WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force has advanced three companies — CACI, General Atomics and Viasat — to the next phase of a $100 million program aimed at developing laser-based […] The post U.S. Space Force narrows field in $100 million space laser terminal program appeared first on SpaceNews.

DoD’s commercial tech push creates integration headaches The post Military satellite program highlights role of ‘mission integrators’ appeared first on SpaceNews.

We’ve observed with concern a rising trend in human spaceflight discussions: the suggestion that we bypass the moon and send humans directly to Mars. In light of this, we believe […] The post The best way to prepare humans for Mars? The moon. appeared first on SpaceNews.

In this week’s episode of Space Minds former Navy Captain, shuttle astronaut and current president of the Space operating group for ASRC Federal Scooter Altman reflects on his career, from Top Gun stunts to space missions, and explains why Mars is humanity’s next big step. The post Buzzing towers with the Navy’s space maverick appeared

As the United States advances its ambitious Golden Dome missile defense strategy, we face a critical question: what constitutes a truly comprehensive defense system? While advanced tracking capabilities, AI-enabled data […] The post Beyond Golden Dome: why effective missile defense begins far left of launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

The demonstration, conducted in a laboratory using a “FlatSat” setup, tested Sierra Space’s satellite hardware and flight software The post Sierra Space completes ground demo of navigation satellite for U.S. Space Force program appeared first on SpaceNews.

New Mexico-based mPower Technology said May 8 it has raised about $21 million in a Series B funding round to mass-produce its silicon-based solar power modules. The post Silicon solar power specialist gets $21 million for mass production appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASA has canceled plans to find a commercial partner to launch a robotic lunar rover and will instead pursue “alternative approaches” to fly the mission. The post NASA backtracks on VIPER commercial partnership appeared first on SpaceNews.

The market for sending spacecraft to the moon would seem to be a competitive one. NASA continues to drive the most demand for commercial lunar landers through its Commercial Lunar […] The post Commercial competition and cooperation at the moon appeared first on SpaceNews.

The director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is leaving after three years on the job and will be replaced by a longtime lab official. The post Leshin to step down as JPL director appeared first on SpaceNews.