The nominations package also proposes to elevate Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, head of the Space Force’s main acquisition arm Space Systems Command (SSC), to four star status and take over from Gen. D.T. Thompson as vice chief of space operations.
By Theresa HitchensModernizing military simulation with open systems architecture
Best-of-breed common models and architecture enable virtual training and testing with the same data in a cyber-resilient posture.
The UK Joint Task Force-Space Defense Commercial Operations Cell (JCO) in effect will extend the time the SPACECOM can keep tabs on satellites, especially those owned by adversaries, and dangerous space debris.
By Theresa Hitchens
The robotic arms built by the Naval Research Laboratory to be carried on a SpaceLogistics Mission Robotic Vehicle are designed to operate “autonomously” to do “inspection, orbital adjustment, repair and upgrade” missions on spacecraft “that were not designed to be grappled,” Bill Vincent, the lab’s program manager, told Breaking Defense.
By Theresa Hitchens
Russian and Chinese anti-satellite tests are responsible for “pretty much 20 percent” of “conjunction” warnings, that is predictions that two space objects are likely to collide, in 2022, said the State Department’s Eric Desautels.
By Theresa Hitchens
After what Gen. Glen VanHerck called a “totally deceiving and incorrect” SPACECOM statement, there was widespread confusion about who is charged with the missile defense mission.
By Theresa Hitchens
By bringing the three mission areas of missile warning, missile defense and space domain awareness under one command as the Global Sensor Manager, USSPACECOM can more effectively integrate and fuse the sensor data for rapid detection, characterization, tracking and dissemination to ensure theaters can defeat any threat,” said Gen. Jim Dickinson, SPACECOM commander.
By Theresa Hitchens
“And make no mistake, distinguishing friendly from unfriendly behavior and space has become particularly important to us,” NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth told the GEOINT 2023 conference today.
By Theresa Hitchens
AI can make logistics data as valuable as intelligence or operational data for mission success
Valuable intelligence insights can be gleaned from logistics or flight-test data when artificial intelligence or machine learning is applied.
The Space Force is rushing to meet SPACECOM’s demand, developing a new acquisition plan for space “mobility and logistics” — including on-orbit servicing and repair, satellite refueling and space junk cleanup — a plan that will lean heavily on use of commercial capabilities, said SSC’s Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy.
By Theresa Hitchens
Satellite communications has become a priority for US Space Command as part of its space “assurance mission” for NATO allies and international partners in the Ukraine war, says the command’s head, Gen. Jim Dickinson.
By Theresa Hitchens
Not happy with America’s ability to precisely track adversarial satellites, Maj. Gen. David Miller fumed, “Somebody’s got to figure this out. The American people have paid for this. Somebody’s got to deliver.”
By Theresa Hitchens
Vice Adm. Jeffrey Trussler, deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare, told the Navy League’s annual Sea Air Space summit that the meeting was “step one” to better coordination with the military’s newest branch.
By Theresa Hitchens
“I haven’t made a recommendation. I haven’t made a decision. We’re still in the process of doing some analysis,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told House lawmakers today.
By Theresa Hitchens
The exact amount Dickinson would like to see Congress add to SPACECOM’s own budget is unclear, as the funding for five of the six wish list requests is restricted to a classified annex.
By Theresa Hitchens
STRATCOM’s Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center is focused primarily on repelling threats from Russia and China, but DoD also faces a potentially crippling spectrum grab by US commercial 5G wireless giants.
By Theresa Hitchens
