📄Top Stories

Today’s top stories focus on key developments in space defense and military technology. Millennium Space Systems has achieved a major design milestone in its missile defense constellation project. The U.S. Space Force has taken control of a new satellite jammer aimed at boosting its jamming capabilities. Congress has approved a defense budget increase, but the challenge now lies in allocation. Lastly, a new order from Trump could see the cancellation of delayed Pentagon programs.

📰Detailed Coverage

Millennium Achieves Milestone in Missile Defense Constellation

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing subsidiary, has hit a critical design review milestone for the FOO Fighter initiative in missile defense. The program’s completion in a mere 10 months highlights rapid progress to deliver essential mission capabilities.

Technical details about the design indicate a focus on enhancing the Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war (FOO) framework. This milestone underscores the significant advancement in agile satellite development crucial for modern defense applications.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Space Force Acquires First Meadowlands Satellite Jammer

The U.S. Space Force has acquired its first Meadowlands satellite jammer, promising increased mobility and improved efficacy. This acquisition is set to enhance the Counter Communications System by providing multi-frequency jamming capabilities, notably in S-band and X-band frequencies.

The technology marks a significant upgrade, allowing greater flexibility and resilience against satellite communication threats, crucial for maintaining space security and superiority.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Defense Budget Boost: Next Steps for Allocation

Congress has approved a budget blueprint providing up to an additional $150 billion for defense. However, differing targets set for the House and Senate Armed Services Committees present challenges in efficiently allocating these funds.

This decision aims to bolster military capabilities, including satellite technologies, under increasing geopolitical pressures. The outcome of this allocation process will significantly impact future defense and space projects.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Delays in MEO Satellite Contracts

The Space Systems Command (SSC) faces delays in awarding contracts for the next phase of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) missile tracking satellites. Budget uncertainties have pushed back the timeline for the Resilient Missile Warning/Missile Tracking program by approximately three months.

This delay highlights the complexities and challenges faced in advancing satellite technologies amid fiscal constraints, impacting the progress of global satellite tracking capabilities.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Trump’s Order Could Halt Delayed Pentagon Programs

A newly signed executive order by President Trump mandates a comprehensive review of the Pentagon’s major defense acquisition programs. Programs that are over-budget or delayed face potential cancellation, presenting a significant shakeup in military project planning.

This order could impact various satellite and defense initiatives, urging a reassessment of project priorities and efficiencies in the defense sector.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Bell Canada Challenges Starlink Subsidies

Bell Canada has taken a stance against potential subsidies for SpaceX’s Starlink, as disclosed by a Financial Times report. As the landscape of satellite internet becomes increasingly competitive, Bell Canada’s position highlights the growing tensions and challenges in the satellite communications market.

This development may affect the accessibility and expansion of satellite internet services, potentially limiting options for consumers seeking reliable connectivity.

Read the full story: Teslarati

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 1288
• NORAD ID: 12637
• Launch Date: 1981 Aug 6
• Mission: Military Communication
• Orbit: Inclination: 74.0335°, Period: Approximately 115.5 minutes, Eccentricity: Low
• Operator: GUKOS
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 1288 is part of the Strela-1 M constellation, which was used for secure military communications during the Cold War.

Current TLE Data:

1 12637U 81074B   25100.79599126  .00000018  00000+0  23428-3 0  9995
2 12637  74.0335 319.4255 0018007 200.6053 239.1513 12.46705067987752

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 1288

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

April 12

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 12-17 from Kennedy Space Center (01:15 UTC) A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • NROL-192 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (12:17 UTC) Ninth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.

April 14

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-73 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (01:59 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
• Blue Origin New Shepard:
  • NS-31 from Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA (13:30 UTC) NS-31 is the 11th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 31st in its history.
• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551:
  • Project Kuiper (KA-01) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (23:00 UTC) Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.

April 16

• Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV:
  • NROL-174 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (19:00 UTC) Classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

April 17

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-74 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (02:24 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 19

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • NROL-145 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (00:00 UTC) Tenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.

April 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Dragon CRS-2 SpX-32 from Kennedy Space Center (08:15 UTC) 32nd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station, bringing supplies and payloads, including materials to support science and research investigations.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.