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April 14, 2021 | International, Aerospace

DARPA chooses three firms to design nuclear-powered space vehicle

DARPA believes nuclear-powered propulsion could enable rapid maneuver in space — a capability that is difficult to achieve with current electric and chemical propulsion systems.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2021/04/13/heres-whos-designing-a-nuclear-powered-space-vehicle-for-darpa/

On the same subject

  • US Air Force opens new space lab

    November 5, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    US Air Force opens new space lab

    Nathan Strout WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has opened a lab focused on developing materials for new deployable space structures. Construction on the Deployable Structures Laboratory, or DeSel, began in December 2019 and opened Oct. 29, 2020. Scientists and engineers moving into the $4 million lab at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, will continue the work of the Spacecraft Component Technology Center of Excellence, which has a history of developing spacecraft structure materials. DeSel contains specialized equipment and a climate-controlled, vibration-isolated laboratory capable of testing spacecraft structures up to 20-by-15 meters, allowing AFRL to further research and develop high-strain composite materials. “I'm excited to have a facility that was specifically built for testing novel deployable space structures,” Benjamin Urioste, research engineer and lead for the Integrated Structural Systems team, said in a statement. “With the push toward hybrid architecture and smaller satellites, high packing efficiency structures and the ability to bring large satellite capability to small satellites is more important than ever.” “This new class of high strain composite enabled structures requires new ground test facilities,” he added. “Satellite deployments are nerve-wracking, one-shot endeavors and the high-fidelity ground testing that will take place in the DeSel is critical to ensuring on-orbit success.” Spacecraft Technologies Division chief Mark Roverse said the structures, made possible by high strain composites, "will enable new mission paradigms for the U.S. Space Force.” “AFRL has led development of high strain composites for deployed spacecraft structures, and we are excited to see the new mission capabilities that are being enabled,” Roverse added. One spacecraft in development that will benefit from these new structures is AFRL's Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstration and Research project. With the SSPIDR project, the lab wants to build a spacecraft capable of collecting solar energy on orbit and then transmitting that energy to forward-operating bases via radio frequency. Northrop Grumman was awarded a $100 million contract to support space-based experiments informing SSPIDR's development. The Space Force is testing that technology on the X-37B, the service's secretive spacecraft, but DeSel's work will provide the materials needed to build the SSPIDR craft. “This innovative research will help us to deliver the essential energy our warfighters need at the right place at the right time,” explained Col. Eric Felt, director of the AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate. “Some of the first structures that we look forward to testing in this new lab are those required for our Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstration and Research (SSPIDR) project, one of our top priority programs.” https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/11/04/air-force-research-laboratory-open-new-space-lab/

  • Cubic Wins Contract from US Special Operations Command to Deliver Satellite and Baseband Communications

    August 14, 2020 | International, C4ISR

    Cubic Wins Contract from US Special Operations Command to Deliver Satellite and Baseband Communications

    August 12, 2020 - Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced its Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) business division was awarded a follow-on, single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a ceiling of $172 million from United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to deliver GATR inflatable satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals and baseband communications equipment in support of special operations forces (SOF) communications requirements. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200812005229/en/ “Cubic is an established and trusted partner for USSOCOM, providing special operations forces with leading-edge capabilities that support our customer's expeditionary and tactical needs,” said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Missions Solutions. “We are proud to continue our partnership with USSOCOM; this strategic opportunity allows us to continue providing reliable solutions for SOF missions in remote and forward deployed situations.” The contract consists of five one-year ordering periods for the procurement of Cubic's 1.2-meter and 2.4-meter GATR inflatable satellite communications terminals. Cubic's technology not only enables the movement of data, but it also allows for pre-processing of data and rapid sharing of processed information, which is essential to the Hyper Enabled Operator and allows for more informed and timely decision making. About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a technology-driven, market-leading provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Our teams innovate to make a positive difference in people's lives. We simplify their daily journeys. We promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. For more information about Cubic, please visit www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200812005229/en/ (Photo: Business Wire)

  • Abu Dhabi's dilemma: Will the UAE ever operate the F-35?

    November 10, 2021 | International, Aerospace

    Abu Dhabi's dilemma: Will the UAE ever operate the F-35?

    Talks over tech agreements. Debates about system integration. Concerns over cooperation with China and Russia. These are some of the pressure points involved in negotiations between the UAE and the U.S. over an F-35 deal.

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