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The U.S. military's top space commander is pressing for a fundamental shift in how the Pentagon thinks about satellites. Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, said at Space Symposium Tuesday that it is time to move from considering satellites as fixed infrastructure and instead see them as maneuvering assets that can move, adapt and survive in a conflict. Instead of treating satellites as stationary nodes, he described a future in which they can move when needed to avoid threats, shift coverage or monitor other spacecraft. That requires satellites with increased propulsion, and also opens the door to new types of spacecraft, including so-called inspector or "bodyguard" satellites that can approach others. It also requires investment in logistics, such as being able to refuel satellites. [SpaceNews]
Companies are offering new designs for maneuverable satellites like what Whiting seeks. At Space Symposium this week, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin outlined separate efforts to fund and fly demonstration spacecraft designed to maneuver on orbit, shadow other satellites and operate as part of more networked architectures. BAE Systems introduced a new spacecraft platform, called Ascent, with a payload capacity of about 2,200 kilograms. Lockheed Martin discussed plans to deploy small and medium satellites called Vanguard and Sentinel under what it calls its Next-Generation Space Dominance line. Both companies are planning first flights of their spacecraft in the next few years. [SpaceNews]
Turion Space raised $75 million to fund its work on maneuverable spacecraft. The California company announced its Series B round Wednesday led by Washington Harbour Partners, with several other existing and new investors participating. The five-year-old company has launched two spacecraft to date, including its Droid.002 mission in March to monitor debris. Turion's satellites are built to maneuver in orbit, allowing them to approach and observe other spacecraft, and the company is working toward deploying a fleet spanning low Earth orbit and geosynchronous orbit. [SpaceNews]
The White House published plans Tuesday for development of space nuclear power systems by NASA and other agencies. The policy from the Office of Science and Technology Policy directs NASA to work with industry on development of "mid-power" nuclear reactors producing at least 20 kilowatts for flight test in space as soon as 2028 and on the lunar surface in 2030. The Pentagon will initially support that work before holding its own competition for similar nuclear power systems. The Department of Energy will provide its expertise in nuclear power systems and conduct cross-cutting R&D work. The policy, OSTP Director Michael Kratsios said at Space Symposium, "creates the roadmap for the federal government to develop and deploy nuclear reactors on the moon and in orbit." [SpaceNews]
The NRO is looking for partners to accelerate its adoption of state-of-the-art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. William Adkins, principal deputy director of the NRO, said Tuesday his agency is willing to work with anyone who can offer ISR capabilities. In recent years, the NRO has established partnerships with many firms even as its budget for commercial products and services has faced pressure. The NRO has awarded contracts to more than 150 commercial vendors in the last five years. Those partnerships have led to "dramatic improvements in cost, speed and agility," Adkins said. [SpaceNews]
ESA has picked Canadian small satellite operator Kepler Communications to lead a hosted payload mission to test terminal interoperability for an optical communications network. Kepler signed an 18.6 million euro ($22 million) prime contract Tuesday for the third element of HydRON (High-throughput Optical Network), the final step in demonstrating a multi-orbit, terabit-per-second transport system designed to extend the reach of terrestrial fiber networks. Kepler previously won an ESA award to develop 10 satellites for HydRON, scheduled to launch in 2028, while Thales Alenia Space won the award for the second HydRON element, involving a LEO spacecraft designed to connect with both ground stations and satellites. The new award focuses on validating interoperability across multiple optical communication systems. [SpaceNews]
Vast has unveiled the design of a docking adapter for future large space stations and spacecraft. The company announced Wednesday the Large Docking Adapter, a design with an interface much larger than the current International Docking Adapter used on the International Space Station. It is designed to overcome limitations of that adapter, with a much larger diameter and increased rigidity needed for future large modules and spacecraft. Vast will open-source the design to allow others to build it, while also offering to see docking adapters to companies and agencies. [SpaceNews]
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