December 26, 2022

Space Force Guardians Train for Conflict in Europe During Large-Scale Exercise at Schriever Air Force Base (Source: The Gazette)
What if a U.S. satellite was hit by a cyberattack? Guardians tackled the hypothetical, but possible scenario and other major potential threats to satellites that are critical for communications and navigation during the Space Force's version of a two-week-long war game recently at Schriever Space Force Base. The simulated space conflict pit space aggressors' squadrons, those who study the tactics of enemy states full-time, against mostly younger guardians, brought together to hone their skills.

The Space Flag exercise, run by the 392nd Combat Training Squadron, involved 165 people, including service members from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, who would be allies in a real space conflict. It was the first time the regular exercise was based on a threat in Europe, where Russia would be one of the potential adversaries.

In recent months, tensions have been high in that region, with a Russian official saying in October that commercial satellites from the U.S. and its allies could be targeted if they were involved in the war in Ukraine. The large-scale Space Flag exercises held three times a year are meant to help prepare space guardians for all the real threats they could face in the field, said Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton, who leads the Space Training and Readiness Command. (12/25)

Congress Adds $1.7 Billion for U.S. Space Force in 2023 Spending Bill (Source: Space News)
Congress in a massive $1.7 trillion government funding bill on Dec. 23 approved $797.7 billion for the Defense Department, or $69.3 billion more than DoD got in 2022. The consolidated funding bill funds the U.S. government for the remainder of the fiscal year that ends Sep. 30.

The bill provides $26.3 billion for the U.S. Space Force, which is nearly $1.7 billion more than the Pentagon requested, according to estimates from the defense and aerospace consulting firm Velos. The House passed the omnibus spending package in a 225 to 201 vote, and the Senate 68 to 29. The bulk of the $1.7 billion added to the Space Force budget is for new satellites. (12/24)

Space Electronics Market Size to Grow to $5.4 Billion By 2031 (Source: Exterra)
The global space electronics market, valued at $3.3 billion in 2021, is projected to reach $5.4 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.04% from 2022-2031, according to a new report from Valuates Reports. The development of a communication satellite constellation in LEO, the acceptance of space tourism in the coming years, and an increase in investment in space enterprises are some of the reasons that are propelling the growth of the space electronics market.

The space electronics market is changing due to the increase in the use of satellites for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, real-time imaging, communication, navigation, weather forecasting, broadband and connectivity, research, development, and testing, and IoT integration for different government, commercial, and civil-military domains. (12/22)

Small Businesses Are Taking Us to the Moon (Source: Fortune)
Our nation's mammoth space achievements are not just the handiwork of NASA and our great scientific community–they have also been made possible through the contributions of our nation’s small businesses. While some may think NASA programs are largely executed by big aerospace contractors, roughly 90% of aerospace companies are small businesses. NASA contracts with a surprising number of them. In 2021, the agency spent more than $3.5 billion on contracts with small firms.

Of the more than 3,800 suppliers providing parts for the Artemis rocket, the overwhelming majority are small businesses. One reason NASA and its prime contractors use so many small firms is that SMEs can often devote more time and energy to unique projects than larger enterprises can. Plus, they can often do so at a lower cost. Click here. (12/13)