ESA leaders greenlight $1.6 billion for new ‘non-aggressive’ space security initiative
ESA’s ruling Council of Ministers approved a whopping $25.7B in funds over the next three years — a 32 percent increase over the previous three-year budget.
Space Force
Startup Spaceflux secures key role in UK civil/defense space tracking effort
Spaceflux data is being provided to the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) jointly managed by the UK Defence Ministry and the UK Space Agency.
Startup Enabled Intelligence nabs NGA’s $708 million AI training contract
Under the Sequoia program, the company will provide data labeling to allow artificial intelligence and machine learning systems to discriminate among objects.
Golden Dome: Space Force awards first space-based interceptor prototype contracts
The Space Force did not identify the winners, saying their names are “protected by enhanced security measures.”
Space Force to solicit prototype proposals for midcourse space-based missile interceptors
Other than stating that the call is for hit-to-kill rather than directed-energy systems for shooting down adversary missiles during their orbital flight trajectory, the notice is lacking technical detail.
Space Force must define acceptable risks of rapid acquisition push: Senior official
“[W]hat is the appetite [among operators] for fast, rapid delivery of capability, because that capability will not be the 100 percent capability,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, acting head of space acquisition at the Air Force.
Golden Dome implementation plan under review, Congress may get look this week
“I predict that what you’re going to see is something that is far more… limited, both in terms of the number of threats that are feasibly able to be stopped, and also in terms of the area that [can be] defended against,” said Tom Karako with CSIS…
Congress should establish, fund new quantum tech initiative to beat China: Panel
The 2025 annual US-China Commission report also urges lawmakers bolster funding to the US Space Force to establish “space superiority” against the PLA.
Blue Origin on track for NSSL certification after second successful New Glenn launch
Blue Origin also was able to stick the landing of New Glenn’s reusable first stage, becoming only the second company after SpaceX to do.
France announces almost $5B in new military space funding
Increased focus on defense is one of five pillars in a new French national space strategy announced by President Emmanuel Macron today.