Latest news with #SpaceSymposium
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Business Insider: Aerospace industry in Colorado
(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — FOX21 News is teaming up with the Colorado Business Forum and Digest to bring you the latest and most relevant business news impacting life in Southern Colorado. Dirk Hobbs, Founder and Executive Publisher with the Colorado Media Group, joined FOX21 News Anchors Abbie Burke and Craig Coffey to discuss the impact this year's Space Symposium had on Colorado Springs and the Aerospace Industry overall in Colorado. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
From Powering Spacecraft To Showing Off Its Manufacturing Might, Ascent Solar Is Making Its Name In Spacetech
By Meg Flippin Benzinga DETROIT, MICHIGAN - May 1, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Ascent Solar Technologies (NASDAQ: ASTI), the maker of featherweight, flexible and durable CIGS thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions that have the potential to power everything from spacecraft to satellites in space, was busy at the 40th annual Space Symposium held earlier in April. The company met with space industry executives, potential customers and partners and showed off its cutting-edge 5MW production facility at its nearby headquarters via guided tours. It's not surprising that Ascent was flexing its prowess at the premier conference for the space industry. Its PV cells weigh little, are flexible and bendable and perform well in the dark, which is ideal for space settings. It's the reason it already counts NASA, DARPA and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as partners and recently announced the delivery of spaceflight-ready PV blankets to a leading European space systems provider, enabling what the company says is an innovative new capability for making spacecraft lighter and more powerful. The company's PV technology enables energy beamed from satellites or orbital vehicles to be captured by these thin, flexible PV panels that can be affixed to spacecraft or other vehicles via microwave or laser beam. Once captured in the CIGS PV modules, the spacecraft and orbital vehicles will be able to go further, for longer periods of time. Those benefits are also why Ascent received an additional order from one of the multiple third parties evaluating technologies for receiving beamed power. Ascent had designed, prototyped and delivered an initial beamed-power optimized module to multiple third parties for testing and evaluation in under a month. This customer requested revisions and Ascent is now fine-tuning module design modifications. 'As interest grows for power beaming and space-based solar power, our thin-film PV technology will stand out as a clear solution for maximizing efficiency while mitigating the risks around solar solutions in space,' said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent. 'As we continue to fine-tune our technology to meet each of our customers' unique needs, we expect to experience increased demand and revenue opportunities.' Ascent's Technology On Display The Space Symposium unites global space professionals from commercial, civil and defense markets to connect and explore critical space issues. Julian Miller, director of space solutions at Ascent Solar, spent his time during in-person meetings at the symposium discussing hardware developer kit partnership opportunities, providing insight for trade studies for prospective missions and spacecraft. He also explained how Ascent's technology can be used for drop-in replacements and is backward compatible with existing capabilities. Ascent's hardware developer kit program is aimed at making it easier for space mission managers and spacecraft engineers to unlock both savings and increased performance with Plug & Fly(TM) solar array hardware assemblies. Miller also highlighted the performance and benefits of Ascent's thin-film PV in orbital and planetary surface environments. During tours of the company's 5MW manufacturing facility – located at Ascent's headquarters – potential customers and partners got a peek into a manufacturing facility that will be able to ship orders in excess of 100kW this summer. Ascent says its spaceflight-proven, high-TRL solar array products allow for rapid customization and short delivery timelines, thanks to its 5MW production facility and refined manufacturing processes. The focus didn't end there. Ascent also spent time during the symposium and guided tours discussing how its CIGS PV products can be leveraged for new applications in space, such as orbital manufacturing. 'Our team is actively working to establish standard combined offerings to make a greater depth of test data available for prospective space industry buyers evaluating how to best interface and integrate lighter-weight, lower-mass solar arrays,' said Miller. 'As we continue to hold discussions with industry-leading providers of solar array structures and deployable mechanisms that enable satellites and other spacecraft to utilize our efficient thin-film PV products, we welcomed new entities to connect with us and take a tour of our facilities.' Tariffs A Boon To Business Beyond making connections at the symposium that could translate into new customers, Ascent reports it is benefiting from the global tariffs instituted by the Trump Administration. The company says the tariffs have resulted in an influx of prospective contract manufacturing and thin-film PV product design/development opportunities for investing in U.S. domestic manufacturing capability, and it is currently exploring ways to support the surge of new interest in Ascent's manufacturing prowess. 'Fabless production arrangements under consideration could enable providers to more quickly and capitally efficiently serve U.S. market demand with breakthrough new power generation products via the utilization of ASTI's vertically integrated facility and specialized machinery,' reports the company. Space Market Taking Off It's not surprising that Ascent is focused on powering the space industry of tomorrow. The solar space market is projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2040, growing from an estimated $4.7 billion in 2030. Demand for sustainable energy and technological advancements are driving the growth. The company is engaged with multiple strategic partners in the space market and says it expects to secure long-term agreements that will bring consistent annual revenue from a diverse set of customers in the space market. 'Our latest solar efficiency milestones are opening new revenue streams driven by the increasing demand to power space vehicles and beam solar energy,' says Warley. 'Ascent products – all produced domestically in our facility in Thornton, CO – are uniquely poised to reliably meet that demand in the harsh environment of space, reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency for customers in the public, private and government sectors.' Featured image bySpaceXonUnsplash. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This content was originallypublished on further disclosureshere. View the original release on
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing looks to existing production lines for Golden Dome pitch
The head of Boeing's space mission systems business envisions at least two of the company's product lines as a clear fit for the Pentagon's Golden Dome homeland missile defense capability — the X-37B spaceplane and a fleet of missile-tracking satellites the firm is developing for the Space Development Agency's 'Foo Fighter' program. The Pentagon is still crafting its architecture recommendations for the project, which will include a mix of advanced sensors and potentially a fleet of in-space interceptors designed to defeat enemy missiles. Officials have said this initial analysis phase involves determining which existing capabilities to scale and what new technologies it will need to develop. Boeing's Michelle Parker told Defense News the company's conversations with the Pentagon about Golden Dome have focused on which production lines the company can ramp up and where it can invest over time to bring new technology to existing systems. 'In addition to the technology aspects of Golden Dome, it's the ability to get something quickly at scale,' she told Defense News in an interview at Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. 'So, what do you have now that can get up there and start to be part of that architecture, and then how do you evolve it?' Boeing has been evolving its X-37B, an orbital test vehicle, on a regular basis since its first mission in 2010. While not an operational spacecraft, the vehicle is used to fly experiments and test maneuvers and operational concepts in orbit, most of them veiled in secrecy. The reusable spacecraft returned from its seventh mission in March, where it demonstrated a novel aerobraking maneuver, which allows it to change orbits using minimal fuel. Space Force officials said the learnings from this mission will inform future space operations. Boeing has built two X-37Bs, to date, and Parker said the company has the capacity to produce more if called upon. 'We would love to do that, and we believe we can,' she said. Parker declined to discuss specifics about Boeing's proposal for how existing capabilities might fit into the Golden Dome architecture. It's possible the X-37B could be used to support what will likely be a rigorous test program required to validate space-based interceptor technology and the sensor network. Boeing also has expertise supporting missile warning and defense programs. Its small satellite subsidiary, Millennium Space Systems, is developing satellites for the Space Force's Resilient Missile Warning and Missile Tracking layer in medium Earth orbit. The company is also providing satellites for the Space Development Agency's Foo Fighter program. Millennium is under contract to build eight Foo Fighter satellites — and the associated ground systems — that can detect and track hypersonic missile threats. The spacecraft will carry sensors from L3Harris. Millennium recently passed a key design review for the program, keeping it on track to deliver the first eight satellites by 2026. To help meet Foo Fighter production demands, Parker said Boeing is expanding Millennium's footprint within the larger company's satellite factory, essentially doubling its capacity. If DOD calls on the firm to produce more of these spacecraft, she said, Boeing is prepared to do that and will look at ways to use more automated manufacturing tools to streamline and make more space where needed. 'We're trying to take an approach that we've got our stable production lines operating. If the demand signal says expand, we can do that within the space we have,' she said.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Musk's SpaceX frontrunner to build Trump's ‘Golden Dome' missile defense system: report
The Brief Reuters reports SpaceX is leading a bid to build satellite tracking layers for Trump's missile defense system. The Golden Dome system would use satellites and space-based interceptors to neutralize missiles seconds after launch. Lawmakers and experts have raised ethical, strategic, and logistical concerns about the scale and cost of the project. WASHINGTON - A new report from Reuters finds that Elon Musk's SpaceX, along with partners Palantir and Anduril, is among the leading contenders to help build part of President Donald Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense shield. According to Reuters, the companies have pitched a proposal to deploy hundreds of satellites that would detect and track missile threats from space. The bid is reportedly being reviewed by top Pentagon and White House officials and could shape a key part of the multilayered system envisioned by the administration. The backstory In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the military to develop a plan for what would become the "Golden Dome"—a space-based missile defense system capable of destroying missiles within seconds of launch. According to previous reporting by the Associated Press, the project was initially referred to as "Iron Dome" but was renamed in February. Israel is known for its Iron Dome system, which intercepts short-range rockets and artillery from the ground. Trump's Golden Dome draws inspiration from the name but envisions a far more ambitious goal: deploying interceptors in space to neutralize long-range missile threats. If completed, it would mark the first time the U.S. places missile interceptors in orbit. At the Space Symposium in Colorado earlier this month, U.S. Space Command said it had finalized options for the system and submitted them to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. General Stephen Whiting, the head of Space Command, said, "We need orbital interceptors. We call these weapons, and we need them to deter a space conflict." Trump's 2026 defense budget proposal is expected to near $1 trillion, with Golden Dome projected to absorb a significant portion of that funding. What we know According to Reuters, SpaceX has proposed building the "custody layer" of the system—a constellation of 400 to 1,000 satellites that would detect missiles and track their trajectory. Two sources familiar with the proposal told Reuters that the early design and engineering costs are estimated between $6 billion and $10 billion. The satellites would not be weaponized, sources said. A separate fleet of about 200 armed satellites is being considered for the intercept role, but that part of the system would be handled by other contractors. The other side Reuters reports that SpaceX has proposed delivering its portion of the system under a "subscription model", meaning the government would pay for access but wouldn't own the technology. While such an arrangement wouldn't violate Pentagon rules, it has sparked internal concerns. Some officials worry it could leave the government reliant on private infrastructure with limited control over pricing and updates, according to two sources cited by Reuters. What they're saying "When the richest man in the world can become a Special Government Employee and exert influence over the flow of billions of dollars of taxpayer money in government contracts to his companies, that's a serious problem," U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) told Reuters. Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has introduced legislation to block companies owned by special government employees from receiving federal contracts. U.S. Rep. Donald Beyer (D-VA) also raised alarms, telling Reuters that "any contracts awarded to him, or his companies, are suspicious," citing Musk's access to non-public information. What we don't know While Reuters reports that the SpaceX-led proposal has drawn significant interest, the selection process is still in early stages and may change as the Pentagon finalizes requirements. More than 180 companies have submitted bids to work on the Golden Dome system, according to the AP, including legacy defense firms like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and RTX. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has asked Pentagon leadership to accelerate deployment timelines, and Space Command is reportedly working to match system requirements with commercially available tech. The Source This report is based on an exclusive investigation by Reuters, which spoke with six unnamed sources familiar with internal discussions between the Trump administration, the Pentagon, and leading defense contractors. Additional context is drawn from previous Associated Press reporting on the origins and strategic goals of the Golden Dome program. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Space Force ‘Meadowlands' jammer ready for formal testing
The Space Force is ready to start government testing of a ground-based satellite jammer upgrade that it hopes will make the system more mobile, user friendly and effective as an electronic warfare platform. L3Harris, which built the baseline Counter Communications System, or CCS, announced April 8 that the upgraded capability passed a recent verification review, which means it is ready to transition to the Space Force for developmental and operational testing. The system uses radio signals to jam enemy communications, and the modernized version, dubbed Meadowlands, has an expanded frequency range, which improves its ability to interfere. The system is also lighter weight than its predecessor and has an open architecture that will allow for more regular software updates in the future. Col. Bryon McClain, program executive officer for space domain awareness, told reporters Thursday that one of Meadowlands' key aspects is that it incorporates more automation than previous versions. That means fewer operators 'sitting by the antenna and turning knobs and pushing buttons,' he said. 'It helps us grow the ability to have remote command and control, which allows us to adjust the footprint of personnel,' McClain said in a briefing at the Space Symposium in Colorado Spring, Colorado. 'That gives us a lot of flexibility for the warfighter.' The Defense Department fielded the first iteration of CCS in 2004 and has since funded multiple upgrades to the system. The Space Force has 11 CCS units in operation today and L3Harris is on contract to convert five of those units to the new configuration — two of which it delivered last week for testing, according to a company spokesperson. McClain noted that the service will eventually upgrade the remaining older-model systems to the Meadowlands variant. L3Harris also has a production contract to design and deliver more than 20 Meadowlands platforms, including training systems. Much of the Space Force's counter-space weapon portfolio is under wraps, but the service has publicly claimed CCS as its first counter-space capability. Since its fielding, the Space Force has publicized the delivery of other satellite jammers, including the Remote Modular Terminal program developed by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office. The service in recent months has been openly discussing the need to build out its weapons arsenal as China, Russia and other U.S. adversaries field space weapons of their own and conduct aggressive maneuvers, including an incident last year that a Space Force general recently characterized as 'satellite dogfighting.' In an April 8 speech at the symposium, Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, echoed recent comments from Space Force officials calling for more offensive capabilities. 'We need weapons,' Whiting said. 'We need them to deter a space conflict and to be successful if we end up in such a fight. Weapons in space used to be inconceivable, but now space-based interceptors are a key component of how we win.'
