E-Fab’s Post

🚨 NEW RESEARCH PAPER 📰 🚀 The #space sector is evolving fast with the start of many small launcher programmes. What does it mean in terms of missile proliferation? The link between space launchers and ballistic missiles, in connection with the risk of ballistic proliferation, is a recurring theme that has become more acute in recent years. The number of small launcher projects and programmes has grown dramatically, and many countries now have the industrial capacity to develop the required technologies. Read our latest #researchpaper, by Christian Maire FRS | Fondation pour la recherche stratégique ⤵ https://lnkd.in/e7wfGBcY

🛰️ L3Harris Technologies Advances in Space Force Program with Infrared Sensor Satellite... L3Harris' infrared sensor satellite has successfully cleared the preliminary design review for the Space Force’s Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Missile Warning and Tracking program. Key Highlights: 🔹The review marks L3Harris as a key player in future defense projects within the Space Force program. 🔹The government-led Epoch 2 program is dedicated to enhancing satellite capabilities for both tracking and early warning functions. 🔹Next on the agenda: a critical design review scheduled for 2024, aiming to further solidify L3Harris' position in space defense technology. This milestone indicates a strategic shift in defense priorities - moving from solely tracking hypersonic missiles to integrating advanced early warning systems in satellites. L3Harris' success showcases the evolving landscape of space technology and its vital role in national defense against new-age threats. How do you think this advancement will impact future defense strategies? https://lnkd.in/e5Eb-EFt #SpaceForce #DefenseTechnology #Innovation #L3Harris #SatelliteTech

The Missile Defense Agency (#MDA) and Space Development Agency (#SDA) confirmed the successful launch of six #satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space by SpaceX's #falcon9 rocket. The launches include two satellites for MDA’s #hypersonic and ballistic tracking #spacesensor and the four tracking layer satellites of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (#PWSA) were safely delivered to orbit and are conducting initial testing and checkout. The space sensor prototypes reportedly provide fire control quality data required to defeat advanced missile threats and are designed to enable effective engagement of threats, such as hypersonic glide-phase weapons, by missile defence weapons. The sensors are reportedly able to detect hypersonic, ballistic and other advanced threats earlier than terrestrial #radars; which can then be handed over to linked #missiledefence weapons.

[Rocket Startup ABL Space Systems Ends Orbital Launch Plans, Pivots To Missile Defense] ABL Space Systems is dropping plans to compete in the launch market and is switching its focus to missile programs for U.S. national defense. ABL, founded in 2017, had attempted to reach orbit with its RS1 rocket, but suffered setbacks when the first attempt saw the rocket fall back to the launch pad and explode on Alaska's Kodiak island in January 2023. The second RS1 was also destroyed during preflight testing in July this year. Now, the company is dropping out of the launch market and turning its attention to missile defense, ABL's co-founder and president Dan Piemont wrote in a social media post on Nov. 14. "We have made the decision to focus our efforts on national defense, and specifically on missile defense technologies," Piemont stated. He added that the tough launch market and geopolitical issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine drove the decision. ABL Space Systems — headquartered in El Segundo, California and operates two facilities in the Mojave Desert — aims to use its progress on RS1 for its new plans. "We see considerable opportunity to leverage RS1, GS0 [deployable ground system], the E2 engine and the rest of the technology we've developed to date to enable a new type of research effort around missile defense technologies," Piemont said. Piemont noted his belief that current defense solutions were slow and ill-equipped to deal with modern threats, while ABL could offer more new capabilities, more frequent flights and more creative research and development. "We'll have more to share soon on our roadmap and traction in this area," he added. ABL is not the only launch startup to exit the unforgiving launch sector in recent times. Virgin Orbit shut down last year after filing for bankruptcy. Source: https://lnkd.in/eQG2_qHG #galaxyaerosgh #space #spaceexploration #SpaceNews

Quick Take: Lockheed Martin Gets $977.5 million contract extension The U.S. Space Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $977.5 million contract extension for the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program. This brings the total contract value to $8.2 billion. The Next-Gen OPIR program is developing advanced satellites to detect and track ballistic missile launches, providing early warning of potential attacks. These satellites utilize infrared sensors to identify the heat signatures of missiles, rapidly relaying this information to ground stations. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the two geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites. In simpler terms, these satellites orbit Earth at the same speed as Earth's rotation, appearing stationary in the sky. This positioning enables continuous monitoring of specific regions.  Raytheon is developing the mission payloads for the GEO satellites. These payloads contain the infrared sensors that detect missile launches. #SpaceForce #MissileDefense #NationalSecurity #SatelliteTechnology #DefenseInnovation #LockheedMartin #Raytheon #NorthropGrumman #BAESystems 

🌌 Strengthening National Security Through Space Innovation 🚀 Exciting developments in the aerospace and defense sectors as the United States Space Force has just extended a $1.8 billion contract with Northrop Grumman for the development of advanced missile warning satellites. This contract highlights the ongoing efforts to advance the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites, ensuring robust tracking and early warning capabilities. As these technologies evolve, they are not just pivotal for national security but also demonstrate the power of public-private partnerships in driving technological innovation. Kudos to Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Space Force for leading the way in space defense. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in maintaining strategic advantages and securing our assets in space. #SpaceForce #NorthropGrumman #DefenseInnovation #SatelliteTechnology #SpaceSecurity https://lnkd.in/ewEWtmHi

Exciting collaboration ! iLAuNCH, Northrop Grumman, and Spiral Blue are teaming up to develop a space-based hypersonic detection system. This initiative aims to enhance missile defense capabilities against hypersonic weapons, a critical response to evolving global threats. By integrating cutting-edge technology with space-based AI and ML, they are working towards a sovereign counter-hypersonic surveillance capability. Stay tuned for more updates on this innovative project! #DefenseTechnology #SpaceInnovation #CollaborationEfforts #technology #aerospace #space #spacemission #moon #rocket #rockets #spaceexploration #aerospace #satellite #satellites #spacetechnology #spaceinnovation #spacecraft #spacenews #spacestation

🌌 Pentagon's Space Initiative: Six New Satellites Against Missile Threats! 🚀 The US Department of Defense, Pentagon, has taken a new step in the sky against advanced missile threats. Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base through a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, these six new satellites elevate our world's security to the next level. 🌍💫 Designed in collaboration between the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), these satellites aim to effectively detect and track both conventional and hypersonic missiles. 🛰️🎯 This significant launch on April 2nd represents a strategic step towards establishing a strong satellite network for faster and more accurate detection of enemy missiles. A major progress in enhancing our defense capability against enemy ballistic and hypersonic missiles! 🛡️⚡ SDA Director Derek Tournear stated that these satellites are a significant gain for both SDA and MDA, providing the opportunity to evaluate their cooperative capabilities by observing test targets from the same orbit simultaneously. This development is critically important, especially against increasing global threats. 🌐🔍 It is reported that Pentagon plans to invest approximately $16 billion into this project by the fiscal year 2028, with contributions from companies like L3Harris and Northrop Grumman, enabling these satellites to track dim targets and provide critical data to interceptors. This supports the long-term defense strategy of regularly updating SDA's constellations with new capabilities. 🌠🌍 👉 Companies: SpaceX: A private space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. L3Harris: A global technology firm offering communication, electronic systems, and space solutions. Northrop Grumman: A leading American company in defense and aerospace technologies. 👥 People: Derek Tournear: Director of the Space Development Agency (SDA). 🔠 Abbreviations: SDA: Space Development Agency. MDA: Missile Defense Agency. LEO: Low Earth Orbit. 🔗 For more details and information: www.millimudafaa.com #pentagon #spaceX #falcon9 #vandenberg #SDA #MDA #satellite #missiledefense #hypersonicmissiles #spacetechnology #DerekTournear #L3Harris #NorthropGrumman #defenseindustry #technology #security #spaceforce

Two sets of satellites from the Space Development Agency and Missile Defense Agency were launched together Wednesday as the organizations aim to demonstrate capabilities that could be used to detect and track adversaries’ hypersonic weapons and other advanced threats. One batch includes four L3Harris-built systems that will complete Tranche 0 of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), which will include a total of eight missile-tracking space vehicles and 19 data transport satellites on orbit. Additionally, two Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) platforms — one built by L3Harris and another by Northrop Grumman for the Missile Defense Agency — also went up. Read more from DefenseScoop https://lnkd.in/exbBYQAg

Difference between a launch vehicle and a missile 1. **Launch Vehicle:** - **Purpose:** Launch vehicles are designed to transport payloads into space, such as satellites, spacecraft, or cargo destined for orbit around Earth or other celestial bodies. - **Use:** They are used for peaceful purposes like scientific exploration, telecommunications, Earth observation, and space station resupply missions. - **Examples:** Rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), and the Russian Soyuz serve as launch vehicles to deploy satellites or spacecraft into space. India's contributions in this realm include the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These vehicles have successfully launched numerous satellites, showcasing India's growing prowess in space technology for peaceful purposes. 2. **Missile:** - **Purpose:** Missiles are primarily designed for military applications, including offense and defense. They are used to deliver payloads to specific terrestrial targets, whether they be enemy installations, ships, aircraft, or ground targets. - **Use:** Missiles can carry various types of payloads, including explosives, nuclear warheads, or conventional munitions, depending on their intended mission. - **Examples:** Ballistic missiles like the Trident II (used in submarines) and the Minuteman III (used in land-based silos), cruise missiles like the Tomahawk, and anti-aircraft missiles like the Patriot are examples of missiles used for military purposes. India has also made significant contributions in the field of missile technology through organizations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). India's missile arsenal includes strategic weapons like the Agni series, developed for national security and deterrence purposes. In summary, while both launch vehicles and missiles involve rocket technology for propulsion, their distinct purposes and applications differentiate them. Launch vehicles are primarily used for peaceful space exploration and commercial satellite deployment, whereas missiles serve military objectives, with contributions from India in both domains, highlighting its advancements in aerospace technology. #Space #Technology #Exploration, #Science #Innovation #SpaceTech #SpaceExploration, #Astronomy #RocketScience #MarsMission