Mike Snead

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Selects Umbra for Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) Program Read More: https://ow.ly/PVzZ50RuqeQ #darpa #umbra #radar #imaging #satellite #technology #selection #security #drift #algorithms #innovation #processing #imagery #government

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Air Traffic Management Magazine recently covered our update on the Air Force Research Laboratory detect-and-avoid (DAA) project. The article highlights our progress in integrating advanced radar systems to enhance the safety and operational capabilities of long-endurance autonomous drones. It is crucial for the safe integration of UAS into both military and commercial airspace. Kraettli Lawrence Epperson, Vigilant Aerospace CEO, said, "This project gives Vigilant the insight and expertise necessary to integrate our dual-use product into multiple aircraft systems and ground control stations, improving the availability of this critical safety system not only to multiple users across the military, but also helps to prepare us to meet the anticipated demand from the civilian Advanced Air Mobility industry for this technology,” Read their full article to learn more about these advancements. https://lnkd.in/gf7unYim #UnmannedVehicles #Autonomy #UAS #drones ##AAM

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Looks like some details are emerging about the design of China's Megawatt-Class SPACE NUCLEAR REACTOR. https://lnkd.in/exjYg4-T In 2017, SCMP reported "China’s nuclear spaceships will be ‘mining asteroids and flying tourists’ as it aims to overtake US in space race...China is on course to develop nuclear-powered space shuttles by 2040, and will have the ability to mine resources from asteroids and build solar power plants in space soon after, according to state media." https://lnkd.in/eC4DjDWg Since then, a MW-class has passed a comprehensive evaluation. https://lnkd.in/evNfib2E Russia and China are also collaborating on nuclear power for their joint moon base. [Note, the NASA Artemis Basecamp (NOT A MOON BASE) will only have a 40kW power system. If the Chinese-Russian base uses the 1.5 MW (1,500kW) design, it will have 37.5x the power of the underpowered Artemis basecamp. The technical paper (which outlines the selection design and progress, and future focus areas) can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eX4cSchj Here are the highlights: -The system provides a net 1.5 Megawatts of electric power for a 10 year design life. -The TOTAL SYSTEM mass is just 7.866 tons (7,866 kg) and folds up to 12 m length x 4.4 m diameter, "making it easy to load and launch the rocket" (for example Long-March 5) -The REACTOR (656kg) is a porous uranium nitride pellet (ZrN) based reactor, which is lithium-cooled and operates at 1550 K creating 6MW of thermal energy. The Shield (1,267) is a shadow shield using a combination of neutron moderation and absorption materials (such as LiH or B4C, etc.) and γ shielding materials (such as tungsten or depleted uranium). -The POWER system (2,660kg) is a helium-xenon Brayton closed cycle with an overall efficiency of 25.79% and consists of a Brayton generator, regenerator, and cooler. The initial turbine inlet temperature is 1500 K, and outputs 1.5MW net electricity. -The COOLING system (2,759) is coated nickel alloy pipe; -CURRENT FOCUSA Areas: Nitride pellets manufacture, Molybdenum-Rhenium Alloy purity & welding, long-term helium extraction, expanding the operating temperature of samarium cobalt, indigenous heat-pipe testing & thin film processing, autonomous operations; It concludes: "Our country is in a new period of accelerating the construction of a space power. In the future, it plans to carry out deep space exploration missions such as manned moon landings, asteroid exploration, flybys of Jupiter, and the edges of the solar system. Space reactors will play an important strategic role."  Bhavya Lal A.C. Charania Pamela Melroy Jennifer Granholm Chris Shank

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Fairmont attended the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs last week, where the US Space Force (USSF) released its Commercial Space Strategy. While the recently-released DoD Commercial Space Strategy focused more on policy, the USSF strategy takes more of an acquisition perspective and lays out four criteria that will inform USSF decision-making on the utilization of commercial space solutions: (1) Operational Utility, (2) Feasibility, (3) Resilience by Design, and (4) Speed to Fielding. These strategies have been in the works for some time, and while they don't really break any new ground, they do represent an important formal codification of various efforts taking place across the DoD.    Visit https://bit.ly/3JnTP4T to learn more about the USSF Commercial Space Strategy. #SpaceIndustry #SpaceForce #CommercialSpace #NationalSecurity #Innovation #TechnologyIntegration

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Looking for weekend plans?! The first opportunity for #industry input on Tranche 3 of the #PWSA is here! SDA released a draft request for proposals for the Tranche 3 (T3) Integration effort of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This draft RFP seeks input regarding systems engineering and integration activities to support the T3 program, which will extend the PWSA through the acquisition and integration of the next generation of hundreds of space vehicles and associated ground segment. SDA requests responses by Noon ET on Nov. 25, 2024. Submissions should include responses to select questions and a technical description of a notional PWSA Tranche 3 program integration solution. For more details and instructions on how to request the full draft RFP package, check out SAM.gov here: https://lnkd.in/efdaAccW #SemperCitius #Defense #Satellites #Industry

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SME Response: Transformative Opportunities from NOAA's TraCSS Initiative - NOAA’s TraCSS contract with Slingshot Aerospace marks a pivotal step in space situational awareness (SSA) and space traffic management (STM). This milestone paves the way for advanced data services, innovative solutions, and next-gen SSA capabilities. CRG identifies key opportunities for clients to engage in indirect, complementary, and future-facing initiatives aligned with federal space priorities. CRG’s SME-Driven Opportunities, Strategic Advice & Differentiators -- Opp – SSA Data Analytics & Fusion Services: With TraCSS advancing global space traffic coordination, demand for enhanced data analytics and fusion services will surge. · Advice: Develop AI-driven analytics tools for precise collision prediction, orbital maneuvers, and conjunction assessments. Integrate multi-source data for superior decision-making. · Differentiator: CRG positions clients to align with NOAA’s expanding SSA needs, ensuring competitive success in data analytics contracts. Opp – Securing Space Traffic Systems: The integration of digital SSA platforms introduces critical cybersecurity challenges. · Advice: Build zero-trust frameworks and AI-powered anomaly detection to secure SSA platforms and communication links. · Differentiator: CRG connects clients with leading cyber-SMEs to deliver solutions compliant with evolving federal standards. Opp – Modular AI Communication Solutions: Scaling bidirectional communication for global operators demands AI-driven tools. · Advice: Develop modular systems to prioritize real-time collision alerts and enhance cross-operator coordination with AI support. · Differentiator: CRG enables clients to deliver adaptive, scalable solutions aligned with NOAA’s operational goals. Opp – Space Debris Mitigation: The growing satellite population necessitates advanced debris mitigation tools for long-term space sustainability. · Advice: Create scalable debris tracking/removal solutions integrated with SSA systems for proactive debris risk management. · Differentiator: CRG’s expertise in securing sustainability-focused contracts empowers clients to lead in debris mitigation. Opp – Training & Simulation Solutions: Global operators require dynamic training platforms to align with TraCSS functionality. · Advice: Build immersive VR/AR simulation systems to train operators in real-time collision avoidance and SSA protocols. · Differentiator: CRG’s partnerships with simulation leaders ensure clients deliver innovative, NOAA-aligned training tools. CRG’s deep expertise in multi-domain operations and global networks empowers clients to seize emerging SSA opportunities. Contact CRG to win and manage contracts driving the next wave of space innovation. 📩 [email protected] | 🌐 crgroupinc.com #CRG #SSA #STM #SpaceTech #SatelliteOps #NOAA #TraCSS #AI #ML #Cybersecurity #FederalContracts #SpaceSafety #Space #Satellites #GovCon

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MATECH BUILDING C/ZrOC HYPERSONIC AEROSHELLS!   MATECH is proud to announce that it has entered into a contract with a prominent defense contractor to build C/ZrOC (pronounced “Carbon Zee Rock”) hypersonic aeroshells for flight testing. Last year, MATECH successfully manufactured 50 kilograms of C/ZrOC leading up to this year’s program.   Hypersonic aeroshells can get very hot in flight. The faster they travel, the hotter they become. As we seek to develop faster missiles, materials that can survive higher temperatures become more essential. Deploying an ultra-high-temperature (UHT) aeroshell composite that can meet near-term, mid-term, and long-term mission requirements is now paramount. This hastens future hypersonic and high hypersonic missile development. MATECH’s C/ZrOC UHT Composite is that critically enabling material. MATECH is the only entity in the world that owns this technology.   MATECH’s C/ZrOC is an extremely low ablation rate hypersonic material that is low-cost, domestically sourced, highly scale-able, and easy to manufacture. MATECH’s UHT C/ZrOC composite has been tested in multiple government labs up to in excess of 5000F (2760C) temperatures under extreme stagnation pressures. MATECH brought its UHT C/ZrOC composites to pre-qualification status for hypersonic and missile defense applications with MDA support. MATECH C/ZrOC was designed to address the defense and the civilian access-to-space needs of both high performance and ease of manufacture. The cost of manufacturing MATECH’s C/ZrOC parts is equal to or less than heavier and poorer performing metal counterparts. Most conventional ceramic matrix composite (CMC) alternatives typically cost up to 20 times as much as the metals they are intended to replace. Not true of MATECH’s C/ZrOC. All raw materials required in the manufacturing of C/ZrOC are inexpensive, domestically sourced, and mass produced at high volumes (think freight car size deliverables). In short, this C/ZrOC technology isn’t a lab curiosity, but an industrially viable solution immediately ready for production, commercialization, and insertion into state-of-the-art hypersonic missile platforms as well as other equally demanding applications. The critical ablation performance of C/ZrOC is orders of magnitude beyond legacy carbon-carbon composites.   In addition to hypersonic aeroshells for defense, MATECH’s robust C/ZrOC thermal protection system is ideal for REUSABLE heat shields on commercial space vehicles. It is strong enough and tough enough to be easily machined and securely attached to the vehicle. Examples of systems where it could make a dramatic improvement include the SpaceX Starship. It could also replace single-use ablative heat shields, like the PICA heat shield on Orion. In addition, MATECH C/ZrOC can take the extreme heat flux of Lunar Return and Mars Return. MATECH’s C/ZrOC technology is now ready and available for license.

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Great Article. The Defense Industry is not the Defense Industry that Eisenhower warned us about 60+ years ago. And DoD approach is largely to blame, NOT greedy 'arms dealers'. I've experienced contract negotiations where we provided a product at well below 'market value', yet the focus was on how much profit was written into our price. Never mind that profit is what pays for innovation, pays for a contractor to go out on a limb to listen and provide a solution to what are 'known' defense shortfalls. Defense leaders have been screaming to get private capital to invest in the defense market, but why would they when their returns are capped at around 10%? Much better investment to buy real estate, invest in Google (27% returns), or Microsoft (44% return), or Apple (34%). Bottom line, you get what you pay for. If you cap returns, companies have less capital and less incentive to go beyond 'requirements' and provide cutting edge tech to our warfighter. They simply cannot afford it, and the contracting largesse of the DoD actually discourages it. It's like keeping gifted and talented kids moving through school at the same speed a the lowest common denominator.

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Sandra Erwin's latest article in SpaceNews SpaceNews highlights the growing importance of space electronic warfare and the U.S. Space Force's focus on space dominance. SWF's Global Counterspace Capabilities Report is mentioned as a key resource, covering trends in developing ASAT capabilities, jamming, and military advancements by States like Russia and China. Stay informed on the latest developments in space security, and read more about these critical topics in SWF’s 2024 Global Counterspace Capabilities Report. Read for yourself how these threats impact space sustainability and international space governance and what’s being done to address them. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/geDpnqA Read Sandra's article here: https://lnkd.in/g7vMyCuf #SpaceSustainability #SpaceSecurity #Counterspace #GlobalGovernance

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Space debris is a growing concern for the industry, especially given the projected increase in the number of satellites that will be on-orbit by the close of this decade. In this SatMagazine article, Joe Chan takes a detailed look at the financial implications of space debris and what we can do to mitigate them. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eyTuSMAb

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🛰️ Umbra has officially moved into Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) program, under the guidance of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Key Highlights: 🔹Expanded Capabilities: Umbra's Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites will undertake an extensive data collection campaign, generating advanced bistatic and multistatic datasets. 🔹Fleet Expansion: From its fleet of eight, Umbra plans to double down, deploying additional satellites to complete its 32-satellite constellation. 🔹Technological Advancement: The program highlights Umbra's innovative approach to remote sensing, with advancements in formation flying and joint collection techniques. 🗣️ Jason Mallare, VP of Global Solutions at Umbra, shared his excitement about contributing to DARPA’s mission, stating, "Umbra's differentiated technology and relentless focus on tech evolution drive us forward.” Read more 👇 As Umbra progresses with its SAR capabilities, how will this influence the future of global surveillance and remote sensing? https://lnkd.in/eeJseacM #DARPA #Umbra #DRIFT #SatelliteTechnology #RadarImaging #DefenseTechnology

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A very relevant article by SpiderOak Mission Systems Executive Chairman Charles Beames in Forbes this week titled: “Why Kennan’s Containment Strategy Ensures Defeat in the 2nd Space Race.”  In it Charles argues that Kennan’s strategy to contain the USSR was brilliant when national security was largely measured by lines on a map, whereas today power no longer exists solely in the physical realm, in fact most of it exists in the digital world, in e-commerce, networks, apps, and contracts stored in the cloud and that basing our security in space on Kennan’s approach is not just inadequate, it’s dangerous because it creates the illusion of security without ensuring it. Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/d6BVCn-J #satellitecommunications #spacecyber #zerotrust

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An interesting read with Aerospace America magazine (AIAA) taking a look at the market potential for High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). Describing pseudo satellites as 'an unblinking eye' 👀 really highlights the value platforms like PHASA-35 can bring when it comes to enduring surveillance. Bob Davidson, CEO Prismatic Ltd. talks about the merits of the PHASA-35 platform being developed in the UK: "Persistence over a chosen location for months at a time enables a pattern of life to be observed, and unlike satellites, our aircraft can be repositioned to other areas of interest.” Read the full article here: http://baes.co/vG1450TlWBt

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How can #aerospaceengineering grads be so unemployable? Global Security Review reported: "On February 22, 2024, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York revealed #aerospaceengineering is the fourth most unemployed college major, beaten only by fine arts, liberal arts, and art history. Space Workforce 2030 calls it a #STEM crisis. STEM grads declining. It is a worrying trend for a field (space) that is heavily reliant on aerospace engineers and at the center of American preeminence. Hiring is down and students are pursuing more lucrative #computer &. #SoftwareEngineering: While Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 6% grown in #aerospace #engineering jobs through 2031, the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows private #spacecompany jobs dropped 12k between 2011 and 2021. McKinsey & Company also found 8% decline in aerospace, #Aeronautical and #astronautical engineering hires in the previous five years. This has serious implications for #nationalsecurity and #defense, not to mention #aviation. Aerospace Industries Association https://lnkd.in/eZy5W5X4

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The radar sensor in the system is an active, electronically-scanned array radar developed under DARPA’s “Arrays on Commercial Timescales” program. #AirForce #USAF #Airman #SpaceForce #Guardian

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