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Space

Air Force’s June R&D Launch to Test Space X’s Falcon Heavy Reusability in ‘Most Challenging’ Mission Yet

By Vivienne Machi

Friday, June 7th, 2019

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Air Force’s June R&D Launch to Test Space X’s Falcon Heavy Reusability in ‘Most Challenging’ Mission Yet

SpaceX launches its Falcon Heavy rocket, and passenger Arabsat-6A, on April 11. (SpaceX0

The Air Force’s upcoming launch of 24 new research-and-development payloads will demonstrate the performance of Space X’s Falcon Heavy launch vehicle for the first time on a Defense Department mission. The department’s Space Test Program (STP)-2 mission is currently scheduled for launch no earlier than June 24 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate, called it “one of the…

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Congress

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]