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16 Jan 25. Govini, the software company that accelerates the defense acquisition process, today announced the U.S. Space Force (USSF) awarded Ark—Govini’s flagship platform—Impact Level 5 (IL5) Authority to Operate (ATO). In addition to enabling more comprehensive data integration, individual USSF agencies and programs can now more rapidly evaluate and deploy Ark as a result of this authorization.
“Guardians need the best possible capabilities delivered as quickly as possible in order to secure the largest and most complex theater,” said Govini CEO Tara Murphy Dougherty. “This ATO makes the seamless integration of Govini’s best-in-class data with DoD programs possible—unlocking powerful new capabilities in Ark to help the Space Force develop better tech, accelerate production, strengthen sustainment, and ultimately field capabilities faster. This ATO is a massive win for Guardians and the entire Defense Acquisition ecosystem.”
Ark is a suite of AI-enabled Applications that plays a pivotal role in mission-critical missions throughout the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
The Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Aerospace Research Development Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) decision to award the ATO underscores Ark’s leading security standards and robust risk mitigation.
Already widely deployed across the Defense Acquisition community, Ark is now fully approved to integrate Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to further support critical missions and expand the unrivaled range of workflows that users can execute in Govini’s platform.
The DoD’s Impact Levels categorize and define the sensitivity of data and associated security requirements, with an IL5 being the highest level for CUI. Achieving an IL5 PA involves a stringent pre-screening, assessment, validation, and authorization process.
About Govini
Govini builds software to accelerate the Defense Acquisition Process. Ark, Govini’s flagship product, is a suite of AI-enabled applications, powered by integrated government and commercial data, that solves problems across the entire spectrum of Defense Acquisition, including Supply Chain, Science & Technology, Production, Sustainment, and Modernization. With Ark, the Acquisition community eliminates slow, manual processes and gains the ability to rapidly imagine, produce, and field critical warfighting capabilities. Ark transforms Defense Acquisition into a strategic advantage for the United States. (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Jan 25. Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense-tech prime that is Building a Platform in Space to Benefit Life on Earth® and protect economic freedom in the Orbital Age®, announced today a key development milestone for the company’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) program, marked by the successful completion of Systems Requirements Review (SRR). The SRR completion comes after the program’s kickoff in September and is a notable moment for Sierra Space’s national security program, with the ultimate goal of benefiting civilians and military operations through the protection of U.S. satellites.
GPS technology relies on satellite infrastructure and supports everything from ride-share and food delivery apps for civilians to critical navigation for military and defense operations. The increasing sophistication of adversarial threats, however, such as jamming and spoofing, necessitates advancements in GPS resilience. The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) R-GPS program plans to address these challenges by integrating proliferated small satellites into the existing GPS architecture. Sierra Space’s expertise in small satellite technology and rapid deployment provides a competitive edge in achieving this goal.
“The successful Systems Requirements Review of our R-GPS program is a proof point for Sierra Space technology and a notable commercial milestone with our DoD customers,” said Erik Daehler, Vice President of Defense, Satellites & Spacecraft Systems at Sierra Space. “We are focused on efficiency and speed of development to outpace adversaries. The quick turnaround of two months from R-GPS program launch to this next step of development is exactly the speed at which commercial space companies should be moving. We look forward to the next phase of our R-GPS program and getting our satellite technology into orbit.”
Sierra Space announced in September a “Quick Start” R-GPS contract awarded by the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command to produce design concepts for smaller, more cost-effective GPS satellites. Sierra Space was selected for this initial award due to the company’s innovative and integrated commercial concepts. The R-GPS program has been expedited under “Quick Start” authority granted by Congress under Section 229 of the National Defense Authorization Act. This authority allows for rapid response to emerging threats or technologies, enabling the U.S. Space Force to initiate new programs more swiftly.
“GPS is vital for everything from financial markets to civilian navigation,” said Lt. Col. Justin Deifel, head of the U.S. Space Force’s R-GPS program. “It’s a utility – like water or electricity – and we need to make sure it’s resilient for civilians and warfighters alike, so they have access to GPS when they need it most.”
Sierra Space’s strategic engagement in the R-GPS program underscores its commitment to delivering high-impact, innovative satellite solutions for defense applications. By leveraging its expertise in small satellite technology, rapid deployment capabilities, and advanced signal processing, Sierra Space aims to play a pivotal role in strengthening U.S. national security.
(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Jan 25. SpaceX’s Starship explodes in flight test, forcing airlines to divert.
SpaceX debris hurtles over Haiti after rocket failure
- Summary
- Companies
- Starship prototype fails after launch from Texas, forces airlines to alter course
- Upper stage anomaly leads to loss of Starship
- Super Heavy booster successfully returns to launchpad
- Starship had multiple upgrades, poised to deploy mock satellites
A SpaceX Starship rocket broke up in space minutes after launching from Texas on Thursday, forcing airline flights over the Gulf of Mexico to alter course to avoid falling debris and setting back Elon Musk’s flagship rocket program.
SpaceX mission control lost contact with the newly upgraded Starship, carrying its first test payload of mock satellites but no crew, eight minutes after liftoff from its South Texas rocket facilities at 5:38 p.m. EST (2238 GMT).
Video shot by Reuters showed orange balls of light streaking across the sky over the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, leaving trails of smoke behind.
“We did lose all communications with the ship – that is essentially telling us we had an anomaly with the upper stage,” SpaceX Communications Manager Dan Huot said, confirming minutes later that the ship was lost.
The last time a Starship upper stage failed was in March last year, as it was reentering Earth’s atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, but rarely has a SpaceX mishap caused widespread disruptions to air traffic. (Source: Reuters)
15 Jan 25. Novaspace, the leading space consulting and market intelligence firm, has released the 24th edition of its annual Government Space Programs (GSP) report. The report reveals that global government space investments reached approximately $135bn in 2024, a 10% increase compared to 2023. Defense spending, now the majority of budgets at $73bn (54%), underscores space’s growing importance as a contested and strategic domain.
The report highlights the increasing number of countries ramping up investments in the space sector. While the U.S. continues to lead global government spending, its share has declined from over 75% in 2000 to 59% in 2024, reflecting rising investments from China and other nations.
Defense Programs Dominate Investments
The widening gap underscores the growing emphasis on defense-focused space programs, as space emerges as a pivotal domain for achieving strategic autonomy alongside maritime, aerial, and cyber arenas. With the rising importance of space assets, more nations are establishing dedicated space forces and commands while simultaneously enhancing their operational capabilities to address evolving challenges. In this context, governments are bolstering defense capabilities, with investments in Security, Early Warning, Telecommunications, Navigation, and Earth Observation (EO).
Civil Investments: Human Spaceflight Leads the Way
On the civil side, Human Spaceflight remains the largest category of global government space investment in 2024. Traditionally, leading spacefaring nations and organizations have dominated the budgets for crewed and uncrewed scientific missions and exploration programs. However, this trend is evolving as more countries recognize the strategic and economic advantages of participating in space exploration activities. “The surge in government space budgets reflects the strategic importance of space,” said Charlotte Croison, Manager at Novaspace. “Governments worldwide are not only expanding their capabilities to secure their assets in orbit but are leveraging space to enhance their geopolitical standing and foster economic growth.”
Outlook for Government Space Budgets
The Government Space Programs report anticipates a deceleration in the growth of public space expenditures in the coming years. Faced with fiscal pressures such as economic constraints and competing policy priorities, Novaspace projects that government space budgets will stabilize, growing at a modest rate of approximately 1% annually through the end of the decade. Stabilizing budgets could, however, benefit from enhanced collaboration with the commercial sector. Governments are increasingly adopting a “Buy Before Build” approach, focusing on procuring commercial services from qualified vendors rather than developing custom hardware. This strategy optimizes costs while harnessing advanced capabilities.
Global Government Space Program Expenditures in 2024 (in $ Ms): $135 Bn Total Investment*
*Only countries with a budget of at least $10 m are included on the map. European country budgets reflect contributions to ESA, ESO, and Eumetsat.
About the Report
The 24th edition of the Government Space Programs report, authored by Charlotte Croison, Manager at Novaspace, provides a comprehensive assessment of government space expenditures and programs across more than 90 countries and international organizations. It includes detailed analysis of both defense and civil domains, forecasts through 2033 and tools to benchmark programs using metrics like Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), per capita spending, and budget comparisons as a percentage of GDP. Access a free extract here: Download Free Extract.
About Novaspace
Novaspace is a global leader in space consulting and market intelligence, formed through the merger of Euroconsult and SpaceTec Partners. This strategic move combines the distinctive strengths of both entities to significantly amplify our international presence and service capabilities. With over 40-year legacy of expertise in guiding public and private entities in strategic decision-making, Novaspace offers end-to-end consulting services, from project strategy definition to implementation, providing data-led perspectives on critical issues. Novaspace presents an expanded portfolio of services, featuring combined expertise in management and technology consulting, top-tier executive summits, and market intelligence. Trusted by
1,200 clients in over 60 countries, with offices strategically located in Brussels, London, Montreal, Munich,
Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toulouse, and Washington D.C.
16 Jan 25. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket reaches orbit in first test. Successful flight puts Jeff Bezos’s space venture on a path to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit early Thursday, in a critical milestone that comes some 25 years after the bnaire founded the company with the goal of reducing the cost of access to space. The 320-foot-tall, two-stage rocket, named for John Glenn, the first American to reach orbit, lifted off in its first test flight at 2:03 a.m. from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The vehicle was not carrying people or satellites, but rather a suite of technologies to be used in a spacecraft the company calls Blue Ring, which would service satellites and spacecraft in space. New Glenn is designed to be partially reusable, and while Blue Origin tried to land its booster stage on a ship at sea, the attempt was not successful. Three of the booster’s engines relit to slow the vehicle down as it approached a ship at sea several hundred miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, but the booster was lost. It was not immediately clear what happened, Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin’s vice president of in-space systems, said during the company’s live broadcast of the mission.
“We didn’t have booster landing, but man, we got close,” Cornell said.
As for the landing attempt, success “would be icing on the cake,” Bezos said in a brief interview before the mission. “It’s probably a little crazy to attempt to land booster on the first flight. But, you know what, if we have failure today, at any point in the mission, we’ll pick ourselves up and do it again.” He called the flight “a giant moment for sure.” (Bezos owns The Washington Post.)
“Getting to orbit is hard,” Cornell said. “There are not many countries, companies … that have ever been to orbit and, y’all, we did it on our first go. Congratulations. That is huge.”
The flight is also a key step toward getting certified by the Pentagon to launch national security missions. In June, the Defense Department selected Blue Origin, along with SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance, the joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, to launch the next batch of missions that combined are worth $5.6 bn. Before it can fly any of those, however, New Glenn must first demonstrate it can safely and reliably.
New Glenn’s flight had been delayed repeatedly. Initially, high seas made the rocket landing on the boat difficult, if not impossible. An attempt early Monday was called off after repeated delays as the company struggled with technical issues. It finally called off the flight after it was unable to resolve what it called “a vehicle subsystem issue.” It later said in a post Monday evening on X that the delay was caused by “ice forming in a purge line on an auxiliary power unit that powers some of our hydraulic systems.”
Bezos has been trying to inject a sense of urgency into his space venture, which has lagged well behind Elon Musk’s SpaceX. SpaceX first successfully launched a rocket to orbit in 2008. Since then, it has dominated the launch market, winning bns of dollars in contracts from NASA, the Pentagon and commercial satellite providers.
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Musk, in a social media post shortly after the launch, congratulated Bezos for “reaching orbit on the first attempt.” (Source: Washington Post)
15 Jan 25. ICEYE, the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite operations for high-fidelity Earth Observation, persistent monitoring, and natural catastrophe solutions, has successfully launched and deployed four new SAR satellites into orbit. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and successfully lifted off on January 14 aboard the Transporter-12 Rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Each spacecraft has established communication, and early routine operations are underway. Including today’s launch, ICEYE has launched 44 satellites into orbit for the company and its customers since 2018. ICEYE now exclusively launches satellites that deliver 25 cm resolution, the highest fidelity in the industry. ICEYE plans to launch more than 20 new satellites annually in 2025 and beyond. The new satellites serve both ICEYE’s commercial and dedicated customer missions and were manufactured by ICEYE in Finland and by ICEYE US in the United States. The satellites include the second ICEYE satellite for Space42, a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with a global reach, for the company’s previously announced Earth Observation Space Program.
“Through the continuous and reliable deployment of new satellites into the ICEYE constellation, we are reinforcing our leadership position in Earth Observation. ICEYE’s revolutionary satellites have a ground-breaking combination of capabilities – smaller size and high performance – which ICEYE as the only company in the market can deliver to customers. Our team is focused on our commitment to working as a trusted partner for governments and industries worldwide. With today’s announcement, we also celebrate the launch of the second ICEYE satellite for Space42, and we look forward to further successful collaboration on their missions and developing the UAE’s space capabilities,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-Founder of ICEYE.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat Smart Solutions, Space42, said: “Foresight-2 has furthered the UAE’s position as a global leader in satellite-based Earth observation, while enabling us to strengthen our credentials as a multi-orbit satellite operator. Through the SAR constellation, we continue to drive the development of our local satellite manufacturing capabilities, while boosting nation-wide preparedness for emergency response; ensuring we deliver maximum value to our customers in the region and beyond”.
The new satellites further expand the world’s largest SAR constellation, owned and operated by ICEYE. SAR satellites can image any location on the Earth’s surface in any environmental condition, day or night. SAR data provides precise, near real-time insights for ICEYE’s government and commercial customers.
ICEYE’s previous launch in December 2024 successfully deployed two new satellites into the constellation. During 2024 ICEYE successfully launched nine new satellites.
16 Jan 25. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a European leader in developing flexible and low-cost launch services, proudly announces that it has officially received its spaceflight operator licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In combination with the spaceport licence and the range control licence from SaxaVord Spaceport, all three critical regulatory licences required for a test flight in 2025 from Scotland are therefore granted. With this regulatory green light in place, RFA is now shifting its focus to the final technical preparations for the first test flight. The company has already completed major development milestones, including the successful flight qualification of the RFA ONE’s second stage, its advanced Redshift orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), and its payload fairing system. The remaining efforts are centred on building the rocket´s first stage with nine Helix staged-combustion engines, and conducting a full hot fire test on the launch pad at SaxaVord Spaceport, Scotland.
“This is a groundbreaking moment for RFA and for Europe’s space industry,” said Jörn Spurmann, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of RFA. “Securing the first-ever launch licence outside ESA’s established site in Kourou is not just a regulatory milestone – it’s a powerful endorsement of our technical excellence and a turning point for European space innovation. This licence marks Europe’s bold step toward independent, competitive, and sustainable space access. By enabling cost-effective and flexible launches from European main land, we are laying the foundation for a new era of space exploration and commercialization, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of the global space race. Together with the CAA and our partners, we are driving the future of accessible and reliable spaceflight, unlocking opportunities that will shape industries and inspire generations.”
Rob Bishton, CEO of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This is a new era for aerospace and granting the first vertical launch licence from UK soil builds towards a historic milestone for the nation. This licence is the culmination of extensive hard work behind the scenes to put appropriate safety and environmental measures in place before launch. Through effective licensing and regulation we are enabling the expanding the space sector to reach new heights.”
Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch, ISAM, and Space Sustainability said: “This licence approval is a landmark moment, as it signals the start of vertical rocket launches from European soil. The achievement, driven by effective collaboration between RFA, SaxaVord Spaceport, the regulator and government partners, highlights the growing strength of the UK’s launch capabilities and our international relationships. What’s more, ambitious companies like RFA are creating high-skilled jobs, catalysing investment, and inspiring the next generation to see their future in space.”
As Europe strives for greater autonomy and flexibility in space access, the RFA spaceflight operator license highlights the importance of developing privately driven, innovative solutions to meet the rapidly growing demand for satellite launches. The upcoming test flight of RFA ONE will position RFA as a key player in Europe’s spaceflight ambitions, providing a reliable and affordable launch service for small satellites, right from European mainland.
13 Jan 25. Pixxel to launch India’s first private satellite network, eyes $19bn market.
- Summary
- Companies
- First batch of launch consists of three spacecraft Plans 24 satellites for the constellationLaunch on Jan. 14 aboard SpaceX rocket, subject to approvals
India’s Pixxel is set to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California on Tuesday, the first such network in the country’s nascent private space sector, Pixxel’s chief told Reuters. The satellites will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at roughly 550 km, with the remaining three slated for deployment in the second quarter of the year. The launch is scheduled to take place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base at around 10:45 a.m. Pacific Time (1845 GMT) on Tuesday – just after midnight the next day in India – subject to final approvals. Pixxel’s founder and chief executive Awais Ahmed told Reuters that it plans to add 18 more spacecraft to the six it has already developed, eyeing a share of the satellite imaging market projected to reach $19 bn by 2029. The launch is a milestone for India’s nascent private space sector and for Google-backed Pixxel, a five-year-old startup. It aims to use hyperspectral imaging — a technology that captures highly detailed data across hundreds of light bands — to serve industries such as agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence. (Source: Reuters)
13 Jan 25. Bezos sees no threat from Musk-Trump ties in space race.
Summary
- Bezos optimistic about Trump space agenda
- Bezos says he trusts Musk’s public interest motive
- New Glenn launch delayed, aims to compete with SpaceX
- Trump may shift NASA focus from moon to Mars
Jeff Bezos does not think SpaceX CEO Elon Musk will use his close ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to undercut Bezos’ rival space company Blue Origin, and was “very optimistic” about the incoming administration’s space agenda. The inaugural launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, tasked with eventually launching the company’s moon lander for NASA, was due early on Monday after several delays, but was postponed for at least another day due to a last-minute issue with the vehicle. New Glenn is a 30-story-tall rocket that is expected to chip away at SpaceX’s market dominance and kickstart Blue Origin’s long-delayed entrance in the satellite launch business.
“Elon has been very clear that he’s doing this for the public interest and not for his personal gain. And I take him at face value,” Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, told Reuters on Sunday. (Source: Reuters)
10 Jan 25. Rocket Lab completes PDR for US SDA’s T2TL-Beta programme. This move is a step forward in Rocket Lab’s role as the prime contractor responsible for delivering 18 data transport satellites. Rocket Lab National Security has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL)-Beta programme. This achievement is a step forward in the company’s role as the prime contractor responsible for delivering 18 data transport satellites. This is a part of the US Department of Defense’s proliferated warfighter space architecture. The completion of the PDR allows Rocket Lab to progress into the detailed design phase of the $515m contract secured in January 2024. The contract tasks Rocket Lab with the design, integration, testing, and commissioning of the T2TL-Beta satellites. Leading a team of payload providers, Rocket Lab is set to enhance the capacity of the PWSA, a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation aimed at providing secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities. The PDR, a multi-day evaluation, confirmed that the satellite design aligns with mission requirements and laid the groundwork for subsequent production, testing, and operational stages. The review encompassed various aspects of the mission, including architecture, space vehicle design, launch and operation strategies, and integration and testing plans. The 18 satellites will incorporate Rocket Lab’s in-house subsystems and components, such as solar panels, composite structures, and avionics, ensuring a high level of vertical integration. This approach grants Rocket Lab considerable control over its supply chain, leading to efficiencies and certainty regarding cost, schedule, and quality. Previously, in August 2023, the SDA selected two defence contractors to develop a prototype for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer as part of this initiative. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
10 Jan 25. Bezos’ Blue Origin’s New Glenn debut to pose long-awaited challenge to SpaceX.
- Summary
- Companies
- New Glenn launch to mark Blue Origin’s first trek to orbit
- New Glenn would rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Starship rockets
- U.S. Space Force eyeing the mission for future national security
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is set for an inaugural launch of its giant New Glenn rocket on Sunday, a long-awaited first leap to Earth orbit that sets up one of the biggest challenges yet to industry dominance enjoyed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Standing 30 stories tall, New Glenn has been a core focus for Blue Origin since the beginning of its decade-long development, representing a multibn-dollar effort to sate demand for satellite constellation launches and snatch market share from SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9. If successful in its debut, New Glenn can later start launching Amazon’s (AMZN.O) broadband internet satellite constellation, Kuiper, that will rival SpaceX’s Starlink network, accelerating competition on another front. Blue Origin for years has launched and landed its much smaller, reusable New Shepard rocket to and from the brim of Earth’s atmosphere. It has yet to send anything into orbit in the 25 years since Bezos founded (Source: Reuters)
10 Jan 25. Italy eyes Musk’s Starlink for secret government communications. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has said Italy may employ Elon Musk’s Starlink service to provide encrypted satellite communications to link its military contingents around the world because there is “no public alternative.” Meloni said Starlink offered advanced technology and, unlike European collaborative satellite program IRIS2, was ready.
“This is a European problem,” she said, adding the European Union “did not get there in time to have public technology able to secure this communication.”
Italy is in talks with Starlink, part of Musk’s SpaceX aerospace business, to use its 6,700 satellite constellation in a reported five-year, €1.5 bn ($1.55 bn) deal.
“Space X has illustrated to the government its technology that allows secure communication nationally and globally which means for us guaranteed communications with our diplomats and military missions abroad,” Meloni told reporters in Rome on Thursday.
She said no decision had been made, and that talks were also being held with other private operators, but said Space X had “the most advanced technology.”
She added, “There are no public alternatives.”
Meloni said, “Tomorrow there will probably be public entities able to guarantee the protection of communication. Today there are not.”
On Monday, Elon Musk said he was “ready to provide Italy the most secure and advanced connectivity.”
The European Union has signed to develop an array of 280 satellites known as ISIS2 which will offer encrypted satellite communications to governments, but it will not be ready until at least 2030.
Meloni said that she considered relying on a private operator to protect sensitive military data less than ideal, but could not wait for IRIS2.
“There are two scenarios and neither is optimal,” she said.
Fabiana di Porto, an expert on Innovation and Regulatory policy at Rome’s Luiss University, said, “Musk’s satellites are cheaper than IRIS2 and there are more of them, but the security aspect is important since we are talking about government communications in the hands of a private operator.”
She also pointed out that Italian state-controlled defense champion Leonardo had a stake in IRIS2.
Meloni said that Microsoft had previously worked on data centers in Italy, adding, “no-one complained.”
She said, “Is the problem with Space X that it is private, or is it the political ideas of Elon Musk?”
Handing control of Italy’s military satellite communications to the U.S. tech tycoon has prompted sharp criticism in Italy from opposition politicians given Musk’s recent use of his social media platform X to lambast governments in the U.K. and Germany.
Meloni has forged a friendship with Musk, recently calling him a “genius.”
“I value investments overseas through one lens – national interest – and not through friendships or political ideas,” she said, adding, “I have never talked to Elon Musk of this project.” (Source: Defense News)
09 Jan 25. SpaceX sends off NROL-153 mission from California. SpaceX conducted its first West Coast Falcon 9 launch of the year, which will feature the latest batch of Starshield satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office. The NROL-153 mission is the first launch of the year for the NRO’s proliferated architecture satellite constellation.
Dr. T.J. Lincoln, the director of the NRO’s Mission Operations Directorate at a December meeting at Space Force Association Spacepower Conference, said that the NRO is increasingly moving towards automation in order to better mange the increasingly complex systems.
“The good thing about automation, at least with the proliferated, is it’s being baked in early on. So as the ops lead for the NRO, I’m demanding those things are built into the system because there’s no way to operate multiple hundreds of satellites the same way we do today,” Lincoln said. “The mission management has to happen, the duty cycle tasking has to happen, the re-tasking has to happen automated, with humans on the loop to be able to tweak that to make sure we’re meeting those operational successful needs that we have to.”
The history of launches total six launches using Falcon 9 rockets in 2024 and listed at least five missions planned for 2025:
- NROL-153
- NROL-57
- NROL-192
- NROL-48
- NROL145
(Source: Satnews)
08 Jan 25. Forrester’s Digest: Viasat gets tough on SpaceX. U.S. satellite operator Viasat has filed a further objection to SpaceX’s plans to start using some of its satellites for Direct-to-Cellular (D2C) services. The filing, ‘Petition for Reconsideration regarding SpaceX SCS Order’, was made on December 27th to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). SCS refers to the FCC’s ‘Supplementary Coverage from Space’ guidelines.
Among other statements, Viasat said, “More generally, the Commission has recognised that it is inappropriate to authorize additional MSS operations without first resolving threshold questions about whether there is sufficient spectrum availability to support such operations, and whether such operations would be compatible with other relevant spectrum uses. As the Bureau recognized in dismissing SpaceX’s earlier requests for 2 GHz MSS and Big LEO Band authority, SpaceX should have attempted to demonstrate that such MSS operations would be feasible through one or more rulemaking proceedings instead of simply asking for operating authority – a course of action that SpaceX itself has conceded is appropriate. There is no basis for the Bureau to reach a different conclusion here – with respect to the 2 GHz MSS Bands or any other portion of the 1429-2690 MHz band.”
Viasat alleges that the FCC has granted Starlink approvals (under its SCS guidelines) to operate without frequency clearances. The company said, “The FCC has long recognized that co-frequency operations by multiple MSS operators are not feasible because such operations generally rely on omnidirectional antennas that cannot discriminate between satellites.” (Source: Satnews)
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