Lockheed Air Force Space Fence Radar Tracking Orbiting Objects

A Lockheed Martin-led team has updated a radar system for the U.S. Air Force to track orbiting space objects, according to a company announcement.

The team includes General Dynamics, AT&T and AMEC.

The Bethesda, Md.-based contractor is developing technology for the U.S. Air Force’s Space Fence program, which aims to give the U.S. space station situational awareness.

The prototype radar recently met a…

SATCOM Experts Outline Contracting, Security Challenges

Industry officials told a conference panel Monday satellite communications are facing challenges ranging from contracting processes to post-launch security, Defense Systems reports. 

Panel members at the Satellite 2012 conference discussed the issues facing private companies’ ability to provide continuous satellite operation services to the U.S. government and other users, the report said.

Tim Shroyer, General Dynamics’ chief SATCOM technology officer, said security is…

Army, Marine Officials Tell Lawmakers Robotic Systems Work

Army and Marine Corps officials said Thursday that the branches are utilizing robotic systems in order to lighten the load of troops during combat, NextGov reports.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Richard Mills told a House Armed Services subcommittee the Marines started using unmanned helicopters for Afghanistan efforts in December, according to the…

DARPA Challenges Programmers to Develop Satellite Parts Retrieval Tech

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has challenged programmers to develop algorithms capable of gathering components from retired or non-working satellites that are still in orbit.

The Defense Department’s research arm said the Zero Robotics Autonomous Space Capture Challenge competition begins March 28 and will last for four weeks.

DARPA said programmers will work…

FAA Seeks Public Input for Test Sites to Integrate UAS in National Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it wants public input on choosing six test sites for unmanned aircraft systems.

The agency said the input will help it design the process and criteria to issue a request for proposals to select UAS test areas, allowing integration of UAS into the national airspace…

Boeing-Built Space Plane Hits ‘Year in Flight’ Milestone

The Air Force’s Boeing Co.-built space plane recently hit an endurance milestone remaining in flight, circling the Earth’s orbit for a year and two days, Wired reports. 

The 30-foot-long craft was designed to last nine months in flight. 

The Air Force has yet to confirm the exact uses of the X-37B, also known as Orbital…

EPA Set to Launch Government-Wide Map Platform

A government-wide geographic information system portal will be fully launched in October, an Environment Protection Agency official told NextGov. 

Jerry Johnston, the EPA’s geospatial information officer, said a version of the geoplatform.gov platform is already available but the full website will not come until fall.

The website will function as an online…

Special Ops Seeking Mid-Range, Precision Missile System

The U.S. Special Operations Command is seeking a medium-range guided missile system, according to a request for information posted Monday.

USSOCOM wants to purchase the systems to provide precision engagement capabilities to U.S. special forces against enemy forces.

USSOCOM said it wants the weapons system to be portable and lightweight.

USSOCOM said the weapon should be…

Lockheed Delivers AEHF Satellite for April Launch

Lockheed Martin delivered a second advanced extremely high frequency military communications satellite to the Air Force for an April launch. 

Lockheed said it is contracted to provide four AEHF satellites and the mission control segment as the prime contractor for the AEHF constellation.

The satellite will launch aboard an Atlas V vehicle at

GeoEye, Esri to Develop Emergency Image Service; Christopher Tully Comments

GeoEye Inc. and Esri are developing a new crisis response imagery service that could potentially be available in the spring, GeoEye announced Thursday.

GeoEye will combine its imagery capabilities with Esri’s disaster response capabilities to give users access to images during disasters.

“Geospatial technology plays a critical role in determining where resources should be deployed…