Business
Conference Wire: Navy Eyes Greater Space Capabilities
The final day of the 2021 Space Symposium saw Navy officials talk—just a bit—about their plans.
Science & Tech
US Navy Will Upgrade Warships to Add Unnamed Space Capabilities
“Everything is classified” when it comes to space, one admiral complained.
Threats
13 US Troops Killed in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport
In a statement, Biden vows to attackers: "We will hunt you down and make you pay."
Threats
US Troops, Afghans Killed by Explosion at Kabul Airport, Pentagon Says
Worsening security and the need to get all troops out is quickly closing the window to safely escape. ‘Today is likely last day,’ one memo advises.
Threats
Afghanistan Airlift Ops Have Rescued 101,300 From Kabul
But numbers out each day are dropping as Taliban tighten grip on airport, security threats rise.
Defense Systems
VA readies cloud-based data platform
VA Data Commons features computing infrastructure, co-located data and commonly used software services, tools, and apps for managing, analyzing and sharing data.
Defense Systems
Austin mandates COVID vaccine for military
The defense secretary has ordered military departments to immediately begin mandatory vaccination programs with FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.
Business
Qatar Helping US Fly Afghanistan Evacuees to Germany
The planes are not part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation, but are flying similar routes.
Business
Conference Wire: More Stuff in Space
The 2021 Space Symposium rolls on with a big jump in low-Earth-orbit objects and some early birthday cake.
Science & Tech
House Bill Aims to Bridge Acquisition ‘Valley of Death’ In Race to Counter China
A draft of the House NDAA markup outlines two provisions to fix the gap between research and acquisition.
Ideas
The Curious Omission in Russia’s New Security Strategy
It doesn’t mention “cyber”—and that tells us a few things.
Policy
Pentagon Orders Troops to Get COVID Vaccine
Austin’s order follows FDA approval of one vaccine—and the deadliest week yet for COVID-stricken troops.
Threats
Not For the First Time, COVID Takes Back Seat to a More Pressing Crisis
The evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan depends on cramming people into closed spaces—during a global pandemic.
Threats
Number of Objects in Low Earth Orbit Jumps 22% in 2 Years: Space Operations Command
Need to track, detect objects driving need for new space domain awareness investment.
Business
Conference Wire: US Space Command Hits a Milestone
Day 2 of the 2021 Space Symposium saw a slew of announcements about the Pentagon's still-reorganizing space community.
Policy
Air Force’s Kendall Creates Space Acquisition Office, Accelerates Absorption of Space Development Agency
And the new service secretary is asking Congress to allow him to move faster yet.
Exclusive
Threats