Space

Navigation Technology Satellite-3 will showcase advanced capabilities that could improve future GPS satellites or inform a new program to augment today’s constellation.

The Space Force hasn’t finalized its plans for Phase 3 of its National Security Space Launch program, but its new acquisition executive said this week it is considering the possibility of including more launch vehicle classes as part of the contract.

The initial solicitation will be for 10 satellites, the agency expects the program to provide an “enduring” test and experimentation capability.

While the discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Europe’s largest land warfare tradeshow has focused on how militaries fight on the ground, Major Gen. Michel Friedling, the head of France’s Space Command, said Russia’s use of cyber and space weapons sent a critical message.

The Space Force is on a path toward creating a National Space Test and Training Complex, but the endeavor also presents some challenges — most of which lie in creating virtual training and testing environments that realistically depict the space domain.

As the service projects an increase in national security launch missions in the coming years, a House panel wants the Space Force to consider using a common launch integrator to reduce costs and drive out risk.

Early planning, as well as collaboration and problem solving from its prime contractors, has helped SDA lessen the impact of supply chain issues that have affected the space industry in recent years.