Jon Kirchner’s Post

🛰️How can UK Space Command design an architecture that maximises mission assurance within tight budgets? In a new article for the Freeman Institute, PhD Candidate, Aleix Nadal Campos examines three challenges for Space Command's 2025 defence review. Read here: https://lnkd.in/exJzC96Y

Clayton Swope and Audrey Schaffer: "To prevent a devastating loss of space capability from an adversary’s first strike, the next administration should double down on efforts to diversify those space systems that support U.S. national defense — by migrating away from single points of failure and toward a robust space architecture that integrates U.S. government, U.S. commercial, and allied capabilities. More resilient architectures should be paired with credible U.S. counterspace capabilities that can defend U.S. space systems and also deny adversary kill chains that are increasingly enabled by space systems."

Center for Space Policy & Strategy recently published their Space Agenda 2025. SDA appreciated the shout out in Andrew Berglund's “Strengthening the Industrial Base to Deliver Proliferated Defense Space Systems” paper, which highlighted the need for a robust supply chain and a ready defense industrial base for the DoD to be successful at transitioning to a more proliferated space architecture. https://lnkd.in/e9_EbT2M SDA approaches this challenge by focusing on building an agile market and leveraging commercial products and innovation to deliver capabilities for the warfighter on relevant timelines. This year SDA has been successful at expanding the vendor pools we work with by bringing in non-traditional and #NewSpace companies. Most recently, SDA announced 19 non-traditional space companies that make up the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO), or HALO pool, an acquisition approach to solicit and rapidly award prototype demonstrations and experimentation to support future tranches of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (#PWSA). #SemperCitius #Defense #Space #SDADelivers2024

Exactly right, as we've highlighted in two recent https://csps.aerospace.org reports. While Space Development Agency's HALO program is an excellent tool to help companies prove their technology and break-in as a trusted vendor, manufacturing and scaling likely represents the bigger challenge. SDA's current constellations may only allow a few companies to produce consistently at a profitable level. That's one big reason to continue the push to proliferate the Space Force architecture: more companies competing more often for higher quantities. More stellar reporting from Sandra Erwin on a great The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event. "Beyond supply chain issues, SDA faces the broader challenge of fostering competition in the military space industry. While the agency has expressed interest in diversifying its pool of contractors to include nontraditional defense firms, Tournear admitted this is easier said than done. The problem is that incumbents who’ve already won contracts are better positioned to win future ones, Tournear noted. This dynamic creates barriers for new entrants, whose technologies may be viewed as higher-risk during the source selection process." https://lnkd.in/gNfnQQjT

Great piece in Breaking Defense this week covering Space Force's long anticipated Commercial Space Strategy, and a pledge to realign and reprioritize funding to support commercial opportunities. The report focuses on “eight mission areas considered for commercial support, each with specific capabilities being targeted.” Included in the eight “Cyberspace Operations” was called out as a: “foundational requirement” for space operations, and ability to provide “Mission Assurance” across all the parts of its communications chain, requiring “bold changes and technology development consistent with the DoD Zero Trust Framework.” Check out the whole article at: https://lnkd.in/dAYAH6Uj #zerotrust #spacecyber

The United States Department of Defense strives toward innovation by implementing a space integration strategy to work with commercial firms within the space industry.     This new strategy recognizes that commercial space sectors are at the forefront of innovation and that collaboration with them can strengthen DOD space capabilities.  Read more about the new space strategy here: https://lnkd.in/gqSp6M7Y #space #spaceindustry #spaceexploration #departmentofdefense

Astranis and Xona Space have joined forces on a critical mission to strengthen GPS resilience for the U.S. military through the Resilient Global Positioning System (R-GPS) program. Why is this partnership important? With GPS essential to both military and civilian systems, threats like cyberattacks and interference are growing concerns. Astranis and Xona’s collaboration could provide a reliable backup layer for the GPS network, using advanced satellite technology and resilient positioning algorithms to protect against potential disruptions. What’s next in the R-GPS program? The U.S. Space Force will select companies to proceed with a constellation of satellites designed for added security and redundancy, marking a new standard for GPS resilience. Read more about how Astranis and Xona are driving GPS innovation in our latest article below. #Astranis #XonaSpace #Space https://lnkd.in/eftVDv3J

🛰️ US Space Force Seeks $1 Billion In Additional Funding For Key Projects... the U.S. Space Force has requested over $1 billion from Congress, highlighting the strategic importance of further investment in space defense and resilience. Key Highlights: 🔹A significant portion, $846 million, is earmarked for classified projects, underscoring the critical nature of these initiatives. 🔹$305 million is allocated towards boosting the resilience of Space Force systems and enhancing training facilities, ensuring the U.S. maintains its edge in space. 🔹Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall stresses the importance of improving positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities, alongside communication enhancements, to counter potential threats. 🔹The request includes investments in commercial satellite communications, the Space Development Agency's satellite fleet, and energy efficiency projects at Buckley Space Force Base. This appeal reflects the Space Force's commitment to adapting and advancing in the face of evolving space threats, ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in space security and technology. https://lnkd.in/e-NYekJ5 #SpaceForce #NationalSecurity #SpaceExploration #DefenseInnovation

📈 BlueHalo Secures $24.5M Contract to Enhance U.S. Space Defense... Key Highlights: 🔹Project Leadership: The Satellite Assessment Center will lead extensive research to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in U.S. satellites. 🔹Focus Areas: The contract will enhance predictive analysis, satellite modeling, and resilience against directed energy effects. 🔹Innovative Solutions: Development of new testing environments for space system assessments is planned. 🔹Location & Timeline: Work will be conducted at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, with a completion target of March 31, 2029. 🔹Funding: Initiated with $269,000 from the fiscal 2024 research and development budget. This partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate aims to propel advancements in directed energy modeling and simulation, crucial for the protection of critical space infrastructures. How can enhanced space defense capabilities impact broader national security strategies? Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/eCWeNJeq #SpaceDefense #BlueHalo #AirForce #NationalSecurity #DirectedEnergy

"The Defense Science Board’s findings come as an emerging commercial space market is increasingly developing 'dual-use technologies,' or commercial space capabilities that can also be applied toward United States Department of Defense objectives." Founding Partner Michael Dickey and Dr. Brad Tousley, Elara Nova partner and member of the Defense Science Board analyze the Defense Science Board's "Final Report on Commercial Space System Access and Integrity," which offers a commercial pathway to integrated deterrence. Learn more at the link below! https://lnkd.in/gEtaYeA2 #elaranova #spaceindustry #defensescienceboard #commercialspace #militaryspace #spacesecurity #SpaceForce #DOD #nationalsecurity #nationalsecurityspace #thoughtleadership