ULA’s Vulcan makes orbit, first step toward OK for DoD launches
ULA's Vulcan Centaur needs one more successful flight test to be certified to carry payloads to orbit under the Space Force's National Security Space Launch program.
Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX
The planned launches, which will take place starting in FY26, include sending a second SILENTBARKER watchdog satellite jointly developed by the service and the National Reconnaissance Office to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).
Lockheed on ‘campaign-like’ hunt for new solid rocket motor supplier – or suppliers
"This is a broad and in a way campaign-like approach to strengthening our own supply chain and enabling multiple sources, really for even beyond our company for our industry, which I think is important," Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet said of his firm's endeavor to field a new solid rocket motor supplier.
Space Force sticks to plan for 3 high-value launch providers through 2028
Interested companies have until Dec. 15 to respond to the service's dual requests for proposals: one for the critical, high-dollar NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches; and the other for Lane 1 small launches.
Space Force plans to ‘guarantee’ future launch missions with 3 providers faces near term challenge
While Space Systems Command hasn't publicly expressed concerns, outside observers point out that there is a real possibility that only Elon Musk's SpaceX will be able to undertake National Security Space Launches in the next few years.
A Space Force dozen: SpaceX, ULA awarded contracts to launch 12 new satellites
Spy satellites, classified payloads among the newly scheduled launches.
Industry squabbles on need for novel space regulation as White House deliberates
"And as weird as that sounds, you know, from an industry guy, I absolutely need regulation and enforcement," said Tory Bruno, CEO of rocket maker ULA. "Because one bad actor can ruin that entire common environment for all of us."
Space Force plans to open access for small providers to multibillion launch contracts
"We developed an acquisition strategy consisting of a dual-lane approach that provides access to diverse commercially available systems," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Space Force's acquisition lead for space launch.
SpaceX ‘Kicking Major Butt’ To Launch X-37B For First Time, Not ULA’s Atlas V
UPDATED: Adds Insights On Signficance ONRCO Mum So Far ON Switch GEOINT: In news sure to rock the launch industry, the mighty United Launch Alliance today failed to be named as the company launching the X-37B spaceplane. Instead, Elon Musk’s SpaceX will carry it for the first time, marking what is believed to be the […]
Wynne Mulled For DepSecDef; Trumpers Reject Ayotte
WASHINGTON: A top candidate for the Pentagon’s No. 2 position is Mike Wynne, the former Air Force Secretary who has been an advisor to Donald Trump for some time. We only have one source on this and can’t identify the source in any way, so put this one in the good rumor basket. Wynne was […]
Give DoD 18 RD-180s; Alternatives Too Late, Too Costly
When the National Defense Authorization Bill comes to the Senate floor, lawmakers will face an important choice regarding the future of national security space launch. The Defense Department has relied upon United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Delta IV and Atlas V rockets — the latter powered by the Russian-built RD-180 engine. Maintaining redundant launch system capabilities — […]
HASC OKs 18 RD-180s; Adds $100M For New Designs
WASHINGTON: The House Armed Services Committee is certainly no friend to today’s Russia as ruled by Vladimir Putin, but even they now support the Pentagon’s plans to use 18 Russian-made RD-180 rocket engines. The HASC approved by voice vote an amendment by Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado to the National Defense Authorization Act that would […]
‘We Need To Hold Our Noses,’ Buy Russian RD-180 Engines: SecDef
WASHINGTON: Ash Carter made many reporters’ day this morning when he pithily put the case for the Pentagon to continue buying Russian RD-180 rocket engines until the United States has two tested and reliable launch providers capable of replacing the highly reliable and relatively cheap Atlas V built and operated by the United Launch Alliance. “We […]
It’s ‘War’ Twixt Appropriators & Authorizers Over RD-180s: Sen. Durbin
CAPITOL HILL: The Senate battle over Russian rockets keeps rocking. Senators Dick Durbin and Richard Shelby sent most of this morning’s defense appropriations hearing defending the Pentagon’s plan to keep using the cheap and technologically reliable but politically toxic RD-180 until an American-made replacement is ready, sometime around 2020-2021. Durbin and Shelby denounced the effort […]
Shelby, Air Force Press Case To Keep RD-180; McCain Not So Much
CAPITOL HILL: The war ground on today between San. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and his colleague Sen. Richard Shelby on the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee. Shelby, knowing he had a policy friend in Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, asked her about the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine essential to US satellite launches […]