Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Military seeks over $2 billion for unfunded space programs • Aerospace HQ moves to DC

National security insights for space professionals. Delivered Tuesdays.

In this week's edition:

• General says more eyes and ears needed in GEO orbit

• Space Command, Space Force submit wish lists of unfunded requirements

• Redwire unveils remote-sensing satellite designed for very low orbit


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Today's highlights:


Whiting on March 21 testified in front of the House Armed Services Committee's strategic forces subcommittee and revealed the command submitted a $1.2 billion list of so-called "unfunded requirements" that were not included in the recently submitted 2025 defense budget. The Space Force submitted a separate $1.1 billion list of unfunded priorities.


Most of the items on the lists are classified programs. Whiting said that, broadly speaking, the unfunded needs are for technologies for "space control" and "space superiority." 

  • Space control refers to the ability to guarantee the unhindered use of space for U.S. and allied operations, while also being able to deny an enemy the same freedom. It's about ensuring U.S. satellites and other space assets can function without disruption.


  • Space superiority is having the ability to conduct operations freely and anywhere without any significant interference from an opponent, similar to air supremacy in aviation.

  • Space Command's key focus is on preventing enemies from disrupting U.S. space operations. This is crucial for national security as many critical functions rely on space-based systems like GPS and communication satellites.

Redwire Illustration / SabreSat

Redwire eyes defense market with a low-orbiting satellite. The company is developing a new satellite called SabreSat designed to operate in very low Earth orbit (VLEO), an increasingly important regime for defense and intelligence applications that demand reduced communications lag and enhanced imagery. 


Dean Bellamy, Redwire's executive vice president for national security space, said last week at the Satellite 2024 conference that the company sees growing opportunities in VLEO, where satellites face challenges like increased atmospheric drag that few existing spacecraft were designed to handle,


The company announced the new satellite during an earnings call March 15.

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In other news 🚀

Rocket Lab launches NROL-123

The National Reconnaissance Office is seeking innovations from private industry in support of its space launch operations


The NRO's Office of Space Launch issued a Broad Area Announcement (BAA) requesting proposals for its "Agile Launch Innovation and Strategic Technology Advancement" program. 


"The aim is to advance launch technology in strategic areas of interest that range from ground operations to on-orbit services," the agency said in a statement. Submissions are due by April 5.

China's military is developing technologies and training tools for on-orbit satellite refueling for both peacetime and wartime scenarios, according to a new report published by the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI).


The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is integrating lessons learned into military doctrine and training tools, while a defense contractor has already demonstrated what it calls a space fuel tanker in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). 


The report notes that the PLA has a "strategic focus on enhancing its on-orbit logistics capabilities."

Aerospace Corp. has relocated its corporate headquarters from El Segundo, California, to the Washington, D.C., area.


President and CEO Steve Isakowitz said the decision was driven by the evolving space landscape in the U.S. government and a need for closer proximity to key decision makers.


"What has happened in the last few years really drove major trends that made it a very powerful case to head to Washington D.C.," Isakowitz said.

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