In 2024, when SpaceX’s “Starship” is sweeping the world, another more secretive space race is accelerating – the U.S. Space Force is building a full-dimensional space warfare system “from missile warning to satellite attack and defense”. So who built this system?
Let’s come today
Revealing the top three contractors of the U.S. Space Force.
01
How is the U.S. Space Force “sacred”?
The United States Space Force (United States Space Force) was established on December 20, 2019. It is the youngest independent service of the US military. It is affiliated to the US Air Force and is mainly responsible for military operations and capability building in the space field.
(Picture: U.S. Space Force
’s logo, official seal and insignia Source: U.S. Space Force website
）
The U.S. Space Force is much more than a simple “satellite administrator.” Its core mission is directed toward the militarization of space:
monitor:
As of 2024, the U.S. Space Force has tracked 226 space launches and tracked more than 3,345 space objects (including satellites and debris) in real time;
blow
: Develop “anti-satellite laser weapons” and other offensive equipment;
deterrence
: Compress positioning accuracy to centimeter level through GPS III satellites, supporting “surgical” strike capabilities;
The U.S. Space Force has
Bases have been set up in Japan, Germany and other places with the direct goal of “controlling low-Earth orbit sovereignty” and building a global space combat network.
02
Who are the three major contractors?
The construction of the U.S. Space Force relies heavily on private defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin,
Boeing
and
Northrop Grumman
Deeply involved in various construction and developments, from satellite manufacturing to weapons research and development, from technical support to system integration, it is an important support for the strength of the U.S. Space Force.
1、
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Formerly
Lockheed Corporation
, merged with Martin Marietta in 1995 to form what is now Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
Since its establishment, it has been deeply involved in many deep space exploration missions such as the Lunar Prospector, Lunar Pioneer, InSight, Juno, and Hubble Telescope. Its rocket and satellite systems have almost taken over the production and launch business of all military satellites in the United States. In addition, Lockheed Martin is also the main contractor for the Orion manned spacecraft of the United States’ return to the moon program.
(Picture: Lockheed Martin Source: Lockheed Martin official website)
Lockheed Martin is
The largest defense contractor in the United States, it mainly provides strategic satellite systems, missile warning, high-orbit launch technology, etc. to the U.S. Space Force.
satellite system
: Lead development
Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite system
, ensuring strategic-level encrypted communications;
GPS III/IIIF series satellites
, providing anti-interference and centimeter-level high-precision positioning.
To date, 7 GPS III satellites have been launched.
missile warning
:and
Jointly developed by Northrop Grumman
Next-Gen OPIR
satellite system
, used to monitor ballistic missile launches around the world, with a contract value of up to $4.9 billion.
launch vehicle
: Established as a joint venture with Boeing
“United Launch Alliance” (ULA)
, developing the Vulcan Centaur rocket
, the rocket successfully made its first flight on January 8, 2024.
(Picture: Vulcan Centaur rocket tail flame. Source: John Kraus)
2、
Boeing
Boeing
Founded in
1916
, founded by William Edward Boeing and headquartered in Washington, DC, is one of the world’s largest aerospace companies. Its aerospace business covers satellites, space stations, rockets and space transportation systems, manned spacecraft and other aspects.
such as manufacturing
Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites,
GOES series meteorological satellites;
participate
International Space Station Project
;Its developed
Delta series launch vehicles
, is one of the important space vehicles in the United States; although the manned spacecraft Starliner has encountered various technical problems, schedule delays and other challenges, it is of great significance to the United States in reducing its dependence on Russian spacecraft.
(Picture: Starliner approaching the International Space Station. Source: NASA)
Boeing primarily supplies the U.S. Space Force
launch vehicle,
communication satellite,
Anti-interference communication technology
wait.
launch vehicle
: United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Lockheed Martin
developed
Vulcan Centaur Rocket
, planning to carry out 15 launch missions in 2025;
Although the SLS rocket is facing controversy due to its high cost and is facing the fate of being discontinued, its core-stage technology is regarded as a potential vehicle for future lunar base construction and other aspects.
Communication satellite:
Broadband Global Satellite Communication System (WGS)
core contractor
, the first satellite was launched in 2007. It currently consists of 10 satellites. It is expected to launch the WGS-11+ satellite in 2025. A single satellite can provide communication support for 500 drones at the same time.
Anti-interference communication technology
: Developed for the U.S. Space Force
Protected Tactical Satcom (PTS) Module
, the communication security level reaches the highest standard of the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States.
3、
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation, formed in 1994 from the merger of Northrop Corporation and Grumman Corporation, is headquartered in Westfall Church, USA, and focuses on the fields of space, aviation, defense and cyberspace. Spacecraft such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Cygnus cargo spacecraft were built.
(Picture: Northrop Grumman Source: Northrop Grumman official website)
Northrop Grumman primarily in
strategic weapons,
Satellite/satellite technology,
Space offensive and defensive technology
Provide support to the U.S. Space Force in other aspects.
Satellite/Satellite Technology
:Development
Protected Tactical Satcom Rapid Prototype (PTS-RP)
, providing anti-interference, seamless and real-time connection;
Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM)
prime contractor for carrying U.S. military payloads on international satellite missions;
Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV)
, providing on-orbit fueling and fault repair for military satellites, extending satellite life by 5-10 years.
radar system
:participate
Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) program
, develop the “Site 1” system and deploy it to the Indo-Pacific region in 2025, and subsequently deploy the system in other parts of the world, ultimately achieving global coverage and enhancing the U.S. space domain awareness capabilities.
03
Where will space go in the future?
The three major contractors have built the U.S. Space Force’s “space supremacy” technology base through differentiated technology layout and in-depth binding of defense orders.
Its innovative achievements have not only promoted breakthroughs in aerospace technology, but also intensified the risks of global space militarization.
The militarization of U.S. space is like a double-edged sword: it not only promotes the leap-forward development of aerospace technology, but also drags mankind into the shadow of “orbital war.” In the future, will human exploration of space lead to the “sea of stars” or the “battlefield of stars”?
? The answer depends on the multiple balances of technology, rules and ethics.
(Picture: Dim blue dot Source: NASA)
