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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

Firefly Aerospace plans to fly its first upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer, citing strong demand for the launch vehicle. Separately, Firefly subsidiary SciTec received a U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement for the space-based missile defense “Golden Dome” interceptors.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to succeed Space Force CSO Chance Saltzman

2026-05-01T06:15:05.921695-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force advances laser crosslink flight hardware with K2 Space to test missile-defense data links

2026-04-30T18:11:55.729130-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman delivers missile-warning sensor as Pentagon moves to cancel Space Force satellite program

2026-04-30T16:24:46.828695-07:00

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Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors Firefly Aerospace plans to fly its first upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer, citing strong demand for the launch vehicle. Separately, Firefly subsidiary SciTec received a U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement for the space-based missile defense “Golden Dome” interceptors.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

SpaceNews.com

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Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to succeed Space Force CSO Chance Saltzman President Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess as the next Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force. If confirmed, he would inherit a larger Space Force in both budget and end strength than predecessor Gen. Chance Saltzman, who has led since November 2022.

2026-05-01T06:15:05.921695-07:00

Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to succeed Space Force CSO Chance Saltzman

SpaceNews.com

Space Force advances laser crosslink flight hardware with K2 Space to test missile-defense data links The U.S. Space Force will use K2 Space-built satellites to evaluate a key, previously unresolved element for future missile-defense systems: moving large volumes of data quickly between spacecraft and down to Earth via laser communications. Separately, the Space Force’s Laser Crosslink program has cleared independent verification and entered Phase 3 development toward flight hardware production.

2026-04-30T18:11:55.729130-07:00

Space Force advances laser crosslink flight hardware with K2 Space to test missile-defense data links

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman delivers missile-warning sensor as Pentagon moves to cancel Space Force satellite program Northrop Grumman says it has taken delivery of a missile-warning sensor for a U.S. Space Force satellite program the Pentagon is now proposing to cancel. The development underscores friction between legacy space procurement execution and a shift toward newer architectures.

2026-04-30T16:24:46.828695-07:00

Northrop Grumman delivers missile-warning sensor as Pentagon moves to cancel Space Force satellite program

The War Zone

US Air Force plans to retire E-11A BACN communications jets by 2028, shift battlefield comms and data fusion to space The U.S. Air Force says it has seven E-11s in the current fleet and plans to retire all E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft in 2028. The service will replace their BACN role with the emerging Department of the Air Force Battle Network, bridging with a hybrid SATCOM terminal.

2026-04-30T12:22:56.118625-07:00

US Air Force plans to retire E-11A BACN communications jets by 2028, shift battlefield comms and data fusion to space

DVIDS / U.S. DoD

U.S. Space Command assumes operational control of new Redstone Arsenal facility in Huntsville U.S. Space Command announced it has taken operational control of a facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, marking a transition from its previous Colorado-based posture. Command leaders framed the move as a key step in relocating the JISE team and establishing operations in Alabama.

2026-04-29T19:20:27.369997-07:00

U.S. Space Command assumes operational control of new Redstone Arsenal facility in Huntsville

SpaceNews.com

Space Force picks three firms for geosynchronous counter-surveillance sensor payloads WASHINGTON — The Space Rapid Capabilities Office has selected three companies to develop sensors that help U.S. military satellites in geosynchronous orbit detect ground-based tracking activity. The effort signals continued investment in satellite survivability as adversaries expand space reconnaissance and tracking.

2026-04-29T17:07:58.476220-07:00

Space Force picks three firms for geosynchronous counter-surveillance sensor payloads

Via Satellite

US Department of the Air Force launches initiative to hire AI talent as Space Force comes under its umbrella The U.S. Department of the Air Force has unveiled plans to tap top artificial-intelligence talent. The move directly connects to the Air Force’s space strategy as the Space Force falls under DAF organizational control, signaling an accelerated effort to staff and scale AI-enabled capabilities across military space.

2026-04-29T17:05:57.610011-07:00

US Department of the Air Force launches initiative to hire AI talent as Space Force comes under its umbrella

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Space Force News

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to succeed Space Force CSO Chance Saltzman

Space Force advances laser crosslink flight hardware with K2 Space to test missile-defense data links

Northrop Grumman delivers missile-warning sensor as Pentagon moves to cancel Space Force satellite program

News Timeline