Space Alert

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is preparing to kick off a key end-to-end simulation phase for its Blackjack program next spring, aiming to retire risk on the path to demonstrating the utility of a proliferated low-earth orbit satellite constellation equipped with an autonomous data processing capability.

The Air Force plans to submit a formal acquisition strategy for its latest effort to modernize space command-and-control architecture and is working to mitigate early technical and program management concerns, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

The Missile Defense Agency has selected Harris, Leidos, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon to develop prototype designs for the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program -- a project formerly called the Space Sensor Layer -- to develop a network of orbiting satellites optimized to continuously track long-range missiles from launch to impact.

The acting director of the Space Development Agency told reporters today his organization is not under immediate pressure due to the lack of a fiscal year 2020 budget, but noted that if the continuing resolution continues into February, early launch plans could face delays.

The Air Force is making progress on an incremental plan to upgrade its space launch ranges with new infrastructure, safety mechanisms and updated procedures by the mid-2020s.

The Air Force this week awarded United Launch Alliance two major fixed-price launch mission support contracts that represent the last remnants of a sole-sourced block-buy deal and, the service says, brings it into compliance with a fiscal year 2016 congressional requirement that it eliminate its practice of awarding cost-plus incentive contracts for mission support.

The Air Force has contracted with an independent organization to study the global launch market in order to inform the next phase of its Launch Services Procurement strategy.

The Pentagon's new Space Development Agency is preparing for the "imminent" release of its first solicitation in support of its vision to create a resilient, proliferated next-generation space architecture.

The head of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center said this week that if Congress requires significant changes to its Launch Services Procurement strategy, it could disrupt the ongoing source-selection process and potentially require bidders to rework their proposals.