Category: Space Force

The Space Ranger Selection and Evaluation Program are doing damage control. A cadre member of the Space Ranger Selection and Assessment Program is accused of intentionally injuring a candidate for special operations. Staff Sgt. Sidney “Sid” Phillips reportedly pushed a candidate from a 60-foot rappel tower before securing him properly.

While falling, the applicant managed to take hold of the rope to avoid severe damage—staff Sgt. Sidney “Sid” Phillips was moved from the U.S. Army to the Space Force after publishing photographs reportedly documenting his mistreatment of an infantryman and a cavalry trooper.

Phillips refutes these allegations, and no official complaints have ever been lodged. The identity of all parties is disguised, awaiting an inquiry.

Source: https://coffeeordie.com/space-force-special-operations/

The newest military branch of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Space Force, has an operational cloud data environment. 

Friday, the United States Space Force revealed that its cloud-based data environment can now receive data straight from the Space Fence radar. The Space Force’s digital infrastructure relies heavily on the Unified Data Library. During the 30-day trial period, the service monitored the data flow. According to chief information officer Bruce Kimmich, the U.S. Space Force strives to link all of its sensors to the University of Defense Logistics Lab (UDL) “within the range of possibility.” 

According to him, the library’s cyber certification would provide it access to confidential and top-secret material from across the globe. Additionally, the service has initiated the building of an Allied Exchange Environment to link other nations for increased information exchange. 

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2022/04/22/space-fence-now-has-a-direct-link-to-key-space-force-data-hub/

The 2007 launch of a Russian satellite left debris in orbit around the Earth. 

Tuesday, the U.S. Space Force’s 18th Space Defense Squadron reported that an object with the catalog number 32398 disintegrated on April 15. (May 3). Currently, sixteen bits of space debris related to the incident are being monitored. In 2007, three GLONASS satellites were sent into orbit with the aid of a Russian rocket’s ullage motor. According to astronomer Jonathan McDowell, 64 of these motors are now orbiting Earth. 

Satellite operators and mission planners face an increasing challenge with space trash. The European Space Agency believes that there are now around 36,500 bits of debris orbiting the Earth. Approximately one million objects with dimensions between 0.1 and 4 centimeters orbit the Earth. Russia contributed to the debris population in November 2021 with a highly criticized anti-satellite (ASAT) test.  Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/old-russian-rocket-motor-explodes-in-orbit-creating-more-space-debris/

By October, the Space Force will get the Space Development Agency and the Space and Missile Defense Agency. 

Between FY23 and FY27, $828 million is earmarked for efforts aimed at creating at least four satellites. A multi-layered network of satellites is required to offer a complete warning and monitoring of ballistic and hypersonic missiles. SSC intends to offer follow-on contracts in December to begin development. Budget papers make no mention of whether a single or several contractors will be selected. To provide ballistic and hypersonic missile warning and tracking, a multi-layered network of satellites in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), highly elliptical polar orbit, Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) is required. 

SDA will join the Space Force in October, retaining a semi-independent status. The agency allocates over $12 billion for the initiative between FY23 and FY27.   Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2022/04/to-track-hypersonic-missiles-space-force-to-develop-at-least-4-meo-satellites/

The United States Air Force and Northrup Grumman are advancing research into space solar power. 

The US Air Force is preparing an update to its space solar energy study. The UK’s science minister has voiced support for solar collection platforms circling the earth. The allure of continuous solar electricity is part of the allure. A component is avoiding land use disputes that would jeopardize nature protection and food security. Another example is powering neighborhoods without the need to construct additional transmission lines or energy storage equipment. 

The US Air Force and Northrup Grumman are collaborating on a project named SSPIDR, an acronym for Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research. The project was on pace to begin testing the solar power generators and radio frequency wireless power transmission on a 666-foot prototype. A critical component has passed its early testing and will be shown this month at the 37th Space Symposium in Colorado. The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a paper arguing for investment in space solar energy. Global energy consumption is expected to more than treble over the next three decades. 

The development of new sources of renewable energy that are sustainable, cheap, secure, and scalable is critical. Earlier this month, the UK science minister reaffirmed his government’s support for space solar R&D in widely publicized statements. The EU is relying heavily on liquefied natural gas for assistance, at least in the short future. Wind, solar, and green hydrogen players are already posing a threat soon. A competitive space solar energy business might someday assist in restraining the LNG genie.  Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2022/03/28/spotlight-on-space-solar-power-as-eu-skitters-away-from-russian-gas/