Tag: Space Force

  • Space Force Plans 2027 GEO Refueling and Servicing Demos

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    What orbital servicing capabilities will Space Force demonstrate in 2027? The U.S. Space Force will launch its first operational demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing in geostationary orbit (GEO) during 2027 under the USSF-23 mission. The mission represents the military’s most ambitious step toward establishing persistent space logistics capabilities at the critical 35,786 km…

  • Space Force Projects 25 Additional Heavy-Lift Missions Through 2029

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    What’s driving Space Force’s sudden need for 25 additional heavy-lift launches? The U.S. Space Force has identified 25 additional “high-energy” missions requiring heavy-lift launch vehicles between 2027-2029, representing a significant expansion in national security space requirements beyond current manifest projections. This surge reflects accelerating deployment of large military satellites, next-generation missile warning systems, and deep-space…

  • Space Force awards $3.2B for Golden Dome interceptor prototypes

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    What does the Space Force’s $3.2 billion Golden Dome contract mean for space-based missile defense? The U.S. Space Force awarded up to $3.2 billion across 12 companies to develop competing prototypes for the Golden Dome boost-phase interceptor program, marking the largest single defense space investment since the Space Development Agency’s initial satellite constellation awards. The…

  • Space Force Awards Kronos Contracts to Two Prime Contractors

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    What capabilities will the Space Force’s Kronos program deliver? The U.S. Space Force has awarded two prototype contracts for its Kronos program, marking a critical milestone in the service’s effort to develop next-generation space domain awareness capabilities. The program aims to deliver advanced tracking and characterization systems for objects in cislunar space, addressing growing concerns…

  • Space Force considers Vulcan flights minus solid boosters

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    Can Vulcan launch military payloads without its solid rocket boosters? The U.S. Space Force is evaluating whether United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur can fly lower-energy national security missions without solid rocket motors (SRMs) as the investigation into a recent solid booster anomaly continues to ground the rocket’s full-performance configuration. This contingency planning reflects the military’s…

  • Pentagon Eyes Vulcan Issues for Next Launch Competition

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    How Will Vulcan’s Reliability Issues Reshape Pentagon Launch Strategy? United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket faces its second grounding in less than two years, and a Space Force three-star general confirmed Tuesday that these reliability issues will “absolutely” influence the Pentagon’s next launch services competition. Despite a backlog of nearly 70 missions, Vulcan has completed just…