BUSINESS | POLITICS | PERSPECTIVE APRIL 15, 2019

SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION NEWS FROM THE 35TH SPACE SYMPOSIUM BROUGHT TO YOU WITH SUPPORT FROM BALL AEROSPACE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH Gen. John Hyten, USSTRATCOM Gen. David Goldfein, USAF Chief of Sta Space Development Agecy Director Fred Kennedy U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson Maxar CEO Dan Jablonsky involve many of the same elements of elements same the of many involve will ago weeks two Pence Mike President Vice by announced years five in landing lunar human a of goal the to response in developing is agency the approach new the said Bridenstine 9, April Symposium focus first on speed and then on sustainability. for accelerated lunarreturn outlinesapproach Bridenstine N SN then later turningitsattention tolong-termsustainability. NASA Administrator JimBridenstinesaidthat NASAwouldaccelerate itslunarlandingplansbyfocusinginitiallyononlythoseelementsessentialtoachieving2024 goal, In a plenary speech at the 35th Space 35th the at speech plenary a In NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM landing from 2028 to 2024 will 2024 to 2028 from landing lunar human a up moving to tine said the agency’s approach ASA Administrator Jim Bridens - JEFF FOUST JEFF we’re gettingridof.” that is a distraction from making that happen as soon as possible,” he said. “Anything the on boots those get Weto speed. want is will be split into two phases. “The first phase for developing some of those elements, which in orbit around the moon, and lunar landers. Gateway lunar a spacecraft, and tem said, development of the Space Launch Sys- he includes, That said. same,”he the still is in 2028, all those elements still exist. The plan to getting humans to the surface of the moon NASA’s original plans, but in a revised order. What will change, he said, is the schedule “All of those elements that were necessary NASA is currently reviewing proposals for, mentioning the Power and Propulsion Element the surface of the moon,” he said, specifically elements of Gateway are focused exclusively on first “The partners. international and NASA of the elements previously proposed for it by it would initially incorporate only a fraction suggested Bridenstine although Gateway, thereafter.” possible as soon “as EM-2, mission, Orion crewed first the by followed be to 2020, in Orion test flight, on the first flight of the SLS ing Exploration Mission (EM) 1, an uncrewed That phase will also include the lunar the include also will phase That That emphasis on speed includes launch S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |2 -

TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS TOGETHER,WE THE NEXT DISCOVERY. YOUR MISSIONPARTNER during Space Symposium. mysteries of theuniverse andprovide into theunknown. will uncover. It’s allpartof our collaborative approachas we work together unlockthe to Tomorrow, we lookaheadto what secrets the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) For decades we have beeninawe of thediscoveries by made theHubble Space Telescope. BALL.COM/ GOBEYOND GO BEYOND SNC ® Find outmore at booth 523 rating, within theagency. ascent module, which would require human they planned to keep studies for the lander’s said officials agency time, the At module. concepts for a transfer vehicle and a descent seeking program, (NextSTEP) Partnerships its Next Space Technologies for Exploration of part as February in solicitation a issued NASA elements. lander lunar developing module solicitation in just seven days, seven just in solicitation module its procurement filing. of human lunar landers,” the agency said in rapid development and flight demonstrations development awards, is designed “to enable contracts but could soon lead to technology solicitation, which will likely start with study That concepts. module ascent for licitation so NextSTEP another issue soon would it SN in ColoradoSprings,Colorado. A mosaicofsmallpicturesformalargerimageanastronautandlunarlanderat LockheedMartin’sboothApril10at the35thSpaceSymposiumat theBroadmoorHotel NASA is also changing its approach for approach its changing also is NASA NASA rushed through that new ascent new that through rushed NASA announced NASA 8, April on However, as well asahabitation module. NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM - oped aspublic private partnerships. lunar landing system, he said, will be devel- direction,”the ofelements Allthree said. he right the in heading were we sure make to wanted I because it on brakes the put I but Bridenstine said. architecture by 2028. He gave few details few gave He 2028. by architecture exploration the of sustainability long-term on focus would and said, he landing, man hu- first that achieving after in kick would as possible,” hesaid. soon as moon, the of surface the on places the surface of the moon, to the most valuable and science that can help us get humans to will also factor into thisphase. lunar landers that can carry agency payloads, commercialdevelopingcompanies nine to (CLPS) program, where NASA awarded contracts The Commercial Lunar Payload Services Payload Lunar Commercial The days, four in out it had have could “We A second phase of the lunar return effort return lunar the of phase second A “We’re focusing those capabilities on projects be great aswell.” would that more, little a up step to partners international our ask maybe could we “If said. request,”he budget increased an with additional partners. seek or more contribute to partners tional the nearfuture. in Congress to proposal budget amended an provide will agency the that statements earlier confirmed but approach, new this erate pieces of it.” planned for 2028. We’re just going to accel- for the long run,” he said. “All this was already an architecture that’s ultimately sustainable reusable. are landers lunar likekeythe elementssure volve building out the Gateway and making wouldin- it noted approach,thatbutabout “We’re going to be going back to Congress interna- ask might NASA that hinted He of cost the about little said Bridenstine “We’re building a capability, we’re building S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |4 S N

TOM KIMMELLL FOR SPACENEWS TOM KIMMELLL FOR SPACENEWS SN

SYMPOSIUM SCENES has designedseveralSpaceSymposium postersovertheyears. The 35thSpaceSymposium’s commemorative posterwasdesignedby Seattle artistRichardGreen. Green SN | NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |5 SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

Space Council advisers seek role evaluating NASA’s lunar plans

he advisory group of the wants to take on a role evaluating NASA’s plans to T return humans to the moon by 2024, once those plans are developed. During a meeting of the National Space Council’s User’s Advisory Group (UAG) meeting here April 8 during the 35th Space Symposium, members supported, but did not formally ap- prove, a proposal to establish a task force that could serve as a “red team” to review NASA’s new exploration plans. That proposal was put forward by Lester Lyles, the retired Air Force general who serves as chairman of the group’s exploration and discovery subcommittee. The task force, he said, would consist of UAG members or sub- ject matter experts they would designate, and could also consider “external assessments, advice or inputs” to support their evaluation. The National Space Council’s User’s Advisory Group (UAG), which met April 8 at the 35th Space Symposium, The goal of the task force, he said, would be was already interested in ways to accelerate NASA’s lunar plans before Vice President Mike Pence directed to to serve as a “value-added red team before a achieve a human landing at the south pole of the moon within five years. revised architecture by NASA is finalized.” That work, though, would not begin until NASA drafted at least an initial version of its revised another member of the Users’ Advisory Group. to refine the proposal to establish a task force plans, which remain under development. “That is an excellent recommendation,” said and create a “terms of reference” for that team. The group was already interested in ways Tory Bruno, president and chief executive of That revised proposal will be considered by the to accelerate NASA’s plans before the March . He added this his Users’ Advisory Group at a future meeting, yet 26 speech by Vice President Mike Pence at the company would be willing to provide resources to be scheduled. National Space Council meeting in Huntsville, to back that task force. Separately, NASA took a step April 8 to- Alabama, where he directed NASA to achieve a James Ellis, the chairman of the group, also ward implementing that lunar landing goal. human landing at the south pole of the moon backed the concept, but offered some words In an internal memo, NASA Administrator within five years. Members of the group had of caution. “We need to consider what our Jim Bridenstine said he had named Mark complained about a lack of urgency in NASA’s role could be in that in a productive way,” he Sirangelo as a special assistant, advising him earlier plans, which called for a human land- said of NASA’s changing exploration plans. on exploration efforts. Sirangelo is a veteran ing by 2028, during their previous meeting in That included keeping the task force from aerospace executive who, until last summer, November at NASA Headquarters. getting too big: “In my view, smaller and more was executive vice president for Sierra Nevada At the time, Lyles said the subcommittee focused is better.” Space Systems. was considering a call for an independent Schedule was also a concern to Ellis, who Sirangelo “will have broad responsibility assessment of NASA’s plans. That included, he called for “perhaps a faster pace than we to work across the Mission Directorates to said, a better understanding of what the goals have been pursuing” with the group’s other further develop the agency’s plans for the Ex- of the lunar exploration program. “The first activities, as well as a clear understanding of ploration Campaign,” Bridenstine wrote in the thing we addressed and talked about, goals, how the its work would compare to NASA’s memo. “This includes a strategy to meet the was literally answered that day in Huntsville own internal reviews as well as likely reviews Administration’s policy to return astronauts with the clear direction” provided in Pence’s by the NASA Advisory Council, which Lyles to the lunar surface by 2024.” He will also lead speech, he said. “The major goal was to return chairs. “The last thing we want to do is create planning for the new Moon to Mars Mission humans to the moon by 2024.” a bureaucratic process without a clear under- Directorate, which Bridenstine announced The proposal got a strong endorsement from standing of what are the objectives and the at the National Space Council meeting in impact of our efforts.” March to oversee the revamped exploration

JEFF FOUST Ellis ultimately decided to work with Lyles program. SN TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

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Crews work on the Harris display April 7 during preparations for the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Keith Johnson/ SpaceNews)

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Accelerated moon plans create uncertainty for NASA’s partners

During a panel discussion at the 35th Space Symposium April 10, space agency officials discussed the value of the but not how NASA’s accelerated lunar plans will change it.

s NASA develops its plans to ac- Gateway. administrator for human exploration and celerate a human return to the That lunar Gateway, though, will likely be operations. “The good thing is that we’re go- surface of the moon, international a scaled-down version of earlier concepts ing to show and prove that the architecture A partners are left wondering what publicized as recently as a month ago that we’ve laid out, the plans we’ve put in place, roles, if any, they will have in that effort. featured a suite of habitation, utilization and are adaptable and we’ll be able to continue NASA has yet to outline its approach to other modules provided by NASA and other to move forward.” meeting the goal announced in a March current International Space Station modules. David Parker, director of human and ro- 26 speech by Vice President Mike Pence of Some concepts under consideration require botic exploration at ESA, emphasized that landing humans on the south pole of the only the Power and Propulsion Element, the Gateway is intended to be “flexible and moon within five years. The agency has which NASA is in the process of procuring, sustainable” amid any changes. “It’s flexible in been working internally on at least a high- along with a docking node of some kind the way that it evolves and grows over time.” level approach for doing so, and plans to that could also serve as a habitation module. Privately, though, international partners start sharing details with the White House, Publicly, potential Gateway partners have expressed concerns about how the accel- including the Office of Management and said little about how NASA’s accelerated ap- erated plans could affect their schedule or Budget, the week of April 15 to finalize a proach would affect their ability or willing- ability to contribute to the overall explora- revised budget request that’s expected to ness to participate. During an April 10 panel tion effort by delaying or even eliminating seek several billion dollars more in fiscal session here on exploration, officials from contributions like Gateway modules. This is year 2020 alone. NASA, the , Euro- an issue in particular among ESA member However, in comments at the 35th Space pean Space Agency and Aerospace states, as the agency works to win approval Symposium, NASA Administrator Jim Exploration Agency largely avoided direct for its role in the exploration program at a Bridenstine said the agency would pursue discussion of what NASA’s new plans would ministerial meeting in November in Spain. a two-phase approach that would initially mean for international contributions to the It also raises questions in Canada, where emphasize speed. That approach is expected Gateway or other elements of the exploration the government of Prime Minister Justin to use the and Orion, architecture. Trudeau announced its plans to invest more lunar landers and some version of a lunar “We’re now taking the plans that we have than 2 billion Canadian dollars into develop- in place and seeing how we can accelerate ment of a robotic arm for the Gateway less

JEFF FOUST those,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate than a month before Pence announced TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

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Deloitte reports on technology forces reshaping space sector

merging digital technologies companies at heart, Matthews told Space- hancing mission assurance, the report said. and innovative operating mod- News at the 35thSpace Symposium. “They “See beyond the long-established standards els will expand the role of space are leveraging software to exploit the hard- to imagine new methods of delivering data E in multiple economic sectors, ware that has been developed or to push it to a user,” Deloitte recommends. according to, “Tech Trends 2019: Space in- into new mission sets,” he added. Experience re-imagined, is a related trend dustry perspective,” a report released April 15 Companies rely on artificial intelligence, described in the new report. Space data cus- by Deloitte. for example, to digest weather and remote tomers “crave dynamic, relatable engage- In the past, space technologies like GPS sensing data. In the future, artificial intel- ments and insight,” the report said. “For often disrupted the status quo in other in- ligence will play a wider role in hiring, hu- downstream space applications, use new dustries. Now, technologies like artificial man-machine interactions and core busi- tools like artificial intelligence to improve intelligence, blockchain and augmented re- ness processes, according to the report. customer experience with data.” ality “can disrupt the status quo of what we More and more space-related operations, Organizations also should focus on cyber currently think of as by ad- like constellation management and ground security throughout their engineering and vancing it, optimizing it or making it cheap- networks, are being o£ered as-a-service, information technology groups, Deloitte er, faster or more accessible,” said Je£ Mat- meaning companies can outsource those said. “Don’t test it in at the end,” Deloitte said. thews, Deloitte specialist leader focused on activities. “If I’m not paying the overhead of “Build it in throughout the system.” space innovation, finance and technology. managing a piece of infrastructure, especial- Remarkable changes have occurred in the After 10 years of publishing annual reports ly space infrastructure, that can reduce either last decade. No longer the exclusive preserve on technology trends a£ecting companies a massive cost or burden on my business of government agencies or aerospace and broadly, Deloitte produced a report focused model that makes me more competitive and defense companies, “space is drawing from on the because “there is so sustainable,” Matthews said. backgrounds that are increasingly diverse much happening in space right now that Increasing global connectivity also of- and cross-functional,” Loubert said. mirrors what we are seeing happening in fers challenges and opportunities. “Plan “There’s more opportunity for compa- technology and innovation,” said Brett Lou- for the upcoming explosion of bandwidth nies or industries that traditionally were bert, a principal in Deloitte’s federal consult- and spectrum congestion,” Deloitte recom- not in space to start getting involved in a ing practice. mends. new industry, a new economy. Likewise, Many new space startups are software Intelligent interfaces, like computer vi- there’s more opportunity for people who are sion and augmented reality, can speed data space-focused to build a business case relat- delivery, minimize training costs and en- ed to space.” DEBRA WERNER SN

the new goal for landing humans on the could be asked to do more in the near term. “I told them I’d be happy to make a trip out moon. Canada was the first country, other “We’re not abandoning them. In fact, we to Europe in order to give their political than the United States, to formally sign on could be asking more from them,” he argued. leadership the assurances necessary that to the Gateway program. Bridenstine said he’s aware that partner our goals have not changed,” he said, citing Bridenstine said he’s aware of those worries. space agencies need to convince their gov- language in Directive 1 calling “It has been a concern to our international ernments to participate in the program, a for a sustainable return to the moon with partners, and they have expressed that to challenge potentially made more difficult by international partners. “I am happy to fly me throughout this conference,” he said in NASA’s change in plans. “They have to get out to Europe and meet with the political a briefing with reporters here April 9. political buy-in from their legislatures,” he leadership to give them assurances that this He said he’s told international partners that said. “What I’m making sure we do is we’re is still on the agenda.” the two-phase approach, which will shift to going to communicate how important these “The 2024 humans to the surface of the a more sustainable long-term effort after the international partnerships are and that the moon [goal] does not in any way abandon 2024 landing, will still provide opportunities new agenda doesn’t in any way change that.” our international partnerships,” he contin- for international partners. He added there Asked specifically if Europe would have ued. “We need and we want international may also be cases where partners like ESA, “complete clarity” on the new plans by this partnerships.” SN

TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS which produces the Orion service module, fall, Bridenstine said that would be the case.

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Lockheed unveils architecture for 2024 human lunar landing XXX

Lockheed Martin unveiled April 10 a two-stage lunar lander concept the company says it could complete in time to meet the 2024 deadline U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has given NASA for returning astronauts to the surface of the moon.

ockheed Martin says it has devel- extensive use of existing hardware to develop if challenging. oped an approach to achieving components like a scaled-down version of the “This isn’t the only way to accomplish this,” said the goal of landing humans on the lunar Gateway and a two-stage lunar lander on Rob Chambers, director of human L south pole of the moon by 2024, but an accelerated schedule. strategy and business development at Lockheed warns that construction of essential hardware While many details have yet to be worked Martin. He called the approach the company would have to start soon to meet that deadline. out, the basic elements of the plan, Lockheed described an “existence proof” that the overall In a briefing at the 35th Space Symposium here argues, demonstrates that the ability to meet goal is feasible. “The objective here is to lay out April 10, company officials said they can make the 2024 deadline established March 26 by U.S. an architecture that moves the needle from ‘is Vice President Mike Pence in a National Space this possible’ to ‘OK, how do we do it best?’”

JEFF FOUST Council speech is at least technically feasible, Lockheed’s plan would diverge from

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“We need to be bending metal next year, which means tooling already has to be in-house, and I hope somebody ordered a bunch of aluminum.”

NASA’s old approach after Exploration Mission (EM) 1, an uncrewed test of the Orion spacecraft launched by the Space Launch Sys- tem in 2020. The company proposes launching a “Phase 1” Gateway in 2022 consisting of just the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and a small habitation module with docking ports. NASA expects to issue awards for the PPE in May, while the habitation module could be Lockheed Martin’s approach involves using Orion and a scaled-down Gateway, as well as development adapted from ongoing studies that are part of of a two-stage lunar lander. NASA’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships, or NextSTEP, program. That would be followed by EM-2, the first people the lander can support — and go to the to begin building to print what exists today that crewed Orion flight. While NASA’s current lunar surface. Those astronauts would likely we can safely leverage,” he said. architecture would have that mission go on spend several days near the lunar south pole The company declined to estimate how much a “free return” trajectory around the moon, in before launching on the ascent module back this accelerated approach would cost, in part this plan the Orion would fly to and dock with to the Gateway, and then board Orion for the because it depends on multiple factors. How- the Gateway to check out its systems. trip home. ever, Chambers said it would require funding That would require modifying the Orion While Lockheed Martin discussed the plan above earlier budget projections. spacecraft for that mission to incorporate a just 15 days after Pence’s speech, work on the “We’ve all agreed it’s not free,” he said. “The docking system. “It looks credible and sensi- architecture presented started months ago. current program of record can’t be turned into ble that we could add the docking to EM-2,” “We looked at what’s the fastest we could go,” a crewed landing in 2024 without some kind Chambers said. “It would allow us to test out Cichan said, which found that it could be done of additional resources for the human explo- operations from the Gateway.” by 2024. However, he warned, “It’s going to be ration activity.” The Lockheed Martin proposal calls for the a challenge.” NASA has also declined to estimate how much development of a two-stage lunar lander with To achieve the 2024 deadline, work on an accelerated program, be it like Lockheed’s ascent and descent stages. The descent stage lander hardware would have to start next year, concept or an alternative architecture, would would be developed from concepts NASA solic- Chambers said. “We need to be bending metal cost. Industry sources during the symposium ited earlier this year through another part of the next year, which means tooling already has to estimated NASA would need perhaps $3–5 bil- NextSTEP program. The ascent stage makes use be in-house, and I hope somebody ordered a lion more per year to achieve a landing by 2024, of Orion components, such the pressure vessel, bunch of aluminum,” he said. but for now NASA is not offering any figures and a “built-to-print” version of the propulsion He compared its development schedule to as it works on an amendment to its fiscal year system for the Orion service module. the Orion spacecraft for EM-3, which NASA’s 2020 budget proposal. The two lander stages would launch separately schedules currently call for being ready for launch “We need to be ready by next week to have on commercial launch vehicles to the Gateway in August 2023. Work on the crew module will a consensus administration position on that,” by early 2024, where they would be mated. Tim start this fall to meet that date, he said. The lander NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told re- Cichan, space exploration architect at Lockheed ascent stage, derived from Orion, would need porters at the Space Symposium April 9. That Martin, said an alternative approach would be to start production by early 2020 to be ready work will involve coordination with the Office to launch them together on a single SLS. for launch in early 2024, which would give it of Management and Budget and the staff of In 2024, NASA would launch EM-3, an Orion enough time to be ready for a mission to the the National Space Council before delivering carrying four astronauts to the Gateway. Some lunar surface before the end of 2024. a proposal to Congress. “Until we get to that of all of them would board the lander — Cichan “By the end of this year, there needs to be ma- point I don’t want to put any numbers on the said the company is still studying how many terials starting to show up and folks on contract table.” SN LOCKHEED MARTIN

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 8 LOCKHEED MARTIN © 2019 Sierra Nevada Corporation sncorp.com systems, subsystems andcomponents for spacecraft throughout the solar system. participated inmore than 450 successful space missions andhave supplied 4,000+ delivers the technologies customers need to get their missions o the ground. We have technologies system and humansupport solutions, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) With more than 30years of experience providing spacecraft, , propulsion, space SNC Mission Heritage Gateway Architecture design supports lunar missions &prepares for long-duration • Dream Chaser • Missions to seven planets &anasteroid including Juno, New Horizon &OSIRIS-Rex • 13successful missions to Mars including Mars Insight &Mars Rover Curiosity • missions such as those to Mars ® spacecraft to begin cargo missions to the space station in spring 2021 FUTURE: Europa 2022: Psyche 2021: Dream Chaser Inaugural Flight to ISS 2021: DART Space Probe 2020: Mars 2020 20’s 2018: 2011: Mars Science Lab (Curiosity) 2018: Mars Insight 2016: OSIRIS-REx 2011: Juno Space Probe 2009: Lunar Reconnaissance 2007: Phoenix Mars Lander 2003: Mars Exploration Rovers 2001: Mars 2001 2000: First Residential Crew on ISS 00’s

1998: International Space 1999: Mars Polar Lander Station (ISS) launch 1997: 1998: Lunar Prospector Cassini 1996: Mars Pathfinder 1992: Mars Observer 1990: Hubble Telescope Launch 90’s

1981: First Reusable : Columbia 80’s

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With space heritage spanning three decades, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has participated in more than 450 successful space missions. From America’s spaceplane, the Dream Chaser® spacecraft, to thousands of mission-centric technologies, SNC is changing the way the world goes to space – now and in the future. sncorp.com © 2019 Sierra Nevada Corporation vestment that is taking place in commercial protected satcom terminals.” and narrowband to addition in terminals, deployed over 130 different types of wideband commercial bandwidth. “The result is we have example, in addition to -market buys of relies on a patchwork of satellite systems, for efficiently, he said. Currently, the U.S. military space efforts so resources are invested more efforts. Further, the SDA will help consolidate existing organizations continue their current communications and Earth observation, while livering the next generation of space-based de- and developing on focus will SDA “The call the pacing element of our plan,” he said. moving fastenough tostay ahead.” Shanahan said. economy,”American the for space of tance opportunitiesimpor-new increasethe and rapidlyadvances,” willunlock“This said. he tinues to come down and space technology the next few years as the cost of launch con- in space into going of thousands also to the nation’s space economy, he said. but security national to important just not his signature issues. The work of the SDA is Shanahan has made the new agency one of led by former DARPA official Fred Kennedy. and 12 March up stood organization new a were about the Space Development Agency, ter of bothnational andeconomic security. space capabilities. He cast the issue as a mat ahead of adversaries that are advancing their staysUnitedStates the ensure to takewill it and a Space Development Agency — is what Command U.S.Space a with along Force— military branchfor space. new a of establishment the for date to case We needitto beatChina,Russia Shanahan’s pitch: SN SDA will “harness the innovation and in- innovationand the SDA“harness will The Space Development Agency is “what I not is department the “Unfortunately, see also we threat, the to addition “In Most of the substance of Shanahan’s remarks Shanahan argued that standing up a Space I NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM SANDRA ERWIN SANDRA nahan laid out his most forceful Sha Patrick Secretary Defense Acting Symposium, Space 35th n an April 9 keynote speech at the - - United States, said Shanahan, is in an era an in is Shanahan, said States, United The warfighters” our for access ensure and economy dollar trillion $19 our protect to to “grow our margin of dominance in space pabilities unique toDoD.” ca- exquisite withinnovations commercial Pentagon should be accountable for space. zations, he said. A single senior leader in the environment with a dozen different organi- Pentagon cannot confront the contested space cated space branch is necessary, he said. The low Earthorbit spacesensors by nextyear.” at aimed system laser ground-based a field to them expect we and weapons, energy directed deploying also is Army]Liberation People’s [’s PLA “The spacecraft. U.S. anti-satellite weapons that they could aim at as space rivals that are developing powerful major conflict may be won or lost in space.” next the and competition, power “great of commercial market innovations.” deploy’ and off ‘rip as well as development R&D needs to include our own research and space Our … investment. sector private the leverage must “DoD space,”Shanahan. said “Unfortunately, thedepartmentisnotmovingfastenoughtostayahead,”ActingSecDef Patrick Shanahansaid. On the Space Force, he said it is necessary combine “judiciously will SDA said He A centralized focus on space under a dedi Russia and China mentioned Shanahan - per American peryear.” $1.50 about cost willForce Space “The said. tenth of one percent of the DoD budget,” he one- than less is cost additional the Force, bureaucracy it brings. the cost of a new branch and the additional members of Congress have raised, which is vides a clear promotion path,” said Shanahan. them in space from the beginning, and pro- system that recruits technical talent, educates Force will “build a professional development war doctrine and strategies whereas the Space technology faster than current organizations. develop to agency space a and command requires all three legs: a service, a combatant rather thanaddbureaucracy. programs space of management disjointed and innovation lagging solve would Force officials at the April 11 to explain how a Space DoD expect and needed, is service military Some lawmakers remain skeptical that a new before the Senate Armed Services Committee. sorts two days before he is scheduled to testify of act warm-up a was speech Shanahan’s SASC WARM-UP ACT “By creating the new service inside the Air He also addressed on the key objections that U.S. will focus on space Shanahan, in his speech, that the solution S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |11 S N

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R2-D2 greets Yuri’s Night revelers April 7 at the Discovery Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Tom Kimmell)

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Rocket Lab unveils Photon, a smallsat bus aimed at startups

fter establishing a foothold in the small launch vehicle market, is now planning to enter the A small satellite field with a bus the company says can get customers to orbit faster. At the 35th Space Symposium here, Rocket Lab unveiled Photon, a smallsat based on the kick stage the company uses on its Electron rocket. The company is offering Photon as part of an end-to-end service that includes an Electron launch and the option of handling spacecraft operations. In an interview, Rocket Lab chief execu- tive Peter Beck pitched Photon as a platform that allows customers to integrate a variety of payloads, from Earth observation cameras to communications equipment, and get them into orbit in less time than if companies built their own satellites. “We see a lot of companies, especially in the NewSpace sector, building their satellites for the first time,” he said. “They’re trying to provide a data service but they have to go through all the learning of developing their own satellite, rather than get straight to revenue.” Beck argued that Rocket Lab’s integrated approach will be more efficient and less risky for startups. “You can use not only a proven launch vehicle but a proven spacecraft platform, so you’re not taking any development time or risk in getting your idea into orbit,” he said. The company sees Photon as being particu- The Photon satellite platform, right, is based on the kick stge of Rocket Lab’s Electron small launch vehicle. larly well-suited to technology demonstration missions, where customers bring a payload they want to get to space quickly before using it in he said, “you certainly have all the expertise of payloads. Beck said the company plans to a larger constellation. Rocket Lab could also and equipment needed to build a spacecraft.” launch only one Photon at a time, but that each provide the payloads in addition to the bus. Rocket Lab will manufacture the Photon Photon could carry multiple payloads. The first “If you just have an idea and you don’t want to at its Huntington Beach, California, factory Photon will launch no earlier than 2020 because develop a payload, either through Rocket Lab where it also produces the Rutherford engine the company’s 2019 launch manifest is full. or a Rocket Lab partnerships we can take care that powers Electron. The company estimates Rocket Lab is working with “a number of of that as well,” he said. that it can produce and launch a Photon in as customers” interested in using Photon, but Beck The Photon spacecraft itself has yet to fly, little as four months. said the company isn’t ready yet to announce but it is based on the kick stage that has flown- Beck didn’t give a specific figure for how many any of them. He also wasn’t concerned that successfully on four of the first six Electron satellites the factory can produce, but said it’s Photon might dissuade companies develop- launches. Beck said the company planned from “strongly linked” to the Electron production rate, ing their own satellites from launching them the beginning to turn the kick stage into a sat- which the company is working to accelerate to on Electrons. ellite bus. “If you can build a launch vehicle,” one rocket a week. The company has reserved “We’re not intending to make people use about half of the space at the Huntington Beach Photon,” Beck said. “It’s just an addition to our facility for satellite production. product line to make it easier for people to get JEFF FOUST Each Photon can carry up to 170 kilograms things in orbit.” SN ROCKET LAB

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 13 the Secretary of Defense with the authorities of Office the by invested been has Kennedy launch vehicles. Earth orbit on an evolving mix of commercial low to satellites small of thousands or dreds hun- launch and build to creating is capital private that capacity industrial the leverage to militaryU.S. the for way a find then: back supplying megaconstellations like OneWeb. to buy small satellites from the same vendors effort Agency Projects Research Advanced Defense a Blackjack, running was he when Kennedy started working with such ventures ventures andtheirvendors thissummer. to issuefirst RFIthissummer Space Development Agency aims refine a LEO-based architecture that aligns that architecture LEO-based a refine and the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year is to one detailee and several support contractors him to expand SDA beyond its current staff of gramming request this year that would allow he’s counting on Congress to approve a repro 2020, year fiscal for million $150 requested Pentagon the While staff. or budget, than communications andnavigation. from missile tracking and reconnaissance to to take over military space missions ranging satellites small of constellations large using Satellite — outlined a bold vision this week for Surrey pioneers smallsat of home — Surrey of University the at PhD his earned who real hardware on orbit that does real work.” put to intend I but go, to ready I’m that sure make to demonstrations do will “I 10. April here reporters with discussion 90-minute freewheeling a during DARPA,”said not he is “This 2022 in orbit on satellites SDA’sfirst just techdemos —on orbit. he needs to put operational capabilities — not T SN The key difference: as the head of SDA, of head the as difference: key The His intent today is largely the same as it was Space Development Agency Director Fred Kennedy’s singular focus between now between focus singular Kennedy’s ambition more Kennedyhas now,for But colonel Force Air U.S. retired a Kennedy, And he intends to move fast. Kennedy wants NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM mation from megaconstellation from mation infor for request formal a make to intends AgencyDevelopment Space Pentagon’sbrand-new he BRIAN BERGER BRIAN - - going tohappen.” for them. So I think one way or the other, its good news is they get it and this is a priority ple now and I need resources now.’ And the capability up in orbit in 2022, so I need peo- put to intend I and acquire to intendwhat I is ‘this say, and Shanahan] Patrick Defense of [Secretary acting the and Griffin Dr. to it show can I that way a in that do to need China’s hypersonic missile threat. countering to critical as sees — colleague Defense Mike Griffin — his boss and longtime sile-tracking satellites that Undersecretary of with the so-called space sensor layer of mis- come up with against what commercial thinks be able to calibrate, sanity check, what we’ve I would like to get an RFI out because I want to ture, and that’ll probably happen this summer, July, followed by a draft solicitation by Sept. 30. information, or RFI, this summer, probably in ber. To do that, SDA plans to issue a request for intends to hit the ground running come Octo keynote speechat the35thSpaceSymposium. SDA DirectorFred Kennedy deliversanApril9 Assuming SDA gets its funding, Kennedy funding, its gets SDA Assuming I architecture…and the refine to need “I “Once I do one or two spins on the architec - - broadband and other uses. “[E]xactly how they Amazon and others are developing for global OneWeb,SpaceX, sort the of constellations large to referring said, megas,”he major the focus or details of theplannedRFI. where Congress is.” do it, depending on where the budget is, and end of the fiscal year — or at least be ready to the near probably — solicitation equivalent or out, RFP draft a get we that sure make to is feasible,” Kennedy said. now, will we get a phased array antenna.’” say, ‘Oh, you know, maybe 10 or 12 years from if you establish a government program and viders], you will get there more quickly than [pro- commercial with collaborate you and you put capability out every couple of years that if you, if you push forward in a way that every dismount’s backpack. that thing on a Humvee. I’d love to have it on mount to able be to love I’d antenna. array said. “I would love to have that [cheap] phased Kennedy expressed skepticism. user terminals priced between $200 and $300, for way the paves and $15 costs that module funded side projects has developed an antenna self- his of one claimed recentlyWyler Greg antenna cheap?” somebody who canbuild meaphasedarray It’s about user terminals. Can anyone find me hardware, right? It’s about payload hardware. bus about just not “It’s buses. or platforms, spacecraft mass-produced just than more need will SDA vision, Kennedy’s realize To Wanted: cheap phased array antennas our legacyproviders aswell,” hesaid. military satellites. “We are working with all of U.S. of bulk the building currently Martin, Lockheed as such contractors traditional by tention to the smallsat capabilities put forward the architecture activity.” of refinement the of part that’s fact, In yet. know quite don’t we fit, we how exactly fit, “We’re well aware of the capabilities of all all of capabilities the of aware well “We’re specific the discuss to declined Kennedy “And then at some point later on, we’ll want “I don’t believe we’re there, but I do believe “Everybody else says it’s pretty expensive,” he When a reporter noted that OneWeb founder at- close paying also is SDAKennedy said S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |14 S N

TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS CMY CY MY CM C TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS K Y M DRIVING AREVOLUTION August 3-8, 2019 | Logan, UT, USA 33rd Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites SMALL SATELLITE PR ODUCTI ON smallsat. org SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SDA’s Fred Kennedy: ‘How we do things in space has to change’

he Space Development Agency is only a month old and its staff has yet to be hired, but the SDA already has T a bold agenda. It plans to change how the military develops and acquires space systems, the agency’s director Fred Kennedy told SpaceNews in his first media interview since taking the job. SDA will do business in a way that is radically different from the way the military currently develops and acquires space systems, Kennedy said. “I wanted to call it the Space Disruption Agency,” he quipped in an April 8 interview. Disruption, in Kennedy’s view, is overdue. While DoD officials are fond of pointing out that “space is no longer a sanctuary,” for many milspace programs it’s still business as usual. “Some of us may have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century,” he said. “How we doSNC things in space has to change.” To prod the Defense Department in that direction, Kennedy is drafting an architec- ture that leverages commercial capabilities coming online to churn out the hundreds “I wanted to call it the Space Disruption Agency,” SDA Director Fred Kennedy said April 8. and thousands of satellites venture-backed companies like OneWeb and SpaceX need soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines. That’s what now, everything has been pushing us towards for the broadband megaconstellations they’re I’m trying to do. That’s the idea. And I think ‘more expensive, more review, take your time, beginning to deploy in (LEO). I can do that.” it’s got to work,’” he said. “But if I can build While the current wave of LEO constellations Unlike traditional DoD satellite programs spacecraft for a million dollars or less, if I can are mostly focused on internet connectivity that cost billions of dollars and take decades pull them off the production lines and use and , Kennedy sees applica- to develop, the SDA architecture will be low them, I can now afford to lose things. I’m not bility across the gamut of DoD mission areas. cost and will accelerate the development of scared anymore. I can put up several hundred “The first thing I’m going to do is refine my capabilities, Kennedy said. “We have an in- satellites and know that maybe 75 percent of architecture by the end of this fiscal year,” credible amount of commercial investment them will work and that would be just fine. he said. “I have an architecture in mind and just pouring in,” he noted. “A couple of years “That is not the exquisite mindset. That’s it’s comprehensive. It’s not just one mission ago, I would’ve told you I was not confident the commodity mindset. I put it up, I see if it area. It’s the whole thing. How do you do a that was going to continue, that it was a fad.” works and then I try something again. That next-generation space architecture?” But that is no longer the case. “People are encourages innovation. That’s happening on SDA wants to identify commercial vendors excited,” Kennedy said. “Venture capitalists are the commercial side and is not happening building thousands or hundreds of satellites and excited. I think the commercial sector is going on the national security side. I need to ride figure out a contracting mechanism for DoD to go push hard. They’re going to build small that wave. This is the time to go do it with to buy a couple of hundred off the assembly satellites on production lines. I think you’re the massive amounts of money pouring in. line. “Then, I want to craft my capabilities on going to see a Henry Ford for small satellites This is the time to stand up something like an those satellites and fly them so they can work emerge in the next two to five years. I don’t SDA to take advantage of that synergy with with those networks,” Kennedy explained. “I’ll know which one is going to be that Henry Ford, the commercial sector.” take those satellites. I’ll put payloads on them. but I believe that’s what’s going to happen.” SDA’s approach applies to more than just I’ll fly them. And I hope to tunnel through their As soon as companies start putting up hun- satellites, Kennedy said. “If I can buy payloads, networks to get data to the tactical edge, to dreds or thousands of satellites in low Earth if I can buy ground command and control soft- orbit, the stage will be set for DoD to rethink ware, hardware, user equipment, if we could SANDRA ERWIN how it develops systems, Kennedy said. “Until get user terminals from the commercial side, KEITH JOHNON FOR SPACENEWS

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 16 KEITH JOHNON FOR SPACENEWS whether the SDA could replace SMC. “I think questions” but it’s premature to try to predict acquisitions. Systems Center that oversees most DoD space Missile and Space Force Air the for mean might that what about surfaced questions Since plans for the SDA were first announced, SDA notathreat toSMC requirements are even validated.” our team go and address that threat before the I want you to tell me what the threat is and let have to meet a certain threshold requirement. I that told be to want don’t ‘I said. Kennedy that is threat driven, not requirements driven,” Kennedy isready for it. needed. is analysis rigorous more that and crazy” little a “seems approach that say ably prob- will said, architecture.”he thatCritics, procuring start I architecture, the with done get I minute the Kennedy.happen,”“So said that make to going we’re and faster, “ever all DoD acquisitions. governing regulations of compendium sive DevelopmentSystem. DoD mas- the is 5000 and Integration Capabilities Joint the with comply must procurements DoD All said. 5000,”DoD the by bound he not I’m system. JCIDS the by or requirements the by bound “go off and procure,” said Kennedy. “I am not Spend whatever it takes.” ready. it’s until launch Don’t works. it sure culture oneofmissionis making assurance, overarching constellation…The a finish to years 20 and billion $20 takes it “So said. he else,”everythingof expense formanceatthe per ultimate and reliability “hyper phasizes take adecade or two.” that systems expensive exquisite, building by that do to able be to going not we’re and Kennedy“Wesaid. haveanticipate to threats responsive,”and agile be to how out figure would behuge,” hesaid. commercially procure all of that into DoD, that alone. If we could just wipe the slate clean and kinds of wideband communications terminals different 140 or 130 have we think “I minals. name it. That’s big,” Kennedy said. you Humvees, planes, ships, on [it] put and then I can maybe do minimal ruggedization SN Kennedy said some of those are “fair are those of some said Kennedy SDA wants to “put up capability on a timeline move to is agency new the of motto The to authorities special have will SDA The em culture acquisitions space Military we “when space, in advance will U.S. The ter own DoD,its Inbuilds program every NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM - - - that’s a discussion for 2030 or 2040, not for not 2040, or 2030 for discussion a that’s of providers” including SMC, as well as the the as well as SMC, including providers” of next generation spacearchitecture.” of what’s needed so we can actually build the level next the to graduate of sort is do to ing trying to steal anybody’s jobs. What we’re try today,” Kennedy insisted. “We’re certainly not SDA DirectorFred Kennedy deliversakeynote addressApril9at the35thSpace Symposium. SDA will work with the current “community - cussion.If it’s expensive, less webetter if get and better capability, we should have that dis better up put we if years seven to five next the in Maybe … new something to graduate whether this system continues or whether we point, however, “we’ll have a discussion about Their programs are not at risk today. At some Army’s and Navy’s space procurement offices. S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |17 -

TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

“Until now, everything has been pushing us towards ‘more expensive, more review, take your time, it’s got to work. But if I can build spacecraft for a million dollars or less, if I can pull them off the production lines and use them, I can now afford to lose things.”

comparable number of support contractors. SDA Director Fred Kennedy chats with reporters before the start of an April 9 media roundtable at the 35th Space Symposium. This fiscal year, it will only hire about 20 peo- ple. “I’m looking for technically sophisticated space folks.” capability out the door quicker, I don’t know an urgent need, he said. “We believe that a Kennedy compared recruiting people for why you wouldn’t want that. So I think it’s … proliferated LEO layer is the right way to go the SDA to the task faced by Adm. Hyman a debate to have, but we don’t have the data about it. When we’re much closer to the threat, Rickover, the father of the nuclear navy who yet. I think it’s premature to essentially declare sensitivities will be higher.” in the 1950s directed the development of naval victory before we’ve even started.” A large constellation would provide global nuclear propulsion. Kennedy said it is conceivable that SDA coverage, he said. “So we think we are in a “He was looking for very sharp engineers could come up with LEO-based alternatives place to go do that. … The question is, can we who could do their job, who understood they to traditional constellations in higher orbits. build the payload at cadence? The bus builders had to do, technically sophisticated and it SDA will test new capabilities in incremental can provide me with 200 vehicles, but will could just go off and run,” he said. “That’s what “tranches,” Kennedy said. Could SDA figure the payload builders be able to provide me I need here. I need people who understand out alternatives to GPS or to current missile with 200 infrared cameras? We’ll have to see. the business. I need people who know how warning satellites? Possibly in five or 10 years, It’s certainly not in their DNA to go do that.” to build buses and payloads and components “we will have to have a conversation about But this is the type of rapid and responsive who’ve been through assembly integration what the architecture should look like. And production that SDA is asking companies to and test, who know what it takes to go out and maybe that does mean that you start standing do. “So we’ll see if it’s possible.” build. And frankly, I need help from industry, down legacy [systems],” Kennedy said. “But I If the SDA successfully develops an ar- especially the new space industry because don’t think that’s a conversation that’s easily chitecture and proves out new capabilities, I’m trying to figure out how I can bring the had yet because I think we need to get our the next challenge will be to turn them into flavor of mass production, commoditization first tranche of capability up.” operational systems that get funded by the productization into our story. And so I can’t military services. necessarily rely just on legacy. I need the new Space Sensor Layer “That will be the trick,” said Kennedy. The thought processes to come in.” An early test will be an effort to develop a layer thinking now is that if the Space Force is SDA needs a mix of talent, Kennedy said. of sensors in LEO to detect and track hyper- stood up, it will help move SDA programs “I’m open to anybody who wants to play, but sonic weapons. It’s likely that one of the first forward. “In the absence of a Space Force we they’ve got to bring their ‘A game’ and they’ve capabilities that the SDA will pursue will include would have to discuss exactly what it means got to really know space.” a “tracking layer that will go after hypersonic to operationalize that capability. But the truth To be successful, SDA must stay small, Ken- weapons because the current legacy systems is, most of it will be commercially derived.” nedy said. “I really believe that to be effective don’t detect them very well and they certainly Staffing SDA it has to be a small disruptive activity. Beyond don’t do it in real time.” Kennedy envisions SDA will have about 112 that, you start building subcultures and pretty Defenses against hypersonic weapons are government civilian and military staff, and a soon everything gets out of control.”

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Wilson fires back at SDA: LEO can’t replace legacy systems

know that maybe 75 percent of them will work and that would be just fine,” he said. Wilson argued that such a plan might work for some scenarios but would be reckless to apply across the board in military space systems. “Different missions will require different solutions,” she said. “One size does not fit all.” The Air Force’s 90-day study was kicked off in late 2018, just as the Pentagon was putting final touches on a plan to stand up the SDA. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has been a strong proponent of the new agency and decided to place it under the authority of Undersecretary of Defense Mike Griffin, who like Kennedy, is a staunch believer that military space acquisitions must change radically and that commercial LEO systems should be leveraged as soon as possible. Wilson said the study will not be publicly released for some time but she provided a few nuggets from the findings, which she said were the result of “thousands of war games and simulations.” “Increasing the number of satellites helps, but numbers alone are not enough,” she said. “Increasing the number of satellites helps, but numbers alone are not enough,” U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather The Air Force already has moved to transition Wilson said April 9 during a keynote address at the 35th Space Symposium. to commercial systems in areas like satellite communications, she said. This would drive all the services toward low-cost multiband ir Force Secretary Heather Wil- of satellites in higher orbits are “the best in satellite communications terminals, a change son on April 9 shot back at the the world” and that shifting to LEO systems that Kennedy also advocates. Space Development Agency and would put U.S. forces at risk. Wilson said the study found that space A its director Fred Kennedy, who Wilson cited a 90-day “Space Strategy Study” missions “that are not well aligned with is laying out a plan to disrupt the military recently completed by the Air Force and the commercial LEO satellites are better off space business by bringing more commercial intelligence community that concludes that staying where they are, or making changes technology into space systems to speed up LEO-based systems would be vulnerable to protect themselves.” Kennedy, in contrast, innovation in the face of competition from during military conflicts and that DoD should thinks LEO constellations have a role to play China and Russia. not be taking that risk. in all military missions. The SDA was created only a month ago and Kennedy told SpaceNews April 8 that the The Air Force for the past two years has its first project will be to design a constella- SDA’s proposal to leverage investments in been studying ways to make systems more tion of low-cost satellites in low Earth orbit commercial LEO constellations — and the resilient and has asked for bigger budgets to that would leverage commercial spacecraft manufacturing capacity behind them — is support that, Wilson said. She is not against adapted for military missions. aimed at reducing the vulnerability of current using LEO systems but she warned that In a keynote speech at the 35th Space Sym- U.S. systems. “If I can build spacecraft for a “launching hundreds of cheap satellites a posium, Wilson challenged that vision, argu- million dollars or less, if I can pull them off year as a substitute to the complex architec- ing that the military’s current constellations the production lines and use them, I can now tures we provide to the warfighter will result afford to lose things. I’m not scared anymore. in failure on America’s worst day if we rely

SANDRA ERWIN I can put up several hundred satellites and upon them alone.” SN TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 20 TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS peraton.com/ 2019 8-11, |APRIL 338 BOOTH SYMPOSIUM SPACE AT 35TH THE #PERATON SEE technology so you can command the cosmos. of critical information and intelligence; and transformation of enable the protection of territory, assets and interests; discovery At Peraton, our seamless and integrated mission capabilities domain demands acomprehensive and strategic approach. In of an era rapidly evolving technology and threats, the space CommandTheCosmos SN SYMPOSIUM SCENES

Max Young (left) and Stephen Tucker set up an audio visual display at the KBRwyle booth April 7 during preparations for the 35th Space Symposium at the Broad- moor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews)

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 22 each mission area across SMC to help develop grow over time. Zydallis’ office is working with will offerings catalog The said. he available, become they as Catalog Service EGS the by provided guidelines the follow to expected be software developers, said Zydallis. Vendors will industry and government support to Catalog software applications. of refresh the expedite and upgrades software sharing.”Commonality would save on money data and commanding for platform ground Center, saidinastatement to chief at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Col. Jesse Zydallis, Enterprise Ground Services capability,”and resiliency enterprise creasing experimental satellites. communications, and the ground control for missile warning, satellite architecture over the next decade. That includes ground systems will have to transition to the EGS Legacy software. test and develop to million $138 requesting EGS, for line funding new a to Raymond’s memo. use universal messaging standards, according exchanges” in all ground systems. They also must machine to requirewill“machine EGS shared, assets.”ofspace To ensure information be can control and command tactical for operations EGS the “common platform to execute satellite declares Raymond John Gen. Commander vices (EGS). A memo signed in August by AFSC trol architecture called Enterprise Ground Ser the answer is a universal command-and-con- Air Force Space Command last year decided that Force has struggled to come up with solutions. military’s spaceenterprise. and difficulties sharing information within the standards cybersecurity outdated software, user-unfriendly as such problems from suffer sof•ware problems toground With EGS, AirForce aimstorun U SN Zydallis said the goal is to have a “common “common a have to is goal the said Zydallis SMC is now developing the EGS Service Service EGS the developing now is SMC “EGS prepares us for tomorrow’s fight by in- adds proposal budget 2020 Force’s Air The The problems are well documented but the Air NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM constellations. Current systems systems Current constellations. control systems for finalizing a plan to revamp ground is Command Space Force Air .S. SANDRA ERWIN SANDRA SpaceNews . - told they should do now to prepare, industry sources what that inform will that details for waiting are Contractors however. understood, well not still questions are programs space current system by November. ground each for plans transition individual from users until it’s too late or too expensive to Program managers don’t get enough feedback failure to involve users early in the development. software programs is caused by the government’s to theexecution of themissions.” said in an interview. “In space, software is critical concerned,” Ludwigson very are committees defense congressional “The satellites. 3 GPS lagging behind the deployment of the Air Force’s OCX, a next-generation ground control system menting costly space software problems such as Government Accountability Office. national security acquisitions issues at the U.S. Ludwigson, acting director of contracting and Jon complexity,said mission and quirements re security to due challenging especially are systems ground Space developments. ware Rocket Communications demonstrated itsuserexperiencetool,calledAstro,at the35thSpaceSymposium. What exactly EGS is and how it will affect affect will it how and is EGS exactly What GAO concluded that the poor performance of docu- report March a authored Ludwigson soft- with record spotty a Forcehas Air The SpaceNews. - change thedesign, Ludwigson said. user experience.” we realized there is a huge need to redesign the users, Force Air with“After working said. dino software is needed at the highest levels,” Rogon applications for DoD spacesystems. tors and contractors looking to develop intuitive demonstration is aimed at military space opera product The Symposium. Space 35th the at stration of its user experience tool, called Astro, to thesuccess of EGS,shesaid. control systems. The user experience is critical developers create apps for EGS-compliant ground develop a user experience software tool to help received an Air Force contract two years ago to Communications. The San Francisco company Rocket of CEO now and executive Apple mer enterprise, said Michal Anne Rogondino, a for have heard from customers in the military space as frequently aspossible,hesaid. Force has to put software in the hands of users said. “That is one of our critical findings.” The Air more,”he lot a users the involve should they “but up, things speed to software of opment” The Air Force is now shifting to “agile devel - “Education about user experience in space space in experience user about “Education demon a up set Communications Rocket vendors many what echo findings GAO’s S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |23 S N - - - -

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Mark Lewis has his photo taken in what appears to be anti-gravity room at the Lockheed Martin booth at the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews)

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Goldfein: To win in space, U.S. must work closer with allies

ir Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein hosted April 11 in Colorado Springs the first-ever conference A of international air chiefs focused on space issues. “A large part of our discussion was on how do we work together in space, because we’re far stronger together than we are individually,” Goldfein told SpaceNews April 12 aboard a mil- itary plane flying back from Colorado Springs. The conference, held at an Aerospace Cor- poration’s classified facility, included the air chiefs of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. Goldfein said the idea of a space-focused air chiefs meeting came up during last year’s Space Symposium in Colorado Springs and he expects it to become an annual event. Every country said they need more intelligence about what is happening in space, he said. “Our No. 1 focus area leaving the conference was space situational awareness.” Although the United States has significant space U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein participates in a media briefing April 10 at the 35th Space Symposium. surveillance capabilities, space security efforts are more successful when countries work as a coalition, he said. In SSA, one of the problems is So how do you deter that? By having norms more sophisticated anti-satellite weapons. For the attribution. “If something bad happens and of behavior, by having communication lines Goldfein, now is the time to figure out how to we’re the only ones who see it because we’re the that are established so that you minimize the better share intelligence and prepare for “this only ones who have exquisite intelligence and opportunity for a miscalculation or uncertainty,” transition from space being a benign environ- we haven’t shared that information, it’s going Goldfein said. “We want adversaries to always ment to a more contested environment.” to be pretty tough for us to communicate and want to deal with the Secretary of State and never Goldfein said it was fascinating to learn about convince the international community that this want to deal with the Secretary of Defense.” what the other air chiefs are doing in space. nefarious activity is occurring.” The air chiefs spoke enthusiastically about “Every country talked about their space launch Goldfein’s big takeaway after the air chiefs their countries’ burgeoning commercial space business,” he said. “Every one of them is talking meeting is that “sharing information is foun- industries. Goldfein said he was struck by how about establishing the ability to do launch, not dational to our success in the future.” much space activity is happening everywhere just vertical but also horizontal launch,” such as Another concern is rules of behavior in space. and believes it would benefit the entire group Virgin Orbit’s plan to air launch small satellites “We had a robust discussion about norms,” said of nations to share technology and intelligence from a Boeing 747. The United Kingdom and Goldfein. “As airmen, we believe we need norms about threats. others are building spaceports with runways of behavior in space as we have for airspace. Analysts from the Air Force’s National Air in addition to launchpads, Goldfein said. “Ev- The United States should play a leading role in and Space Intelligence Center gave the chiefs ery country is now looking to increase their this dialogue but it’s important to work with a a classified intelligence briefing of current and competitive market for launch, which I think coalition, he said. anticipated space threats. “That set a founda- is a winner for all of us.” Space is a shared commons and more countries tion for us to talk about what we’re up against,” “And the other thing they’re all into is satel- rely on satellites for essential services, he noted. said Goldfein. lites,” he said. “Satellites are smaller, cheaper, you “If a war actually starts in space, everybody loses. In an unclassified report released in January, build more of them. Every one of them is in the NASIC analysts said the U.S. and allies face a satellite business,” Goldfein added. “So it was

SANDRA ERWIN common threat as China and Russia develop instructive to me to hear how far along every TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

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country is in the space business.” now and there will be plenty of opportunities for The question now is how to apply this Congress to provide oversight going forward.” “You’ve heard that we fast-moving innovation to the security chal- Dunford told the committee that, given the lenges that the U.S. and allies face in space, he importance of space, an 80 percent solution are the best in the world said. “How do we start, with a sense of urgency, should be enough start the process of standing at the space, but our to make military elements of space that we’re up a Space Force and that the plan should be responsible for more inter-operable and how refined as things move along. adversaries know it, and do we share information?” Goldfein asked. “And “Five years from now it’s going to look differ- so they’re investing in because we’re so early in the discussion, this ent than what it looks like today,” Goldfein said. presents us opportunities to actually become He agrees with Air Force Secretary Heather capabilities to take that more inter-operable faster,” he said. “We had a Wilson that the Air Force does a good job as away from us...” lot of discussions on that.” the service responsible for space. “But it’s an The details of what specific technologies absolutely appropriate discussion to be having and data will be shared, and how, have yet to on whether we’re organized for success in the be hashed out, said Goldfein. “We had a good future,” he said. But right now, “we just don’t Goldfein acknowledged that DoD and the Air conversation with the air chiefs about using have the answers to the thousand questions that Force still have some work to do in defining the information from a variety of sources and using are absolutely appropriate for Congress to ask.” problems that the Space Force would solve. The technologies,” he said. “We The Space Force proposal was put together issue reminds Goldstein of his favorite Einstein need greater fidelity … so we can go from look- in a short time and many details have yet to quotes: “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I ing at a softball to looking at a marble,” he said. be worked out, he said. “The specifics [that the would use the first 55 minutes to define the If countries work together, “if we’re challenged committees are asking about] don’t exist because proper question to ask, and once I knew the or threatened, we have more options available,” we just started planning. And so that’s going question, I could solve the problem in less than he added. “We’ve got to build our systems so to be the challenge for us, to ask Congress that five minutes.” they’re inter-operable.” given the planning that’s been done, which is The challenge in articulating the problem is He noted that the Air Force Space Command weeks old, is Congress comfortable allowing us that there is no immediate crisis that needs to is expanding the Combined Space Operations to move forward with the 80 percent solution?” be fixed. “You’ve heard that we are the best in Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The Air Force quietly for several years has been the world at the space, but our adversaries know The center was stood up a year ago to coordinate preparing for space being a contested domain, it, and so they’re investing in capabilities to take space intelligence among allies and commer- said Goldfein. “It’s only been really since this that away from us and it’s our job as military cial space companies. Current participants in president openly declared space as a warfight- leaders just to ensure that can’t happen,” he said. the CSPOC include Australia, Canada, France, ing domain — stating that it’s not enough for “We are competent and we are in the position Germany, New Zealand and the United King- us to just be in space, that we have to be able we are in because of what primarily the United dom. “I just think we’re going to see it grow over to dominate the space — that it opened up an States Air Force has been doing. But we have to time,” said Goldfein. opportunity for us to actually talk about what have a discussion on whether we’re organized Goldfein said he plans to work with the U.S. we had been doing rather quietly.” for success in the future.” SN intelligence community to make it easier for allies to access data. “One of the challenges we have is that we over-classify things and that gets in the way of information sharing.”

What’s next for the U.S. Space Force While Goldfein hosted the conference of air chiefs, concurrently on Capitol Hill members of the Senate Armed Services Committee grilled Pentagon officials about the Trump adminis- tration’s proposal to establish a Space Force as a separate military branch. Goldfein’s take on the hearing is that there are still details to be refined in the Pentagon’s Space Force proposal but that it’s a good first step. “I agree with chairman Dunford [Joint Chiefs Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein (front row, fifth from right) hosts his counterparts from partner nations Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford] that we’re at April 11 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

the 80 percent solution,” he said. “Let’s move out U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

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Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides addresses guests at the late-night reception the company hosted April 8 at the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs. (Tom Kimmell) U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 27 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW defense satellites asjobfor SDA Hyten seeshypersonic missile enemy missiles. track and detect that satellites sensitive most military’s the of some involving operations Requirements Oversight Council, the panel of of panel Requirementsthe OversightCouncil, Joint the of leader as over taking be would he — Selva Paul Gen. Chairman Vice current ing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — replac- want towrite simple requirements.” said. “And that’s the last thing we want to do. We could write a requirement for unobtainium,” he ments are written for a system. “Otherwise, you technology and test it out before official require constellation in LEO using commercially available that DoD should rapidly develop a space sensor gies with less red tape than traditional programs. special authorities to acquire and test technolo created Space Development Agency, which has hypersonic defense will be assigned to the newly at how do we do this.” “nobody’s talkedbutreallyabout been looking looking at hypersonic sensing,” said Hyten. It’s ment to develop or build one. “Nobody is really there is no official Defense Department require ing options to deploy a sensor layer in space but proliferated tohave global coverage.” in low Earth orbit, he said. “You have to be very satellites of constellation large from is that get to way efficient most the and coverage global requires That Hyten. said trajectories, dictable unpre- in maneuver and atmosphere the into glide then but space into launched are that defenses against emerging hypersonic missiles can’t see,” he said. DoD needs to build stronger SpaceNews has to be a piece of the architecture,” Hyten told “That orbit. geostationary from operates that than the existing missile warning constellation lower orbits to track targets much closer to Earth G SN Hyten insists DoD needs a layer of satellites in If Hyten is confirmed by the Senate as vice vice as Senate the by confirmed is Hyten If Hyten agrees with SDA Director Fred Kennedy The job of designing a space sensor layer for The Agency has been study “You can’t defend against something that you NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM April 9inaninterview here. inated to be the next vice chairman U.S. Strategic Command and nom of commander Hyten, John en. of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, oversees SANDRA ERWIN SANDRA - - - - - a whole lot of money and time exploring these spent “Wehaven’treally said. he satellites, and age commercial space technologies like rockets informed by technology efforts first to do that.” “That’s what we want to have. And you need to be them, and gives up multiple solutions,” he said. ments that give the industry flexibility for meeting require- want “Weinnovations. technological with up keep to slow and rigid too as process quirements for newsystems. re- military approves that generals four-star Space Symposium. U.S. AirForceGen.JohnHyten,commanderorU.S. Strategic Command,participates inamediabriefingat the35th DoD has been slow to figure out how to lever Hyten often has criticized the requirements - alternative concepts.” test that fails. You can’t have a program that a have Youcan’t happen. to bad anything for tions are put in place to eliminate the opportunity the process that we’ve put in place for acquisi- the point where risk was somehow bad and all “Somewhere along the way, our country reached innovation. or risk between choice binary be not should it said Hyten satellites, LEO of tinues to raise concerns about the vulnerability While Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson con example. for LEO, in capabilities new try and Hyten believes DoD should take more risks risks more take should DoD believes Hyten S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |28 -

TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS for anadversary todeny that tous.” see, communicate, and also make it a problem to ability the need “We said. he orbit, every in satellites down taking time hard a havewould provide a more exquisite capability.” Adversaries can together those “Allfew. with some ellites, sat- many with some orbits, of mix a include slowly. Andthat’s exactly what we’re doing.” very move will you definition, by risks, any say, ‘I won’t take any risk.’ And if you don’t take basically you that, do you when “And Hyten. Mason said. augment with specific mission applications, ware and more like a platform customers can like standalone command and control soft- programs senior manager. cloud,”Smith,PeratonSteve advancedsaid ware as a service containers that are out in the number of satellites by integrating the soft - with cloud computing. compatible OS/Comet made has Peraton constellations, larger even proposing are companies Since satellites. 1,000 as many as handle to OS/Comet designed Peraton toward thefuture.” showing at the Space Symposium is our eye are we thing interesting “The president. sector Cyber and Intelligence Space, aton different missions,” said Roger Mason, Per manyacross decadesmultiplefor satellites mission planning, command and control of payloads. constellations, cloud computing and hosted telemetry, tracking andcontr Peraton enhances OS/Comet P SN Ideally, the space architecture is going to to going is architecture space the Ideally, for OS/Comet updating is also Peraton Overall, Peraton is making OS/Comet less any fly can you operations, cloud “With Virginia-basedHerndon, Originally, “We’ve been doing mission management, fails. You can’t have anything that fails,” said NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM DEBRA WERNER DEBRA opportunities posed by massive Comet to address challenges and tracking and control platform OS/ telemetry, enhancing is eraton - said. That could be done, as the SDA proposed, or demonstrated theywork for themilitary, he promise in LEO concepts but nobody has proven There’s engineer. an was he since years 30 for once inawhile.” every fail and risks take to people allow we that sure make to have we and future the in way. “Both are going to be part of the solution different a in things do to trying is Forcealso forward trying new things,” Hyten said. The Air moving and risk “taking SDA about talking is shape in low Earth orbit, Peraton expects to records data gathered, Smith said. and commands issues telemetry,performs missions, payload hosted plans Peraton OS/Comet, With payloads. craft-tracking NextAireonair constellation75 including Iridium the on payloads hosted 200 to 150 hosted payloads. Peraton supports the roughly Burt Page,right,Peraton’s directorofSpaceEnterpriseSolutions,andSteveSmith,AdvancedProgramsmanager. Hyten said he has studied LEO constellations Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan As proliferated constellations begin to take - prove thesetechnologies.” to has “Somebody said. investment,”he huge and if it doesn’t work, we will not have risked a added. “If it works, that would be a game changer, must betried andseeifit works. improved by a LEO constellation, Hyten said it invested inthoseriskyprograms.” prove that it can scale,” said Hyten. “We haven’t to have you it, prove to sats 500 build to have “You don’t investment. government ditional ad- some with technology commercial using see more hostedpayloads. he added. pay a premium for the “beach front property,” the appropriate size, weight and power will of payloads with customers requirements, interface establish operators constellation the Once said. Mason payloads, hosted for room extra little a with spacecraft building There is merit in what SDA wants to do, he he do, to wants SDA what in merit is There be can defense hypersonic whether to As Some satellite constellation developers are S S N N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |29 S ol N

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LinQuest’s Dan Smith demonstrates a virtual domain April 9 during the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Keith John- son/SpaceNews)

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Wilson defends Air Force record on space acquisitions

“If there’s an entity in the Defense Department that has a foot on the accelerator of acquisition, it’s the Air Force,” U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said.

Air Force Secretary Heather with criticism about the way space systems are entity in the Defense Department that has Wilson did not want to directly procured today. Shanahan did not mention a foot on the accelerator of acquisition, it’s respond to the jabs lobbed at the Air Force specifically, but he didn’t have the Air Force,” she said. “Just in the last 10 A the service for the slow pace of to. The service oversees most of the military’s months, we stripped over 21 years out of our space acquisitions. space programs, and his speech included space procurement programs.” “We’re moving much faster, we’re stripping phrases like “we need to move with urgency” In her final weeks as secretary of the Air years out of acquisitions,” she told SpaceNews … “the Department is not moving fast enough Force — Wilson will be stepping down May in an April 9 interview. to stay ahead” … “the market has shifted and 31 to become president of the University of Earlier in the day at the 35th Space Sympo- our old business model won’t survive.” Texas El Paso — she continues to defend the sium, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Sha- Wilson did not have an explanation for why Air Force’s record on space procurements even nahan delivered a keynote speech peppered the Air Force gets a bad rap even though, as as the Pentagon plans to turn over respon- she often points out, the U.S. military’s space sibilities for developing the next generation

SANDRA ERWIN systems are the world’s best. “If there’s an of space systems to a new agency. KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS

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Wilson cited a number of efforts the Air military forces that depend on space-based Force is pursuing to speed up innovation. “It’s services like missile warning and navigation. “I could buy 50 Subarus not enough to say ‘make the system go faster,’” She wondered whether perhaps the SDA she said. “You have to change something.” The is being sold a fairy tale. “I’ve actually had for the amount of Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center is companies come to talk to me, you know, money that I would being reorganized so there are fewer layers of they’ve got the magic beans, right? They’ve reviews and approvals, she said. SMC started got a commercial lower earth orbit satellite buy one M1 tank, but I a space industry consortium to work more system and they’re going to put up hundreds wouldn’t go to war in a closely with startups. Wilson has delegated of commercial satellites and, it’s going to authorities down the chain of command so solve all your problems.” Subaru.” people can focus on managing programs Analysis based on actual data shows that rather than dealing with the Pentagon. some missions will fail in those low-cost ar- None of that has stopped a year-long chitectures, said Wilson. “That’s an important effort led by Shanahan and Undersecretary conclusion of the warfighting analysis. And of Defense for Research and Engineering so we need to look at this as a more complex so important,” she said. “We can’t just postu- Mike Griffin to create a new space agency problem and use lower earth orbit satellite late that we can buy cheap satellites and that to speed up innovation and develop the systems where they make sense, but being buying cheap satellites and using them for next generation of military space systems. driven by this constant evaluation of the threat everything works.” That would work “if we The Space Development Agency promises and the strategies to beat that threat and the didn’t have a threat...It is a contested domain.” to disrupt the military space business by emerging technologies to do so,” she said. Another way Wilson likes to explain it: “I bringing more commercial technology into “That unprotected lower earth orbit satellite drive a Subaru. I could buy 50 Subarus for the military systems, and its first project will be system can be disrupted pretty easily.” amount of money that I would buy one M1 to design a constellation of low-cost satellites It’s not about the orbits or the number of tank, but I wouldn’t go to war in a Subaru.” in low Earth orbit that would be adapted for satellites in a constellation, Wilson argued. SDA director Fred Kennedy and his boss, military missions. “The mission drives what we need to do in Undersecretary of Defense Mike Griffin When the idea of the SDA was first floated space. And not all missions are the same. And ,have made it clear that the agency will not last fall, Wilson pushed back to no avail. On not all phases of conflict are the same. And be deterred by critics, and they believe SDA Tuesday, in her keynote speech at the Space so that’s why the work that we’re doing, the deserves a chance to prove it can do things Symposium, Wilson openly challenged the modeling and simulation of different options is faster and better. SN new agency’s vision to develop commercial LEO constellations for military missions. In the interview, she continued to voice skepticism about the SDA and about its enthu- siasm for low-cost satellites in LEO. “The first project that the Space Development Agency is going to take on is actually an Air Force project that we have funded in our budget and done in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency,” Wilson said, referring to DARPA’s Blackjack project to develop a LEO constellation. “We’ve done a heck of a lot on acquisition reform,” Wilson said. “It’ll be interesting to see if anyone can match our speed.” Wilson is not opposed to using commer- cial LEO constellations, but models and simulations conducted by the Air Force and other agencies show that those satellites are vulnerable to everything from missiles to lasers and electronic attacks. “We did a really rigorous piece of analysis on what we need to do to prevail in space,” she said. The studies concluded that some missions could Gen. John Hyten, center, joins a standing ovation April 9 at the 35th Space Symposium to recognize U.S. Air Force be transitioned to cheaper LEO systems but Secretary Heather Wilson, left, who is stepping down in May to become president of the University of Texas El Paso.

that doing so greatly increases the risk to TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

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Members of the dance crew iLuminate perform during the 35th Space Symposium’s opening ceremony April 8 at the Broadmoor Hotel’s International Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Tom Kimmell) TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

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For OmegA, U.S. Air Force launch competition is a must-win

ne of the big headlines of last year’s Space Symposium was Orbital ATK’s unveiling of a new rocket designed to O challenge incumbents United Launch Alliance and SpaceX for future U.S. Air Force launch contracts. Dubbed OmegA, the vehicle had been secretly in the works for three years under the generic name “Next Generation Launch System.” The solid-propulsion OmegA was dreamed up by Orbital ATK before the company was acquired by . The reveal at the 34th Space Symposium happened just a few months before the acquisition of Orbital ATK was completed. OmegA’s chances of becoming a credible player in the National Security Space Launch program (NSSL) — formerly known as the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program— got a boost in October when the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $792 million Launch Ser- vice Agreement to share the cost of developing OmegA to carry military satellites. Launch Service Agreement (LSA) funding — also awarded to competitors United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin — is to be spread over five years to help the companies pay for the infrastructure and vehicle modifications that would be required for Air Force certification to fly national security missions. In the second phase of LSA, called the Launch Service Procurement, the Air Force plans to select two providers in 2020 to split 60/40 up to 25 launches over five years starting in 2022. The stakes could not be higher for OmegA as it prepares for two critical static-fire tests of its solid rocket motors this year with the goal to launch its first payload in 2021. Former NASA astronaut Kent Rominger is Northrop Grumman’s vice president for strategic programs. He spoke with SpaceNews about OmegA and its prospects.

SANDRA ERWIN NORTHROP GRUMMAN

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What’s happened since you unveiled OmegA year ago? We have been defining the details. Four years ago, when we talked to the Air Force about our plans and our schedule, we told them we would do the first static test fire in the second quarter of 2019. It’s on track for late May, and it is going to be exciting. In the solid rocket motor world, that is a qualifying test. OmegA has two solid boost stages and a cryogenic liquid upper stage powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engine. The May test is for the first stage. The static fire of the second stage is scheduled for August. We are pleased that we are holding our schedule.

How is Northrop Grumman preparing Kent Rominger, vice president of Northrop Grumman strategic programs, left, studies an Antares composite fairing like those Northrop Grumman will manufacture for OmegA at the company’s Iuka, Mississippi, facility. for these critical tests? The completed OmegA first stage, which is more than 3.5 meters in diameter and nearly Does being the only competitor with a Grumman. If you look at the field of Launch 24 meters long, is currently in the test stand solid rocket give you an advantage? Service Procurement competitors. we are the where technicians are attaching instrumen- I believe so. The Air Force wants a diverse in- only company that isn’t just a rocket com- tation gauges and data recorders. During the dustrial base. Before the LSA award, Northrop pany. Our whole focus is national security, static test, we will measure key characteristics Grumman and the Air Force already had in- and certainly national security space. We are such as thrust, pressure, strain, temperature, vested more than $300 million in developing a dedicated government partner. Because vibration and burn rate to validate expected OmegA. They don’t want a launch monopoly of our production base and existing infra- performance. This stage will demonstrate more any more. They also want to ensure they have structure, we could go down to a very low than two million pounds of thrust. reliable service to get national security pay- rate and still be successful, and we would loads to orbit. OmegA was engineered with keep our workforce employed across mul- Do you still plan to develop a heavy simple solid boosters and a proven upper tiple programs. That is our biggest strength configuration? stage with the RL-10 engine. We designed it in this competition — being a big aerospace Yes. The first OmegA model will be an inter- for national security payloads to give them a company dedicated to national security, we mediate-class rocket that will fly payloads benign, gentle ride. We maintain that the ideal will be there no matter what. that currently use the Atlas 5 or the Falcon 9. rocket equation is solid on boost and a very Our intermediate variant is on track for first efficient liquid engine upper stage where you That said, what happens to OmegA if launch in 2021 and the heavy variant in 2024. don’t care so much about the thrust levels. you don’t win a Launch Service Procure- The Air Force requires NSSL competitors to ment award? fly to nine reference orbits. Our intermediate What else do you think might give you If we don’t win LSP, we’re evaluating what we rocket can reach seven of the nine. We need an advantage in the NSSL competition? would do with OmegA. the heavy version to reach the other two. OmegA is different because of Northrop We’re watching those commercial markets to help determine that. I don’t have a defini- tive answer for you today. Depending on the outlook and other factors, we could easily decide to press on with OmegA. But there is a chance, too, depending on what we see, that we would decide at the time to not continue, or maybe put it on the shelf.

As a former NASA astronaut and veteran of the space shuttle, how do you feel about efforts by SpaceX and Boeing to bring back to the United States? If we had had OmegA along sooner, we would have loved to have lifted either one of the capsules. The reliability of our system lends itself to human spaceflight. As a former NASA astronaut, I am pulling for the commercial The two solid rocket motors comprising the first stage of OmegA recently arrived at Northrop Grumman’s crew folks to be very successful and get our test stand in Promontory, Utah. Technicians are attaching instrumentation gauges and data recorders in astronauts into space from U.S. soil as soon preparation for the full-scale static test will qualify the OmegA first stage for spaceflight.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN as possible. SN NORTHROP GRUMMAN

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ULA to fly Vulcan technology on Atlas 5 to gain flight heritage

nited Launch Alliance will begin Vulcan Centaur flying Vulcan hardware on Atlas 5 U rockets this year in an effort to give the next-generation launcher bona fide flight heritage before its debut in 2021. ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket, with 79 consecutive successful flights, has a track record rivaled only by the European Ariane 5. The only blemish on Atlas 5’s record is a 2007 mission where its upper stage underperformed while carrying a classified satellite into orbit. ULA still considers the NROL-30 mission one of Atlas 5’s 79 successes since the satellite reached its destination using onboard thrusters. Reliability has been a top selling point for United Launch Alliance, especially as the company fights to preserve its share of U.S government launches while elbowing its way into the commercial market, competing Vulcan, it also decided to phase out Atlas 5’s more aggressively with SpaceX, Arianespace, Aerojet Rocketdyne-supplied solid boosters and others. in favor of the GEM-63. “The follow-on has to be as good as the The first Atlas 5 launch using GEM-63 previous, the Atlas 5,” said Marco Caceres, a boosters — which measure two meters shorter Teal Group analyst who covers launch. “And than Vulcan’s 22-meter GEM-63XLs — is it has to be cheaper, because otherwise they planned for 2020, according to Northrop can’t really compete commercially success- Grumman spokeswoman Kay Anderson. fully to any large degree against SpaceX.” She said a September test firing showed As ULA prepares for Vulcan Centaur, the the booster would benefit from “nozzle en- Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture will be hancements” that Northrop Grumman chose starting over with a new vehicle that, while to implement, delaying the first flight until expected to be more price competitive, won’t 2020, though it was originally expected to have Atlas 5’s long string of successes. But fly on Atlas 5 this year. that doesn’t mean Vulcan hardware will start The first Vulcan technology to fly on Atlas from day one without any flight heritage. 5 will be new payload fairings from Swiss Tiphaine Louradour, ULA’s president of global For starters, Vulcan will use a Centaur up- supplier Ruag built using an “out-of-auto- commercial sales per stage upgraded with larger fuel tanks and clave” production process that enables fairing powered by a variant of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s halves to be produced as one piece, a process critical to ensuring ULA can continue to RL10 engines. Both systems have extensive Ruag says lowers production time and costs. launch national security payloads. flight heritage in their current configurations. “The out-of-autoclave fairings, which Louradour said ULA’s experience evolving “We are building this launch vehicle are manufactured by Ruag, and now in the Atlas through the 1990s up to today’s Atlas based on our heritage with the Atlas and U.S. — they are in a factory next to ours in 5 should give customers confidence it can Delta launch vehicles,” Tiphaine Louradour, Decatur — that’s going to fly on Atlas 5 this seamlessly transfer that reliability from one ULA’s president of global commercial sales, year,” Louradour said. launch vehicle to another. said in an interview. “We are burning down ULA said it is seeking commercial cus- “We know it’s hard, but we know how to risk as much as we can in this next-gen tomers for Vulcan’s early missions, the first do it, and I think early on that is something launch vehicle.” of which is scheduled for April 2021 followed that will position us well in the early 2020s In 2015, when ULA selected Orbital ATK by a second mission two to three months [with Vulcan],” she said. (now Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems) later. The company needs to conduct at Louradour said Vulcan will combine the to provide GEM-63XL solid rocket boosters for least two Vulcan missions with commercial strengths of Atlas 5 and Delta 4 with the pro- customers as a prerequisite for Air Force duction and launch operations infrastructure CALEB HENRY certification, making commercial success the company already has in place. SN UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE

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Attendees enjoy a laser light show April 8 following the 35th Space Symposium’s opening ceremony at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Tom Kimmell)

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Blue Origin urging Air Force to postpone launch competition

lue Origin wants the U.S. Air Force to wait until 2021 before picking the two companies it intends use for B launching critical military satellites in the decade ahead. The Air Force, however, aims to solicit pro- posals this spring and choose its two preferred launch providers in 2020 — perhaps a year or more before the new rockets that the Air Force is fostering at Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance and Northrop Grumman make their first flights. All three companies were chosen in October by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to share $2.3 billion in so-called Launch Service Agreement (LSA) funding to support development of next-generation rockets capable of meeting the military’s satellite launch needs. The Air Force said last fall that all three LSA winners plus SpaceX would be required to submit new proposals in 2019 if they want to be among the two providers the Air Force intends to select A Blue Origin rendering of its reusable New Glenn heavy-lift rocket on the launch pad. in 2020 to split up to 25 future launch contracts. The Air Force intends to call for those pro- invested $2.5 billion in New Glenn’s develop- SpaceX, which is privately funding development posals in the coming weeks with a solicitation ment, including building factories in Florida of a new fully reusable Super Heavy rocket and known as the Phase 2 Launch Service Pro- and Alabama, but needs the LSA funds for exploration-class Starship second stage, will curement (LSP) that would give Blue Origin its infrastructure investments specific to national presumably compete for LSP contracts with competitors 60 days to submit bids. security missions. its existing Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. Blue Origin says the Air Force’s hurry to select “We’re doing a commercial heavy-lift ve- While Blue Origin presses the Air Force two providers to split 60/40 contracts for up to hicle development,” Alexander said. Without to delay the LSP competition, it’s also found 25 launches between 2022 and 2026 would LSA funding, the company would not, he said, allies on Capitol Hill. House Armed Services forestall competition and give unfair advantage build a New Glenn vertical integration facility Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.), to United Launch Alliance and SpaceX, the two — a requirement for carrying certain military whose Seattle-area congressional district is companies currently launching nearly all U.S. payloads, such as satellites with massive, fragile home to Blue Origin, asked the Pentagon late national security satellites. mirrors. Nor would Blue Origin build a launch last month to put a hold on the release of the “We disagree with the Air Force on the timing site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, so-called Phase 2 LSP solicitation. Air Force of Phase 2,” Brett Alexander, Blue Origin vice which due to its location is used for polar officials, however, have said they intend to president of government sales and strategy, launches of little interest to most commercial move ahead. told SpaceNews. customers. “Those are things we are not doing Blue Origin, despite its objections to what it Under Blue Origin’s LSA award, the Air Force commercially,” he said. “We’re doing under LSA considers a premature downselect, says it will agreed to give the company up to $500 million what we wouldn’t otherwise do for ourselves.” be ready to submit its proposal even if the Air between 2019 and 2024 to help cover the costs ULA and Northrop Grumman are in similar Force moves ahead as planned. of getting the reusable New Glenn heavy-lift situations, although both won much larger LSA “When it does come time to submit a bid, rocket and its infrastructure ready to support awards than Blue Origin. ULA stands to receive we’re 100 percent focused on submitting a military launches. up to $967 million from the Air Force to help winning and compelling proposal,” he said. That funding, however, would be terminated with the development of Vulcan Centaur, the “We have a commercial vehicle that will be if Blue Origin is not one of the two companies successor to Atlas 5, the Air Force’s workhorse flying 12 times a year and can meet national the Air Force selects to split LSP launch contracts rocket. Northrop Grumman is eligible to re- security requirements.” potentially worth billions of dollars. ceive up to $792 million for OmegA, the only Meanwhile, New Glenn checked off an import- Alexander said Blue Origin has already solid-fueled rocket in the competition. Blue ant LSA milestone, completing its preliminary Origin, ULA and Northrop Grumman all say design review in December, according to Steve

SANDRA ERWIN they are on track to debut their rockets in 2021. Knowles, New Glenn’s program manager. SN BLUE ORIGIN

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Air Force says launch competition must stay on schedule

he U.S. Air Force is poised to solicit proposals this month for national security launch services T and select two providers in 2020. A call for proposals was expected to be re- leased March 29 but was put on hold amid criticism that the Air Force was narrowing the playing field too soon. The solicitation known as the Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement (LSP) is now on track to be released this month, Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of the Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, told SpaceNews. The request for proposals (RFP) will move forward despite objections raised by Blue Origin, a new player in the national security launch market. The company has argued that the Air Force is rushing to select two providers to split national security launches 60/40 between 2022 and 2026 and that the Air Force Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of the Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, second from left, schedule gives an unfair advantage to more looks at Lt. Gen. J.T. Thompson, Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, during a established players. media roundtable April 11 at the 35th Space Symposium. During an interview April 11 at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Bongiovi product because of these reviews. I’m really time that we were going to award the LSA,” said the Air Force has listened to companies’ satisfied with where this RFP is,” Bongiovi said Bongiovi. The Air Force later decided concerns and is ready to move on with the insisted. “We’re acquisition experts and we to separate the two to “buy us some more final RFP. “We just did two rounds of draft work through these things to make sure we time,” he said. The RPF must go out so ven- RFPs. We got 1,500 comments. We met with get it right before we release it.” dors can be selected next spring. providers one-on-one to really understand The strategy for this procurement has “By next spring we expect most, if not all, of their concerns,” he said. been carefully crafted, he said. It is “still the these systems would have gone through critical The field of competitors includes Blue same as what we’ve had from day one. It design review,” he said. “And I think we have Origin, United Launch Alliance, Northrop started when we realized that we were no systems that are going to be mature enough Grumman and SpaceX. The first three com- longer going to use the Russian engine,” that we can make a reasonable determina- panies in October were awarded $2.3 billion Bongiovi said. That was in 2015, when Con- tion next spring on who we want to have as in so-called Launch Service Agreement (LSA) gress passed a law that set a 2022 deadline our national security space launch providers funding to develop next-generation rockets for the Air Force to phase out ULA’s Atlas starting in 2022.” and the infrastructure to support national 5 rocket which is powered by the Russian Blue Origin, ULA and Northrop Grumman security missions. SpaceX did not receive an RD-180 engine. “The first thing we did was are developing new vehicles and none will LSA contract but is still expected to compete invest in technology maturation. We’ve in- fly until 2021. But the Air Force must select its for the LSP award — although the company’s vested in rocket propulsion systems since two suppliers in 2020 because that will ensure congressional supporters have warned that the beginning of 2016.” both companies have enough time to get their SpaceX might sit out the competition unless Every competitor has shown progress in vehicles ready to start launching payloads in it too receives LSA funding. developing their systems, Bongiovi said. 2022, said Bongiovi. It is not unprecedented for Bongiovi said the final RFP has been “We have a solid base of launch systems out the Air Force to select vehicles that have not updated to address many of the industry’s there,” he said. yet flown. In the original Evolved Expendable concerns. “As with any RFP this size, we The schedule is not being rushed, he said, Launch Vehicle program in the 1990s, “we went through a couple of independent and was designed so the Air Force can have absolutely chose our path forward before the reviews,” he said. “We’ve got a much better new vehicles ready for 2022. “Our original vehicles’ first flight,” Bongiovi said. National plan had us at one point awarding the pro- security satellites are “large and very complex.

SANDRA ERWIN curement of launch services at the same Some require at least a two-year timeframe KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS

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to integrate and launch,” he added. “If we wait until after the first flight [to select provid- ers] that could mean an additional two years of flying Atlases with the Russian engines.”

SpaceX concerns Despite not winning LSA funds, “I think SpaceX is competitive going forward,” said Bongiovi. “We have a lot of business with them … but it’s their choice how they respond to the RFP.” The company has not publicly said whether it will enter the LSP competition and declined to comment for this article. An industry source said SpaceX behind the scenes has pressed the case that it has been put in a competitive dis- advantage not only because it didn’t get LSA money but also because the Air Force will not select the two LSP providers based on price alone, something that would give SpaceX an edge. The industry source said the way the Air Force laid out the selection criteria — a combi- nation of technical performance, operational readiness, business case and price — gives the government a lot of discretion to deter- mine who provides the “best value,” a process that commercial players like SpaceX and Blue Origin view as favoring the most established “We can probably delay and still have the same level of competition, perhaps even better insight,” Blue provider, ULA. Origin CEO Bob Smith said April 8 during a media briefing at the 35th Space Symposium. Bongiovi said price is one of many factors and sub-factors that will be weighed. “Price is never not part of this decision.” It will be part of a trade-off analysis, he said. “We have to see the the Air Force awarded billions of LSA dollars This approach would save the government proposals and do the evaluation to understand to its competitors. the cost of making contractual changes if it how much of a factor it will be.” needs to change the timing of the launches as The industry source said SpaceX is weighing A new way to contract for launches it often happens when satellites are not ready. its options but is not expected to pursue legal One of the more puzzling aspects of the LSP In 2020, for instance, the Air Force will look at action the way it did in 2014 to compete in the is how the Air Force plans to award launches how many missions will be needed for 2022 EELV program. It would be shocking if SpaceX once the two providers are selected in 2020. and decide which of the providers gets what chose not to bid for Phase 2 because they have Competitors are not bidding for specific mis- missions that particular year. And that process the most mature rockets in the field. Although sions but instead must propose vehicles that will be repeated annually to even out the 60/40 the company would not have to pay for vehicle can meet requirements to fly to nine reference split over the five-year period. development to compete for Phase 2, it would orbits and carry different payload classes. Providers will not know which missions still have to self-fund the infrastructure needed “It’s called a requirements contract,” said they get until the Air Force issues the contracts to meet national security launch requirements, Bongiovi. This is different from the previous on an annual basis, he said. One of the lessons such as a vertical payload integration facility EELV contracts that were awarded for specific from the EELV program is that the government on the East Coast. This has been a sore issue missions. In the National Security Space Launch needs more flexibility, Bongiovi said. “Some for SpaceX as its three competitors are all be- program, the two providers selected for Phase satellites were launched pretty close to when ing subsidized by the Air Force to build that 2 will be assigned the specific missions on a we expected them to but some satellites didn’t,” infrastructure. yearly basis over the five-year period. “I call it a he said. “The last one we ordered in 1998 was SpaceX also is challenging the narrative batting order,” Bongiovi said. launched in 2016. That doesn’t help industry. pushed by Blue Origin that the LSP schedule After the Air Force picks the two winners, it That doesn’t help us.” favors both national security launch incumbents, will decide who gets 60 percent who gets 40 The launch business “is going to be a little ULA and SpaceX, the source said. “Blue Origin is percent of the missions over the five-year period bit more dynamic than it was in the past,” said pushing this narrative forward because they’re but will assign specific rockets on a yearly basis Bongiovi. “We can’t predict exactly what’s go- trying to make this seem like it’s a competition depending on the required missions. That gives ing to be ready or how is the department going that’s unfair to them,” the source said, while the government more flexibility to manage the to prioritize these launches,” he said. The Air

SpaceX sees itself in an unfair position after manifest, said Bongiovi. Force wants to be able to adjust the manifest KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 42 KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS schedule might not allow enough time to mature the that concern expressed but competition 8, Smith said the company looks forward to the CEO Bob Smith. During a news conference April weighed inon thecompetition. the Space Symposium, where senior executives for launch services was a hot topic last week at RPF Force Air the of release forthcoming The Mixed views from theindustry a number, inmy opinion.” gives them stability “even without giving them ups and downs of commercial sales and the LSP processes.” Launch providers must deal with the their business processes, through their logistics through that handle can vendors] [the they So hardware. of outs and ins the manage to have doesn’t government the so program whole this constructed we how “That’s added. he year,” every year a launches five buy to going I’m say I if as certainty much as be not may It certainty. is “That base,”said. stable he “fairly a get from the Air Force should allow them to have leads,” he said. The five-year commitment they manage. There are components that have long to have they that chain supply a have “They Bongiovi. said prepare, to time havesufficient five-year period.” the in launching up end to going we’re what forecastaccurateof that’snecessarilyan think dent puts out a five-year budget plan “but I don’t presi- The said. he change, can priorities and said Bongiovi. Budgets are revised year to year not guaranteeing a specific number of launches, is Force Air the but year a missions five about terms of thecontract.” we have the requirement, we have to follow the and a requirements contract means that when street, two-way a “Athem,”is said. contract he tion with both industry partners and work with case, it will require us to be in good communica fail together with your industry partners. In this matter what the contract says, you succeed and thing will work out as planned, he cautioned. “No know theorder of themissions. a plan is decided for each year, the vendors will other will know it will get 40 percent. And once upfront it will get 60 percent of the missions. The sidered too, said Bongiovi. One of them will know predictability and time to prepare that was con headaches. SN Much of the attention was on Blue Origin’ Origin’ Blue on was attention the of Much Contract awards will be made so that vendors average to estimated is deal five-year The There is, of course, no guarantee that every- business enough having vendors as far As accordingly while minimizing contractual NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM - - 2021,” he said. The schedule the Air Force laid laid Force Air the schedule The said. 2021,”he in Centaur][Vulcan flying be will we that dent confi- “Wevery said. are Bruno ago, years five industry in new propulsion systems and rockets Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine. is developing the Vulcan Centaur, powered by ULA launches. 5 Atlasbuying stop to deadline not being able to meet the 2022 congressional release of the RFP or the downselect would risk he agrees with the Air Force that postponing the 2 will have theirLSA agreements terminated. Phase of losers The award. 2 Phase the for bid all three companies that received LSA funds to compete in LSP,” he said. The Air Force requires to glad be “We’ll however, schedule, the with be better for the country.” If the Air Force sticks time would actually be beneficial … and would more think you’d so “And said. important,”he will be put down and how we put that down is we have for the nation and what infrastructure said. “These are big one-way door decisions that competition, perhaps even better insight,” Smith of level same the have still and delay probably in 2020 “just seems premature,” he said. “We can vendors rocket.Downselecting Glenn Newits briefing at the35thSpaceSymposium. “[L]et’s getonwithit,let’sitdone,” United LaunchAllianceCEO Tory BrunosaidduringanApril8media The government started co-investing with with co-investing started government The United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno said the Russian rocket engine so let’s get on with it, the fastest path to end the U.S. dependency on is and together thoughtfullyput “very was out he said. On whether the schedule favors some today,”relyingwhatonthey’rereplace to tems grabbed from its othervehicles. hardware and avionics that Northrop Grumman OmegA is a brand-new design, it uses existing comes to affordability.” Although the solid-fuel it when world the changed have and forward leaning really are that companies space new accelerated. were it if mind not would fact in and Force Air the by forth put schedule the with agrees completely company that Symposium Space president of OmegA capture, said April 8 at the let’s get it done,” Bruno said. “That’s where I’m at.” on schedule.” program the keeping of proponents big we’re “so said, approaching,”he “rapidly is RD-180 the buying stop to deadline 2022 December delayed,”The than added.rather acceleratehe that’s competition.” If anything, “I want to see it players versus others, Rominger said, “honestly, “By 2022, the Air Force has got to have sys- have to got has Force Air the 2022, “By these with “compete can Northrop said He vice Grumman’s Northrop Rominger, Kent S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |43 S N

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POLSA helping Poland’s fledgling space industry find its niche

t has been a little more than six years since Poland joined I the and just over four years since the Central European nation of 38 million formally established its national space agency. On April 2, the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) announced that its president for the past year, Grzegorz Brona, had re- signed March 29 and would be replaced by Michał Szaniawski as acting POLSA president for a three-month period before a new president is appointed by the prime minister. Before taking Grzegorz Brona, who stepped down as POLSA president March 29, signs an agreement in December making Poland a member the helm of POLSA, Szaniawski of Europe’s Space Surveillance and Tracking Consortium. His successor, Michał Szaniawski, stands behind him in a red tie. served, among others, as the vice president of the state-run Indus- trial Development Agency, and, of the European Space Agency. and analysis. There’s more than we identified four promising since November 2018, a member This event marks an important a dozen such businesses in the segments that could become of POLSA’s Council. date for the industry, and, as its Polish market, many of them the industry’s specializations. SpaceNews spoke with Brona result, about 20 to 30 companies founded by cartographers from The first is space robotics, and in early March about the prospects began their operations in Poland. local universities. The Polish Polish businesses are already for Polish space industry players They were predominantly set up Armed Forces are showing in- supplying such solutions which and the solutions they offer on the by scientists and researchers, and creased interest in their services, are used in missions conducted global market, their participation the Space Research Center of but they’re also able to secure by ESA and NASA. The second in -led projects the Polish Academy of Sciences customers from abroad. segment comprises small satel- and other international industry played a vital role in their devel- Our estimate is that there are lites, specifically larger nanosat- initiatives, and how POLSA hopes opment. Many of these businesses about 50 Polish companies that ellites and microsatellites. Polish to tighten its cooperation with are startups that supply satellite have been involved in at least companies have the potential to NASA in the coming months. subsystems. two projects for ESA. They can effectively compete against other The second group of Polish be considered stable businesses international players within this YOUR MISSION PARTNER What types of companies op- space companies consists of with a proven track record. In total, field. Satellite data processing erate in Poland’s space sec- entities that enter the market on there are about 100 companies and analysis is the third pro- tor, and who are the people a continuous basis. They act as in Poland that have worked on spective space market segment, ® behind them? classic startups, offering a solution, at least one project based on a and such services are provided GO BEYOND The Polish space industry is a then testing and improving it. contract awarded by the Euro- by Polish companies. Finally, the highly diversified sector which The third group includes local pean agency. fourth segment is related to the I . is experiencing rapid develop- offshoots of large international suborbital rockets designed for ment, and it consists of several companies such as Airbus, Thales, What kind of products can testing products and solutions, all erospace delivers accurate actionable environmental data to civilian and military weather groups of companies. One group Sener and many others. Their role the Polish space industry of- among others electronics, in the of businesses encompass small in Poland is to provide the tech- fer the global market? space environment. We have two forecasterswith spacecra instrumentation and epertise that eliminate data gaps in the companies with up to 50 em- nical support for the companies’ Polish space companies should companies in Poland that share .. network. It’s all part of our collaborative approach as we work together ployees got started around 2012 operations abroad. aim to offer competitive solu- this market, and their rivalry is to assure beer tracking of arth’s weather trends and greater protection of our communities. when Poland became a member I would also distinguish a fourth tions in defined niche markets. a positive factor that stimulates Find out more at booth 523 during Space Symposium. group of companies which spe- Last year, POLSA carried out a competition. POLSA plans to focus cialize in satellite data processing review of the Polish sector, and its support on these four areas,

JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI POLSA BALL.COM/

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 44 POLSA GOBEYOND I . YOUR MISSIONPARTNER Find outmore at booth 523duringSpace Symposium. to assure beer tracking of arth’s weather trendsgreater and protection of our communities. .. weather satellite network. It’s allpart of our collaborative approach as we work together forecasterswith spacecra instrumentation and thatepertise eliminate data gapsinthe all erospace delivers accurate actionableenvironmental data and military civilian to weather BALL.COM/ Ad ®

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because, in the long term, they Development Agency, with our have the largest development and support. What is important here, commercial potential. the Polish ESA BIC won’t have a single operator, but it will be run by Five years after POLSA was a group of operators under the aus- launched, how do you define pices of the Industrial Development the agency’s key priorities? Agency. It will have local branches POLSA was established to support in Warsaw, Gdańsk, Rzeszów, and growth of Poland’s space sector, and other locations across the country, in doing so, the agency combines in fostering the industry’s growth in its activities the needs and demands various parts of Poland. of four groups of stakeholders: sci- ence and R&D, administration and What is the state of POLSA’s ef- government, defense and security, forts to expand its ties with other and the space industry. We support space agencies? companies from the Polish space There are projects in which we’re The ILR-33 Amber rocket developed by Poland’s Institute of Aviation (ILOT), sector in parallel with ESA. Since cooperating to secure new oppor- had its successful test flight in October 2017. 2014, when POLSA was set up, we tunities for Polish space industry have been gradually increasing our companies. As part of our coop- support for local industry players. eration with ESA, we’ve joined its businesses in NASA missions. The often the case that, to solve one of It is important for us to work optional Space Situational Awareness experience of countries such as the the issues that limit the development in close cooperation with indus- program. The coming months will Netherlands and Denmark proves of the space industry, POLSA needs try representatives. We developed bring new tenders, and entities that that companies from our region to collaborate with multiple partners the after offer optical data or laser-ranging could also successfully break into and reconcile their approaches. But consultations with the Polish Space services will be able to compete for this demanding market. The U.S. we get along well. This is how we’re Industry Association and other en- contracts. Last December, Poland spending on space equals that of able to move things forward. SN tities involved in the Polish space joined the EU’s Space Surveillance the rest of the world combined, so sector. This document is a product and Tracking consortium, and it is vital that Polish companies can of yearlong workshops, and it puts we’re currently in the process of present themselves in this highly POLSA AT A GLANCE emphasis on providing support preparing applications for grants competitive market. Our role is to Headquarters: Gdańsk, on the for the development of new space under this program. We’re also very facilitate their expansion. Polish Baltic Sea shore. technologies in Poland. much interested in the European We have ongoing contact with Established: 2014. Fully operational Due to the small size of most Geostationary Navigation Overlay NASA which includes regular in late 2015. Polish space businesses, POLSA Service (EGNOS) program. meetings and discussions on ar- Mission statement: POLSA partic- focuses on support for small busi- Other EU-backed programs in eas of potential cooperation and ipates in fulfilling Poland’s strategic nesses. One of the means of such which we are active include the industry synergies. Our ambition goals by supporting the use of sat- support is matching them with Peraspera space robotics technol- is to sign a framework agreement ellite systems and the development venture capital firms, both Polish ogies cluster, and the Govsatcom with NASA in 2020. of space technologies. and foreign, that are willing to invest initiative in which Poland is to be National Space Program Budget: in this sector. Together with the one of the leading partners. You were president of Creotech 248.5 million złoty ($65 million) for National Center for Research and In addition to multinational Instruments before becoming 2019-2021 Development, we want to develop projects, the agency is also de- president of POLSA. What’s the Portfolio: Some 54 projects are a program to commission space termined to boost its bilateral ties biggest difference between run- planned for 2019-2021 to support solutions and technologies from with key partners. Beyond Europe, ning a private space company the development of the Polish Polish companies to enable them cooperation with NASA is very high and running an agency? space industry. These include the to develop the Technical Readiness on POLSA’s international affairs There are many differences, but development of the Polish space Level of their products to make them agenda. The agency has performed one of the capacities that I needed scientific mission, the national space more competitive in open ESA bids. a review of the global space market, to develop as POLSA president situational awareness program, a asking itself which markets had the was how to navigate between the suborbital rockets program, and The Czech Republic, Estonia highest potential to absorb Polish political interests of the numerous infrastructure for the use of the na- and Hungary have already technologies. We believe that Poland’s stakeholders in the space sector, and tional space sector. The program is landed ESA Business Incuba- space industry with the industries how to balance them. There are at also designed to foster partnerships tion Centers (BIC). Poland is in neighboring Central-Eastern least four government ministries between Polish space industry players soon to join the list. What’s the European countries, such as the with a deep interest in space. These and foreign partners to develop new status? Czech Republic, Hungary and include the Ministry of Defense, technologies. To date, the agency has We’re backing the project to launch Romania, complement each other. the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the signed bilateral agreements with its a new ESA BIC in Poland this au- The U.S. industry is a natural part- Ministry of Entrepreneurship and counterparts in France, Italy, China, tumn. This project is led by another ner for us, and we want to facilitate Technology, and the Ministry of Mexico, Israel, Brazil, Romania, and government body, the Industrial the participation of Polish space Science and Higher Education. It is Ukraine, among others. POLSA

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An “astronaut” in a spacesuit carries an American flag across the stage during the 35th Space Symposium’s opening ceremony April 8. (Tom Kimmell) POLSA

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 47 suffered two failed test launches last year from that vehicle launch small a developing pany com a Space, Astra likely most is company do that,” hesaid. competition. “At this time they’re not ready to the of dates the to closer itself identify will DARPA,company attition unnamed the said the LauncherOne air-launch system. subsidiary of Virgin Orbit, which is developing Challenge. Vox Space is the U.S.-incorporated DARPAthe Launch in participate to qualified Vox Space and a stealth-mode company have DARPAApril10, here Vector,that announced to demonstrate responsive launch capabilities. DARPA LaunchChallenge Three companiesselectedfor T SN Industry sources believe that the stealth stealth the that believe sources Industry compe the of manager the Master, Todd Symposium Space 35th the at briefing a In NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM DARPA competition in early 2020 a in compete to qualified have one of which is still in stealth mode, developers, vehicle launch hree JEFF FOUST JEFF - - orbit in January or February 2020. The exact exact The 2020. February or January in orbit payloadsinto launch to attempt first will nies consistent with Astra Space. characteristics orbit, into payloads put to yet systems and that none of the companies have that two companies are using ground launch Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska. Master said the scoring algorithm. Other factors, he said, said, he factors, Other algorithm. scoring the Master said, although DARPA is still developing factors, with an emphasis on speed to launch, million third prize. lion first prize, $9 million second prize and $8 the second launch will be eligible for a $10 mil short notice. The companies will that perform on also site, second a from launch second a orbit will receive $2 million and then perform about 30days inadvance. November, companies revealedthe willbe to lected from a set of spaceports announced last launch window and location, which will be se As part of the competition, the three compa The companies will be ranked on several several on ranked be will companies The Each company that can place a payload into - - - were offering a feasible concept within the cess, he said, was based on which companies than 30 who entered the pre-qualification pro think you had some natural drop off from that.” “I said. doing,”he were we what out find to think there were just a lot of people who wanted involved several factors. “In the initial phase, I interested companies to three qualified teams process with theFAA. application license launch commercial the more technical details while also going through offer to companies required which process, 18 teams to continue into the full qualification “pre-qualification” process. DARPA then selected a through concepts launch their submitted teams 30 than More Angeles. Los in May last day industry an attended that companies 55 ceived $400,000, came from an initial pool of mass toorbit. and accuracy insertion orbital include may The selection of 18 companies from more more from companies 18 of selection The Master said the winnowing process from 55 recompanies,- whichqualifyingeach The S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |48 -

DARPA DARPA memorandum of understanding Exolaunch andVirgin Orbitsign lotofcompanies,arestill think, I focused on extremelyan is rigorous process,” “Asaid. he the FAA licensing process. “The FAA process companies also stumbled into problems with Some competition. the for time in launch to ready be would they if see to analyses technical rigorous more got process cation no safety considerations for licensing,” he said. or date, to development software no or date, there was no actual hardware development to cases of lot a in but ideas, interesting of lot a rocket this springor summer. scheduled to fly together on a Russian satellites into orbit. Forty of those satellites are small 60 than more send to contract under is Exolaunch 2019, In agencies. space and institutions scientific universities, startups, North America. Exolaunch customers include and Europe in customers for clusters share missions and integrated small satellite ride- managed launches, arranged has Space, ECM- called formerly Berlin of University coming missions of LauncherOne.” up- the to systems separation our through will provide diverse smallsat clusters adapted Weorbits. of range wide a … to access easy rope,Virgin Orbit will provide frequent and satellite customers predominantly from Eu- small “Forstatement.our a in said Director, Commercial Services Launch Exolaunch Medvedeva, services,”Jeanne launch able vi- and experience customer in belief core dedicated andrideshare missions. into space as early as 2020 on LauncherOne G SN Thatcompaniesfullwentqualifi the into- Exolaunch, a spin-off of the Technical the of spin-off a Exolaunch, a shareEXOLAUNCH and Orbit “Virgin time frame of the competition. “We saw saw “We competition. the of frame time NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM with Virgin Orbit to send satellites randum of understanding April 11 Exolaunch announced a memo erman launch services provider DEBRA WERNER DEBRA - flexibility such that it could still be enacted” enacted” be still could it that such flexibility development “prioritizing responsiveness and vehicle of stages early the in companies get whenlenge it was,” intentThe said. he to was specifically chose the time frame of this chal - “Wevery compete. to qualified companies of competition now despite the limited number safety authority.” out how that’s going to be licensed by a federal spend as much time as they need to figuring don’t probably and avionics, building and tanks building and engine rocket a building satellites into orbit inearly 2019. company officials said they planned to send captive carry flight in November. At the time, first LauncherOne its performed company The aircraft. carrier 747 Boeing modified a from air-launched rockets from orbit into kilograms 500 to up of payloads send to Virgin Orbitisintegrating itsLauncherOnerockets inLongBeach,California. at afactory Master defended the decision to hold the the hold to decision the defended Master “Virgin Orbit and Exolaunch are naturally designed is LauncherOne Orbit’s Virgin market.” growing rapidly this to capabilities launch We’re very motivated to provide our unique technology when it comes to small satellites. “Europe is on the cutting edge of science and statement. a in said CEO,Orbit Virgin Hart, low-cost, high-frequency access to space,” Dan small satellite revolution, which necessitates aligned in our ambitions to launch the global for thewinningcompanies, headded. mechanism” contracting direct a or yet plan fense Innovation Unit. Master said. There’s also interest from the De- year, last it about briefing a competitionafter was “extremely interested” in the results of the Raymond, head of Air Force Space Command, provide launches for them. Air Force Gen. Jay to agencies government U.S. with contracts prize-winning companies might transition to before theirdesigns becametoomature. “But we don’t have a specific procurement procurement specific a havedon’t we “But Another issue yet to be addressed is how any S N S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |49 S N

VIRGIN ORBIT SN SYMPOSIUM SCENES

Space Symposium attendees socialize April 10 at a cocktail reception in the “Orbit Lounge” that Zoic Labs, Slingshot Aerospace and Rocket Communications spon- sored in the Broadmoor West Tower Lobby. (Tom Kimmell)

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 50 intelligence research but that spending was was spending that but research intelligence artificial formillion-Canadian-dollarprogram 125 a touted it addition, In program.astronaut country’s the for recruits new add to program 2017 a and Station Space International the in participation Canada’s continue to dollars Canadian million 379 of commitment 2016 satellites and next generation rural broadband. money on projects that are directly related to LEO dollars for research until 2023 and would use the government will commit 100 million Canadian of the country. For that, Trudeau’s Liberal Party satellites to bring internet services to rural parts tiative to support the development of low earth a replay of previously announcedprograms. Accelerator asits mainplatform. Exploration Lunar and commitmentGateway the included which strategy, space national March 6 release of the Canadian government’s include artificial intelligence, robotics and health. that fields in surface moon’s the on and orbit new technologies to be used and tested in lunar help small and medium-sized businesses develop new Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program to 150 million Canadian dollars over five years for a Saint-Hubert, Quebec. in headquarters Agency Space Canadian the at audience the from cheers to flair dramatic with said moon,”Trudeau the to going is ada “Can- programs. space other as well as moon, the around orbit in facility human-tended a program, Gateway Platform Orbital Lunar the dollarsCanadian ($1.4 billion) over years24 on billion 2 contributing and NASA with nering announced Feb. 28 that Canada would be part industry needs. public relations but lacking in the specifics that space strategy shortonspecifics Canada over themoonaboutnew C SN The space strategy also re-announced the the re-announced also strategy space The The 22-page document repeated a 2018 ini was strategy the of rest the of much But the by followed was announcement That The announcement also included funding of Trudeau Justin Minister Prime Canadian NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM ments that were heavy on feel-good March in two separate announce- with much fanfare in February and future direction in space was released anada’s road map for the country’s DAVIDPUGLIESE - - goals as “enhancing access to nutritious food” nutritiousfood” to “enhancingaccess as goals instance, the document listed one of its strategy’s government programs to the realm of space. For stretch the link of existing and unrelated federal Space wasnotlisted. services.”social and careefficienthealth more “improve transportation and lead to better and funding differently, noting that such work would research the positioned government same the time thatAt 2017. in originallyannounced of theproposed plan. years. However, it did not outline a full costing generally be spent in each year for the next five would what about details new some have did it although strategy, space the in was what of much repeated largely 19, March released get, no additional details. grow food off Earth,” the strategy noted, but with taking these lessons learned to help astronauts day, one of, aim the withNorth, the including Canada, across food of accessibility the prove im- help to how explore to partners territorial “The Government will work with provincial and to technology that might be used on the moon. lead could environments harsh with regions remote in food such growing that noted and Canadian PrimeMinisterJustinTrudeau, right,visitingtheCanadianSpaceAgencyearlierthisyear. The Canadian government’s annual bud annual government’s Canadian The to appeared strategy the cases, some In - to continue to put pressure on the federal federal the on pressure put to continue to strategy. It will be up to industry representatives to send a sign to industry it is serious about the needs to get one or two solid projects underway Industries, told Security and Defence of Association nadian next step,” Quick said. of a fully costed and funded plan is a necessary about funding and timelines. “The timely release documentrequiredthe in cludedmore details in others and announced been already had butpointed outsome elementsstrategy ofthe pleased with the government’s announcement was he said Canada, of Association Industries optimism. Jim Quick, president of the Aerospace strategy. space the of cornerstone the was Gateway to acknowledged that the country’s commitment development, economic and science vation, by industry. accessed be would money that how or much but again it provided no specific details on how initiative for rural broadband LEO 2018 the to funding more add to Navdeep Bains, Canada’s minister of inno- Christyn Cianfarani, president of the Ca the of president Cianfarani, Christyn Industry representatives reacted with polite promise new one include did budget The S N SpaceNews |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |51 that the government - -

CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY in the development of Canadian contributions nadian astronaut program, further investments document also called for continuation of the Ca activities, the government of the day noted. The space future Canada’s behind drivers key the be to were jobs domestic of creation the and security sovereignty,National details. specific few had and space in go to wanted country the direction the of strokes broad-brush only da’s Space Policy Framework. But that provided government issued a 13-page document, Cana was never done. sion and approval each spring. That, however, committeefordiscus- cabinet broughta be to would plans Those program. space Canadian produce annual, 5-year and 10-year plans for the recommended the country’s Industry Minister and prosperity economic and security tional na to space of importance the recognize to government cabinetminister. sector by David Emerson, a former Conservative space Canada’s of 2011 November in released Prime MinisterTrudeau. and the current Liberal Party administration of both the previous Conservative Party government strategy hasbeenamultiyear ordeal involving 30 percent of employment inthat industry. percent of all Canadian space firms and nearly medium-sized businesses account for over 90 economy.and Small-Canadian the in sectors developmentintensive researchand most the employs almost 10,000 Canadians, and is one of dollars to Canada’s gross domestic product, directly that the sector contributes 2.3 billion Canadian on the federal government. The strategy noted since the value of Canada’s space sector isn’t lost roll out connected pieces.” continue to put pressure on the government to ulate ourselves (about the strategy) but actually plained. “It’s up to us to not sit back and congrat includes key spaceindustry players. association whose Cianfarani, said forward, strategy projects and then push to move those SN The lack of specifics is particularly puzzling ex- gas,”she the off let to going “We’renot Then in February 2014, the Conservative the 2014, February in Then Emerson’s report called on the government examination extensive an was there First a release to Canada getting just still, Even a smallspacestation inorbitaround themoon. system located ontheexteriorof theGateway, government to provide specifics about about specifics provide to government NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM An artist’sconceptof Canada’ssmartrobotic - - - - the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Honeywell, the Canadian Astronomical Society, MDA, as such companies and organizations 20 than more included campaign the behind group The sector. space the from come that as the major economic benefits to the country of Canada’s accomplishments in space as well and public relations strategy to raise awareness known as #DontLetGoCanada, was a lobbying the Liberal government to act. That campaign, prompt to industry space country’s the from would bereleased sometime soon. went,and withpromisesstrategy the byBains growth in the sector. The June 2017 date came egy as a “research and innovation” plan to fuel the Canadian government saw the space strat- that noted development, economic and ence was tobereleased inJune 2017. strategy economy.The country’s the growing to contributecould that technology advanced to develop a new space strategy, with a focus on the Liberal government announced it was going defining a role for Canada in space. In late 2016 on one square to back was it 2015 of fall the in union representing Canada’s aerospace workers. the for sector space the analyzed who Staples, concrete measures were taken,” explained Steve cess for years while in the meantime, very few policy initiatives failed tomaterialize. specific programs supporting the Conservative long-term space plan. That never happened and a of 2014 of end the at release the by followed lite communications andspace-based radar. satel- optics, robotics, as such firms, domestic among strength proven of areas in especially development, technology for support creased as part of major international missions and in- of advanced systems and scientific instruments But it took a major push in the fall of 2018 2018 of fall the in push major a took it But That policy framework was supposed to be Bains, Canada’s minister of innovation, sci With the election of the Liberal government pro the out dragged Conservatives “The - - to release thenewspacestrategy. and GatewayprogramLunar the to on sign to government Canadian the on pressure put to Magellan Aerospace. The initiative was designed the Canadian Space Society, IMP Aerospace and space strategy is reworked by a new government. continue, there could be delays or changes as a likely would commitment Gateway Lunar a the Liberal government’s space strategy. While with continue will Scheer Andrew leader tive vative Party, it is highly unlikely that Conserva- general election inOctober. a into heads it as party the for well bode not sailing for country’s space industry in the future. clear is there doesn’tmean that strategy space to sign on to Lunar Gateway and to release the outcome in convincing the Liberal government would beawelcome addition totheproject. Washington that a Canadian-built robotic arm in forum 7 Sept. Gateway,a Lunarat to noting lent support to having Canada come on board for Canada to determine whether it will commit.” participate in [lunar Gateway] so it’s a key time to Canada from commitment a for looking is SpaceNews the #DontLetGoCanada coalition partners, told Greenley,group president MDA,of of one and declining investment in space in Canada,” Mike in trend this been “There’s project. NASA the see the country missing its opportunity to join foot-dragging by the federal government would that concerned particularly was Gateway, the initiatives. federal money will be allotted to specific space how on details more for waiting still be could does that situation a hit, a take support public its seen has and corruptionscandal a of midst MDA, which will build a new for If the Liberals are re-elected, then industry industry then re-elected, are Liberals the If If the Liberals lose to the opposition Conser the in currently is government Liberal The While industry’s campaign had a successful also Bridenstine Jim Administrator NASA S S . “The international community community international “The . N N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |52 -

CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY ADVANCED SPACE CAPABILITIES. MISSION SUCCESS.

Launch, Payloads, Communications, Protection. L3 Delivers. L3 Technologies offers the most comprehensive space mission solutions. With more than 60 years of exceptional performance, we provide reliable, technologically advanced subsystems that contribute to our nation’s security. Visit us at the 35th Space Symposium, Booth 108.

L3T.COM CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY Accelerating the pace of change. L3T.COM completely get rid of the ,” visited. “While it’s probably a bridge too far to between thetwo countries. partnerships enhanced for plans any for effect” “stifling a called he what in resulted has China, with working of critical rhetoric World Foundation. Secure the at planning program of director it has been to prohibit it,” said Brian Weeden, does not prohibit cooperation, but the effect of “I absolutely agree that the Wolf Amendment as a barrier to more significant cooperation. eration in areas like science and aeronautics. he said. That has allowed some limited coop steps,”commonsense two are those “Tome, and if Congress has been notified of the plan. such efforts don’t pose a national security risk ation if there is certification from the FBI that cooperation by the Secure World Foundation. U.S.-Chinaon discussion panel 29 March a Transportation Advisory Committee, during Space Commercial the of chairman Gold, working with the Chinese. It’s not,” said Mike on prohibition a is Amendment Wolf the in civil spaceflight. “A lot of people think that countries two the cooperationbetween bar acted inFebruary. en bill appropriations 2019 year fiscal the including bills, appropriations subsequent in included been has language Va.)Similar then-U.S.by 2011 billin Rep.Frank Wolf (R- Amendment, first placed in an appropriations Wolfthe as known commonly language by restricted sharply is organizations Chinese have broader benefits. could that space in cooperation expand to U.S.-China spacecooperation emergingNew for opportunities D SN Weeden said that restriction should be re- political with coupled restriction, The amendment the see still many However, The provision, he noted, allows for cooper doesn’t though, Amendment, Wolf The Civil space cooperation between NASA and NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM opportunities for the countries the for opportunities and China, experts say there are States United the between race space a of rhetoric the espite JEFF FOUST JEFF - - - Wolf retired from Congress after the 2014 the after Congress from retired Wolf for modifying or eliminating the amendment. tries that go beyond civil space. engagement process” between the two coun added, “could lead to benefits for this whole he so, space.”Doing in China with eration we might want to think about having coop- where areas prescribe least at or it, relax to he said, “it’s probably time to think about how exploring more opportunities to do that,” he to forward look “I Administration. Space NationalChina the of Kejian,administrator with China, including a meeting with Zhang cooperation enhanced in interest showed NASAAdministratortober, JimBridenstine Germany,Bremen, in Oc- Congresstical in planning for fiscal year 2020spendingbills. to bring up the Wolf Amendment as they start majority. House appropriators, though, have yet re-election in 2018 as Democrats regained the and who also supported the amendment, lost propriations subcommittee that funds NASA ap- the Wolfsucceededof who chairman as elections and Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas), above that Chinalandedonthefarsideof themooninJanuary. Reconnaissance Orbitertotake imagesof thelandingsiteof Chang’e4, therobotic spacecraft shown Earlier thisyear, there wascoordination withtheChinesegovernmentregarding plans forNASA’s Lunar This year could provide the best opportunity Speaking at the International Astronau International the at Speaking - - said at theevent. Chang’e-4 mission. he said, noting that it was limited to just the That cooperation was “reasonably successful,” guidelines laid out by the Wolf Amendment. the within done was coordination that but the moon earlier thisyear. of side far the on spacecraft Chang’e-4 the high-resolution images of the landing site of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to take the Chinese government regarding plans by Foundation panel there was coordination with assessment at NASA, said at the Secure World policy adviser for strategic engagement and senior Besha, Patrick program. exploration China’slunar on China NASAand between door I’mopening wide.” tion involving China, “but certainly it’s not a or multilateral cooperation in space explora close that door,” he said of potential bilateral to going not “I’m February. in roundtable eager when discussing the issue in a media “But it’s astart,” added Gold. said, agreement,”he formal a wasn’t “It There has been recent, if limited, cooperation as nearly not was though, Bridenstine, S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |54 S N

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CHINA NATIONAL SPACE ADMINISTRATION/XINHUA SN SYMPOSIUM SCENES

U.S. Air Force airmen use virtual reality to race across the Mars surface in the exhibit hall April 9 at the 35th Space Symposium. (Tom Kimmell) CHINA NATIONAL SPACE ADMINISTRATION/XINHUA

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Aerojet Rocketdyne proves 3D-printed RL10C-X thrust chamber performance

An Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C-X prototype engine, which includes 3-D printed core components, undergoes hot-fire testing at the company’s West Palm Beach, Florida, facility.

ne year after unveiling 3D-printed Missile Systems Center expanded an agree- to move forward on the program.” injectors for the latest version ment with Aerojet Rocketdyne focused on Aerojet Rocketdyne is revising thrust of the venerable RL10 rocket development of the AR1 booster engine chamber manufacturing processes to reduce O engine, Aerojet Rocketdyne to include work on the RL10C-X, the latest costs and speed up production. “We predict announced April 8 successful testing of an version of the RL-10 upper stage engine. this will reduce our engine cost by 25 to 35 entire 3D-printed thrust chamber. Aerojet Rocketdyne began testing its new percent and reduce the manufacturing lead “This was a full-up, closed-loop engine 3D-printed RL10C-X thrust chamber in time by 35 to 50 percent,” Maus said. with the turbopump, controls and valves,” January. The thrust chamber, composed of Aerojet Rocketdyne RL-10C engines power said James Maus, senior director and gen- a copper alloy, includes a 3D-printed nickel the Centaur upper stage for United Launch eral manager of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s West alloy main injector. Alliance’s Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets. NASA Palm Beach facility, where the company To date, Aerojet Rocketdyne has tested also plans to fly updated RL-10 upper stages designs, manufactures and tests propulsion the new 3D-printed thrust chamber to on the Space Launch System, Northrop systems. “In our view, the testing has been simulate three times the burn required for Grumman Innovation Systems picked it a home run.” a typical mission and approximately half its for the OmegA rocket and United Launch In June 2018, the Air Force Space and qualification life. The hardware remains “in Alliance chose it for its Vulcan rocket. “We excellent condition,” Maus said. “It has a lot are currently flying on two rockets and pre- DEBRA WERNER of life left in it, which gives us confidence paring to fly on five,” Maus said. SN AEROJET ROCKETDYNE

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Attendees explore Peraton’s 360-degree experience in the exhibit hall at the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colora- do. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews) AEROJET ROCKETDYNE

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 57 operators are beginningtoutilize. Q- and V-band, two types of spectrum satellite in links feeder include SGDC-2 for plans rent an ultra-high-frequency payload. He said cur payload and depending on the Brazilian budget, posium, said SGDC-2 would also have a Ka-band parts of Brazil. schools, hospitals and other facilities in remote Ka-band transponders for broadband services to sponders for military communications, and 50 5 rocket. The satellite carries seven X-band tran It will beSGDC-2.” satellite,secondhopefully 2022. a launchin to planning are we and redundancy, some have sometimes we can buy some more capability to the SGDC-1’s military payload. “This means that to referring X-band,”said, Vitalin dundancy nications Satellite, SGDC-1. Geostationary Defense and Strategic Commu- nation’s military wants to have a backup for the for civil-militarycommunications Brazil toorder secondsatellite President Maj. Gen. José Vagner Vital said the the Vagnersaid VitalJosé Gen. Maj. President T SN Space Symposiumat the BroadmoorHotel. Slingshot AerospaceCEO DavidGodwinandCSOMelanieStricklan at the35th Vital said SGDC-2 will have an open procurement Vital, in an interview at the 35th Space Sym- SGDC-1 launched in May 2017 on an Ariane re of kind some have to always need “We NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM Brazilian Air Force Executive Vice Vice ExecutiveForce Air Brazilian military and civil communications. for satellite second a purchase to he Brazilian government is planning CALEB HENRY CALEB - - - idea is to have partnerships and go to the market we want to have an only Brazilian satellite. The inside the market,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean content, because we want to have our industry proposals that include Brazilian components. to given be will preference but bids, their mit sub- to manufacturers satellite world’s the for satellite inorbitby2022. Brazilian AirForceExecutive VicePresidentMaj.Gen.JoséVagner Vital,saidthegoalistohaveanSGDC-2 “We are always looking for increasing local local increasing for looking always are “We IN BRIEF Space Command. U.S.ofcommander nominatedas been has and Commandernent Compo- Space Force Joint the is who “Jay”Raymond, John Gen. support providing by in Command, Space assist U.S. of establishment to the 8 April contract million $9.2 a won Corp. LinQuest technology todetect andcharacterizespacethreats. ties comes as the Air Force seeks to augment government-developed activi- control space for Atlas Orbital like system commercial a out try to decision The solution.” predictive tactical, more “a to orbit in low the Air Force to shift from routine catalog maintenance of objects al- will tool its says company The use. military possible for software awareness situational space predictive Atlas Orbital company’s the of customization covers 5 April awarded contract The surveillance. Force to demonstrate it can use artificial intelligence to improve space Aerospace Slingshot won a $6 million contract from the U.S. Air Air U.S. the from contract million $6 a won satellite manufacturing capability in Brazil. was created to establish a domestic geostationary be involved in building SGDC-2, since Visiona Embraer and Telebras. Vital said Visiona will likely Espacial, a joint venture of Brazilian companies the first SGDC satellite with Visiona Tecnologia with international partners.” Thales Alenia Space of France and Italy built S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |58 S N

CALEB HENRY, KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

Maxar’s path to growth runs through Worldview Legion

Maxar CEO Dan Jablonsky at the Maxar booth at the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

an Jablonsky, the former Digital- investigating launching the first group earlier to make that economic model work across the Globe president, took the helm at than scheduled, Jablonsky said at the 35th Space entire chain. We’ve got the right strategy to do on Jan. 13, six Symposium in Colorado Springs. that. I’m excited about that. D days after the company announced the loss of its Worldview-4 satellite. Immediately, It seems to be you’re stepping into a chal- Why did you reorganize Maxar? Jablonsky set to work evaluating the corporation’s lenging job. We are designing the organization to operate at structure and components, including satellite Yes. But if it wasn’t challenging, they wouldn’t high velocity and to react to market conditions manufacturer Space Systems Loral. Maxar’s need me. Ships are built to go to sea and I’m and customer needs much more nimbly and decision in February to retain that business and built for an environment that is not completely quickly. Instead of being in the more siloed busi- rename it Maxar Space Solutions was followed safe and inside the harbor. I’m very comfortable ness unit structure with different strategies, we by layoff and reorganization to turn Maxar into with where we’re headed. I’ve got an amazing adopted a one Maxar operating model. It’s much a single operating company except for MDA of team. We’ve got the right strategy. We need to faster. It also took out a lot of cost. We can retain Canada, which remains vertically integrated. fix our capital structure as part of this. But I’m the capabilities we have and be more efficient Nearly three months into the job, Jablonsky, very bullish about the prospects for Maxar. Any with them. We’re saving $60 million this year. an attorney and former U.S. Navy officer, told good business starts with good customers and We want to be good stewards of shareholder’s SpaceNews Maxar has a strategy to return to we have amazing customers — customers on capital and $60 million is a lot of money. growth. The firm’s Worldview Legion constel- the commercial side, the government side and lation is a key part of the plan as is the recent in the international realm. We have amazing Why has Maxar decided to retain the business reorganization. Contrary to rumors Maxar was products and capabilities, including some things formerly called SSL? struggling to pay for Worldview Legion, the com- no one else on the planet can replicate right The day I took over, I conducted my own as- CALEB HENRY, KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS pany is “fully able to fund” the constellation and now. We’ve got amazing people. Now, we need sessment of what it was worth to others, what

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it was worth to us and also what I thought Are you trying to save or replace Worldview-4? very capital efficient for us. the future that business was in terms of the end- We had a very unfortunate incident with Worl- to-end solutions we could provide as a Maxar dview-4 in January of this year. We lost the What impact is the loss having on your portfolio. I went on a customer listening tour. I mission. That was a Lockheed Martin satellite business? came to the conclusion, fully supported by the procured by GeoEye, one of the companies Our Earth observation, Earth intelligence board that SSL, now Space Solutions, as an in- DigitalGlobe acquired. The loss was related to business is very resilient. Even with the loss tegrated product line with GEO, MEO and LEO the control moment gyros built by Honeywell. of Worldview-4, which was an important assets for both commercial and government It was a terrible loss. This was a satellite in its asset to us that business will be flat this year. customers running on two main product lines, second year of what we expected to be a 10 It’s not stepping down 15 or 20 percent or a 1300-class and a Legion-class bus, was a very to 15-year mission. And it impacted us as a whatever, which you would normally think healthy business. They could play off each other business. There was a very highly accretive would happen with the loss of an asset like on a smaller footprint and be much more robust revenue stream that we’ve got to replace to in that. We’re able to keep it flat because we’ve inside that framework. order to keep growing the business. built a resilient business. It didn’t impact the We have some work to do to change market One great thing is we were already two plus U.S. government. And a large portion of our perceptions about us being around and we’re years underway on the Worldview Legion pro- business has been moving toward subscription underway on that. But the pipeline is very good gram. That had been designed as replacement and other products, which we are able to fill especially for the smaller class buses and for capacity for Worldview-1 and Worldview-2 but in a multi-constellation design. government work. That will help underwrite and with additional growth capacity in it. That will create resiliency for the GEO communications be used to recover from the Worldview-4 loss When do the first Worldview Legion sat- part of the business. We’ll be profitable on just and to put us back on the path to growth. Also, ellites launch? the GEO communications part in the near term. since we’re building the satellites, we can add Right now, the publicly released schedule is We’re not there yet. But those businesses can more to the constellation if the market demand first quarter of 2021. We’re under contract with feed off each other really well. Our objective is signals are there. We don’t have those plans SpaceX for two launches. This is the first block to be nimble enough to flex up and flex down right now. We’re putting our money into the of a multisatellite constellation. We’re looking in the different programs. Depending on what technology aspects of it within the original at ways to possibly pull that into the back end happens with the GEO market. If it stays as low budget, more so than just more satellites on the of 2020. We’ve been having meetings with as it is, we’ll still be OK. If it has a resurgence, chain. Right now, the technology is advancing others here today to see if we can pull those we expect that to accrete very profitably to the faster so that we’re able to get the additional back to the left. Right now, we’re still on a business. capacity without building more satellites. It’s path to get to first quarter of 2021, but we’re seeing if there are things we can do pull to the left, into 2020.

I’ve heard rumors that you don’t have enough money for Worldview Legion. That is completely and utterly false. We’re building it on our own. We have more debt than we want to right now, which we’re working on in terms of getting our capital structure into a different place that would be better for our shareowners on the equity side. But we are fully able to fund the Worldview Legion constellation. This is the highest capex year for it. Raytheon is providing the instrument, a highly designed advanced instrument per our specifications. Space X is under contract for launches. We’re building the satellites on our own. I’m absolutely certain we’re going to do. Our credit facilities and other things provide us way more latitude than we need with this program.

Are you having trouble paying Raytheon for those instruments?

A Maxar artist’s concept of the WorldView Legion constellation in orbit. Absolutely not. MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES

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Did you respond to the Chilean Air Force Request for Information for an Earth obser- vation satellite? We typically don’t say when we respond to an RFI. What I would say is if you’ve read the RFI, it looks tailor-made for a Legion-X type program. We’re very bullish on the prospects of Legion-X. We’re able to use the heritage from the Legion satellites, our ability to monetize outside the region of interest, our ability to quickly pro- vide these assets on orbit and then pull it into the ecosystem of what we do: flying satellites, operating them, maintenance of them, data handling, propagation of data and what you can tell from the data. Getting you a bunch of data is just one step. And that’s probably not the step you’re most interested in. Having that data make sense to you is the thing that you’re most interested in. And that’s where we can be very helpful to anybody that comes into that program as well.

What is the Legion-X business model? We’re pretty flexible. We ask, “What problem are you trying to solve?” Depending on who you are, Maxar’s satellite-servicing arm on display April 9 at the 35th Space Symposium. the Legion-X model could be a satellite you buy and operate yourself. We’ve got an entire com- mercial business built on that premise. But that’s and underwrite the core assets. ecosystem. But space is very inhospitable to usually not what people want. They’re trying to humans. So, robotics will play a large part. If answer questions. If you buy one satellite, you That seems like a new model. you can service assets on orbit that becomes have to operate it. You have to move the data We thought it up ourselves. It was designed a way to do more work in space, extend as- around the world. We’re very good at that. If you to align more closely with customer needs set lives and make it more economical for want to enter in that ecosystem, we can fly the and budgets. How do we help them? Is there things to happen. satellite for you. a way to meet their budget needs and their The other piece of our robotics program is Also, you can buy into an entire ecosystem data and information needs in a way that is still on-orbit assembly. Right now, a lot of what gets of Earth observation assets. One satellite might accretive to our shareholders but that solves put into space is limited to the fairing design of pass with a certain periodicity. But if I have lots their problems? It’s innovative and we’re very the rocket. With in-orbit construction, you’re of satellites, I can guarantee the sort of refresh pleased about the prospects for it. I’m sure not limited to a five-meter fairing or what you you want. I can help you analyze and move data others will copy it at some point. We have the can unfurl in a very complex fashion. You can into the decision-making phase. We’ve built worldwide reach, data handling capabilities actually build it in space. We’re working closely the platforms and the tools and the analytics and all the rest to make us very efficient. So, with NASA and others and some of our own to help you make sense of the data fast. And, we will just keep innovating. programs to do that kind of work. We think I can help you get the data to the people that that’ll be a key enabler for the entire ecosystem need to make decisions. Then, it’s not sitting What do you see in terms of opportunities to be able to do more, more economically and in a national intelligence center or an air force for robotics? more efficiently in space. headquarters. We can provide that sort of end- We have one of the richest heritages for to-end solution for the customer. on-orbit and planetary robotics programs. Anything else you want to say? A lot of people looking at Legion-X right now There are five robot arms on Mars right now. I would like to say a big thank you to the Maxar have a defined region of interest. We’re a global We built all five through the Jet Propulsion team. They’re not only innovative, hardworking company with customers around the globe, serv- Laboratory and Space Solutions. One of the and some of the brightest people on the planet, ing global needs. If you’re highly interested in key missions we’re working with NASA right but they’re working around the clock to help this particular grid on the earth, we can certainly now is Restore-L for satellite servicing in low solve some of the world’s most critical sustain- help you with that. But if you’ve bought into the Earth orbit. If you think about space becom- able development, intelligence and defense system and you don’t need intelligence about ing much more like other places we’ve done issues around the world. It’s a real privilege to

MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES other areas of the globe, we can help monetize human development, it will become an entire work with this group of teams. SN KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS

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A model of KhalifaSat, an Earth observation satellite built in the United Arab Emirates, on display in the exhibit center at the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews)

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NASA awards Planet $6.7 million for climate campaign

ASA awarded Planet a $6.7 mil- lion contract to provide Earth imagery for climate research. N Under the award Planet revealed in an April 11 blog, NASA will supply Planet data to 35 researchers to evaluate its utility alongside data provided by government Earth observation sensors, including NASA’s Mod- erate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation, and the second Ice, Cloud and land Eleva- tion Satellite. Planet gathers global Earth imagery daily with a constellation of about 140 satellites, including Dove and larger Rapid- Eye and SkySat satellites. The contract “is a signal of NASA’s interest in understanding what commercial imagery can bring to their scientific missions and how it coexists with other datasets,” Jen Marcus, vice president of Planet Federal Operations, told SpaceNews. For Planet, the NASA contract also represents Planet co-founder Robbie Schingler, right, speaks during a panel discussion at the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. a homecoming of sorts. Planet co-founders Robbie Schingler, Will Marshall and Chris Boshuizen worked on NASA small satellite and meaningful stewardship of our planet,” administrator for science, announced in August projects before establishing the company. In Schingler, currently Planet’s chief strategist, the space agency’s plan to spend $100 million addition, Planet’s commitment to Earth mon- said in a statement. a year on a series of small satellite projects. itoring is revealed in its motto, See Change, Under the new contract, NASA will gain As NASA and the National Oceanic and At- Change the World, Marcus said. access to Planet’s daily imagery and its mospheric Administration begin purchasing “Getting our data into the hands of re- 10-year imagery archive, Joseph Mascaro, Earth observation data gathered by private nowned climate scientists to help measure Planet academic programs director, said in companies, some researchers have expressed essential climate variables furthers our mis- the April 11 blog. NASA “has broad interests concern they will be required to pay to ob- sion of providing timely, global imagery and in land use and land cover change, forest tain the data. NASA is purchasing the Planet analytics to empower informed, deliberate and ocean science, and polar and cryosphere data under a license that allows the space applications,” Mascaro added. agency to share it with anyone conducting

DEBRA WERNER Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate NASA-sponsored research, Marcus said. SN TOM KIMMELL FOR SPACENEWS

We’re celebrating our 30th anniversary by oering a combined print and digital subscription to the magazine for $89. That’s 75% o the regular price. http://bit.ly/subscribe89

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 63 DARPA for Earthimagery, automateddata Planet’s NGA contract extended planes. “We can see very quickly how things are objects including roads, buildings, ships and trains machine learning algorithms to identify Planet release. news 21 March a in said NGA facilitateprocesses,”analysisNGAand ment aug- “to processing dataautomated Planet’s ing over time,” headded. over the last few years and see what’s happen manager, told program Planet NGA’s Skinner, Jonas jobs, and reconnaissance capabilities for different government’s own intelligence, surveillance the up freeing interest, of locations monitor tain access to Planet’s daily global imagery to constellation through mid-September. satellite small Planet’s from imagery Earth SN T radiometric consistency, andspectralprecision. tocapturethisimageofSanFrancisco. Thenewsatellites includeanupgraded cameraforimprovedimagesharpness, Planet useditsupgradedDovesatellites inJanuary In addition to imagery, NGA draws on draws NGA imagery, to addition In Under the contract, NGA continues to ob- NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM to acquire current and archival and current acquire to option contract million $5.9 a exercised has Agency ligence Geospatial-Intel- National he DEBRA WERNER DEBRA SpaceNews. “We can look back - supports see value in the company’s products, NGA units other and commanders batant America, Skinnersaid. mining and deforestation in Central and South ports and airfields as well as identifying illegal progressing at a particular site,” Skinner said. imagery and automatedand imagery processing. “We felt award Planet an option to continue providing when NGA officials were deciding whether to retired recently had Cardillo said. Marcus Cardillo, supporting his vision for the agency,” mercial partnerships and small satellites. push the agency to explore the value of com - in February when Sharp took the reins, helped Robert Cardillo, the NGA director who retired Sharp. Robert Adm.Navy Vicedirector, new agency’s the under continuity of signal a as she added. from the customers to continue the contract,” eral operations, told Jen Marcus, Planet vice president of U.S. fed- For Planet, it was gratifying to learn com - learn to gratifying was it ForPlanet, Planet data is proving useful for monitoring “We’ve had a good relationship with Robert Planet also sees the NGA contract extension SpaceNews. “It was a call to see what they’re bringing to the table.” we will have to closely monitor and evaluate that online coming companies other few a leader for the last few years, but there are quite strategically,” Skinner said. “Planet has been a decisions make to market the of vironment en- changing the versus mission changing our evaluating constantly “We’reindustry. satellite small the of evolution the watching contract through one-year options. company. NRO can extend the EnhancedView Technologies Maxar a DigitalGlobe, by ated oper satellites from imagery Earth archival and updated to access continued for award tract and announced a $300 million one-year NGA’sover tookEnhancedView con- Office intelligence agencies. lyzes and supplies to Defense Department and ana- it which data, geospatial of types other to support Adm. Sharp’s vision,” Marcus said. able begin and transition that in agency the positive about being able to continue serving In addition to working with Planet, NGA is Reconnaissance National the August, In NGA obtains high-resolution imagery and S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |64

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PLANET Planet’s NGA contract extended MISSION for Earth imagery, automated data SUCCESS FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION.

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Discover how a.i. solutions handles all of your space mission engineering needs and see why our space software applications like FreeFlyer and Meridian PLANET Ground Systems are crucial components of any successful mission. SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM New space info sharing center to be based in Colorado Springs

The Space ISAC’s unclassified analysis center will be based at the National Cybersecurity Center.

ndustries such as aviation, fi- to support the White House National Cyber center will be based at the National Cyberse- nancial services and energy have Strategy, published in September, which calls curity Center in Colorado Springs. Member organized what are known as In- for the government to work with industry to companies can do analysis work at their I formation Sharing and Analysis “strengthen the cyber resilience of existing own facilities. Centers, or ISACS. and future space systems.” Frank Backes, senior vice president of ISACs have been around since the late Kratos will pay $75,000 per year in dues as Kratos SATCOM products and federal space 1990s and were created by the U.S. govern- a founding member. There are 10 founding solutions, will serve as the acting president ment to collect, analyze and disseminate member slots, and each gets a seat on the of the Space ISAC. information about security threats that affect board of directors. The dues can be paid in Backes said the company was asked by specific sectors. cash or with in-kind services. the government last year to lead the standup On April 8, executives and government of- Carrai told SpaceNews he expects at least of the ISAC because of its experience de- ficials met in a classified session at the Space 200 companies — including satellite and veloping space systems, especially ground Symposium where it was announced that launch vehicle manufacturers, and their infrastructure. the space industry would have its own ISAC, supply chains — to join the group. Platinum Space architectures are said to be in- with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions as membership costs $50,000 a year, gold $25,000 creasingly vulnerable to electronic and cyber its first founding member. and silver $10,000. threats. Member companies would provide As the founding member, Kratos provides The Space ISAC is being organized as a 501(c) information to the ISAC about potential se- the initial funding and support to set up the (6) nonprofit, and government officials can curity threats. That data would be analyzed organization. Phil Carrai, president of Kra- participate in advisory roles, not as members. and the ISAC then would share the informa- tos Technology & Training Solutions Divi- The 501(c)(6) status allows the ISAC to work tion through a secure portal so companies sion, said the Space ISAC is being created directly with the government to help define can figure out how to combat those threats security standards, for example. as they develop and build new satellites or

SANDRA ERWIN The Space ISAC’s unclassified analysis other space systems. SN NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY CENTER

Digital Mission Modeling Come see us at booth 515 or visit agi.com/ss

7.5x1.125_SHowDailyAGI.indd 1 SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM4/2/19 5:22 | PM 66 SN SYMPOSIUM SCENES

Propulsion hardware on display at the booth April 11 during the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Keith Johnson/Space- News) NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY CENTER

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Astroscale raises $30 million, opens U.S. oŸce in Denver

stroscale, the Japanese company developing technologies to re- move orbital debris, announced A April 10 that it has raised an ad- ditional $30 million and will open an office in the United States that the company hopes will lead to new business opportunities. The Tokyo-based company announced at the 35th Space Symposium that it added $30 million to an earlier $50 million Series D round the company raised in October 2018. Several Japanese funds participated in the round, including some who previously invested in Astroscale. The new funding brings the total raised by the company to date to $132 million. “The biggest thing is that it gives us more runway,” Chris Blackerby, chief operating officer of Astroscale, said of the new funding in an interview. “This is still an uncertain business market and the best way to make sure we can remain viable until that mar- ket gets viable is to have as much runway as we can.” Astroscale is currently working on tech- nologies that would enable active debris removal as well as end-of-life disposal of A model of the ELSA-d satellite on display at the Astroscale booth April 10 at the 35th Space Symposium. satellites. Its next satellite, called End-of- Life Service by Astroscale demonstration (ELSA-d), is scheduled for launch in 2020 government side and the commercial side.” vital for us.” to test technologies to identify, approach Astroscale will also use the new funding A drawback, he acknowledged, is the and capture objects in orbit, using a larger to open a U.S. office in Colorado. That office complications that export control regulations “servicer” satellite that will track and dock will be led by Ron Lopez, who previously led introduce for an international company like with a smaller client spacecraft. defense and space sales in the Asia Pacific Astroscale, which also has offices in Singa- ELSA-d would lead to later operational region for Honeywell Aerospace. pore and the United Kingdom. spacecraft, although Blackerby said the The company chose the Denver area for “ITAR will make it tough to do too much specific missions and scheduled have to be the office because of the region’s existing in terms of exchanging information,” he worked out. One issue is uncertainty about space industry base and access to both fi- said, a reference to the International Traffic who the customers of that service would be, nancial and educational institutions. The in Arms Regulations, which strictly regulate which could include government agencies area also won out over alternatives like Se- the export of many space-related technol- and companies operating satellite constella- attle and Silicon Valley because of support ogies. “We’ll find a way to take advantage tions. The additional funding, he said, gives from local economic development offices of the benefits of the U.S. industry without the company more time to see how those and lower costs. running afoul of those regulations.” potential markets develop. Blackerby said the new office will help it Astroscale is taking a long-term approach “There’s interest out, but it’s always going win U.S. government and commercial cus- that is enabled by its latest funding round. to be tough to close the business case and tomers, while also being able to weigh in on “Once we prove the technology and once we get people to pay for it,” he said. “We are find- regulations and standards. “We’re not going continue to push forward on some of these ing that the interest is growing on both the to have a long-term sustainable business in regulatory issues, we’re confident that the this market without having a U.S. presence,” market is going to start to show up,” he said.

JEFF FOUST he said. “Having the U.S. footprint is really “But it takes time and it takes effort.” SN KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS

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Elias Rodriguez puts the finishing touches on the Lockheed Martin full-scale lunar habitat April 8 before its unveiling at the 35th Space Symposium at the Broad- moor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews)

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Morpheus Space plans future electric propulsion tests

orpheus Space is meeting with potential customers and raising money for electric propulsion M technology the German startup recently demonstrated in orbit. On Feb. 26, engineers fired Morpheus’ 160-gram Nano Field Effect Electric Propul- sion (NanoFEEP) thruster for the first time on the University Würzburg Experimental-4 (UWE-4) . Now, Morpheus is preparing for additional tests. The company delivered a NanoFEEP thruster to GomSpace, István Lőrincz, Mor- pheus co-founder, told SpaceNews. GomSpace, a firm based in Denmark with a propulsion center in Sweden, is beginning large-scale manufacturing of nanosatellites and estab- lishing facilities to produce as many as 350 a spin-off of the Institute of Aerospace En- per year, according to the firm’s 2018 annual gineering of the Technical University of report released March 29. Dresden, plan to continue testing NanoFEEP, In addition, ZfT, the Center for Telematics which combines a liquid gallium propellant in Würzburg, is evaluating NanoFEEP as a with a chip-based neutralizer. Four Morpheus candidate to propel satellites for CloudCT, a NanoFEEP thrusters are housed in the rails of German and Israeli mission focused on cli- the UWE-4 cubesat. mate research. With 14 million euros ($15.7 In future tests, the UWE-4 operations million) from the European Research Council, team plans to fire the Morpheus thruster to the CloudCT mission is focused on gather- change the attitude and orbit of the satellite, ing detailed images of cloud structures and Lőrincz said. properties with 10 miniature satellites flying Morpheus focuses on technologies to help in formation. emerging space companies build, what Lőrincz “We are currently evaluating potential calls, “agile constellations.” Cubesats equipped candidates for the propulsion system,” Klaus with Morpheus thrusters, for example, will be Schilling, president of the Center for Telemat- able to dodge collisions and deorbit when their ics, said by email. “The Morpheus electric missions conclude, he said. propulsion system is certainly a candidate in “With NanoFEEP, a small cubesat could be this evaluation after our good experiences with propelled back into the atmosphere within the electric propulsion system from Dresden two years,” Lőrincz said. “With MultiFEEP, used in the UWE-4 mission.” one could even dispose of a six-unit cubesat The primary mission for UWE-4, a 10-cen- within two years.” timeter-square cubesat launched in December The growing popularity of small satellites 2018, is demonstration and characterization of has prompted several startups, including the NanoFEEP thruster as part of the University Boston-based Accion Systems, Enpulsion of Würzburg’s overall campaign to develop of Austria and Orbion Space Technology of technologies for formation flight of cubesats. Houghton, Michigan, to focus on electric The late February demonstration “was the propulsion for miniature satellites. first time electric propulsion on a one-unit In addition to NanoFEEP, Morpheus is de- cubesat was successfully turned on in orbit,” veloping MultiFEEP, a thruster that combines Lőrincz said. “It was quite awesome.” seven NanoFEEP thrusters with additional German startup Morpheus Space is raising money to to continue development of its NanoFEEP thruster, a The University of Würzburg and Morpheus, features for thrust vectoring. MultiFEEP thrust- 160-gram propulsion system tested in February on the ers are designed for three-unit cubesats and University Würzburg Experimental-4 cubesat, shown

DEBRA WERNER larger satellites, Lőrincz said. SN above. MORPHEUS SPACE

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 70 MORPHEUS SPACE breakups, maneuvers, closely spaced objects, opment manager,told Space Surveillance programs business devel- and Fence Space Martin Lockheed Hughes, nominally,” Matthew performed system the ance test and we were very excited to see that breakup alert. early trialfor SpaceFence testprovides Indian anti-satellite S SN This isanaerialphotoof theU.S. AirForce SpaceSurveillanceNetwork onKwajalein Atoll slated forinitialoperations in late 2019. “Space fence is all about the ability to identify endur an during up be to happened “We NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM DEBRA WERNER DEBRA anti-satellite test and issued a issued and test anti-satellite 27 March India’s detected Atoll Kwajalein on Fence Space Force Air U.S. the mode, testing in till SpaceNews . - ing themtodetermine theirorbits, he added. aredetected, it issues track alertsbegins and Surveillance Network catalog. When new objects orbit that do not correlate to objects in the Space in objects multiple like orbit, in activity usual of thisyear. continental United States, in the fourth quarter tain of radio frequency energy wider than the cur a out sends which radar, ground-based the of operation initial begin to scheduled is Force Air The capabilities. its of evaluation of Space Fence and is conducting testing and proximity operations, new foreign launches.” The Space Fence is designed to detect un- detect to designed is Fence Space The construction completed Martin Lockheed - - he added. value,”of lot a adds Hemisphere Southern the in site “a Hemisphere, Northern the in objects more frequently, Hughes said. orbital activity by allowing the radar to observe creases the accuracy and timeliness” of unusual Southern Hemisphere “would significantly in 2020 budget. its in Fence Space second a build to funding request not did but site the survey to Martin Australia.ForceAir The authorized Lockheed a location for a second Space Fence in Western Since most Space Surveillance radars are are radars Surveillance Space most Since Having a second site, particularly one in the Lockheed Martin also completed surveying S S N N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |71 -

LOCKHEED MARTIN SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

Intelsat-29e drif¡ing in GEO orbit af¡er su¢ering crippling fuel leak

ntelsat’s first Epic-series high-through- put satellite, Intelsat-29e, is drifting in orbit after back-to-back anom- I alies, forcing the company to shift customers to other spacecraft. Intelsat said April 10 that the propulsion sys- tem on the three-year-old satellite “experienced damage” — the cause of which it did not identify — resulting in a fuel leak. While attempting to restore services from the satellite, Intelsat said it lost communications with the satellite due to a second problem. Intelsat said its connection with Intelsat-29e has been intermittent, and that it is working with Boeing, the manufacturer of the satellite, on restoring uninterrupted communications. The fuel leak occurred April 7, Intelsat said. ExoAnalytic Solutions CEO Doug Hendrix said the company’s ground telescopes identified prominent debris ExoAnalytic Solutions, a commercial space near the Intelsat-29e communications satellite April 8, a day after Intelsat says a fuel leak occured. situational awareness company, said its network of ground-based telescopes identified debris around Intelsat-29e on April 8. We believe that we have seen debris come off of where most telecom satellites reside. Intelsat-29e Doug Hendrix, ExoAnalytic’s chief executive, the satellite,” he said at the 35th Space Symposium. is the second Intelsat Epic satellite to experience told SpaceNews two prominent objects were Intelsat said it “will not make a determination a propulsion anomaly. identified April 10, but that the company can’t of financial impact until the conclusion of the In 2016, Intelsat-33e suffered a thruster issue determine it they are frozen fuel or something else. recovery mission.” that insurers estimated could shave 18 months “What we’re confident in saying is they’ve had In a statement, ExoAnalytic said Intelsat 29e off its design life. an anomaly; they have announced an anomaly. was “in a at 50 [west] longi- Boeing built five of the six Intelsat Epic satellites, tude until April 8, when it began tumbling and and supplied the payload for Intelsat-32e, which CALEB HENRY drifting to the east” along the geostationary arc used a bus from Airbus Defence and Space. S N

IN BRIEF Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) says some debris from India’s anti-satellite test could remain in orbit more than a year. Researching the debris created by the March 27 ASAT test, AGI found some objects were in orbits with apogees as high as 2,200 kilome- ters. In such orbits, the objects may take one to two years to reenter. Some debris has already reentered, while much of the rest will deorbit within a month or two. AGI data showed that multiple Russian Kanopus remote sensing satellites and Dove satellites operated by commercial company Planet were among 25 spacecraft most at risk of intersecting with debris paths from the ASAT test. — Caleb Henry KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS AGI astrodynamicists T.S. Kelso and Dan Oltrogge with a visualization of debris from India’s ASAT test. KEITH JOHNSON FOR SPACENEWS

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People inside the full-scale lunar habitat mock-up Lockheed Martin brought to the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Tom Kimmell) KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS

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Vector isn’t eager for legal fight with Lockheed Martin over patents

ven though Vector Launch filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lockheed Martin, the Ari- E zona startup is not eager to spend millions of dollars fighting the aerospace giant. “We don’t want to be in lengthy litigation with Lockheed Martin,” Shaun Coleman, Vector co-founder, told SpaceNews. “We were forced into this situation and would love to resolve it.” Vector filed a complaint April 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Cali- fornia, alleging Lockheed Martin infringed on three patents related to GalacticSky, Vector’s software-defined satellite technology. Lockheed Martin declined to comment on the pending litigation. Vector is widely known as a launch vehicle developer but it is actually a “space access company,” said Coleman, who is also Galac- ticSky chief marketing officer and general manager. Coleman also authored the patents that are the subject of Vector’s claim against Lockheed. Before joining Vector, Coleman, an angel investor and serial entrepreneur, founded three startups including Cloud- Volumes, a software company acquired in 2014 by VMware. Vector filed a lawsuit April 5 against Lockheed Martin, claiming the aerospace giant infringed on three patents Coleman, who met Jim Cantrell, Vector related to GalacticSky, Vector’s software-defined satellite technology. This image shows Vector’s GalacticSky-1 chief executive and co-founder, through prototype in the company’s clean room. It is slated to launch this year. their shared love of car racing, leads a team of 20 people at GalacticSky. Based in San Jose, California, GalacticSky focuses on the firm’s In the wake of the Lockheed Martin an- logo/wordmark of their prank product was software-defined satellites, sales and marketing. nouncement, Vector sent letters to the aero- stylized almost identically to our own word- With GalacticSky, “you can skip satellite space giant. Lockheed Martin acknowledged mark,” Kim Jennet, Vector senior marketing development and launch and upload your receipt of the letters but did not respond to director, said by email. “Intimidation comes applications to a satellite,” Coleman said. Vector’s concerns regarding patent infringe- in many forms, but this appears to us to be Vector plans to launch its first GalacticSky ment, Coleman said. an attempt to diminish our brand and our prototype later this year. Production versions As a result, Vector felt forced to file a lawsuit status in the small launch vehicle and new “are nominally scheduled to go up in 2020,” to protect its intellectual property, Coleman space market.” Coleman said. said. “We are a small innovative company. Meanwhile, Vector is plowing ahead with Vector has filed more than 30 patents and We came up with this idea first but Lockheed its campaign to begin sending satellites into has many more in the works, Coleman said. Martin can out-execute me every day of the orbit with Vector-R, its first launch vehicle As of April 9, the U.S. Patent and Trademark week. We would much rather work with scheduled to fly for the first time this year. Office had awarded Vector 12 patents related them,” he added. The company also is developing a larger to GalacticSky and one for its rocket engine. Vector also took offense when Lockheed rocket, Vector-H. Vector was not aware of Lockheed Martin’s Martin pulled an April Fools’ Day prank, an- Vector announced in October it raised SmartSat software-defined satellite project until nouncing it developed a fragrance called Vec- $70 million in a Series B funding round led it was announced March 20, Coleman said. tor. Many publications including SpaceNews by Kodem Growth Partners in conjunction published April 1 articles about the fragrance. with Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment DEBRA WERNER “Not only did they use our name, but the Partners. SN VECTOR LAUNCH

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Murali Krishnan, Harris Corp. vice president and general manager of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, at the Harris booth April 9 at the 35th Space Sym- posium. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews) VECTOR LAUNCH

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SAIC increases space startup collaboration

efense contractor SAIC, fresh off its $2.5 billion acquisition of Engility, plans to increase its collaboration D with startups to further grow its presence in the space sector.SAIC completed its Engility purchase in January, growing its portfolio of software-intensive space services. Josh Jackson, executive vice president and general manager of SAIC’s Solutions and Tech- nology Group, said SAIC is working with around a dozen space startups through accelerators in Austin, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, to make their technology more available to U.S. government customers. Within the next six months, SAIC plans to choose a third location where it will team with more startups, he said. “We are looking at where else should we tap,” Jackson said in an interview at the 35th Space Symposium. “It’s a geography thing. We are tap- ping into geographies where it makes sense from a customer as well as a capability standpoint.” SAIC plans to select a new location to collaborate with U.S. startups, and is considering Los Angeles, Jackson cited Austin’s strength in analytics, Boston and the Silicon Valley area. Photo shows SAIC’s “innovation factory” in Reston, Virginia, estab- machine learning and augmented and virtual lished in October to “deliver software services and solutions quicker to the U.S. government.” reality as reasons for SAIC’s interest in that lo- cation. SAIC’s Austin partner is Capital Factory, an organization that works to pair startups with any of the startups SAIC is working with. features when threats become apparent, he said. investors, customers and mentors. In Colorado “Our goal is to understand the landscape of “When you think about the proliferation of Springs, SAIC partnered with Catalyst Campus, emerging technologies that could be applied smallsats and cubesats, the number of nodes being drawn in by the region’s space activity, to government missions, and then help be that in space is going to increase exponentially,” he Jackson said. bridge between those government mission said. “We need to think about how to protect “These are one and two person companies that challenges and the emerging technologies that those from the very beginning.” have some niche technology,” he said. “That’s are starting up,” he said. Jackson said 97 percent of SAIC’s revenue the value that the government is seeking now: Jackson said SAIC is increasingly focused on comes from federal government customers, how to tap into that true entrepreneurial spirit digital engineering, creating “virtual represen- such as NASA, the National Reconnaissance that exists across the country.” tations of systems,” such as satellites and their Office and the . He said SAIC is evaluating Los Angeles, Boston, and corresponding ground infrastructure, to shorten that revenue mix is unlikely to change in the the Silicon Valley area as prospects for its third development times and improve sustainability near future, since SAIC intends to stay focused startup hub, Jackson said. He declined to name when in use. That includes designing with an mainly on federal government customers. awareness of cybersecurity risks from the begin- “We’ll stay close to our roots and who we are CALEB HENRY ning, rather than retroactively introducing cyber as a company,” he said. SN

“Write broader requirements, broader acquisition strategies. Tell folks the prob- lem you are going after. I need the ability to do this, this and this. You can use the Force for all I care as long as you get it done.” – U.S. Air Force Col. Russell Teehan, Space and Missile Systems Center chief architect, during a panel April 11 at the 35th Space Symposium. SAIC

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Symposium attendees enjoying the weather April 8 on one of the lakeside patios at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Tom Kimmell) SAIC

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Space investment hits record high in 2018

nvestment into space companies hit a record high in 2018, exceeding $3 billion with no sign of an imminent downturn, according to a new report by a consulting firm. “2018 was the biggest year yet, and it’s I The “Start-Up Space” report, published April 9 by Bryce really interesting because there were Space and Technology, found that various types of investment into space companies, from venture capital to debt financing, totaled no billion-dollar deals,” $3.23 billion in 2018. That tops the $3.03 billion invested in space Carissa Christensen, chief executive of Bryce Space and companies in 2016, and $680 million more than in 2017. Technology That total came without a single deal larger than $1 billion. The Bryce report estimates the largest single deal last year was $750 million invested in Blue Origin by its founder, billionaire Jeff Bezos. There were also three separate late-stage investments in SpaceX that the fail. “When we start seeing failures, which we will, the venture and report estimates to be worth more than $200 million each. the advocacy-oriented billionaire ecosystem will not react in the “2018 was the biggest year yet, and it’s really interesting because same way,” she said. there were no billion-dollar deals,” said Carissa Christensen, chief The Bryce report, while not giving specific estimates for projected executive of Bryce, in an interview. “This was a lot of more diversi- investment in 2019, concluded that investment will continue to fied investment.” grow in 2019, driven in large part by the development of so-called Venture capital investment alone grew by 22 percent in 2018 to megaconstellations of broadband satellites by companies like One- $2 billion, she noted. “Those are the investors that are looking for Web, SpaceX and Telesat. OneWeb announced March 18 it closed a financial return,” she said, as opposed to those who invest for broader $1.25 billion funding round, increasing the total it has raised to date strategic reasons or have other non-financial motivations. to $3.4 billion. That growth is a positive sign for the industry, she said, because Recent reports that Amazon is planning its own satellite con- these investors are convinced by the business cases of these start- stellation may also drive investment. “Those business cases are not ups despite the limited number of companies in the sector that have yet proven,” she said of megaconstellations, “but you look at them provided a return to their investors. “There are a lot more VCs in the through a different lens when a company like Amazon enters the game, including many new investors to space,” she said. playing field.” SN Another significant trend, she said, is the growth in the number of investors from outside the United States. While the majority of seed and venture funding in 2018 came from American investors, Blue Origin comprised over 20 percent of all nearly half of the investors are from outside the United States, led investment in start-up space companies in 2018. by Britain and China. The was little in the way of acquisitions of space companies in Seed 2018. The Bryce report found eight such acquisitions with a total 1% value of roughly $100 million. The lack of such deals, or other exits 23% for investors, have led some to worry that the space industry is in a bubble that could burst in the near future, drying up investment. Christensen said current investors are far more risk tolerant than Acquisition those of two decades ago who stopped investing in the industry 3% $3.2B Venture 62% after companies like Globalstar and Iridium filed for bankruptcy 2018 Total Capital Debt Financing 8% protection, wiping out their stakes. “The risk now is similar to the risk that Iridium faced” in terms of Private Equity market uncertainty around new markets, she said. “But the investors 3% now are aligned with that risk, whereas the corporate and equity investors in Iridium were not.” Current investors, she believes, won’t panic when startups inevitably

JEFF FOUST GRAPHIC SOURCE: BRYCE SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY

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Atlas Space Operations wins Air Force antenna contract

Atlas Space Operations is expanding its cloud-based ground network. This image shows the Atlas Freedom Ground Network’s operational and planned sites.

he U.S. Air Force Space and Missile low Earth orbit constellation management,” Mc- 169-kilogram satellite packed with research ex- Systems Center (SMC) in partner- Daniel said April 9 at the 35th Space Symposium. periments, in December. FalconSat-6 was Atlas’ ship with the Pentagon’s Defense SMC’s Range and Network Division solic- first Defense Department customer. T Innovation Unit awarded Atlas Space ited information on multiband, multimission The latest Air Force contract is important Operations a contract to prototype an electron- antennas citing the “need to increase capacity, to Atlas because it “will increase our business ically steered antenna array to support Air Force flexibility, interoperability, automation and re- opportunities within the U.S. government on multiband, multimission requirements, Sean siliency of space operations and spacelift,” ac- the whole,” potentially leading to contracts with McDaniel, Atlas chief executive, toldSpaceNews . cording to a 2017 post in FedBizOpps. “There is NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric McDaniel declined to reveal the value of the an increasing number of satellites and launches Administration and “perhaps intelligence com- award pending a Defense Department announce- projected in the foreseeable future, and with that munity when the time comes because of the ment but called the 12-month prototyping con- comes an increased demand on the Air Force scalable nature of the antenna array,” McDaniel tract “a steppingstone to bringing an advanced Satellite Control Network and the Launch and said. “We can adapt the technology to meet the multisatellite capable antenna system to market Test Range System. A multiband, multimission demands of a given customer within the U.S. both for larger-scale government adoption as system is one conceptual solution to the growing government or commercial industry.” well as commercial adoption.” number of U.S. government satellites and may While expanding its government business, Atlas began operating Freedom, a cloud-based augment or replace the current Air Force Space Atlas also is establishing relationships with ground station network, in January 2016. The Control Network and Launch and Test Range commercial partners. In March, Atlas signed a company plans to operate 31 ground sites by the System infrastructure by providing the ability memorandum of understanding with satellite end of 2020 “to meet the demands of our current to perform key Telemetry, Tracking and Control network operator Speedcast. The agreement customer base and the coming expansion into capabilities and radar functions.” covers the integration of teleports for low Earth Atlas’ Freedom network began supporting orbit satellites at Speedcast facilities worldwide, DEBRA WERNER FalconSat-6, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s McDaniel said. SN

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Air Force’s next ‘Pitch Day’ to focus on space inners of Defense Department small business innovation research (SBIR) contracts will W have a chance to compete for up to $40 million the Air Force will award this fall in a live pitch event in Los Angeles focused on space technology. “What the Air Force wants is for companies who are innovating in space to come to us first because we’ll be able to get you paid quickly,” Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acqui- sition, Technology and Logistics told Space News April 10 at the 35th Space Symposium. The upcoming “Space Pitch Day” would be the Air Force’s second live pitch event following the inaugural event last month in New York where, in a single day, 51 small businesses were awarded $8 million worth for contracts and were paid instantly by swiping a govern- ment credit card. Now the Air Force wants to narrow the fo- Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Will Roper. cus to space, and it is especially interested in technologies “that we didn’t even know we needed,” Roper said. A company can deliver PEOs a chance to hear about the military utility responsive launch vehicles are “really excit- a winning pitch “and 15 minutes later they’re of the technologies. ing,” Roper said. “I think that it’s going to really not just on contract, they actually have money “I think the Space Pitch Day will likely be change the game for us in low Earth orbit. We in their accounts,” he said. “And we’re not go- similar in scale to the one in New York,” Roper want satellite makers that are working on new ing to ask for equity in their company. So, we said. “We’ll have $30 to $40 million available.” things, new technologies. We want people that hope we can be part of this space innovation Air Force officials find live pitches can be are working in digital technologies, artificial ecosystem in the commercial sector.” more effective than evaluating someone’s intelligence,” he said. “What are we going to Unlike the New York event, the businesses proposal on paper. “You understand their idea, do with all of the data coming off of all those that will be invited to the Space Pitch Day are you want to buy their idea, you want to buy satellites? We need to plan for that.” only those that submitted proposals under the team that’s producing it,” Roper said. “That Space is an environment where artificial in- the SBIR 19.2 Broad Area Announcement that was a big lesson that we learned. In the world telligence “should do really well,” Roper said. “It’s closed Feb. 6 and won SBIR Phase 1 contracts. of investment, which is new for us in the Air a very predictable environment and we want They will present their ideas live to a team of Force, you can’t buy it just on paper. You’ve got algorithms to tell us if something changes. So Air Force experts, commercial investors and de- to believe in their expertise, their determina- I think this is going to be a great area to get AI fense executives for an opportunity to compete tion and energy,” said Roper. “We want them companies in and help our operators looking for Phase 2 awards and get paid on the spot. to have at a minimum a viable product that we at things when they’ve changed.” By contrast, the average timeline to award an can put in an operator’s hands,” he said. “We’ll Companies also are encouraged to pitch SBIR contract is 180 days. The Air Force awards have money available to put them on contract unconventional space technologies and ideas about $660 million a year in SBIR contracts. immediately.” that the Air Force may not have thought about. For the Space Pitch Day, candidates will be Live pitches may not work for everything, “Maybe even companies that don’t think of their matched up with military space operators and Roper said, but “early on in the idea phase, I’m technology as applying to space. We want you they will deliver a joint presentation to Air Force absolutely convinced this is the way we need to take a risk and come tell us about it,” Roper program executive officers. The idea is to give to do business.” said. “I would like a company that has a great The Air Force is hoping candidates cover a idea to think ‘I’m going to definitely pitch it to wide range of space technologies, including the Air Force first because I’ve got nothing to

SANDRA ERWIN satellites and small rockets. Cheaper, more lose and a whole lot to gain.’” SN KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS

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United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno, right, and representatives of ULA’s Vulcan supplier team, brief reporters April 8 on the status of ULA’s next-generation rocket during the 35th Space Symposium. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews). KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 83 as well as military satellite communications satellites in low Earth and geostationary orbit and Missile Systems Center inLosAngeles. Space Force Air the for SpEC manages that pany based in Summerville, South Carolina, Advanced Technology International, the com formanager programsenior a is Delamater director. executive SpEC Delamater, Brian said contractors, defense traditional than significant contributions from groups other ment and 86 percent of the projects include traditionally work with the Defense Depart- nonprofits or academic institutions that don’t projects with atotal value of $206million. prototype 37 awarded has SpEC 2017, early space-related technology and services. Since other groundstationspulsionand systems, rapid prototyping of spacecraft, sensors, pro in particular.” satellites, small for process acquisition the development director. SpEC is “streamlining that,” said Dan Hegel, Blue Canyon advanced in geosynchronous orbit. techniques and procedures for microsatellites program aimed at exploring missions, tactics, Blue Canyon Technologies to work on Tetra, a selected Force Air the SpEC, through posal pro- a submitting after weeks Three faster. programs. Superiority and Global Positioning Systems director of Rapid Capabilities for Harris Space in December. contract million $80.4 an won and June in paper white a submitted Corp. Harris orbit. GPS with small satellites in geosynchronous an Air Force program focused on augmenting achieving SpEC-tacular speeds Air Force rapid prototyping e¢ort extraordinary pace C SN To date, SpEC programs have focused on Ten of those awards went to companies, For smaller contracts, decisions are even “It truly was remarkable,” said Jen Moore, SpEC is an Air Force initiative focused on “We were on contract a couple weeks after Exhibit A: Navigation Satellite Technology-3, NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM Consortium (SpEC) moves at an (SpEC)atConsortiummoves Enterprise Space Force Air the agencies, Department fense De U.S. traditional to ompared DEBRA WERNER DEBRA - - - firm based in Centreville, Virginia. “In the “In Virginia. Centreville, in based firm Blue Residuum Space Alliances, a consulting of president Anhault, David Col. Force Air flower blooming in El Segundo,” said retired resilient GPSconstellations. producing at aimed concepts and cessing warning systems, missile warning data pro- tional spacecraft, ground stations for missile interna- or commercial on flying payloads military for cybersecurity studies, network rected space forces for U.S. Central Command di- Forceand Air the in years 24 spent who possible,”as soon as warfighterMoore, said the to capability new get to them on acting for prototype projects. an acquisition process designed specifically is OTAcontracts. award to (OTA)Authority Transaction Other on relies SpEC posals, pro soliciting and requirements military defining of process lengthy a with ment, acquisition reform.” agency in promoting rapid prototyping and DoD effective and prolific most the be to itself proved has SpEC the months, 12 past awarded inDecemberbytheAirForceSpaceEnterpriseConsortium(SpEC). Harris Corp.isdevelopingtheNavigation Satellite Technology-3 missionunderan$80.4 millionconttact Instead of following traditional procure- “It’s about taking these new ideas and ideas new these taking about “It’s “In my opinion, the SpEC is the one beautiful - dark and you can’t talk to them,” Backes said. go “things proposals, for asks agency eral extremely helpful. Usually, as soon as a fed- is dialogue the said Space, Federal Kratos nology solutions.” government ultimately receives better tech “The questions. to response written in said capabilities,”Delamater industry existing leverage and about learn can government the while needs, technology government’s the of understanding deeper a gain bers points inthesolicitation process. various collaborateat to suppliers their and OTAs also encourage government agencies governmenttionalprocurementprograms, without holding a competition. Unlike tradi production into prototypes from move to more quickly thanwe usedto.” much evolve to continue then and soonest hands warfighter’s the into capability and years.We arelooking technology atgetting 15 or 10 for live to intended architectures before joining Harris. “We are not locked into fe SE slct proposals, solicits SpEC After for president vice senior Backes, Frank “Through this collaboration, SpEC’s mem agencies government allow rules OTA S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |84 - - -

HARRIS CORP. ILLUSTRATION HARRIS CORP. ILLUSTRATION its speed. SpEC routinely awards contracts awards routinely SpEC speed. its every year or two. technology new with updated be can that awareness, and small satellite constellations communications, commercial space situational satellite servicing, protected tactical satellite on focus projects SpEC Upcoming 2019. in phase of solicitation and 10 more are expected tional Capabilities. a program called Tactical Exploitation of Na systems to assist in decision making through military units quick access to national space solicitations. One is looking for ways to give eight released SpEC 2019, of months three first the In million. $500 to fivefold budget cost of aprogram. defense contractors or cover one-third of the bution from partners who are not traditional award, it must either show significant contri SpEC a wins company a When nonprofits. small businesses, academic institutions and from $7,500 for large companies to $500 for tractors, Delamater saidby email. con defense traditional not are members SpEC of percent Seventy-nine institutions. companies and 10 not-for-profit or academic small 202 companies, large 65 including people tryingtosell it,” heasked. can you imagine not being able to talk to the house, a or car a buying were you “If said. sure they understand their customer, Backes can ask questions and get answers, making contributing adeployableantennaforSpEC projectletdbyanothercompany. Roccor hardwareondisplayat theSmallSatellite Conferencein2018. TheColoradofirmis What surprised SpEC members most was Another seven prototypes are in the early SpEC’s increased Force Air the 2019, In range members SpEC for dues Annual members 277 had SpEC 1, April of As communication continues. Companies - - - projects while biddingon others. systems, is already working on several SpEC ground spacecraft in specializes that Diego arrangements. you can’t beasefficient,” Pearson said. will, they think you than longer take grams pro- “When said. busy,Pearsonremain will they whether worrying without employees hire can they because businesses small for program,” Pearson said. space a for quick really is “That customer. governmentwithitssuppliersand meeting kickoffa held immediately and February in October. The prime contractor won the award who Pearson declined to name, came in late for aSpEC project ledby anothercompany. Roccor is contributing a deployable antenna ponent supplier based in Longmont, Colorado. chief executive for Roccor, a small satellite com within 90days of receiving proposals. 15 pages of technical information compared with companies it hasn’t worked with before. potential suppliers.” ofcommunity broad a engage Force]to Air [the allows It company. one than more to SpEC awards are smaller and can be awarded initial Whereas suppliers. potential of field long time to get on contract and narrow the lagged,” Backes said. “Big programs take a very to start programs that would have otherwise “SpEC gives the Air Force an opportunity defensecompanySan Kratos,a in based “I’ve been impressed,” said Chris Pearson, SpEC proposals might be 50 pages with pages 50 be might proposals SpEC teaming is Kratos SpEC, of result a As teaming new spurring is also SpEC Speedy contracting is particularly helpful The first inquiry from the prime contractor, The firmrecievedaSpEC contractthreeweeksafter proposal. A BlueCanyonTechnologies technicianworksona3U cubesat. - “In myopinion,theSpEC “SpEC gives the Air Force “SpEC givestheAirForce capability out.” of that. We are on contract. Now let’s get that change our processes to then take advantage to how side industry the on and side ment “Wesaid. govern-the on both havelearn to all,”Moorebe all end the not is contract on something put you way the “changing but move forward with that company.” to continue and design best the pick then prototypes, and awards small do can Force that’s the whole point,” Backes said. “The Air one team,” Backes said. than more on be to afford can I pages, 15 is 1,000-page proposals. “If the technical volume with major defense programs often requiring Segundo.” flower bloominginEl is theonebeautiful have otherwise lagged.” programs thatwould an opportunitytostart Frank Backes, Kratos FederalSpace Alliances David Anhault, BlueResiduumSpace SpEC’simpressivecontractingis speedy Initial SpEC awards tend to be small, “but S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |85 S N

SPACENEWS/BLUE CANYON TECHNOLOGIES

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SNC preparing to ship habitat prototype to NASA for testing

ierra Nevada Corp. is preparing to ship a prototype of an inflatable space habitat designed for lunar S orbit and Mars missions to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. SNC built the habitat prototype for NASA’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Part- nerships (NextSTEP) program. The habitat is designed for stowage in the rocket fairing of NASA’s Space Launch System or a large com- mercial rocket. Once in orbit, it would inflate to become an 8.2-meter-wide habitat where astronauts would live and work. “With an inflatable, you get a lot more vol- ume and a lot more usable space for the crew to do their mission,” said Steve Lindsey, SNC Space Exploration Systems vice president and former NASA astronaut. “It’s designed for the Gateway but it’s also designed for an 1,100-day mission to Mars.” SNC designed the habitat interior with three floors. Astronaut crews would live and work primarily on the top floor. The main floor is devoted to research with science and robotic workstations. The crew galley and toilets would be housed on the bottom floor. In late April, SNC plans to ship the habitat to NASA Johnson for testing. There, NASA officials will send astronauts inside the habitat “to simulate several mission days to see how things work,” said Lindsey, who served as a pilot or mission commander on five space- flight missions. ILC Dover, a firm known for producing flexible materials for aerospace applications The inflatable habitat prototype SNC built for NASA’s NextSTEP program, above, and a cutaway illustration like spacesuits, worked with SNC to produce of the habitat’s three-floor interior. the habitat’s durable fabric. The SNC design is reminiscent of TransHab, an inflatable module ILC Dover developed in the early 2000s for loads. The habitat’s exterior is covered by never know where it’s going to go in the future,” International Space Station crew quarters. It layers of material strong enough to withstand Lindsey said. Preliminarily, SNC would like the was never flown. the impact of micrometeorites and orbital voice-activated AI system to control lights, fa- SNC has conducted extensive testing of a debris, Lindsey said. cilitate long-distance communications, offer one-third scale model of its inflatable habi- The habitat inflates around a circular core schedule reminders and provide instructions tat, subjecting it to extremely high pressure that houses its avionics and Astro Garden, for scientific experiments and repairs, meaning to ensure the material and design can meet a modular system for growing vegetables. astronauts would not need to rely on computer human spaceflight certification requirements. SNC subsidiary Orbital Technologies Corp. screens for step-by-step instructions. High strength fabrics form the habitat’s built Veggie, the International Space Station SNC is one of six companies working under pressurized interior bladder, which is sur- produce garden. NASA NextSTEP contracts to produce habitat rounded by webbing to support structural SNC also has a partner, who it is not yet ready designs or prototypes. The others are Bigelow to name, helping with the habitat’s artificial Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Nan- DEBRA WERNER intelligence. “The tricky part about AI is you oRacks and Northrop Grumman. SN SIERRA NEVADA CORP.

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The SpaceNews editorial team hard at work April 11 in the makeshift newsroom at the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Clockwise from left: SpaceNews Editor-in-Chief Brian Berger, national security reporter Sandra Erwin, telecom reporter Caleb Henry, and senior staff writer Jeff Foust. Not pic- tured: San Francisco correspondent Debra Werner. (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews)

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Small Air Force microwave sensor to fly on space station

he U.S. Air Force plans to test the performance of a small microwave sensor developed by NASA’s Jet T Propulsion Laboratory on the International Space Station in 2021. The conical microwave sensor, called Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer (COWVR), is designed to reduce the cost, mass and power consumption of instruments capable of making global observations of wind, temperature and precipitation near Earth’s surface. What’s unique about COWVR is that its aluminum reflector rotates while its feed horn and other electronics remain station- ary, making it far smaller, less power hungry and easier to accommodate on a spacecraft than sensors that spin the entire radiome- ter, said Shannon Brown, COWVR principal investigator in JPL’s Microwave Instrument Science Group. If the on-orbit demonstration is successful, “we could see a shift in the way we design and build conical microwave sensors,” Brown said. For example, several small sensors could be deployed for the cost of a single large sensor, reducing revisit time and improving weather The 57.8-kilogram Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer (COWVR), developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion forecast models, Brown said. Laboratory, has a 75-centimeter reflector. COWVR’s scan mechanism, feed horn, receivers, noise source for In 2016, the Air Force announced plans to calibration remain stationary. In traditional scanning conical radiometers, the feed horn and receivers move send COWVR into a 600-kilometer sun-syn- around external calibration sources. chronous orbit on a 300-kilogram satellite as part of a mission dubbed Operationally “The purpose of the COWVR technology where it makes sense,” SMC said. Responsive Space-6. Last year, after JPL demonstration is to mature the new mi- COWVR is designed to measure ocean delivered the sensor to the Air Force Space crowave design and prove its functionality surface vector as well as the WindSat Rapid Capabilities Office, which was previ- on-orbit,” the Air Force Space and Missile Sys- microwave radiometer launched in 2003 ously known as the Operationally Responsive tems Center (SMC) said in written responses on the Naval Research Laboratory’s Coriolis Space Office, the Air Force canceled launch to questions. “A successful demonstration satellite except in heavy rain cells. A future plans to launch ORS-6 due to problems with could reduce overall development and launch sensor could add lower-frequency channels the satellite bus. costs for future microwave programs, which to obtain measurements through rain cells, Now, the Air Force plans to send COWVR track and forecast hurricanes and typhoons Brown said. to the space station in 2021 for one to three as well as deliver sea surface wind direction Ocean wind monitoring is a high prior- years as part of a group of instruments and and speed data.” ity for the Defense Department. While the experiments known as Space Test Program- Last year, the Air Force began reorganizing Air Force conducts the COWVR technology Houston 8. The Defense Department has long SMC in an effort to speed up development demonstration on the space station, Ball coordinated with NASA to fly instruments and production of space systems. The reor- Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is building and experiments on ISS or other crewed ganized agency is known as SMC 2.0. Weather System Follow-on Microwave, an spacecraft through its Space Test Program Air Force and NASA cooperation on the operational satellite equipped with passive office in Houston. COWVR program “is a prime example of the Air microwave imaging radiometers to monitor Force SMC 2.0 focus to enable potential space ocean winds and cyclone intensity as well DEBRA WERNER acquisition using interagency partnerships, as an energetic charged particle sensor. SN NASA/JPL

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LyteLoop plans dozens of smallsats for data-in-motion secure storage service

“The amount of data is growing exponentially. We can’t build enough data centers to keep up.” Ohad Harlev, LyteLoop chief executive

LyteLoop’s network is designed for cybersecurity. Data moving through space at the speed of light is less vulnerable to hackers than data stored on the ground.

fter four years of stealth mode, satellites it seeks to launch, or how large they president of RRsat America, a communications LyteLoop, a startup planning to will be. “We are planning on dozens of small company renamed RR Media and MX1. SES store massive amounts of data by satellites,” Harlev said. acquired the firm in 2016. Charles Palanzo, A moving it continuously between While LyteLoop’s space-based data con- LyteLoop’s lead digital engineer is a technology satellites, is coming out of the shadows. stellation will be more expensive to establish management and engineering consultant. Since 2015, LyteLoop of Great Neck, New than a ground-based data center, its ongoing Paul McManamon, former chief scientist York, has been assembling a team and ob- operating expenses will be far lower, Harlev said. for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s taining patents for its plan to move data in an “Once you are in space, your operation costs Sensor Directorate, is LyteLoop’s chief tech- endless loop with ultrahigh bandwidth lasers. are in the single-digit millions a year,” he said. nology officer. Alan Willner, a University of The goal is to meet the growing demand for In contrast, terrestrial data centers require Southern California engineering professor secure data storage without building large, en- “tens of employees, electricity, maintenance whose research focuses on optical-fiber and ergy-intensive, ground-based centers. LyteLoop and taxes.” Over a 10-year period, Harlev es- free-space communications, leads the firm’s plans to store many hundreds of petabytes timates LyteLoop’s total cost of owning its laser communications design work. of data in space, an amount equivalent to a data constellation, including the cost of the LyteLoop’s patents and research papers data center containing thousands of servers. building, launching and operating it, will be highlight both space and terrestrial applica- “The amount of data is growing exponen- about 30 percent lower than the cost of ter- tions for its data-in-motion storage concept. tially,” said Ohad Harlev, LyteLoop chief ex- restrial data center. “We have set up a gigabyte storage loop ecutive. “We can’t build enough data centers To date, LyteLoop has not sought external using 1,000 kilometers of optical fiber as a to keep up.” investment. Soon, the company plans to begin demonstration vehicle, and we are looking LyteLoop’s network is designed for cyber- raising money, publicizing the venture and at more advanced concepts that explore the security. Data moving through space at the meeting with prospective partners, Harlev said. ‘art of the possible,’ with goals of significantly speed of light is less vulnerable to hackers than “Within 20 months, we will have vacu- reducing required power and footprint,” ac- data stored on the ground, Harlev said. Plus, um-worthy prototypes of six optical com- cording to the abstract of a paper LyteLoop LyteLoop plans to offer quantum encryption. munications subsystems,” Harlev said. In executives presented in February at a San LyteLoop is not yet saying exactly how many 2020, LyteLoop plans to issue a request for Francisco conference held by SPIE, the in- proposals for satellites. ternational professional society focused on

DEBRA WERNER Before founding LyteLoop, Harlev was optics and photonics. SN LYTELOOP

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 90 LYTELOOP unnoticed despite releasing 10 times the en- — could conceivably challenge incumbents incumbents challenge conceivably could — form the sixth-largest U.S. defense contractor the process of merging with L3 Technologies to and offer “affordable constellations,” hesaid. to package its sensors with low-cost satellites and detect volcanic eruptions. Harris is looking spaced wildfires, locate fire and smoke plumes, detectors can identify very small and closely Thermal example. for detection, wildfire for other missions,” hesaid. in employed be also can missions weather detection capabilities we employ in our core sensor and satellite know-how. “The thermal its combine can it where opportunity ness capabilities, hesaid. surveillance and warning early space-based for demand spurring available, widely more prising since missile technology is becoming missile warning capabilities.” This is not sur for need a is there that is abroad and States United the in hear we theme common “The can we help with?’” Mitrevski told and international customers: ‘What problems lion-dollar missile warningbusiness. multibil the into experience that parlay to looking is now and satellitesensorsweather Environmental Solutions. vice president and general manager of Harris relevant to missile warning,” says Rob Mitrevski, Satellite-R series constellation. Environmental Operational Geostationary Administration’s Atmospheric and Oceanic that Harris Corp. designed for the U.S. National December’switnessedfireballsensors using actually satellite weather Japan’s dropped at World War II. States United the bomb atomic the of ergy missile warning constellations Harris weather sensors seerole in W SN In the coming years, Harris — which is in The company’s weather payloads are used Harris sees missile defense as a major busi government U.S. our asking been “We’ve The company has a long history developing “That is the type of technology that is very researchersAs would eventually discover, NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM SANDRA ERWIN SANDRA Siberia, the event went largely went event the Siberia, of coast the off December in atmosphere Earth’s the in hen a small asteroid SpaceNews exploded - - - .

two polar-orbiting satellites to be made by made be to satellites polar-orbiting two satellites being built by Lockheed Martin and missile-warning geosynchronous 0 Block ing $817 million for the development of three Force is seeking $1.4 billion for 2020, includ- Air The programs. satellite expensive most designs toaugment next-gen OPIR. er-cost systems using smallsat with modular trevski, but there could be ways to make low- or next-genOPIR. next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared, the U.S. Air Force under a program known as satellitesfor warning missile futureproduce Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to Pentagon investments in space-based missile coming out for theBlock 1system.” are that requirements the with capability our in alignment of lot a see “We Mitrevski. the firstpolarsatellite by 2027. stationary satellite will be fielded in 2025 and when that will happen. The first Block 0 geo- unclear still is It OPIR. next-gen of 1 Block will come when the Air Force solicits bids for ground segments. and space the both accelerate to years five spending more than $11 billion over the next foresees Force Air The Grumman. Northrop Missile warning is one of the Pentagon’s the of one is warning Missile Mi- capable,”said “very is OPIR Next-gen Harris also intends to compete for future for compete to intends also Harris solution,”says long-term the is 1 “Block For competitors like Harris, the opportunity to some of those areas.” align can we if see to invested very are “We said. technology,”Mitrevski mature using solutions quick-to-deployment producible, created Space Development Agency, or SDA. Pentagon’sthe to transitionnewly to pected hypersonic missile defense. That work is ex- architecturecontinuespace to studya forto 2020 for million $157 requesting is Agency Defense Missile The weapons. hypersonic detect to orbit Earth low in sensors defense applications inmissilewarning. Environmental Solutions,saysthetechnologyhas satellite. Rob Mitrevski,vicepresident ofHarris monitoring sensorforJapan’sGOSAT-2 Harris inJunedeliveredanenvironmental “What we hear about SDA is that they need S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |91 S N

HARRIS CORP. SN SYMPOSIUM SCENES

U.S. Air Force Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command and President Trump’s nominee to lead a re-established U.S. Space Command, surprised the audience during his April 9 keynote with a live video feed from the International Space Station. (Tom Kimmell)

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Ruag, Mitsubishi sign contract for payload fairings, structures uag Space signed a contract April 9 to supply Mitsubishi Heavy In- dustries with payload fairings and R payload supporting structures for MHI’s H3 launch vehicle. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are developing the H3 rocket to replace the H-2A and H-2B rockets. In December, British satellite fleet operator Inmarsat signed on as the H3’s first commercial customer. The rocket, standing 63 meters high with a 5.2-meter diameter, is expected to debut in 2020. Ruag has agreed to supply fairings and supporting structures for three International Space Station resupply missions MHI intends to fly starting in 2021 using the H3 rocket and HTV-X, the planned successor to the HTV Transport Vehicle that Japan has used since Masahiro Atsumi, MHI VP and senior general manager for space systems shakes hands with RUAG CEO Peter 2009 for ISS cargo runs. Guggenbache during the signing of a partnership between the two companies for launch vehicle structures. “We are delighted to receive support of RUAG, a highly experienced and trusted supplier of space products. We have enjoyed for our families of launch vehicles for many to the ISS,” Masahiro Atsumi, MHI vice pres- working with a Japanese partner for standard years. We will build up trusted partnership ident and senior general manager for space types of fairings and supporting structures with RUAG to help us transport critical cargos systems said in a statement. SN

Blue Canyon extends its hiring spree lue Canyon Technologies doubled Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and software to many of them. its workforce in 2018 and is on Space Physics who founded BCT had “de- “The star tracker that flies on 3u cubesats track to double it again in 2019, cades of experience,” Stafford said. is the same star tracker that would fly on a B George Stafford, BCT president BCT applies that expertise to a wide 300-kilogram spacecraft,” Stafford said. Blue and chief executive, told SpaceNews. variety of small satellite missions. The two Canyon also developed a line of reaction The company established in 2008 in cubesats that served as wheels for spacecraft ranging from miniature Boulder, Colorado, as a satellite component communications relays for NASA’s Mars cubesats to 1,000-kilogram satellites. “We supplier, is expanding rapidly to meet de- InSight mission relied on BCT attitude can plug and play whatever size we need,” mand for spacecraft components, complete control systems. Stafford said. “The software stays the same.” spacecraft and mission operations. BCT is building seven identical three-unit Increasingly, customers turn to BCT To make room for its 140-person staff, cubesats for the NASA and Massachusetts for entire missions rather than individual BCT acquired additional office space in Institute of Technologies TROPICS con- components. “We currently operate five February. The company plans to double stellation, a mission focused on tempera- spacecraft,” Stafford said. “By the end of the its manufacturing space in 2020 when it ture and humidity observations related to year, it will be closer to 15.” moves into an 80,000-square foot facility. tropical cyclones. BCT also is defining bus At the same time, BCT’s component busi- Stafford attributes the firm’s growth to and payload requirements for Blackjack, a ness remains strong. To date, the firm has sold expertise and lean processes. The engineers DARPA program focused on small satellite 52 star trackers, 153 reaction wheels and 25 from Ball Aerospace and the University of constellations. attitude determination and control modules, While the missions have different objec- says Johannes Loschnigg, BCT consultant

DEBRA WERNER tives, BCT applies common hardware and and Loschnigg Consulting principal. SN KEITH JOHNSON/SPACENEWS

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Chemical equations written on a glass wall at the Maxar booth at the 35th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 94 cy’s Independent Safety Office, said the IAASS the former head of the European Space Agen sus approach tosafety standards. which has been pushing a voluntary consen- association of leading businesses in the field, industry Washington-based a (CSF), eration Fed- Spaceflight Commercial the from over operations inlow Earthorbit.” point-to-point transportation and commercial with industry thriving a create you how not for the early operations but that’s company itself,” Mango said. “That might work is nothing that says a system is safe except the behind theproposal. experts the of one and manager Program Crew Commercial NASA former Mango, Ed people,” said hurt to going not is it that sure made and design electronic your at looked that means that an independent organization because sticker UL a get to need you wave, micro- a or toaster a likeproduct, electronic spaceflight operations. government-funded for place in are that fault-tolerance requirements similar to those gether with government officials on binding safety experts from the industry working to- system envisions 2013, to back dates which and gainpublic trust. grow industry spaceflight commercial the help to needed is body independent an said Office and several aerospace industry groups, Administration, the U.S. General Accounting Foundation sent to NASA, the Federal Aviation sister nonprofit the International Space Safety Netherlands-based IAASS and its Houston-based certification processes. commercial space flight safety standards and of development speed to Institute Safety Space independent an of establishment the commercial spaceflight safety Independent body proposed to ensure T SN IAASS Executive Director Tommaso Sgobba, take could (SSI) InstituteSafety Space The “In commercial spaceflight right now, there an sell to want you if U.S. the in “Today concept, (SSI) Institute Safety Space The The 60-page report, which the Noordwijk, NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM TEREZA PULTAROVATEREZA new report in March calling for calling March in report new a issued (IAASS) Safety Space of Advancement the for sociation As International nonprofit he - - system which is certified on the basis of a a of basis the on certified is which system peting interests. safety requirements due to the group’s com- denominator common lowest only forward put to prone be might CSF,said as he which more authority than an industry group such be partially government funded, would have offer an alternative to move the industry forward. consensus-based approach and was hoping to was concerned about the slow progress of CSF’s find itself inasimilar position. might CSF the warned He lobbyist. industry leading a as position its to due industry” the in revolution safety a drive to ill-suited ally industry,“culturgas natural U.S. and oilthe representing body trade the Institute, leum Horizonfounddisaster AmericanPetro the - Deepwater BP the on commission national astating 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a industry following the Gulf of Mexico disaster.” oil the in and industry nuclear the in 1970s the in implemented was what to similar is form of enforcement. What we are proposing of a standard, there always needs to be some voluntary standard,” said Sgobba. “In the case body responsiblefordevelopingcommercialspaceflightsafety standardsandcertification procesess. The SpaceSafety Institute,asenvisionedbytheIAASS,wouldbeapartiallygovernment-fundedindependent “There is in the world no safety-critical no world the in is “There According to Sgobba, the SSI, which would Sgobba pointed out that following the dev - - Kinney said IAASS is welcome to join F47 but establishment of safety standards.’” the ‘leading not are but conducted, being work the of supporters and advocates are “Wevotes,” said. and Kinney voices multiple of committee a in representative one are e “[W] government. and academia as well as such as Boeing and United Launch Alliance, standards with input from non-CSF companies, spaceflight, dubbed F47, to develop consensus 2016 to stand up a committee on commercial of businessoperations. director CSF’s Kinney,regulation,” Jane said or licensing future for basis potential a and process to ensure truly consensus standards quickly realized it was necessary to open up the but success,some with own, our processon “Originally, CSF attempted a standards drafting based on outdated and inaccurate information. says the concerns expressed by the IAASS are the lowest common denominator.” to get to going are you then it regulate also to it pushing are who people the want you fundamentallyto commercialIf push space. there that’s organization an it’s but nization CSF joined forces with ASTM International in Federation Spaceflight Commercial The orga good a is CSF “The agreed: Mango S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |95 -

IAASS ILLUSTRATION TOM KIMMELLL FOR SPACENEWS certainty for commercial space NASA bossseeks legal,regulatory “But the industry has matured since. We are since. matured has industry the “But said. innovation,”he preventing possibly as seen were regulations developments, flight panies seekingthe approval stamp. operations would be paid entirely by the com certification its while funding government of amount modest a on rely would experts technical of body standards-setting stitute’s in The operators. spaceflight commercial to certification providing by met being are of standards and ensuring that the standards two-pronged approach involving the creation a as IAASS, the from independently operate views asaninherent flaw intheirprocess. CSF whichindustry, from input or feedback opment effort. “IAASS is not willing to accept to produce air and water for human life support, NASA will lead the way in early extraction of ice While said. ice,”Bridenstine water of tons of utilize the resources of the moon,” Bridenstine said. “to NASA directs also It partners. international and commercial of assistance the with moon U.S. to lead a campaign to send humans to the the directs 2017 December Directivein signed but also the future of the world,” he said April 8 to the future of our country, the future of NASA him most. Overcoming those is “absolutely critical the legal and regulatory challenges that concern the technical problems are not always easy.” It’s Bridenstine said, adding, “Don’t get me wrong, technical, not are community space global Workshop. said at the 35th Space Symposium’s activities, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine space commercial supervising and thorizing B SN “In the early days of the commercial space would which SSI, the described Mango The most daunting challenges facing the the facing challenges daunting most The The lunar poles hold “hundredshold poles lunar The of millions The Trump administration’s first Space Policy shouldn’t be leading the standards-devel NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM must assume responsibility for au servicing, a U.S. government agency of or in-orbit satellite efore NASA can take full advantage DEBRA WERNER DEBRA - - - - - dustry-Government Partnership to Advance In Modern a for Proposal Institute: Safety amusement park.” an in even work would that something not that’s but waivers sign just passengers now, meeting certain requirements,” he said. “Right seeing the commercial spaceflight operators if theindustry truly wants togrow. insurance policies would have to be in place the high risk associated with the experience, accept and waivers sign to willing be might instead of everyone doing theirown thing.” howto as buildto operateand such systems recommendations safety and guidelines of sets these having in interested are that nies now getting mainstream and seeing compa ellite servicing, Bridenstine said. “That’s why I’m activities like lunar resource extraction and sat companies will have trouble raising money for established, is framework legal international to figure thisout,” headded. “We’vegot said. Bridenstine States, United the not existintheinternational community or in does activities commercial these for required outer space.” However, the regulatory framework in nongovernmentalentities“activitiesof vise nations must authorize and continually super of that activity?” all supervise continually and authorize to ing go- is governmentU.S. the in Now,who goal. the “That’s said. orbit,”Bridenstine in satellites of servicing proximitythe and operationsand nology and then have companies do rendezvous license the technology, commercialize the tech technology, the demonstrate to but 7 Landsat Landsat 7Earthimagingsatellite. the refuel to building is Technologies Maxar spacecraft robotic a Restore-L, like programs nologies required for satellite servicing through over that work. the agency wants companies to eventually take In addition to release its report, “The Space in interested are companies “Insurance tourists space early while that added He Until the national regulatory framework and Article 6 of the 1967 says refuel to not is goal our is, that as cool “As Similarly, NASA intends to develop the tech ------help findthebestway forward. conversation and the join to partners dustry September. FAA and NASA — the potential funders — by ward, it intends to present its proposal to the center. If the study team agrees on a way for a federally funded research and development proposal for making the Space Safety Institute Kunstadter, among others. Chris underwriter insurance space and ney Force deputy undersecretary Richard McKin Air U.S.former Nield, George transportation space commercial for administrator ciate asso FAA former includes that team study a established has IAASS the groups, dustry in and government of cross-section a and Commercial Spaceflight Safety,” to members debris at the end of their useful life,” he said. orbital become them having just than rather space by servicing satellites that currently exists debris. “We can reduce the number of objects in they can help to slow down the creation of space ing ventures are particularly important because those activities will nottake place,” headded. legal environment, that capital will not form and international the and environment legal the environment, regulatory the in certainty have that ultimately need to be capitalized. If we don’t here to talk to you. These are critical capabilities NASA Administrator JimBridenstine Mango added that the team is invitingis team thataddedin- Mangothe Sgobba said the study team is working on a Bridenstine said commercial satellite servic S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |96 S N S N - - - - -

TOM KIMMELLL FOR SPACENEWS SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

‘How do you like that, ?’ Explaining a Russian obsession NEWS ANALYSIS

he Russian space agency’s first official reaction to the successful March 3 docking of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon T spacecraft with the International Space Station congratulated NASA but didn’t mention SpaceX or its founder, Elon Musk. On the one hand, a little petulance is un- derstandable considering Crew Dragon — and Boeing’s CST-100 — will soon end the monopoly has held on ISS crew access since the U.S. space shuttle retired in 2011. But on the other hand, Roscosmos, its director Dmitry Rogozin and Russians at large appear to crave Musk’s approval. Four days after Crew Dragon’s successful docking, Musk shared with his 25 million Twit- ter followers an Ars Technica story headlined “Russia’s passive-aggressive reaction to SpaceX may mask a deeper truth.” The story noted that NASA’s Anne McClain, Roscosmos Oleg Kononenko and Canada’s David Saint-Jacques wear gas masks after in addition to leaving SpaceX out of its con- opening the hatch between SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and the International Space Station’s Harmony module. gratulatory tweet, Roscosmos had also been ”throwing small bits of shade here and there” always admired your rocket/spacecraft tech- Musk is arguably the second most common such as when it shared photos of Cosmonaut nology,” Musk said in reply. “[The] NK-33 & RD object of this phenomenon, though it works a Oleg Kononenko, NASA’s Anne McClain, and 170/180 are exceptional,” he said in another. little differently in his case. Much ink is spilled Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques wear- Both were re-tweeted by Rogozin. Had this reassuring Russians that their space technology ing protective masks as a precaution against ended here, it could be chalked up to friendly is indeed first class, and Russian officials often unexpected off-gassing from the new visiting platitudes between space industry leaders. But deride SpaceX and Musk. But when Musk him- vehicle. “For the first time in the history of the it didn’t end here. self says that Russia has the best rocket engines station, the crew worked in Russian-made IPK Rather, Russian state media swung into in the world, state media treat it as front page gas masks,” Roscosmos tweeted. action, running headlines such as “Elon Musk news — confirmation of their propaganda lines. Perhaps to ease the sting, Musk praised says Russian rocket science is first class.” Figures Sometimes this phenomenon doesn’t even Russia’s space know-how when he tweeted the including Russia Today chief Margarita Simon- require Musk’s direct involvement. Russian Ars Technica article:“Russia has excellent rocket yan tweeted screen shots of Musk’s praise and media can come up with some strange story engineering & best engine currently flying. Re- invoked a popular, mostly tongue-in-cheek lines. For example, after last year’s successful usable version of their new Angara rocket would Russian meme: “How do you like that, Elon Falcon Heavy test flight, several Russian com- be great.” Rogozin, quick to boast, retweeted Musk,” which is typically reserved for videos mentators and journalists claimed the vehicle’s Musk: “Well you can’t argue with Elon here :)” showing Russian genius for “innovation” (i.e. 27 engines vindicated Soviet rocket designer A day later, Rogozin finally tweeted his con- finding creative ways to keep decrepit machines Sergei Korolev, whose use of 30 engines in gratulations at Musk, setting off a new round of like Soviet-made cars in service). the first stage of his doomed N1 moon rocket absurdity. Rogozin recently made his The Musk obsession is part of a larger trend is often derided as a critical design flaw. Twitter account private, so Roscosmos has taken in the modern U.S.-Russia online dialogue. For They also note the grid fins on reusable Falcon to reposting Rogozin’s tweets from the agency’s the past five years, Russian officials, pundits rockets are a Soviet innovation. main account. Musk, who doesn’t appear to and ordinary social media users have expended Ultimately, however, this all has very little follow Rogozin on Twitter, finally responded significant energy denouncing the West, only to do with space and everything to do with once Roscosmos reposted the director’s tweet. to rejoice in near unison when a prominent modern Russia. And headlines denouncing “Thank you on behalf of SpaceX! We have Western figure says something positive about SpaceX, reveling in Musk’s attention, or claiming Russian technology or nuclear weapons. Es- ultimate superiority will not save a struggling

TOM KIMMELLL FOR SPACENEWS MATTHEW BODNER pecially nuclear weapons. Russian space program. SN ROSCOSMOS PHOTO

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William Gattle, left, and Wayne Lucernoni look 1/3 scale model of Harris Corp.’s NTS-3 satellite at the 35th Space Symposium April 9 (Keith Johnson/SpaceNews)

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Commentary | Sid-Ahmed Boukabara AI for Earth observation and numerical weather prediction

fter substantial investments to build and launch sensors de- signed to observe the atmosphere, A numerical weather and climate prediction have benefited greatly from the assimilation of satellite data. The overall im- provement in forecasts include advances in modeling, computer power and observations. Satellite observations have also enabled fan- tastic advances in situational awareness for forecasters. Combined with modern model guidance and the expertise of the operational forecasters, we’ve made great strides in saving lives, protecting property and enhancing our economy. It therefore seems counterintuitive that only 3-5 percent of satellite observations are actually used in preparing numerical weather forecasts. Machine learning and other artificial intelligence techniques could help forecasters get more out of these data by improving accu- errors are given higher weighting than data with skills—and this trend is expected to continue racy and speed in almost every step of turning large errors. An accurate DA analysis is critical with the ever-increasing volume of satellite satellite observations into actionable forecasts. for an accurate forecast. To get the most out data and the increased societal reliance on Why don’t we use all the data now? First, of the observations collected, scientists need improved forecasting accuracy. The increased there are strict time limits for completing to give the DA app a perfect understanding of data volume comes from higher resolution sat- weather forecasts and the computer power the data errors. Scientists also need to leverage ellites and sensors, from a growing list of new requirements to process the ever-increasing all environmental observations to maximize sensors and from an explosion of new virtual volume of satellite data are prohibitive within both spatial and temporal coverages to avoid observing systems made possible by the Internet those constraints. Second, there are significant gaps. The DA app isn’t perfect as scientists use of Things. Exploiting all these data sources is scientific challenges to properly interpret and different short cuts to make it work, such as expected to present major challenges. AI is a exploit the most interesting and potentially most using only some of the observations (to “thin” potentially transformational technology, espe- valuable satellite data—these are the satellite the observations), or combining observations cially because of the potential of what might be data in stormy situations where rain or com- close together into what are called “superobser- called meta-Transfer Learning—the transfer of plex cloud conditions are common. However, vations”. These considerations along with the knowledge and expertise from fields in which overcoming these obstacles will very likely lead large computational cost of the DA for the huge AI has been firmly established to NWP and to more accurate weather forecasts—including volume of satellite observations explain why related environmental sciences. SN forecasts of extreme events such as hurricanes so few satellite observations are actually used. and tropical storms. AI and machine learning techniques have How can AI can help exploit satellite data? advanced considerably across areas as diverse SID-AHMED BOUKABARA IS THE ACTING DEP- Let’s start with the complicated numerical as medicine, self-driving cars, social media and UTY DIRECTOR OF THE NOAA NESDIS CENTER weather prediction applications (NWP apps for the finance industry. and ocean- FOR SATELLITE APPLICATIONS AND RESEARCH. short) that work together to produce almost all ography have also seen its share of AI advances. weather forecasts longer than a few hours. One However, until recently, far fewer AI applications of the most important apps mixes all kinds of were developed for exploitation of environmental The 1st NOAA Workshop on Leveraging AI in the data to make a full picture of current weather satellite data, high-level information extraction Exploitation of Satellite Earth Observations & conditions. Temperature, wind, and humidity in the area of numerical weather prediction, Numerical Weather Prediction will be held April 23–25 data from all around the are put together in data assimilation and forecasting, as well as for in College Park, Maryland. The workshop is intended for what we call data assimilation, or DA for short. extreme weather prediction and nowcasting. scientists, program managers, and leaders interested The data include observations and six-hour There have been encouraging signs that AI is in identifying innovative ways to use satellite and other forecasts, but none of these data are perfect— increasingly considered for these applications, environmental data. Details: https://www.star.nesdis.

they all have errors. During DA, data with small with promising results—including predictive noaa.gov/star/meeting_2019AIWorkshop.php NOAA VIA FLICKR

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 99 Diplomat Diplomat anonymous U.S. government officials told against an “electronic target” Feb. 12. However, there were Indian press reports of a missile test Abdul Kalam Island between Feb. 10-12, and from launch missile a for Airmen to Notice ernment had released, and then canceled, a test weeks earlier but failed. The Indian gov ASATattemptedan had Indiathat emerged per treaty language. not considered to be a nuclear weapon state, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and thus is nuclearweapona tested beforenot had the ASATdirect-ascentIndia on as ban testing, future a ever was there ASATif “have-nots” the of one being it with history of repeat a about concerned was also India powers. escalating tensions between the two nuclear skirmishes along an unsettled border that risk and prestige, along with occasional military powerfor China withcompetition regional reckoned with. India sees itself as locked in a demonstrate that they too were a force to be to response Indian possible a of value the internally debated have officials security and space Indian 2007, January(FY-1C), in of its own weather satellites, the -1C one destroyed China since Ever watchers. India most to apparent was test ASAT an sustainability. and the challenges of ensuring its long-term on developing norms of behavior for space, complex space domain, the lack of progress ally,morethe ofevidence further is test the Yetinternation China. and Russia States, United the with par on power space a was Shakti was seen domestically as proof India come,”Mission to generations on impact historic “a with and pride” “utmost of ment in the Bay of Bengal. Hailed by Modi as a mo test from a launch site on Abdul Kalam Island for normsof behavior inspace India’s ASAT testiswake-up call Commentary |Brian Weeden andVictoria Samson experts confirmed that the date and time of Outside flight. into seconds 30 about failed O SN The likelihood that India would conduct After Modi’s announcement, evidence announcement, Modi’s After NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM they detected a rocket launch that conducted an anti-satellite (ASAT) that his country had successfully ister Narendra Modi announced Min- Prime Indian 27, March n The The - - - destruction of the FY-1C, as shown in the table satellite in February 2008 more than China’s spy 193 USA own its of intercept America’s launch wasintended tobeanintercept. 12 Feb. the suggesting strongly 27, March destroyed target eventual the Microsat-R, the Chinese ASAT test resulted in more than 2,600 kilometers. The much higher altitude of as high as thrown 193 USA of pieces those even months, 18 within re-entered debris In the case of the American test all the orbital orbits. higher much to thrown being those of fraction some with albeit orbit, in stayed pieces few relatively meant tests American debris, the low altitude of both the Indian and the three tests created thousands of pieces of missile, the Dong Feng 21. Although each of test used a modified medium-range ballistic hicle Mark II, respectively, while the Chinese Standard Missile 3 and a Prithvi Defense Ve- used modified missile defense interceptors, a abovetests Indian and right.American The the Feb. 12 test corresponded with a pass of pass correspondeda Feb.test with the 12 route tointerceptanddestroyMicrosat-R. An IndianPDV-Mk IImissileliftsoffMarch27en The dynamics of resembled in aresponsible manner.TheChinesegov- how to portray the test as having been done aboutAmericantests and Chinese the both will beon orbit for decades tocome. 3,000 pieces of long-lived orbital debris that why the destruction of USA 193 was necessary ings weeks ahead of February 2008 to argue United States conducted international brief the contrast, By built. answersfor demands its 2007 test, while international outrage and ernment was silent for more than a week after ers to follow in their footsteps. A share of but nonetheless their actions may spur oth- commitment to peaceful uses of outer space, claim that Mission Shakti doesn’t change its club’ with a similar show of force. India may the ‘join to need too they that decide may ballistic missile and hit-to-kill technologies orbital debris it created. Other countries with Shakti are likely to last much longer than any International Space Station.” the above goes that apogee an into debris sends that event an create to thing, terrible test “unacceptable” and to term it a “terrible, the call to Bridenstine prompted This test. the of result a as percent 44 by risen has impact risk to the ISS of small-debris impact debris the that estimates government U.S. The Station. Space International the above those were thrown into orbits with apogees of 24 about and debris of pieces 400 least at created Shakti Mission Bridenstine, Jim to April 1 comments by NASA Administrator According hazard. significant a pose could still it short-lived, be to likely is Shakti sion the weaponization of outer space. an arms race in outer space or opposition to preventing on position India’s change not rationalizegreatto did lengths test how the of less destructive tests. The FAQ also went to interceptactualinstead why donean had it explained that page web Questions” Asked “Frequently a released government Indian the test, its of hours Within debris. orbital steps it was taking to minimize any resulting the highlight and standpoint safety a from India also appears to have learned from learned have to appears also India The political repercussions from Mission Mis from debris orbital the Although S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |100 - -

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

One of these ASAT tests is not like the other The dynamics of India’s ‘Mission Shakti’ resembled America’s intercept of its own USA 193 spy satellite in February 2008 more than China’s destruction of the FY-1C in January 2007.

Country Test Date Target Interceptor Missile Intercept Altitude Orbital Debris Life span of Orbital Debris China Jan. 11, 2007 FY-1C SC-19 800 km 3,000 Several decades United States Feb. 20, 2008 USA 193 SM-3 240 km 174 18 months India March 27, 2019 Microsat-R PDV-Mk II 280 km 400* Likely weeks to months SOURCE: SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION *ESTIMATED AT TIME OF PUBLICATION

the blame also goes to the United States, Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer The other good news is that we don’t need Russia, and China who have helped feed the Space agreed in June to 21 guidelines for the to rely on countries alone to call out irre- narrative that offensive counterspace weap- long-term sustainability of outer space, but sponsible behavior in space or help enforce ons are an important measure of space power these were broadly conceived and worded norms. The recent commercial space boom and prestige. All three countries have serious and very specifically were not intended to means private companies are increasingly efforts underway to develop, test, and deploy provide guidance on ASAT development, powerful players in the space domain and a wide array of offensive counterspace ca- testing or usage. There were discussions in can leverage their brand, customers, and pabilities. Russia and China both established Geneva over the last year of a UN-supported checkbooks to support their values and the their own space warfighting commands years Group of Governmental Experts (GGE), which economic viability of the domain they operate before U.S. President called for included the United States, Russia, China and in. That viability rests on the long-term sus- a Space Force, and yet continue to make the India among others that attempted to create tainability of the space environment itself and case that America is at fault for weaponizing a report on the on further practical measures minimizing the costs and risks to commercial space. The reality is that all three countries for the prevention of an arms race in outer investment and space activities, which could see space as increasingly important for their space. The GGE finished last month without be jeopardized by military activities such as national security and military capabilities reaching consensus and so there is no clear debris-causing ASAT tests. and are developing capabilities and plans for multilateral path to a solution at this time. Thus, an opportunity exists for companies future conflicts that may extend into space. A big obstacle to progress is that there is a to pair their own internal commitments to fundamental difference in approach toward responsible operating practices with efforts A failure to establish norms space security and stability between the U.S. to influence responsible action elsewhere in India’s ASAT test also lays bare the failure of and its allies on the one hand and Russia, the supply chain, a common corporate social U.S. efforts to establish norms of behavior China, India, and most of the rest of the world responsibility outcome. The Indian ASAT test in space. This has been something much on the other. The U.S. and its allies argue for showed this dynamic may already be at work: talked about by both the Obama and Trump the need to regulate/modify behavior on while governments were largely silent about administrations as an important part of their orbit, pointing out that due to the dual-use Mission Shakti, several companies issued public space policies and strategies, but with very nature of space technology, it does not make statements criticizing or condemning the test. little actual progress to speak of. Establish- sense to try to limit hardware. By contrast, SWF plans to raise these issues and more ing norms of responsible behavior in space Russia, China, and India argue for a more during our first Summit for Space Sustain- is indeed important, but so far the U.S. has classic arms control approach that focuses ability, which will be held June 25-26 in failed to articulate what exactly it means by on banning technology or hardware in space Washington. The Summit will be open to the that, make any concrete proposals, or take and excludes ground-based ASAT weapons. public and will convene experts from around meaningful actions to call out irresponsible The good news is that more countries the world to discuss multiple aspects of space behavior in space by others. While the U.S. than ever are concerned about this issue sustainability. The focus will be developing continues to raise concerns about the 2007 and engaged in trying to develop solu- recommendations for norms of responsible Chinese ASAT test, it refrained from calling tions. Recognizing that the actions of one behavior across civil, commercial, and national for a norm against such testing, most likely can negatively affect the ability of all to use security space activities that promote the because U.S. officials want to maximize their space, irresponsible actions have become long-term sustainability of space. We invite own freedom of action for missile defense or the business of all space users, not just those all interested members of the space commu- ASAT testing. The only norm the U.S. seems states who may have the technical capacity nity to attend and help us forge solutions to to have successfully established is that it is to hold an ASAT test. Ironically, Mission help prevent future irresponsible activities OK to test kinetic ASAT weapons against Shakti may also mean India is more willing that endanger that sustainability for all. SN satellites, as long as you try and minimize to now consider some sort of ASAT test ban the resulting orbital debris. that may help break the deadlock, although BRIAN WEEDEN IS DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM There have been some attempts in in- the international community should also PLANNING AT THE SECURE WORLD ternational fora to discuss destabilizing consider whether it’s appropriate to reward FOUNDATION. VICTORIA SAMSON IS THE actions in the space domain, but they have India for their behavior with some sort of WASHINGTON OFFICE DIRECTOR OF THE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA been limited in scope and results. The UN special status. SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION.

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 101 SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

Commentary | Michael Lopez-Alegria, Jane Kinney and Oscar S. Garcia Why consensus on standards & performance matters in commercial space

he development of standards licensing or regulation. We also wanted to form in preparation for the balloting process. may seem like a dry topic, but ensure participation from government stake- In February 2019, F47 published its first stan- it also is crucial for any industry holders and entities outside of CSF. dard, Standard Guide for Storage, Use, and T that wants to be safe and effective After several attempts to produce these Handling of Liquid Rocket Propellants. The as it matures. standards, first in-house, and then with ex- standard was developed by the subcommittee Before the railroad industry implemented ternal entities called Standards Development on spaceports. gauge standards, cargo traveling between re- Organizations (SDOs) that professionally facil- The choice of topics is driven by multiple gions would have to be unloaded and moved itate the standard writing process, in late 2016 factors. Within F47 there is a committee on to different trains when they entered a new CSF joined forces with ASTM International road mapping that aims to develop the best area because the distance between rails no to stand up its Committee on Commercial path forward and the areas of most urgent need longer matched the size of the wheels of Spaceflight F47. With over 12,000 standards for standards. To form a task group, a member the train. From steel, to clothing, to cars, to in effect, as well as successful committees in of F47 must be willing to take the reins and pharmaceuticals, standards are a vital part of areas touching commercial space (e.g., Additive lead the effort. As the committee continues the growth and development of industries Manufacturing, Aerospace & Aircraft) industry to grow in membership and participation, so across the globe. This is already true for the participants saw ASTM as the optimal SDO will the road-mapping efforts and the breadth burgeoning industry of commercial space. for such an endeavor. The collaboration was of topics that we are able to address. For many years, the Commercial Space- solidified, and the first official meeting of the flight Federation (CSF) and the Commercial technical committee was held in April 2017. Competing efforts Space Transportation Advisory Committee As of today, the committee has active par- It is a sign of commercial space’s success that (COMSTAC) have recognized the importance ticipation and support from multiple industry there are multiple standards efforts popping of developing industry voluntary consensus voices, including non-CSF companies (e.g., up. Among these are qualified Standards standards. A particular focus of standards Boeing, United Launch Alliance, academia Development Organizations compliant with and recommended practices was, and still (e.g., FAA’s Center of Excellence on Com- the Office Management and Budget and Na- is, human spaceflight safety. mercial Space Transportation and several tional Technology Transfer Advancement Voluntary consensus standards are de- universities), and government (e.g., FAA, Act guidance, notably SAE International, veloped or adopted by a voluntary consen- NASA). Industry members include operators, the American Institute of Aeronautics and sus standards body. A voluntary consensus spaceports, suppliers, general interest groups Astronautics, the National Fire Protection standards body is a domestic or international and consumers. Together, we consistently Association, and others. organization that plans, develops, establishes, discuss how to better inform our ranks and And there are organizations such as the or coordinates voluntary consensus standards expand F47’s membership to ensure that all International Association for the Advance- using agreed-upon procedures. Such a body is relevant players are part of the conversation ment of Space Safety, who do not necessar- defined by openness, balance of interest, due and standards development effort. ily follow established voluntary consensus process, an appeals process and consensus. F47 has four industry-specific subcom- standards process necessary to be used as an Moreover, such standards comply with U.S. mittees that address various sub-sectors of FAA means of compliance. CSF and ASTM are Office of Management and Budget Circular the commercial space business: unmanned currently in the process of compiling a global 119-A and National Technology Transfer Ad- vehicles, spaceports, and human suborbital directory of SDOs, and will hold a summit to vancement Act guidelines and are the Federal and orbital spaceflight. Work within the sub- bring the relevant players together to discuss Aviation Administration’s preferred means of committees is currently focusing on seven what has already been accomplished, what compliance for the streamlining of existing specific topics that are in various states of is currently being worked, and the best way or enacting new regulations. development. Four are still in the “Task Group” to move forward efficiently and effectively. Originally, CSF attempted to draft these phase, meaning the topic area is being re- Safety is of the utmost importance to the documents on our own, with some success, searched and discussed to better identify CSF, COMSTAC, and the members of ASTM but quickly realized that we needed to open how to move forward to produce a relevant F47. We are all working on standards to ensure up the process to make them truly consen- standard. Three are in draft standard form that our industry is as safe as possible, even sus standards and a potential basis for future and continue to evolve in both content and as we undertake inherently risky activities.

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 102 For that reason, we have some concern improve upon traditional methods and pro- licensing, regulation or both. Any respon- about the risks of too many fragmented and cedures. Performance-based standards will sible standards effort requires that today’s potentially conflicting standards development always require the agreed upon level of safety professionals from throughout industry help efforts. to be met, but will have the added benefit of create, and therefore collectively “own,” the First, multiple, disjointed efforts could providing these safe outcomes in new and standards they are developing. result in conflicting approaches, as well as innovative ways, thereby increasing efficiency. Overall, COMSTAC, CSF, and ASTM F47 are duplication and attendant increased workload By embracing flexibility in technological dedicated to ensuring a commercial space in- for all parties. We believe it is best to bring all approach, they will ensure industry remains dustry that is safety focused, forward thinking, players around one table to have an inclusive thriving and dynamic, rather than becoming and a world leader in technology and achieve- discussion so that everyone’s expertise and static and bogged down in old approaches. ment. We believe that the efforts within ASTM actual experience can be considered together. But perhaps the most important require- F47 are moving us, slowly but surely, in the Second, not all SDOs are in agreement about ment for commercial space standards is that appropriate direction, and we are dedicated general standards parameters. We strongly they reflect an industry consensus. IAASS and to ensuring the relevant voices are included believe that standards developed should be SAE recently published a document jointly in these discussions and efforts. SN focused on creating the safest environment with the designation of “standard” that had possible, need to be performance-based, no input from commercial space compa- and must represent an industry consensus. nies. It was largely derived from the work of MICHAEL LOPEZ-ALEGRIA CHAIRS THE Most entities are in agreement that safety safety professionals, experienced in legacy ASTM F47 COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT is of the utmost importance when developing programs in large government organizations. COMMITTEE. JANE KINNEY IS CSF’S DIREC- standards, but these last two considerations Although there are many good historical les- TOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS. OSCAR S. — that standards be performance-based and sons we can learn from previous government GARCIA IS S47 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. use industry consensus processes — are not missions and agencies, it is imperative that always agreed upon. today’s standards reflect the newer ideas and Many historical standards provide require- innovations of companies actually trying to Interested parties are encourgaged to join ments on what levels of safety need to be solve today’s problems … today and tomorrow. in the discussion by attending meetings incorporated, but also how to achieve those Today’s space industry is more diverse or joining ASTM. An in-person meeting requirements. Now, with the rapid emergence and entrepreneurial than most historical of the F47 committee was held April 12 of new technologies, designs and concepts of programs and organizations, and we are try- in Colorado Springs in conjunction with operations, we must focus on the end result of ing to go further and faster. The established the 35th Space Symposium. Contact Jane safety, while allowing industry to pursue inven- industry consensus process gives consumers Kinney ([email protected]) tive ways of meeting standard requirements. their just voice, along with producers and and Oscar Garcia (oscargarcia@interflight- The U.S. commercial space industry is suppliers. The industry consensus process global.com). Further information can also populated by bright and creative thinkers, is also a requirement for the FAA to adopt be found www.astm.org. and they are constantly innovating ways to the document as means of compliance for SHUTTERSTOCK

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 103 U.S, national policy. This is thanks largely to to largely thanks is This policy. national U.S, forefrontthe atwonks(likeone myself!) to of by President Trump on June 18, 2018, lays 2018, 18, June on Trump President by industry, and ultimately the American people. space commercial the security, national for build a compromise that will yield real benefits there is enough common ground on which to that these disagreements can be overcome and believe I charge. in be should agency which between Congress and the White House over disagreements to due mainly stalled, has icy pol- that of implementationHowever, June. policy on STM signed by President Trump last national first-ever the in resulted that efforts tional Space Council, who led the interagency the efforts of Scott Pace and his staff at the Na space traŸc management Time for acompromise on Commentary |Brian Weeden O SN Space Policy Directive 3 (SPD-3), signed signed (SPD-3), 3 Directive Policy Space NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM mainly by academics and policy policy and academics by mainly gone from an obscure topic debated management traffic ver the last several years, space (STM) has has (STM) - be no surprise, as it leveraged the more than than more the leveraged it as surprise, no be should This there. get to responsibilities and authorities roles, the place in put to how of roadmap solid a provides and STM for tives out an excellent set of policy goals and direc- long-term sustainability of space. the protectinginnovationcommercialwhile government oversight mechanisms to enable vate sector SSA capabilities and modernizing pri of use better mandates also policy The SSA capabilities and protecting against threats. security national developing on Defense of Department the refocus and activities, space of safety support to services and data (SSA) thority to provide space situational awareness au- the agency government civil a giving is The biggest policy change directed by SPD-3 during the Obama administration since 2011. conducted topic this on discussions agency inter and agencies, and departments many six years of studies, preparatory work done by - - and Trump administrations, and the current current the and administrations, Trump and and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Senate and Committee Infrastructure and Transportation House the on parties both of issue is not strictly partisan though: lawmakers tion would stifle commercial innovation. This fit to assuage concerns that too much regula Department of Commerce (DOC) was a better committee in the previous Congress, felt that the and Republicans leading the House space sub market to develop. The Trump Administration, world while also enabling a strong commercial aviation the in efficiency and safety moting as they have significant experience with pro- Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST), of Office Administration’sAviation Federal the specifically and Transportation(DOT), of the mission was best suited for the Department congressional Democrats in general, felt that and administration, Obama The be. should agency civil lead that who is point, sticking The main difference between the Obama Obama the betweendifference main The S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |104

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ESA SN NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee are also concerned about expand- ing the authorities and size of the (OSC) when there is already significant capacity and a more proven track record of success within FAA/AST. Thus, in June 2018 the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology introduced the American Space SAFE Management Act that would elevate OSC to create the Bureau of Space Commerce and give it broader authorities over SSA and licensing of commercial space, while in July the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation introduced the Space Frontier Act that would reinforce the role of FAA/AST in oversight of new and emerging space activities via a concept called mission authorization. The Senate was silent on SSA authorities, reportedly out of a desire to not go against White House policy, but there are indications they favored that mission going to FAA/AST as well. President Trump holds up Space Policy Directive-3 after signing it during a meeting of the National Space As a result of this impasse, there has not Council in the East Room of the White House, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Washington. been much progress to fully implement SPD-3. Over the final two years of the Obama admin- istration, FAA/AST laid significant groundwork launches may cause disruptions to commer- because of the way the legal authorities in the for taking on civil SSA and STM, primarily cial aviation. These responsibilities should be United States are currently set up. Under the focusing on minimizing the impact of space given to a new Bureau of Space Transportation compromise outlined here, DOC and DOT will traffic on air traffic, and was weeks away from within DOT, created by elevating AST out of still need to work together, along with other launching a Congressionally appropriated pilot the FAA. Creating a separate bureau allows for agencies like the Department of Defense and civil SSA program before being forced to stop a stronger focus on space, better resourcing, the State Department, to implement the rest of work when the Trump Administration came and more independence from the FAA and the excellent ideas put forth in SPD-3. There’s into office. Since his appointment last year, their overwhelming focus on aviation. even a good role for NASA to play in fostering the new director of OSC, Kevin O’Connell, has The harder question is what to do with the science and technology innovation for civil done an outstanding job marshalling what re- responsibility for mission authorization and SSA and STM. Regardless of who’s in charge of sources DOC has to better promote commercial licensing of new and innovative commercial what, this will still need to be a whole-of-gov- space and lay the groundwork for future SSA space activities. Ideally that authority should ernment effort. and STM services. But his efforts have been be married with the civil SSA mission as the The risks of letting the status quo go on for hampered by a lack of authority and fund- two complement each other and form the another two years are just too high. The looming ing, due to the inability of the 115th Congress foundation of STM, which would mean giving rapid increase in space launches and satellites to pass legislation on this issue. Another two mission authorization to DOT. However, giv- on orbit could result in long-term harm to the years of delay and the uncertainty of another ing both civil SSA and mission authorization space environment, or even loss of life from a presidential election and Congress should be to DOT would represent a significant reversal tragic accident, if steps are not taken now to put avoided if at all possible. of the policy direction in SPD-3 and may be in place the tracking capabilities and oversight The good news is that there is room for a politically unacceptable for the White House. authorities to enable sustainable development. compromise that incorporates the best parts of If that’s the case, then the next best alterna- That, in turn, could stifle the booming com- both sides’ ideas. The Republican House proposal tive would be to give mission authorization to mercial space sector, which would impact US to create a Bureau of Space Commerce that is DOC, along with promotion and advocacy of economic growth and the development of new the lead agency for promoting commercial commercial space, while civil SSA and safety and innovative space applications that could space and being its advocate within the gov- standards goes to DOT. improve life right here on Earth. From a U.S. ernment is an excellent idea, and O’Connell is While this compromise with split authorities perspective, it might also mean commercial the right person to lead it. But given the political between the Bureau of Space Commerce and innovation in space heads to other countries situation in Congress, it makes sense to give Bureau of Space Transportation doesn’t reach that are already taking steps to put in place responsibility for providing civil SSA data and the ideal of having everything consolidated modernizing oversight frameworks. Now is services, creating safety standards for on-orbit into one agency that was never in the cards the time for the White House and Congress to space activities, and managing the air-space to begin with. DOC and DOT, along with the reach a bipartisan compromise on STM. SN traffic interface to the DOT. Doing so would Federal Communications Commission, were also make it easier to address the concerns over already going to retain separate licensing au- BRIAN WEEDEN IS DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM PLANNING AT THE SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION. ESA how the rapid increase in commercial space thorities, even under the original SPD-3 policy, NASA/BILL INGALSS

SN | NEWS FROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM | 105 Surveying Surveying and Construction Have you driven timing of traffic lights. the changing and transit public rerouting by the GPS constellation, can save time and money roadway sensors, which use data derived from technology. Smart transportation software and be recaptured if we deploy smart infrastructure and lost time. Some of that lost production could fuel extra billionin $120 in resultingyear each effects. Americans spend 5.5 billion hours in traffic infrastructure ecosystem could have profound transportation our to enhancements Simple Transportation Highways/Smart and Roads of infrastructure projects. operation and construction engineering, the with associated delays reducing productivity, improve and savings increase can we ogies, line construction. When we use these technol- GPS to digital 3D models that can help stream- equipmentearthmovinggrading and that use commercial from range technologies These ogies that make physical infrastructure smarter. consider physical and digital emerging technol connectivity andsensors. nology that is enabled by ubiquitous broadband energy, it also includes cross-cutting smart tech and water transportation, upgraded includes Earth, hasplayed anintegral role. the above kilometers 20,000 located satellites of constellation a GPS, deployment, structure infra- of aspect every almost In Americans. all century infrastructure ecosystem that benefits milestone, one that can pave the way for a 21st infrastructure ecosystem. public its in growth explosive by transformed milestones. In the 20th century, our nation was investments smarter,more efficient andsafer. these make to continuewill and has GPS how nation’s infrastructure, we hope they will consider our of modernization the considers Congress U.S. the As America’ssystem. infrastructureof backbone the is GPS city. new a through way infrastructure ecosystem through GPS Paving theway toa21stcentury Commentary |David Logsdon andDavid Grossman E SN As we invest in our infrastructure, we must must we infrastructure, our in invest we As While a 21st century infrastructure ecosystem Now we are at the intersection of another key America has a history of creating infrastructure NEWSFROMSPACE SYMPOSIUM ply not being able to navigate your wholea mean lotmore sim- than like? look would GPS ver wonder what a world without It would would It - -

over a newly built bridge or interchange? A va- novation happening behind the scenes to make perspective fails to consider the remarkable in this However, grid. electric the with interact has changed in how consumers and businesses Smart Grid On the surface, one could say little to traditional surveying. comparison in percent 55 to 45 at savings the enabling greater efficiency. One estimate pegs of land surveying, reducing errors and thereby roadway safety. money, time and even benefiting from enhanced agencies who use these technologies are saving transportation State process. construction the and Automated Machine Guidance helped ease riety of technologies, including GPS, Bluetooth based data have allowed public utility officials to management rely heavily on precise data. GPS- Utilities Public will be made more efficient, reliable and secure. units, electric 9,200 than more technologies, cutting-edge other and intelligence artificial Using computer processing, advanced sensors, effort is underway to make the grid even smarter. used GPS for the past two decades, a more recent power outages more quickly. tions, power plant generators and help identify accuracy needed to synchronize electric substa- nanosecond-level the deliver can it satellite, the multiple atomic clocks found in every GPS to Thanks resilient. and reliable more grid the Additionally, integralan is GPS component While many electric power companies have Utility operations and asset asset and operations Utility - TOR OFGPSINNOVATION ALLIANCE. CIL. DAVID GROSSMAN ISEXECUTIVE DIREC OF THECOMPTIA SPACE ENTERPRISECOUN DAVID LOGSDON ISEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR sive infrastructure package later thisyear. will spotlight when it considers a comprehen- that exceptionalism, one that we hope Congress in role leading a playwill exceptionalism.GPS simply unacceptable. We must aim for American is connectivity broadband of lack a or bridges aging of quo status The century. 21st the for built infrastructure in invest we that perative im- is it ground, the on or air the in Whether experience. flyimprovingto and closertogether flying the planes allowing emissions, and consumption in the FAA’s modernization plans will reduce fuel safer and more efficient. Continued investment transformed the aviation sector, making flying then. GPS, along with other technologies, have world’s first airplane, and a lot has changed since Wilbur and Orville Wright successfully flew the since years 100 over well been has It Airports monitor anddetect leaks. derived data allows practitioners to proactively from some level of water leakage, however, GPS or an outside faucet in a residential home, suffer systems, whether an urban water supply system water management. Many of our existing water it comes to water quality, water safety and waste provide more efficient services to citizens when S N |NEWSFROM SPACE SYMPOSIUM |106 S N - -

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