Space – Page 12 – The Defense Post

Sep- 2025 -

23 September

Ursa Major Wins $34.9M Draper Engine Contract for Space Defense

Ursa Major has secured a $34.9-million contract to deliver Draper rocket engines for space-based national security missions.

19 September

U.S. Space Force 1st Lt. Tia Scoggan, weapons and tactics section chief for the 18th Space Defense Squadron Det. 1, looks at a computer screen at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 5, 2022. 18 SDS Det. 1 provides timely and actionable Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for emergent and existing threats that are identified by the Joint Task Force-Space Defense’s National Space Defense Center as on-orbit threats. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Rojoef Manuel

Viasat to Develop Anti-Hacking Encryption System for US Space Force Satellites

Viasat has secured a multi-year contract from the US Space Force’s Space Systems Command to build an encryption system that protects satellites from cyberattacks.

19 September

Rendering of US Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites

Jodesz Gavilan

UK, US Achieve Historic Satellite Defense Operation in Space

The UK and US have carried out a military first in space, moving two satellites into close proximity in a highly coordinated orbital operation.

9 September

AeroVironment's long-haul laser communications.

Giulia Bernacchi

AeroVironment Wins $240M Order for Space Laser Communications Terminals

AeroVironment has received a contract worth nearly $240 million to supply long-haul laser communications terminals for deployment in orbit.

4 September

Concept of the Orpheus satellites. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence

Ronald Watkins

Pentagon Invests $5 Million in Startup Developing Space-Based LiDAR

The Pentagon is putting $5 million into a Florida startup developing space-based LiDAR for three-dimensional mapping of Earth from orbit.

3 September

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a meeting of American Jewish organizations in Jerusalem, Israel, February 16, 2025. ( The Yomiuri Shimbun ) (Photo by Toshiyuki Fukushima / Yomiuri / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP)

Staff Writer With AFP

Israel Launches New Spy Satellite in ‘Message’ to Enemies

Israel has launched a new spy satellite into orbit in a "message" to its enemies, saying that they are under continuous surveillance.

Aug- 2025 -

18 August

Giulia Bernacchi

Northrop, US Space Force Complete First Deep-Space DARC Radar Demo

Northrop Grumman and the US Space Force have conducted the first demonstration of the Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability.

15 August

An artistic rendering depicts the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL’s, Navigation Technology Satellite-3, or NTS-3, in simulated geosynchronous orbit. NTS-3, an experimental platform designed to demonstrate technologies to increase resiliency, robustness and reprogrammability of Position, Navigation, and Timing functionality in space, will be on display at AFRL’s “Engine to Accelerate” booths at the 2024 Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 16-18, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. AFRL is accelerating innovation by transforming the satellite navigation architecture to be reprogrammable both on-orbit and in the field, which enables new capabilities to support the warfighter faster through software updates. Like downloading a new app on your smartphone, this means that new satellites will not need to be launched to upgrade the signals, and that warfighters will not need to purchase and deploy new hardware to take advantage of upgraded signals. NTS-3 will mature technologies like the advanced timekeeping system that can detect and mitigate atomic clock faults without direct operator intervention. NTS-3's software-defined receiver, known as Global Navigation Satellite System Test Architecture, can receive and process new navigation signals that improve performance for U.S. forces in the presence of GPS interference or spoofing (a process by which users are sent inaccurate signals telling them that they are in the incorrect time and place). NTS-3 is anticipated to launch in late 2024. (Courtesy photo illustration)

Rojoef Manuel

AFRL Launches Experimental Satellite Into Orbit to Secure Navigational Edge

The US Air Force Research Laboratory has taken a major step toward securing the nation’s navigation advantage with the launch of the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket in Florida.

12 August

Ethan M. Encarnacion

US Army Trials Laser-Operated Starshield Communications System

US Army Reserve soldiers have begun using SpaceX’s Starshield communication system to enhance decision-making on the battlefield.

7 August

Rojoef Manuel

US Army Launches Sweeping Overhaul to Bolster Integrated Air, Missile, and Space Defense

The US Army is undertaking a comprehensive modernization campaign to counter growing air and missile threats, driven by adversaries such as China and Russia who are rapidly advancing their space and strike capabilities.

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