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U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

US
gov defenseFounded 1958
United States
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

Blue Canyon Technologies won a $14,100,000 DARPA contract in 2020 to manufacture four Blackjack satellites with options to build 16 additional small satellites.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipAug 30, 2021ExoTerra to provide Blackjack satellite thrusters

Blue Canyon Technologies selected ExoTerra Resources to provide electric propulsion for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Blackjack Phase 2 and Phase 3 satellites.

Mentioned as: the defense advanced research projects agencyTechnical ProductAug 30, 2021ExoTerra to provide Blackjack satellite thrusters

DARPA has ordered two satellite buses from Telesat for the Blackjack program.

Mentioned as: DARPAOrg RelationshipAug 26, 2021Global microelectronic shortages trickle down to military satellite programs

DARPA is planning to start launching Blackjack satellites in summer 2022 but supply shortages hampering manufacturers could lead to delays.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipAug 26, 2021Global microelectronic shortages trickle down to military satellite programs

DARPA has ordered 10 satellite buses from Blue Canyon Technologies for the Blackjack program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipAug 26, 2021Global microelectronic shortages trickle down to military satellite programs

Shield AI recently announced its acquisition of Heron Systems, winner of the DARPA AlphaDogfight Trials, to enhance Hivemind applications for Group 5 aircraft.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Narrative GeneralJul 30, 2021Shield AI signs agreement to acquire Martin UAV

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is developing a nuclear-thermal propulsion system in a program known as Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO).

Mentioned as: Defense Advanced Research Projects AgencyTechnical ProductJul 30, 2021Space Force eyes solar-powered vehicles for operations near the moon

DARPA’s DRACO concept is a nuclear thermal engine that uses nuclear fission to heat liquid hydrogen, which serves as the propellant to create thrust.

Mentioned as: DARPATechnical ProductJul 28, 2021Space Force sees ‘advantages and opportunities’ in nuclear-powered space missions

DARPA awarded a $2,900,000 contract to Lockheed Martin to design a spacecraft concept for the DRACO program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipJul 28, 2021Space Force sees ‘advantages and opportunities’ in nuclear-powered space missions

DARPA awarded a $22,000,000 contract to General Atomics in April to design a small nuclear reactor for space propulsion.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipJul 28, 2021Space Force sees ‘advantages and opportunities’ in nuclear-powered space missions

DARPA awarded a $2,500,000 contract to Blue Origin to design a spacecraft concept for the DRACO program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipJul 28, 2021Space Force sees ‘advantages and opportunities’ in nuclear-powered space missions

Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin won DARPA contracts to develop spacecraft using nuclear thermal propulsion systems for the DRACO program.

Mentioned as: DARPATechnical ProductJul 13, 2021NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies

In April, DARPA awarded General Atomics a $22,000,000 contract for reactor design work for the DRACO program.

Mentioned as: darpaOrg RelationshipJul 13, 2021NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies

The YAM-3 satellite will host a demonstration payload for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Blackjack program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Narrative PlanJun 24, 2021UPDATE: LeoStella Delivers Their First LoftOrbital Satellite

The $15,300,000,000 in proposed 2022 space technology investments includes $400,000,000 for Missile Defense Agency and DARPA RDT&E.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipJun 10, 2021Analysis: DoD space budget ‘clear winner’ in 2022 proposal

S. 1260 authorizes funding increases for DARPA and the National Science Foundation and establishes a new technology directorate at the National Science Foundation.

Mentioned as: DARPAOrg RelationshipJun 9, 2021Senate passes NASA authorization act

Blue Canyon Technologies won an order for four contracts in June 2020 related to DARPA’s Blackjack program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Narrative GeneralJun 8, 2021Blue Canyon Technologies names new CEO

DARPA plans to deploy as many as 20 satellites under the Blackjack program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Narrative PlanMay 30, 2021DoD agencies to invest more than $1 billion in low-Earth orbit space technologies

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is requesting $42,000,000 in 2021-10-01 to deploy experimental satellites in low-Earth orbit under the Blackjack program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipMay 30, 2021DoD agencies to invest more than $1 billion in low-Earth orbit space technologies

DARPA started the Blackjack program in 2018 and has awarded contracts to multiple vendors for satellite buses, payloads, and an autonomous computing system to operate the constellation.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Org RelationshipMay 30, 2021DoD agencies to invest more than $1 billion in low-Earth orbit space technologies
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