Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Atlas 5's final salute to U.S. Space Force

National security insights for space professionals. Delivered Tuesdays.

In this week's edition:

• ULA launches final national security mission on Atlas 5

• MITRE advises incoming admin on space warfare risks

• SpaceX returns to flight with three consecutive launches


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Today's highlights:

MITRE Corporation is publishing a series of papers aimed at the presidential transition teams, including one focused on the role of space systems in national security.


The paper suggests the next administration examine options to deter rival power from using anti-satellite weapons against U.S. spacecraft.

  • MITRE is a not-for-profit organization that operates several federally funded research and development centers. It operates the Center for Data-Driven Policy, which provides nonpartisan insights to inform government policy decisions.

  • A paper titled "Improving U.S. Space Capabilities in Integrated Deterrence" recommends that the next administration prioritize the exploration of options to deter adversaries from employing anti-satellite weapons against U.S. space assets. This suggestion comes amid growing concerns about the vulnerability of crucial space-based systems to potential attacks from rival powers.


Other Points in the paper


The U.S. relies heavily on space-based systems for military, intelligence, and economic functions. Adversaries like Russia and China are developing capabilities that threaten U.S. space assets, highlighting the need for a robust deterrence strategy.


Traditional deterrence methods may not be effective in space due to the potential for large debris fields from kinetic attacks, which could endanger all spacefaring nations. The document notes that adversaries may not share the same level of dependence on space systems as the U.S., complicating deterrence efforts.


It outlines actions for the new presidential administration to take within the first 100 days, including:

  • Clarifying U.S. responses to various types of attacks on space systems.

  • Planning budget adjustments to enhance resilience in space capabilities.

  • Increasing adversary perceptions of U.S. defensive capabilities through improvements and strategic messaging.

Atlas 5's final salute to U.S. Space Force

USSF-51/ ULA

A U.S. Space Force mission designated USSF-51 lifted off on Tuesday morning on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, marking ULA's 100th national security mission and the last NSSL launch on an Atlas 5 rocket.

Falcon 9 returns to flight

A Falcon 9 launches Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base

SpaceX successfully returned its Falcon 9 rocket to flight on July 27 following a two-week grounding due to an anomaly on a previous mission.

  • The return to flight mission launched 23 Starlink satellites from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

  • The launch came after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared SpaceX to resume flights on July 25.

  • The anomaly on the July 11 mission was caused by a liquid oxygen leak due to a crack in a sense line for a pressure sensor.

  • As a corrective action, SpaceX removed the failed sense line and sensor from the second-stage engine for near-term Falcon 9 launches.


Following the successful return to flight, SpaceX conducted two more Starlink launches within 24 hours — one from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and another from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

In the new episode of the SpaceNews Leading Women in Space series, correspondent Debra Werner speaks with Shannon Pallone, Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Battle Management Command, Control & Communications, Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force.

In other news 🚀

The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) is moving forward with plans to develop new financing tools, including a loan program aimed at supporting critical technologies in the United States. These include technologies supporting space launch, satellite manufacturing and space-based services.

The OSC issued requests for information seeking public input as it prepares to launch loans and loan guarantees for critical technology and supply chain components. The public comment period ends on October 22.

Ursa Major, a rocket propulsion startup based in Colorado, opened a new additive manufacturing research center in Youngstown, Ohio.


The company uses 3D printing technology to produce rocket engine components and solid rocket motors. "Ursa Major is expanding its R&D efforts to meet a rapidly growing portfolio of U.S. Department of Defense development contracts," said CEO Joe Laurienti.

Ursa Major's 3D printing lab

A new report on U.S. military efforts to deploy a proliferated, networked system of smaller satellites highlights the promise and potential pitfalls of the program.


The report by  the Aerospace Corporation examines the Space Development Agency's initiative to transform the military space architecture using a disruptive approach to satellite acquisitions.


It credits the SDA for creating a distinct acquisition model that enables rapid delivery of new capabilities, and also highlights potential hurdles the SDA must overcome.

Thanks for reading ! Please send comments, suggestions and tips to serwin@spacenews.com

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