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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.

Enterprise Management and Control improves the effectiveness of the Department of Defense’s SATCOM infrastructure by enhancing resilience, increasing satellite link choices, reducing resource allocation times, and improving bandwidth efficiency.

CapabilityGeneralValue 1.8Apr 28, 2021Kratos 1st Company To Exhibit The Optimization Of Wideband SATCOM Using Enterprise Management and Control

In August the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency awarded York Space Systems a $94,000,000 contract to partly build a network of satellites in low Earth orbit for the military.

RelationshipsFinancialPlanValue 5.0Apr 28, 2021York Space Systems Engaged In Larger Smallsat Bus Production

Enterprise Management and Control is a Department of Defense effort to plan, initiate, monitor, and restore rapid, automated access to hybrid satellite constellations and networks operated by various service providers.

CapabilityValue 2.2Apr 28, 2021Kratos 1st Company To Exhibit The Optimization Of Wideband SATCOM Using Enterprise Management and Control

In August, the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency awarded York Space Systems a $94,000,000 contract to partly build a network of satellites in low Earth orbit for the military.

RelationshipsPlanFinancialValue 5.0Apr 27, 2021York Space Systems building larger LX-CLASS satellite platform

Solstar Space is a participant in the AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 cohort and will conduct feasibility studies with the Department of Defense to demonstrate how the company’s onboard satellite Critical Data Relay supports continuous connectivity and provides global communications for spacecraft in low Earth orbit.

CapabilityPlanGrowthValue 4.0Apr 27, 2021The USAF’s AFWERX Awards Solstar Space With An SBIR Phase 1 Contract

In 2016 Frank Kendall spoke to the Washington Space Business Roundtable about the Department of Defense's difficulties buying satellites at affordable prices and suggested transitioning to architectures using commercially produced satellites.

GeneralLegalCapabilityValue 2.2Apr 27, 2021Air Force secretary nominee Kendall well versed in the challenges of space acquisitions

The Biden administration’s budget request for fiscal year 2022 is mostly wrapped up but still requires work inside the Department of Defense, the administration, and with Congress.

FinancialGovernanceLegalValue 1.2Apr 25, 2021U.S. military’s appetite for information fueling demand for space technology

The Federal Aviation Administration could not approve Momentus’s payload due to national security and foreign ownership concerns regarding Momentus raised by the Department of Defense during an interagency review.

LegalGeneralValue 4.0Apr 21, 2021Lockheed Martin removes Momentus from NASA technology demonstration mission

Blue Origin’s first New Glenn launch was pushed back to late 2022 after Blue Origin lost a significant Pentagon contract last year.

PlanRelationshipsValue 4.0Apr 19, 2021Amazon contracts nine Atlas 5 missions for Kuiper broadband satellites

The Army’s tactical space layer is distinct from the Defense Department Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer, which is planned to be deployed in low Earth orbit starting in 2022.

PlanValue 3.5Apr 19, 2021U.S. Army approves plans for a future ‘tactical space layer’

The Space Development Agency is working with other Department of Defense agencies to develop encryption and other security devices for use on satellites.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Apr 14, 2021DoD space agency: Cyber attacks, not missiles, are the most worrisome threat to satellites

The satellites could be equipped with remote sensing payloads such as visual imaging cameras, infrared cameras, or radio-frequency trackers supplied by the Department of Defense or other vendors.

CapabilityLegalGeneralValue 2.3Apr 13, 2021Lockheed Martin pitching mid-size satellite bus to DoD for remote sensing

Per the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Space Development Agency will transfer from the Department of Defense to the U.S. Space Force on 2022-10-01, as a unit aligning directly to the Chief of Space Operations.

GovernancePlanLegalValue 4.0Apr 11, 2021Space & Missile Systems Center To Be Re-Designated As The USAF’s New Space Systems Command

The Space Rapid Capabilities Office at Kirtland Air Force Base and the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency will not be part of Space Systems Command but will work closely with the new command.

PlanGeneralValue 3.2Apr 8, 2021Space Force to establish a new command to oversee technology development and acquisition

The alliance enables CAES to provide next-generation RF solutions for customers, including the Department of Defense and classified applications.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 2.0Apr 7, 2021CAES and SWISSto12 launch strategic alliance for 3D printed RF technology

The U.S. Department of Defense has shown increased interest in low Earth orbit communications services and is building its own network while also expected to purchase commercial services.

PlanGeneralValue 2.0Apr 6, 2021Satellite operators weigh strategies to compete against growing Starlink network

This alliance enables CAES to provide trusted next-generation RF solutions for customers requiring high security levels, including the Department of Defense.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Apr 6, 2021CAES and SWISSto12 Launch Strategic Alliance for 3D Printed RF Technology

Michael Brown has led the Pentagon’s commercial outreach office since 2018.

GovernanceValue 3.6Apr 4, 2021Technology race against China a key concern for Pentagon acquisition nominee

Under Michael Brown, the Defense Innovation Unit supported emerging space launch companies Rocket Lab, Virgin Orbit, and Relativity Space and selected those companies to launch experimental Department of Defense payloads.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Apr 4, 2021Technology race against China a key concern for Pentagon acquisition nominee

The Launch Company was established to help New Space commercial clients and U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force assets reach space faster and more affordably by streamlining the launch process in part through automation.

CapabilityGeneralValue 1.8Apr 1, 2021Voyager Space Holdings Completes Their Acquisition Of The Launch Company
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