Korea’s last such booster, launched in 2013 after multiple delays and several failed tests, was jointly developed with Russia. The new KSLV-II NURI America must build a stronger coalition to project its power in space (TheHill) The United States and its allies must address the challenges that could be posed by China’s and Russia’s space ambitions. US Military 'Well Postured' For Any Chinese Cyber Onslaught, CIO Nominee Says (Breaking Defense) Elsewhere in the hearing John Sherman called attention to a growing concern at the Pentagon over the radio spectrum, saying "spectrum sharing" should be a DoD watchword. Unclear And Contradictory Rules Bedevil Commercial Space Firms: Study (Breaking Defense) The Aerospace study found that controlling the creation of dangerous space junk is a regulatory arena "where clarity is badly needed," for one. India’s Space Program Inches Closer to America and the Quad (Foreign Policy) In another strategic shift, Modi has opened space activities to private companies and new allies. IC, Biden Admin Aim To Reform Commercial Remote Sensing Rules (Breaking Defense) "If we don't adapt, others will set the rules and challenge our new leadership. We should set the rules," said Stacey Dixon, deputy director of national intelligence. Cyber Advisor to President Biden Details Cybersecurity Points for Space (Via Satellite) Invoking a famous quote about the United States and Great Britain, the U.S. cybersecurity advisor to President Joe Biden said that cyber and space communities are separated by a common challenge, one these communities don’t always realize.  Chris Inglis, national cyber director and advisor to the president, said 'We’re in a sprint here’: The Space Force struggles to blaze its own path (POLITICO) As it approaches its third year, the newest military branch works to get out of the Air Force's shadow. House Intel Committee OKs Space Force Intel Center (Breaking Defense) HPSCI cites the "increasingly complex" space environment as the rationale for the new National Space Intelligence Center. New US military branch gets its own intelligence wing (Space War) Moscow (Sputnik) Oct 05, 2021 - The wing itself is an interim organisation, which will eventually be transformed into the National Space Intelligence Center, taking over part of the activities which at present are carried out by t Battle brews over creating Space National Guard (POLITICO) Lawmakers say the Space Force needs it. But the White House says no way. Senate Appropriations Proposes $500 Million Extra for Space Force in 2022 (Air Force Magazine) The Senate Appropriations Committee released its 2022 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, with a sizable increase for the Space Force budget. Senate Appropriations Directs NASA to Pursue Second HLS With $100M (Via Satellite) The Senate Appropriations Committee went above NASA’s budget request for fiscal year 2022 in its appropriations bill released Monday, but asked the agency to pursue a second Human Landing System (HLS) for the Moon with just $100 million.  The Appropriations Committee is providing $1.295 billion for HLS, an increase Senate directs NASA to choose another company to build a lunar lander: report (Space.com) The United States Senate's largest committee wants NASA to choose a second company to build its new moon lander. Has Space Force Helped Improve Space Acquisition? Survey Respondents Are Split (Breaking Defense) While almost 20% of overall respondents believe that the Space Force is not effective “at all” at improving space acquisition, there is a major split between views of DoD and industry; just 4% of DoD respondents said Space Force hasn’t helped, while 23% of industry respondents held that view. Exclusive: New Shakeup Coming To Space Force Acquisition (Breaking Defense) "Congress can hold politicals accountable -- not so much with the uniformed officers," one former DoD official said. Space Force Shakes Up Acquisition Again (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force confirmed it will reorganize space acquisition and space policy authorities starting Oct. 18 in an effort to streamline decision-making. Space Force Eyes Commercial P-LEO SATCOM (Breaking Defense) "If the Space Systems Command is going to acquire other commercial services in the same fashion that CSCO has been acquiring commercial SATCOM, then that will not serve the warfighter well," said Rebecca Cowan-Hirsch, senior vice president for government strategy and policy at Inmarsat. Afghanistan, China, And The Gray Zone: House Committee Passes Intel Bill (Breaking Defense) The bill also requires the IC to share information with the Defense Department's Unexplained Aerial Phenomena Task Force. Leading Lawmaker to Space Force: Stop Talking About Uniforms, Tell Me About Tech (Breaking Defense) “We’ve got to be tougher, faster, bolder," said Rep. Jim Cooper. "And I'm really not seeing that like I would like to see." Space Delta 10 activates (Colorado Springs Gazette) Space Delta 10 was activated Sept. 30 at Peterson Space Force Base. Space Force recruiters pitch military service to warriors and dreamers (SpaceNews) Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, said the Space Force met its goal last year of recruiting nearly 400 guardians. Next year the target has been raised to 500. Senators square off over Huntsville selection for U.S. Space Command headquarters (WAAY News) The entire Colorado congressional delegation is pushing the Biden administration hard to suspend that decision, instead calling for the Air Force to keep space command right where it is currently housed in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Effort to stop move of U.S. Space Command to Alabama gains allies, steam (Colorado Springs Gazette) Tennessee's Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper hosted many visitors from Alabama to his Washington, D.C., office last fall and winter. Investigations of U.S. Space Command’s basing decision to continue into 2022 (SpaceNews) The Government Accountability Office and the Defense Department’s inspector general are still months away from completing their investigations of the decision to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama.  Why the Army Clings to Its Space Troops (Air Force Magazine) Transferring more Army space assets or capabilities to the Space Force would harm the Army’s ability to defend itself and attack efficiently, the Army says. US Military ‘Well Postured’ For Any Chinese Cyber Onslaught, CIO Nominee Says (Breaking Defense) Elsewhere in the hearing John Sherman called attention to a growing concern at the Pentagon over the radio spectrum, saying "spectrum sharing" should be a DoD watchword. A career in the Space Force awaits WFT lineman once his playing days are done (Washington Post) For more than a month, Nolan Laufenberg was without a status. The former Air Force Academy offensive lineman signed with the Denver Broncos in May as a college free agent but was released before the start of the NFL season, leaving him without a football home and little certainty beyond the game. Such is the life of NFL free agency. Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement SDA Scraps, Relaunches Data Transport Satellite Bidding After Protest (Breaking Defense) SDA Director Derek Tournear told an industry audience today that proposals under the new OTA would be due the day before Thanksgiving. "You're welcome," he joked.  Following protest, Space Development Agency cancels, then reissues reworked satellite solicitation (C4ISRNet) The agency is turning to other transaction authority, a tool that has become quite popular with the military. FAA to Investigate Safety Concerns Raised in Letter by Current, Former Blue Origin Employees (Via Satellite) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it will investigate claims that 21 current and former employees at Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin made about the safety of the company's rockets in a letter published yesterday on Lioness. Alexandra Abrams, former head of Blue Origin Employee Communications, joined 20 U.S. Supreme Court rebuffs Oracle challenge to Pentagon cloud contract (Reuters) The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday put an end to Oracle Corp's challenge to how the Pentagon awarded the government's now-canceled $10 billion JEDI cloud computing contract. NSA Should 'Reevaluate' Massive IC Cloud Contract: GAO (Breaking Defense) The GAO decision sustained a protest from Microsoft, saying the agency's evaluation was partly "unreasonable." GAO Sides With Microsoft in Massive NSA Contract Protest (Nextgov.com) NSA awarded the contract to Amazon Web Services in July.

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