Space Alert

As the Air Force readies a new space acquisition and integration office, one of its early efforts is to identify roles and responsibilities for existing organizations that develop space capabilities, including the Space Development Agency, the Space Rapid Capabilities Office and the Space and Missile Systems Center.

Nearly a year after it was created, the Space Development Agency is today beginning its work in earnest by asking industry to propose a wide range of "good enough" systems, technologies and capabilities that "enable leap-ahead improvements" that can be rapidly put on orbit in two-year tranches beginning in fiscal year 2022 in order to begin fleshing out a new National Defense Space Architecture.

The Defense Department owes lawmakers a report next year on how to integrate Navy and Army space capabilities into the new Space Force, but the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the department needs to move faster.

The Space and Missile Systems Center has developed an initial roadmap for transitioning space programs to a new Enterprise Ground Services architecture by 2028.

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, CA -- The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center is developing a strategy to cut in half the time it takes to field a new satellite through commonality, digital engineering and model-based systems engineering concepts.

Congressional appropriators are calling on the Defense Department to craft an integrated overhead persistent infrared architecture strategy due to concerns about overlap among programs managed by the Air Force, Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency.

As the Air Force looks to ensure its space programs are aligned with its larger enterprise strategy, the Space and Missile Systems Center has initiated a mission-by-mission review process that could drive changes to future budgets and requirements.

Two of the House Armed Services Committee's biggest Space Force proponents told reporters today that while the idea for establishing a sixth branch of the military to focus on space warfighting did not originate with President Trump, the administration's support did help elevate the effort and secure backing in the Senate.

SIMI VALLEY, CA – The Air Force is working to assure it recommends a U.S. Space Command headquarters location that is defensible and its site selection process is not vulnerable to legal challenges, according to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett.