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U.S. Department of Defense

US

The Department of Defense (DOD) is a U.S. government agency responsible for military and national security space activities. It acts as a major procurer and operator of space systems, including launch vehicles and satellite systems for reconnaissance, missile launch detection, navigation, and communication. The DOD aims to maintain space superiority, integrate military space power, and ensure space stability, working with commercial firms to integrate space solutions into national security architectures.

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United States
www.defense.gov/
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

Ellen Lord, who oversaw Pentagon acquisition during the Trump administration, supported closer development ties with India.

GovernanceValue 3.0Sep 7, 2021US, India to jointly develop military drones

The Department of Defense approved an extension of Firefly support through September 2022.

PlanLegalValue 3.0Sep 7, 2021Pentagon extends intelligence agency program that helps track wildfires

The Department of Defense approved an extension of Firefly support through September 2022 to allow the National Interagency Fire Center in consultation with the Department of Defense to develop a viable long-term solution for future funding and operation of Firefly.

LegalPlanValue 4.0Sep 6, 2021DoD to extend intelligence agency program that helps track wildfires

The Department of Defense must decide on a follow-on to the current MUOS capability before 2034 because the current MUOS system is estimated to degrade by 2034.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.0Sep 2, 2021GAO continues to criticize DoD’s management of narrowband satellite communications

Teal Drones manufactures the Golden Eagle, one of only five drones approved by the US Department of Defense for reconnaissance, public safety, and inspection applications.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Sep 2, 2021Red Cat Holdings Closes Acquisition of Teal Drones

The Department of Defense is funding and developing plans to accelerate procurement and delivery of MUOS-compatible terminals.

PlanFinancialValue 3.8Sep 2, 2021GAO continues to criticize DoD’s management of narrowband satellite communications

The committee directed the Department of Defense to provide a strategy to address current and projected vulnerabilities in the Global Positioning System infrastructure and a plan to increase resilience of PNT systems.

LegalPlanValue 2.0Sep 1, 2021House Armed Services Committee approves Space National Guard, challenges DoD on space programs

The House NDAA supports Phase 2 of the National Security Space Launch program and requires the Department of Defense to provide a report on efforts to continue innovation and competition in launch with particular focus on space access, mobility, and logistics requirements.

LegalPlanValue 2.8Sep 1, 2021House Armed Services Committee approves Space National Guard, challenges DoD on space programs

A group of 13 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on 2021-08-31 requesting that the Department of Defense support Lockheed Martin’s proposed $4,400,000,000 acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne.

RelationshipsFinancialLegalValue 4.0Sep 1, 2021Bipartisan group of lawmakers presses DoD to back Lockheed-Aerojet merger

Mission Microwave received a multi-million dollar order from a U.S. Department of Defense contractor to provide updated versions of the contractor’s highly integrated transceivers for a Man-Portable VSAT terminal.

RelationshipsFinancialCapabilityValue 4.0Aug 31, 2021Mission Microwave’s Tactical Transceivers Gain A Multi-Million$ Order From A DoD Contractor

The former Space and Missile Systems Center established a Program Integration Council (PIC) that includes representatives from the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies that acquire space systems.

LegalGeneralValue 2.2Aug 31, 2021Aerospace Corp. CEO sees winds of change in space procurement

The Aerospace Corporation is a federally funded research and development center based in El Segundo, California that focuses on analysis and assessment of space programs for the Department of Defense, NASA, and the National Reconnaissance Office.

GeneralValue 2.0Aug 31, 2021Aerospace Corp. CEO sees winds of change in space procurement

In June, Virgin Orbit completed its second successful flight to space, Tubular Bells: Part One, which delivered several payloads for the U.S. Department of Defense Space Test Program to a precise target orbit.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.2Aug 30, 2021Virgin Orbit + Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Sign A Collaboration MOU

The 2020-10-01 NDAA directed the Department of Defense to establish a responsive launch program and estimate funding needed for that program over five years.

PlanFinancialLegalValue 3.5Aug 30, 2021HASC chairman wants updated DoD plan for ‘tactically responsive space launch’

The Defense Department’s Space Development Agency released a request for proposals on 2021-08-30 to procure satellite manufacturers to build as many as 144 satellites.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Aug 30, 2021Space Development Agency to acquire 144 satellites from multiple vendors

The Defense Department’s Space Test Program payload STP-H7 will now launch together with STP-H8 on the next cargo Dragon mission later 2021.

PlanValue 4.0Aug 29, 2021SpaceX ends launch hiatus with cargo Dragon mission

Vulcan is slated to replace ULA’s Atlas V rocket because the Department of Defense cannot continue to buy RD-180 engines beyond 2022.

PlanLegalGovernanceValue 4.0Aug 28, 2021Space Force launch director on Vulcan and BE-4: ‘We have to be very focused from here on out’

Mynaric anticipates the CONDOR Mk3 will comply with standards for up to 150 operational satellites that the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency plans to order early next year.

PlanCapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.0Aug 26, 2021Mynaric debuts space laser terminal with sights on U.S. expansion

Paula Trimble previously worked at SpaceNews, covered GPS at another publication, worked at the Commerce Department, worked in private industry, and worked at the Department of Defense rapid prototyping office.

GovernanceGeneralValue 2.2Aug 25, 2021Space Development Agency’s policy chief: ‘Our focus is maintaining our rapid schedule’

The Space Development Agency was established by the Defense Department in 2019 with the sole mission to accelerate the procurement of space capabilities and tap into commercial-sector innovation.

GeneralLegalValue 3.0Aug 25, 2021Space Development Agency’s policy chief: ‘Our focus is maintaining our rapid schedule’
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