The Handheld Satcom Terminal by BEL is a state-of-the-art communication device designed for secure voice and data transmission using the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) transponder of the Indian GSAT-6 satellite. This compact and battery-operated terminal can be deployed in under a minute, making it ideal for defense forces operating in critical environments. Key features include secure terminal-to-terminal communication, built-in secrecy, full duplex connectivity via a central hub, an integrated GPS receiver, and an alphanumeric keypad. The device ensures reliable communication in various scenarios, enhancing operational efficiency and security for its users.
Babcock International provides essential aviation services to both civil and defense sectors, specializing in military training for the largest Air Forces in Europe, including France and the UK. Our expert engineers, ground support staff, and training instructors deliver comprehensive military flying training, air station support, and integrated engineering services, enabling our military clients to focus on their core missions. In addition to defense operations, we offer critical civil services such as aerial emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, and firefighting missions, all backed by our highly trained pilots and dedicated engineering teams. At Babcock, we prioritize talent and agility in every operation, ensuring excellence in all our endeavors to save lives and protect communities.
BWX Technologies, Inc. is at the forefront of advancing nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) technologies, which offer significant benefits for cislunar and deep-space missions. Since 1955, their innovative solutions have aimed to reduce crew transit times, thereby minimizing exposure to radiation and microgravity, while enhancing flight safety margins that allow for mission abort capabilities even during critical phases. With a growing interest in long-duration lunar exploration and human travel to Mars, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC has collaborated with NASA and the Department of Energy on pioneering NTP designs since 2017, focusing on nuclear fuel design and engineering. Their commitment to developing operational space reactor technologies positions them as a leader in the field, leveraging advances in materials, computational modeling, and cryogenic fluid management to bring these systems to fruition within the decade.
Fission Surface Power (FSP) by BWX Technologies, Inc. is a revolutionary energy solution designed to meet the unique power needs of lunar and Martian environments, where traditional solar power systems face significant limitations due to low sun angles, prolonged darkness, and dust interference. FSP systems are engineered for modularity and scalability, allowing for upgrades to higher power levels as required for critical applications such as habitation systems, crewed and telerobotic exploration, and construction activities. By providing reliable and robust power generation, FSP is essential for supporting long-term human presence on the Moon and Mars, enabling the production of vital resources like oxygen and water, and fostering the development of a sustainable cislunar economy.
The novel satellite deorbiting method developed by The Aerospace Corporation addresses the escalating crisis of space debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). As the number of satellites is projected to surge over the next decade, the risk of collisions between active and inactive satellites, as well as other debris, significantly increases. Current deorbiting practices primarily rely on atmospheric drag, which often leaves small satellites in orbit long after their operational life, contributing to the self-sustaining cycle of space junk. This innovative technology aims to enhance the safe disposal of satellites, thereby minimizing the potential for further debris generation and ensuring a sustainable environment for future space missions.
The Aerospace Corporation has embraced the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by innovating its small satellite operations, particularly through its AeroCube program. As traditional work environments shifted dramatically, the AeroCube team adapted by maintaining spacecraft commissioning processes with a reduced on-site workforce, demonstrating resilience and flexibility. This shift not only allowed for continued operations but also paved the way for enhanced remote collaboration and operational methods. The experience gained during this period is expected to influence future practices, potentially leading to more efficient and agile service delivery in the aerospace sector.
The Aerospace Virtual Tours offer an immersive digital experience that allows users to explore the advanced laboratories of The Aerospace Corporation, showcasing the innovative research and development efforts that drive space capabilities forward. Visitors can navigate through the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL), which leverage cutting-edge tools and expertise to deliver applied scientific research supporting the space enterprise. The tours also feature the newly renovated xLab, where technical experts design and prototype groundbreaking instruments essential for evolving space technology. Additionally, the iLab promotes a culture of innovation by funding transformative ideas and collaborating across various sectors within the space industry, making these virtual tours a gateway to understanding the future of aerospace advancements.
Prime Focus is an innovative project by The Aerospace Corporation aimed at enhancing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) in response to the growing complexity of space operations. As more nations and commercial entities develop advanced space capabilities, the need for effective monitoring of Earth's orbit becomes paramount. Prime Focus addresses the current limitations in data flow from sensors to decision support tools, which often rely on human operators and are susceptible to errors. By establishing an automated SDA node, this project promises to create a reliable and continuous data pipeline that leverages digital engineering and cloud technologies, thereby improving real-time decision-making for space operators. With its focus on integrating and streamlining information, Prime Focus is set to revolutionize how space activities are monitored and managed.
The Aerospace Corporation has officially broken ground on its new state-of-the-art research and development center, COS-2, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This cutting-edge facility, spanning 90,000 square feet and set to be completed in spring 2023, will serve as a pivotal hub for advancing technical expertise within the space enterprise, aimed at countering national security threats. Featuring a sophisticated digital engineering environment, COS-2 will facilitate high-fidelity analysis, physics-based modeling and simulation, and the development of innovative tactics and procedures essential for space warfighting. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by local government officials and leaders from U.S. Space Command and U.S. Space Force, highlighting the facility's significance in enhancing the nation's space capabilities.
This paper, titled "Outpacing the Threat With an Agile Defense Space Enterprise," discusses the urgent need to transform the defense space enterprise in response to evolving threats in space. As adversaries increasingly recognize and seek to exploit U.S. dependence on high-value space assets, the need for an agile architecture becomes paramount. The Aerospace Corporation introduces Project Thor, which outlines four key actions aimed at enhancing resilience and adaptability within the space enterprise, aligning it with the new National Defense Strategy. By leveraging its technical expertise and innovative tools, Aerospace is committed to leading this transformation and ensuring the U.S. maintains its strategic advantage in an increasingly contested space environment.
The New Actors in Space Workshop, hosted by The Aerospace Corporation, took place virtually from February 1 to February 2, 2022. This event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the implications of the increasing number of space actors and activities, which are driving technological innovation and expanding access to satellite capabilities. Participants engaged in discussions on critical issues such as on-orbit crowding, radio-frequency interference, and the potential for geopolitical tensions arising from space incidents. The workshop utilized insights from the New Actors in Space Handbook by the Secure World Foundation and included case studies on international space policy, national regulations, and responsible operations in space.
DiskSat is an innovative small satellite architecture developed by The Aerospace Corporation, designed to decouple the payload and bus through a standardized interface, eliminating volume constraints typically associated with traditional designs. This unique circular satellite form factor not only enhances design flexibility but also significantly reduces development time and costs, making it an attractive option for various space missions. With its large aperture and surface areas, DiskSat allows for the integration of advanced antennas and instruments, optimizing performance while maintaining low launch expenses. As the demand for capable small satellites grows, DiskSat represents a forward-thinking solution that redefines the future of satellite technology.
The 2021 Value of Space Summit, organized by The Aerospace Corporation and the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC), addressed the increasing reliance on space-based systems in modern society. This two-day event, held on October 19 and 20, focused on the theme "Securing the Value of Space," building upon discussions from the inaugural summit in 2020. Key stakeholders from the space enterprise gathered to explore critical issues affecting space operations, emphasizing the significance of space infrastructure for current and future generations. Erin Miller, Executive Director of Space ISAC, highlighted the summit's mission to enhance understanding and collaboration within the space community to ensure the sustainability and security of space assets.
aerospace.org /satellites-and-orbits Satellites and Orbits | The Aerospace Corporation 3-4 minutes Page 1 Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies CORDS was established in 1997 to focus the corporation’s research and technology applications in the areas of space debris, collision avoidance, and reentry breakup and to provide a single point-of-contact for organizations seeking to take advantage of Aerospace’s more than 50 years of experience in these and related technical areas. Space Debris and Space Traffic Management Decades of space travel have resulted in a large amount of space debris that can be harmful to today’s satellites. Aerospace is addressing the issue of space debris and space traffic management by developing tools for analyzing potential collisions, studying reentry breakups, and modeling debris objects in space. THE NFL Inspires a Satellite Docking Tool To teach satellites to interact and dock in space, an Aerospace team found a possible solution on Sunday Night Football. Propelling the Field of Small Sats Forward Aerospace is tackling the challenge of small satellite propulsion with a novel idea for a Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Thruster. Going Into Action With Aerocube-10 The AeroCube-10 dual CubeSat mission is packed with Aerospace-designed space experiments and technology
csps.aerospace.org /research-areas Research Areas | Aerospace Center for Space Policy and Strategy 3-4 minutes Page 1 National Security Space has become a contested domain and remains critical to ensuring US national security and security of our allies. CSPS research aims to evolve understanding of the threat, potential responses, and the agile strategies and defense partnerships needed to enable success. See All Space Traffic Operations & Debris The increase of orbital debris and spectrum competition are just a couple of the ways that space is growing more crowded. To address the growing risks to operating in space safely and to our ability to sustain current and future space activities, CSPS research raises awareness of these issues and explores solutions for safe and sustainable space operations. See All National Policies & International Relations U.S. national space policy must continue to benefit from our current international partnerships as well as leverage those of emerging space nations. CSPS looks at how space activities are addressed through governance and policy at national and international levels. See All The Business of Space From cislunar development to public-private-partnerships, building up the space enterprise to meet future demands will require flexible workforce and business models
