Space Alert

The Space Development Agency aims to release a formal request for proposals for its first tranche of transport communication satellites -- a capability the Pentagon expects will serve as the backbone and "main unifying thrust" of its joint all-domain command-and-control efforts, according to SDA director Derek Tournear.

The Space and Missile Systems Center on Friday revealed it has directed Raytheon, the prime contractor for the GPS Operational Control Segment, to replace the system's computer hardware -- a move that will add another 10 months to the program's schedule and cost the government an additional $378 million.

The director of the Space Force Space and Missile Systems Center's launch enterprise said today the service has characterized the Launch Services Procurement source selection as "mission essential," and hasn't faced any significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Defense Department has submitted the first of two Space Force legislative proposals due to Congress at the end of February, but the substantial policy recommendations are awaiting approval from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

The Defense Department's proposal to shift funding for the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor from the Missile Defense Agency to the Space Development Agency encountered continued headwinds in Congress this week, raising questions about the viability of this fiscal year 2021 request.

Space Force Commander Gen. John Raymond will host a space architecture summit this week aimed at discussing the Defense Department's space-based missile warning and missile defense architecture.

A key House missile-defense proponent this week challenged the Defense Department's proposal to realign funding in fiscal year 2021 for the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor from the Missile Defense Agency to the Space Development Agency.

The Space Development Agency is projecting its research and development budget will increase to nearly $7.5 billion by fiscal year 2025 -- major near-term growth that offers a glimpse at how the Pentagon plans to inject new funding across its space portfolio.

The U.S. military plans to have an initial space sensor layer operational as soon as fiscal year 2022 -- a new capability that will begin to close a blind spot in today's sensor network by giving commanders the ability to continuously track hypersonic boost glide weapons as well as long-range ballistic missiles from launch to impact.