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26 Mar 14. Spacecom Protecting Homeland From Growing Threats. The Defense Department must prepare for conflict in space to ensure deterrence. If that fails, the U.S. military is ready to fight and win, said Space Force Commander Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, who testified today at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces. He said threats continue to expand at a breathtaking pace and pose a risk to the joint force.
“These novel and unprecedented developments include China’s robust counter-space weapons and space-enabled kill chains, Russia’s reported pursuit of an on-orbit nuclear anti-satellite weapon and wide-ranging ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile threats,” Whiting said.
Despite the growing threats, the United States maintains advantages in space. The general said these advantages include an unmatched commercial space sector, and U.S. allies and partners.
Whiting said no other country can match the United States’ understanding of the complexities of space and the requirements to operate effectively in the most challenging areas of responsibility.
“Our military has the best trained, most capable space warfighting force in the world, and they stand dedicated to for America,” he added.
The general said Operation Olympic Defender is an example of working with allies and partners. He noted that Germany, France and New Zealand recently joined the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia as participating nations. The operation’s mission optimizes space operations, improves mission assurance, enhances resilience and synchronizes efforts, according to a Spacecom news release. This growth further strengthens partnerships and enables our allies to share the burden of collective space security, Whiting said.
“These advantages and our ability to deter potential adversaries cannot be taken for granted,” he said. “Deterrence in space is consistent with other domains. It requires a keen understanding and clear communication of what we are deterring against, credible, acknowledged capabilities to impose costs on those who attack us, and resilient architectures to dissuade attack by making any effort futile.”
Whiting said Spacecom is fully integrated into and contributing to the department’s efforts to establish a Golden Dome for American missile defense shield, adding that Space Command requires stable funding, as well as effective and efficient acquisition programs that deliver advanced space capabilities. He identified the most pressing issues as the delivery of integrated space fires, enhanced battlespace awareness, and integrated command and control capabilities to achieve space superiority, which enhances homeland defense while protecting and enabling the joint force.
“Although many challenges lie ahead, the future of space holds tremendous promise for America if we actively and thoughtfully protect it,” he said.
In Whiting’s prepared testimony submitted to lawmakers, he wrote: “Spacecom is partnering with U.S. Northern Command and other stakeholders to write an initial capabilities document aimed at defining capability-based requirements for the Golden Dome architecture, based on forecasted threat scenarios. As these capabilities develop and deliver, we stand ready to take an active role in the operation of a next-generation space architecture which will be resident in our in support of protecting American citizens from attack.” In his prepared testimony, he also addressed China’s views on space technology and its goal of becoming the dominant power in East Asia and a global superpower.
” seeks to rival the United States in nearly all areas of space technology by 2030 and establish itself as the world’s preeminent space power by 2045. Since 2015, China’s on-orbit presence has grown by 1,000%, with 1,094 active satellites as of January 2025. Its sophisticated space and counter-space systems enhance its ability to secure territorial claims, project power, and challenge U.S. advantages.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
27 Mar 25. Boeing-Lockheed’s Vulcan cleared to launch US national security satellites. The U.S. Space Force said on Wednesday it has cleared Boeing and Lockheed Martin’s Vulcan rocket to launch national security satellites for the United States. SpaceX was the first company to handle such missions. “Vulcan certification adds launch capacity, resiliency, and flexibility needed by our nation’s most critical space-based systems,” said Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen, the program executive officer for assured access to space. Vulcan was developed to replace the Boeing LMT joint venture ULA’s workhorse Atlas V rocket and rival the reusable Falcon 9 from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. (Source: Reuters)
25 Mar 14. Maxar Launches Raptor, a First-of-its-Kind Software that Unlocks Next-Gen GPS Resilience for Autonomous Systems. Raptor vision-based software products use Maxar’s unique global 3D data to deliver a breakthrough terrain-based positioning system for drone navigation and sensemaking in GPS-denied environments. Introducing Raptor, a first-of-its-kind software suite unlocking next-gen GPS resilience for autonomous systems. Raptor vision-based software products use Maxar’s unique global 3D data to deliver a breakthrough terrain-based positioning system for drone navigation and sensemaking in GPS-denied environments. Maxar Intelligence, the leading provider of secure, precise geospatial insights, today launched Raptor, a powerful software suite that enables autonomous drones to navigate and extract accurate ground coordinates in the absence of GPS. This technology transforms the resilience and reliability of unmanned systems, enabling autonomy at scale across warfighting, humanitarian and commercial operations for customers across the world. Designed for lightweight integration with any autonomous platform, Raptor products use only a drone’s native camera and Maxar’s 90 m-plus sq km of global 3D terrain data to help the platform navigate with extreme precision and extract accurate ground coordinates in real-time without GPS. Raptor can also operate at night and in low-terrain environments. No additional hardware required.
“By eliminating reliance on GPS, Raptor software unlocks the full potential of autonomous systems—from powering truly joint multi-domain operations as part of a digital battlefield to large-scale delivery systems in urban areas where knowing the precise coordinates of your drop-off location is critical to getting the job done,” said Peter Wilczynski, Chief Product Officer at Maxar Intelligence. “Raptor will change the game for customers across the defense and commercial sectors. This software uses Maxar’s unique 3D global terrain data to ensure that autonomous systems get the job done no matter how much GPS interference they face.”
The Raptor suite of software solutions includes:
* Raptor Guide: Vision-based positioning software loaded directly onto an autonomous platform, enabling it to determine its aerial position with a demonstrated absolute accuracy of <10 m RMSE.
* Raptor Sync: Software that georegisters the full motion video feed from the drone’s on-board camera with Maxar’s 3D terrain data in real-time, enabling intelligence fusion, multi-domain interoperability across different sensors and accurate ground coordinate extraction at a demonstrated absolute accuracy of <3 m.
* Raptor Ace: Software solution installed on commodity laptop equipment that works alongside drone controllers, enabling operators to extract real-time target ground coordinates from full-motion aerial video feeds with a demonstrated absolute accuracy of <3 m.
Raptor represents a fundamentally new solution on the market, providing significant advantages over most visual-based navigation alternatives:
* Cost- and power-efficient: Raptor software products are deployable on off-the-shelf hardware and require minimal initial integration. Alternative navigation solutions typically require additional hardware.
* Delivers against complex mission profiles: Built on a true 3D representation of the operational terrain, Raptor products operate at night, in any season, and at altitudes as low as 50 m. Maxar’s 3D global terrain data is regularly updated.
* Enables autonomy at scale: Because Raptor software anchors sensor data against a common geospatial foundation and works with existing drone cameras, the technology makes it possible for different unmanned systems to work together for joint operations regardless of the software or hardware platform.
* Works on existing cameras: A dedicated downward-facing camera consumes precious payload space and adds to the platform’s weight and power consumption. Raptor software works with the drone’s existing optics, including both forward and side-looking cameras. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 Mar 25. Gilmour now targets April for first launch. Gilmour says it’s now likely to blast off its Eris rocket in April, following disruption from Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The launch firm had set a two-week launch window opening in mid-March after clearing the final regulatory hurdle with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The weather event all but shut down large parts of south-east Queensland and north NSW for days when it touched down on Friday, 7 March. Previously, Gilmour said it planned to have 50 staff based at its Bowen spaceport to help conduct the blast-off, which will be arguably the most significant moment in the sector’s history. Eris is a three-stage orbital vehicle and the first to be almost entirely Australian-designed and manufactured. Gilmour has been developing it for over eight years and believes it could address a gap in the global market for small satellite launches. It had planned for an inaugural blast-off in April 2024 but faced a lengthy delay in obtaining its final permit from the Australian Space Agency. The news comes weeks after the federal government relaxed the laws around launches to better consider the high likelihood of failure. The changes to the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 include an amendment that means that if no property is destroyed, a longer investigation can now be avoided in the event of an explosion. Gilmour has repeatedly stressed that the initial blast-off of Eris is likely to end in failure, while SpaceX engineers in 2023 famously celebrated when the first launch of Starship ended in failure.
“This is the second round of reforms over the past 18 months to the act, which will support our fast-moving and highly commercialised space sector,” said Enrico Palermo, the head of the Australian Space Agency.
“These changes will remove inefficiency and improve flexibility without compromising safety.”
Australia is currently home to four spaceports: Equatorial Launch Australia’s Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, Gilmour Space Technologies’ Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland and Southern Launch’s orbital Whalers Way facility and suborbital Koonibba Test Range in SA. A fifth, by Space Centre Australia, is planned for Far North Queensland, while ELA also hopes to move its spaceport to a similar location. (Source: Space Connect)
25 Mar 25. Toulouse-based Atheras Analytics SAS has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its DESIRISS Ground Segment Dimensioning Tool. Funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), under the ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, the development of the software will be utilised to support ESA in its role of IRIS² Qualification and Validation Authority. DESIRISS features the capability to provide ground segment trade-off analyses, performance evaluation and different concepts of operation for a wide range of multi-orbit satellite constellations, taking into account the impact of weather on the proposed Ka-band and Q/V-band links. Daniel Arapoglou, ESA Telecommunication and System Engineer responsible for this activity, said: “We have been impressed by the quality of the work performed and the timely delivery of the tool by the Atheras Analytics SAS team. Through the utilization of AI-techniques, the team managed to effectively blend the work of satcom engineers not only with that of software coders, but also of the user interface designer. I look forward to the results this test bed will deliver to the space ecosystem.”
James Youdale, President of Atheras Analytics SAS, said: “We were honoured when ESA selected us for this key activity, and it is very rewarding that ESA has recognized the quality of our work through a successful CDR. Our technology will enable ESA to determine the viability of different network designs and ensure that the most suitable selections are made and result in the highest performing and most reliable ground segment.”
The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.
About Atheras Analytics
Atheras Analytics SAS has developed a suite of AI-based, SaaS-delivered software tools that enable satellite operators to optimise the design and operation of their next-generation Ka-band and Q/V-band satellite networks for maximum network availability. The core of these tools is he AI-based Outage Prediction Algorithm (OPA) which employs advanced machine learning techniques, including neural networks, to train the Outage Prediction Algorithm (OPA) for multiple different operational scenarios.
22 Mar 25. Italy’s deal with Starlink has stalled, defence minister says. Negotiations on a potential contract between Elon Musk’s satellite internet operator Starlink and the Italian government have stalled, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions, Italy’s defence minister said on Saturday. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is aiming to guarantee encrypted communications between the government, diplomats and defence officials operating in risky areas and Starlink is among the contenders to provide the system.
“It seems to me that everything has come to a standstill,” Guido Crosetto was quoted as saying by newspaper La Repubblica.
He said it was partly due to the fact that discussions moved from technical aspects to “statements” by and about Elon Musk. Starlink is a dominant force in the sector with 6,700 active low-orbit satellites. Sources have told Reuters Rome was considering a five-year deal worth a total of 1.5bn euros ($1.62bn) with the company that is part of Musk’s SpaceX group. But talks between the government and Starlink have sparked outrage among opposition politicians who question the wisdom of handing a national security contract to a foreign businessman and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Source: Reuters)
21 Mar 25. Ready for Orbit: BlueHalo Announces Breakthrough in Long-Haul Laser. BlueHalo, the company transforming the future of global defense through mission-critical innovation in the space domain, today announced the successful milestone demonstration of its two-terminal long-haul, multi-orbit laser communication system. The achievement marks a significant breakthrough in the development of space-based laser communication technology with far-reaching implications for national security and commercial sectors. During the demonstration, two laser communication optical terminals completed pointing, acquisition, and tracking sequences at transmit power levels supporting multi-orbit, space-to-space satellite crosslink amidst simulated challenges experienced in space environments, including jitter, extreme temperatures, and lack of atmosphere. The demonstration’s success highlights new capabilities for transferring high bandwidth data in space – enabling the secure exchange of more data at a faster rate across further distances, including LEO, MEO, GEO orbits and beyond. With the successful prototype demonstration in an operational environment, BlueHalo has matured its optical communication terminals to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team, whose dedication to the mission has led to this milestone – developing a space-based laser communication capability that is orders of magnitude greater than existing technology on orbit today,” said Mary Clum, President of the Product & Space Systems Portfolio. “With the technology validated, BlueHalo is ready to begin quickly producing these advanced optical terminals for deployment on satellites across all echelons of space. It’s an urgent need to enhance our nation’s security posture – in space and on the ground – and support the rapidly accelerating demand for rapid transport of high-bandwidth, mission-critical data. We’re ready.”
BlueHalo’s laser communication terminals are suitable for both national security operations and commercial satellite bus providers, offering a longer range, greater accuracy, and higher reliability for free-space optical communications. The capability builds upon and advances systems previously developed and deployed by BlueHalo, many of which remain on orbit today. (Source: ASD Network)
23 Mar 25. PLD Space expands global launch capacity with their 2nd spaceport—Etlaq in Oman. PLD Space recently announced that the Etlaq spaceport in Oman will be its second global launch base for the MIURA launch vehicle family—this infrastructure joins the company’s Launch Complex at the CSG (Kourou, French Guiana), owned by CNES and ESA, thereby expanding vehicle service deployment capabilities and increasing commercial launch opportunities to meet the flight demand, especially for the Middle East market. The company plans to incorporate a third spaceport in the coming year to address proximity needs in a third region of the world and ensure the MIURA 5 flight manifest. As a global ‘multi-spaceport’ company, PLD Space is committed to offering its customers greater proximity to launch bases and maximum flight availability, thus fulfilling the MIURA 5 roadmap, which includes 30 flights by 2030. To meet this manifest, the company needs to have operational launch capacity for three spaceports located in three different regions of the globe. With its Launch Complex at the European CSG spaceport, PLD Space covers the Western market, primarily America and Europe. Now, the company has signed a strategic agreement with Oman’s Etlaq spaceport, enabling it to meet the needs of its customers in the Eastern market, such as the Middle East. In this way, PLD Space becomes the first major operator to launch from this spaceport. Due to its strategic geographic location, this launch infrastructure is an excellent solution for PLD Space’s customer service. Located in Duqm (southeastern coast of Oman), it is a highly flexible spaceport with access to all commercially relevant orbits. Its proximity to the equator provides higher efficiency for low-inclination orbits like GEO, as well as for medium inclinations such as the orbit of the current International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, it allows direct access to high-inclination orbits such as Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) and Polar. Etlaq offers other differential advantages, such as its excellent logistical connections with PLD Space’s headquarters in Elche (Spain), drying stable weather conditions, and ample ocean downrange for safety. Additionally, this infrastructure is suitable for launching the entire MIURA rocket family, including crewed missions of its LINCE capsule, making this collaboration a short- and long-term endeavor. PLD Space is also committed to generating local value, following the same approach as in other regions where it maintains infrastructure. The company plans to create high-skilled jobs in the area, as well as establish a high value-added supply chain, which will help strengthen the efforts Oman has been making in the space industry for several years. The announcement was made at the first annual Etlaq Launch Conference (ELC 2025), held in Muscat (Oman), with the agreement being signed by the Founder & CEO of Etlaq, His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said. (Source: Satnews)
20 Mar 25. Teledyne delivers 100th infrared detector for the SDA’s Tracking Layer. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) earlier this month announced the company’s on-time and early deliveries for the Space Development Agency‘s (SDA) proliferated constellation with the delivery of the 100th large format focal plane module, counting deliveries from the Tranche 0, Tranche 1, and now Tranche 2 tracking layers. Mission Sensors: The global tracking layer relies on infrared payloads to analyze threats from orbit. Teledyne’s configurable manufacturing line delivers radiation-hardened, high-sensitivity sensors to meet threat detection requirements. These multi-megapixel resolution arrays significantly improve threat detection accuracy, and form part of the fire control countermeasures system against hypersonic weapons. Proven Expertise: Teledyne’s track record includes delivering space-grade focal plane arrays for prestigious instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, The European Space Agency’s Euclid dark matter telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope. Defense related deliveries, though often classified, encompass over a dozen successful missions. In addition to focal plane arrays, Teledyne will supply electronics and other components for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) campaign. Meeting space imaging needs across the spectrum: Counting infrared as well as visible CMOS and CCD sensors sourced from Teledyne’s DALSA and e2v businesses, the corporation has supported more than 260 total space missions, while close coordination across the global enterprise enables Teledyne to service emerging space imaging needs worldwide. (Source: Satnews)
21 Mar 25. SpaceX sends off NROL-57 on secret mission and another NROL-69 launch on Monday. On a very foggy Thursday night beside the ocean on March 20 at 11:49 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-57 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos captured by Satnews. The SpaceX mission description indicated that the first stage of this rocket also launched the SPHEREx space telescope and PUNCH solar probes for NASA on March 11 making NROL-57 the second launch of the launch vehicle in a period of just over nine days. This accomplishment broke the previous Falcon 9 record of 14 days. Although this is a secret mission typically such satellites are usually used for intelligence gathering and surveillance. A safe return to land on a foggy California beach night this was the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, and SPHEREx. (Source: Satnews)
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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.
The company combines novel artificial intelligence and radar technologies to identify movement and provide context in real-time. MatrixSpace sensors are the smallest, lightest and most portable high-performance systems on the market powered by AI. They deliver actionable insights that empower a broad range of public and private enterprises to protect assets and maintain safety with superior situational awareness.
For the modern, mobile battlespace, MatrixSpace provides both high performance 4D radar and jam-resistant mesh networked communications engineered to perform in the harshest conditions—day or night, in any weather, and in remote, rugged locations. Designed for flexibility, our radar systems can be integrated with tactical vehicles or mounted on structures like buildings, TOCs, or stanchions. Offering 360° coverage, they provide unmatched field-of-view advantages, while low energy consumption allows for solar/battery-powered operation in off-grid environments at twice the duration and a fraction the cost of alternatives. The MatrixSpace AI platform removes clutter and classifies objects, so operators can act confidently without specialized radar expertise.
The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.
MatrixSpace solutions are designed and developed in the United States, without ITAR export restrictions, manufactured under the highest ISO and IATF standards and rigorously tested for quality, reliability and compliance.
Visit maxtrixspace.com
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