Defense

Space operations boss wants more virtual simulations to boost training

After a recent demo, Lt. Gen. David Miller said Space Operations Command needs realistic simulations to train at the highest levels.

Emerging Tech

NASA’s astronauts return after a year living on simulated Mars

Everything about the mission was conducted to simulate an actual Martian environment.

Defense

DARPA wants to use AI to find new rare minerals

With spectral analysis, it’s possible to “tell the difference [between] cocaine that came from one cartel’s area of Colombia versus another.”

Defense

How AI is turning satellite imagery into a window on the future

What can a picture from space tell you? “You're likely to have a drought here that might lead to civil unrest.”

Acquisition

Lockheed Martin tapped to develop NOAA’s new series of weather satellites

Lockheed Martin won a contract to build three satellites for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations program, with the option to develop an additional four spacecraft, under a $2.27 billion award announced on Tuesday.

Acquisition

CACI wins $2B NASA IT centralization job

The space agency is looking to standardize and consolidate how it manages IT systems and applications.

Emerging Tech

NOAA looks to sharpen solar storm forecasts with new satellite

The agency’s GOES-U satellite, scheduled to launch next month, will include an advanced instrument, called a compact coronagraph, to provide scientists with faster, more reliable data about solar storms.

Cybersecurity

Space assets are in foreign adversaries' cyber crosshairs, DOD official says

The easiest targets are ground assets like operation centers and launch facilities, said Mieke Eoyang.

Cybersecurity

NASA doesn't know if its spacecraft have adequate cyber defenses, GAO warns

The agency encourages its spacecraft programs to use an optional best practices guide when it comes to implementing cybersecurity requirements.

Modernization

NASA’s long-term missions could be hurt by budget caps, lawmakers warn

House Science Chairman Frank Lucas R-Okla., said Congress needs to provide NASA with “sufficient support” to carry out its work.

Digital Government

NASA delivers Voyager software update across 15 billion miles of space

Scientists and engineers with the space agency were able to successfully repair an issue in one of the probe’s onboard computers from over 15 billion miles away.

Defense

Pentagon can’t force Starlink to block service to Russians, US official says

US is “taking steps” and “working through” the problem with SpaceX and Ukraine, space-policy leader says.

Defense

‘Military force’ could be directed to protect private sector orbital assets, DOD strategy says

The Pentagon’s first-ever commercial space integration strategy said the department would take steps to “mitigate risks to commercial space actors.”

Emerging Tech

Space operations likely to be shaped by sustainable emerging tech, report says

Innovative capabilities that promote reusability, safety and longevity are likely to dictate the future of space exploration, according to a recent white paper from Forecast International.

Emerging Tech

Lawmaker seeks to give NASA funding flexibility on interagency research efforts

Legislation from Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., would allow agencies to transfer funding to NASA to jointly partner on scientific or engineering projects.

Modernization

NASA needs to refocus on supercomputing to keep pace in space, watchdog says

The space agency “needs a renewed commitment and sustained leadership attention” to enhance its overburdened and vulnerable high-end computing assets.

Defense

Russian space nuke wouldn’t alter US orbital-network plans, Space Force says

The nascent Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is built on the idea that lots of satellites offer plenty of redundancy.

Digital Government

National Archives tees up new rules for UFO records

New legislation mandates a governmentwide repository of records dealing with "unidentified anomalous phenomena."

Emerging Tech

Senators take bipartisan shot at preventing space jams

Senate legislation seeks to make “basic-level” space data, analytics and other services available to help maintain U.S. dominance in the space sector.

Cybersecurity

Space Force is crafting in-house cyber teams but sees need for closer work with USCYBERCOM

U.S. Cyber Command has been “an incredible partner” to the Space Force but does not currently have any personnel from the military branch within its ranks, a top official said.