Aerospace Group:

Space

SDA Awards Ball Aerospace Contract for NDSA Experimental Testbed NExT

By Rachel Jewett

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

SHARE:

SDA Awards Ball Aerospace Contract for NDSA Experimental Testbed NExT

(SDA Logo, courtesy Space Development Agency)

The Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded Ball Aerospace [BLL] a contract to build 10 satellites and accompanying ground systems to serve as the experimental testbed (NExT) of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA). The contract announced Tuesday is worth up to $176 million and the satellites are set to fly beginning in 2024. NExT is not part of the NDSA Tranche architecture, but will demonstrate low-latency data transport and beyond line-of-sight command and control. NExT will experiment with the infrastructure established by the…

Congress

Trump Wants Second Reconciliation Bill On His Desk By June 1

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass and send a second reconciliation bill to his desk by June 1. The deadline follows congressional Republicans’ backing a pursuit […]

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 […]