Category: Space Force

The Space Force announced that a new constellation of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites for moving target indication is currently in development but declined to reveal the system’s cost or any primes engaged in its distribution. General Jay Raymond, the head of the Space Force, announced at the McAleese Conference that the service plans to assist the Air Force, Navy, and Army by supplying ground moving target indicators (GMTI) satellites to enhance target recognition, tracking, and surveillance. The constellation of GMTI satellites is expected to broaden the US military’s dependence on JSTARS (Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System) aircraft, which perform the majority of the US military’s GMTI.

Source: https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/8050-space-force-to-create-new-isr-capabilities

In the recently concluded Space Foundation virtual Symposium365 talk last May 7, US Space Command’s military and civilian leaders have offered their insights to the newly re-established US Space Command.  According to them, their diverse backgrounds are by design, and that few Space Force personnel are yet apart. Army Gen. James H. Dickinson, who leads the US Space Command from its provisional headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, said that more allied and partner organizations would be “physically coming to work” at Peterson over the next 12 to 18 months, which will increase the command’s deterrence.

Source: https://www.airforcemag.com/leaders-provide-insight-into-the-newly-re-established-us-space-command/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2005.10.21&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief

As more satellites are being launched, the space junk increases as well, making space a “congested domain.” Currently, the Space Force is tracking around 30,000 pieces of debris. But, according to Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, there are “probably half a million other objects” in orbit “that are too small to track.” With this, the Space Force is set to establish operating norms in orbit to avoid added danger.

Source: https://www.airforcemag.com/cso-space-is-the-wild-wild-west-requiring-new-norms-for-operating-in-orbit/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2005.03.21&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief

The US space force is currently preparing to launch the fifth Lockheed Martin-built GPS III SV05 this June 2021. GPS III SV05 will be integrated horizontally with the first-ever SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle as well. The satellite has been shipped to Cape Canaveral, where the launching will happen. GPS III SV05 will be the 24th satellite in the 31 GPS-satellite constellations once successfully launched.

Source: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digital-battlespace/space-force-prepares-launch-fifth-gps-iii-satellit/

In an announcement made Thursday, the U.S. Space Force is set to reorganize its acquisitions organization this summer under the new Space Systems Command. Specifically, Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) will be replaced with the Space Systems Command (SSC) to speed up new technology delivery. The restructuring will elevate SMC’s responsibilities to a Space Force Field Command. The newest organization is in charge of developing, acquiring, fielding, and sustaining space capabilities. It will also launch Space Force’s new satellites, test them on orbit and sustain the constellations. 

Source: https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2021/04/08/space-force-unveils-plans-for-space-systems-command/