Space Development Agency delays next launch amid supply chain woes
The agency initially planned to start launching the Tranche 1 satellites in September 2024, but has walked back those plans on several occasions.
Battlefield Tech
Hegseth mandates streamlined software acquisition approach in new memo
Hegseth directed DOD components to use the Software Acquisition Pathway in an effort to speed up the process for fielding software-heavy systems.
US military’s mini space shuttle returns to Earth after secret mission
The Space Force's unmanned X-37B blasted into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in December 2023 on a secret mission.
Palantir delivers first 2 next-gen targeting systems to Army
The announcement comes nearly one year to the date of the service awarding the firm a $178 million contract to deliver 10 TITAN ground systems.
‘Golden Dome’ success will require national buy-in, official says
Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein said the biggest challenge with President Trump's Golden Dome will be organizational collaboration.
Space acquisition hub preparing for impact of Trump’s workforce cuts
The head of the Space Force's acquisition command said workforce cuts are "incredibly challenging," but the command is adjusting to minimize the impact.
How Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ could speed up hypersonic range expansion
The Pentagon's Test Resource Management Center is considering sites in Australia, Alaska and New Mexico as possible overland hypersonic testing corridors.
SDA should re-evaluate launch plans as key tech lags, watchdog says
A watchdog argued the Space Development Agency's focus on rapid development is creating blind spots when it comes to validating key capabilities.
Space Force will play ‘central role’ in Iron Dome, service chief says
The Space Force is evaluating what systems it already has in development to support President Trump's order and what capabilities it would need to build.
Space Force bumps Astrion from Resilient GPS program
After initial design reviews with the firms competing for R-GPS, the service opted to “discontinue” the company's contract, an official told Defense News.
Space Development Agency to re-bid contentious prototype contract
Tyvak, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital that is now owned by Lockheed Martin, has been under a stop work order since mid-December.
Space Force lacks ‘warfighting ethos,’ experts say
An October 2024 workshop highlighted gaps in how the general public, and even some in the Defense Department, perceive the role of the Space Force.
Space Force picks Firefly to launch Victus Sol rapid response mission
The Space Force would not confirm a target launch date for the mission, but its fiscal 2025 budget set late 2025 or 2026 as its notional timeline.
Former Pentagon leader Chris Miller joins defense investment firm
The firm, founded in 2024, focuses its investments on emerging and enabling technologies like advanced manufacturing and AI.
Space Development Agency launches study on Trump’s Iron Dome order
In a notice Wednesday, the agency said it is conducting a study that looks at how its architecture could be expanded as part of the Iron Dome order.
Space Force acquisition office ‘aggressively’ pushing reform efforts
The focus on tracking program performance comes as Elon Musk’s DOGE is expected to set its sights on the Defense Department in the coming weeks.
Pentagon acquisition office orders review of Space Development Agency
The review is meant to ensure that SDA is on a path to deliver a proliferated satellite constellation that meets Defense Department requirements.
