Latest news with #USSpaceForce
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Boeing Huntsville, MDA announce successful flight test of new homeland defense radar
ALASKA (WHNT) — Boeing Huntsville said it worked with the Missile Defense Agency to conduct a flight test with a radar on Monday. MDA said in a news release that it worked with the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Northern Command to conduct a flight test in Alaska on Monday. This test, according to MDA, was to determine if the Long Range Discrimination Radar could successfully acquire, track and report missile target data to the Command and Control Battle Management and Communications. According to MDA, the test was a success. The agency said this was the radar's first flight test tracking a live Intercontinental Ballistic Missile representative target. 'The test confirmed that the radar's sensors can accurately gather data from longer distances, enhancing threat detection and response time for the GMD system and other missile defense systems,' Boeing said. Named Flight Test Other-26a, MDA said a target was launched over the northern Pacific Ocean and it flew over '2,000 kilometers off the southern coast of Alaska, where it was tracked by LRDR.' It was also tracked by the Upgraded Early Warning Radar, MDA said. This test was part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System Integration and Test and Readiness contract, awarded to Boeing Huntsville in 2022. 'The GMD system is the only defense program able to protect the entire United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, against long-range ballistic missiles. The system is designed to detect, intercept, and destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles,' Boeing said. 'Initial indications show that LRDR, C2BMC, and GMD Fire Control met mission requirements. Program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test. FTX-26a will support the operational assessment of LRDR, validation of LRDR modeling and simulations.' MDA Why does this test matter? Boeing said the test validated the radar's sensors and its ability to capture precise data from greater distances, improving threat detection and warning time for the GMD system and other missile defense components. 'This was a key test in the development of the LRDR system and its integration into the C2BMC network,' MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said. 'LRDR will provide USNORTHCOM and the United States Space Force with the ability to precisely track ballistic missile threats as well as other space objects, advancing our ability to deter adversaries and bolster our homeland missile defense.' The system has now been on alert for nearly two decades and is an integral part of America's layered ballistic missile defense architecture, Boeing Huntsville said. You can watch a video of the test, provided by MDA here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's Why Rocket Lab Stock Is a Buy Before August
Shares of the upstart rocket builder have lifted off over the past year. The company is ramping up its launches and expanding its ecosystem. The stock still looks reasonably valued relative to its growth potential. 10 stocks we like better than Rocket Lab › Rocket Lab USA's (NASDAQ: RKLB) stock skyrocketed nearly 470% over the past 12 months. The maker of reusable orbital rockets impressed investors with its successful Electron launches, fresh contracts, and the upcoming launches for its bigger Neutron rocket. Investors might be reluctant to buy Rocket Lab's stock after that monstrous rally. However, I think it's still worth buying ahead of its next earnings report in August for five simple reasons. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket can carry small payloads of up to 300 kilograms into space. It's been successfully launched 66 times and used to deploy 227 satellites. It achieved six Electron launches in 2021, nine launches in 2022, 10 launches in 2023, and 16 launches in 2024. It's also launched seven Electron rockets in 2025 so far. Its big customers include NASA, the U.S. Space Force, the Swedish National Space Agency, Capella Space, and BlackSky Technology. Annual revenue rose more than sevenfold from $62 million in 2021 to $436 million in 2024 as it ramped up those launches. Rocket Lab's second rocket, the Neutron, will have a higher maximum capacity of 13,000 kilograms to low-Earth orbit. It's scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2025, and it's already secured new Neutron contracts from NASA and a leading satellite network operator. Unlike the Electron, which carved out a comfortable niche with its small-lift launchers and doesn't face too many competitors, the Neutron will compete more aggressively against SpaceX's Falcon 9, which has a maximum capacity of roughly 22,800 kilograms. The growing rift between the Trump administration and Elon Musk -- as well as SpaceX's recent delays and failed launches -- might also drive more government contracts to Rocket Lab over the next few years. Rocket Lab won't break even anytime soon, but its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins improved from negative 70% in 2021 to negative 22% in 2024. Those improvements were driven by more launches, higher average launch prices, its increased in-house manufacturing, and tighter spending. Over the past year, Rocket Lab shipped two new research satellites for NASA, secured an additional study contract for NASA's next Mars mission, and agreed to deploy a constellation of 25 satellites for Kinéis, a global Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity provider. It signed a multi-year Electron launch contract with Japan's Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) while advancing its projects with the U.S. government. Rocket Lab also joined a team led by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to test hypersonic flights, signed a new satellite launch contract with Airbus, and agreed to provide support for Firefly Aerospace's upcoming lunar mission. It recently agreed to buy Mynaric, a leading laser communications provider; and Geost, which develops satellite sensors for the U.S. military, to further expand its ecosystem. All of these catalysts could help Rocket Lab keep pace with SpaceX, which launched 138 Falcon rockets last year, as the domestic space race heats up. From 2024 to 2027, analysts expect Rocket Lab's revenue to nearly triple from $436 million to $1.2 billion. They also expect its adjusted EBITDA to turn positive in 2026 and more than triple to $202 million in 2027. With an enterprise value of $13.2 billion, it might not seem cheap at 11 times its projected sales for 2027. Nevertheless, those valuations seem reasonable if Rocket Lab eventually becomes as big as SpaceX, which generated an estimated $13 billion-$14 billion in revenue in 2024. So if you believe Rocket Lab will keep growing over the next decade, it might be smart to accumulate its high-flying stock before its next earnings report. Before you buy stock in Rocket Lab, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Rocket Lab wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $664,089!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $881,731!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 994% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Here's Why Rocket Lab Stock Is a Buy Before August was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Weather still a factor: Last call on Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 launch early today
CAPE CANAVERAL (FLORIDA): The rescheduled launch of Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 mission remained unchanged at 5.30pm IST on Wednesday after a 'weather call' taken at Kennedy Space Centre on Tuesday (8pm IST). However, the weather continues to be a key variable as the stakeholders will take a final call after the 'L-8 hour weather briefing ', scheduled around midnight in US (around 10am IST). At the mission readiness review briefing, Jimmy Taeger, launch weather officer with 45th Weather Squadron of US Space Force, said conditions across central Florida is being shaped by a high-pressure system to the southeast. The system is expected to move north in the coming days, which could shift the winds and bring in scattered showers. While wind conditions are projected to improve mid-week, forecasters are keeping a close eye on the risk of passing showers, especially as launch windows approach. "Though winds are likely to improve, Wednesday looks better, and Thursday even better. The one thing we are going to be watching closely is the possibility of showers moving into the area," Taeger said. Liquid oxygen leak detected during fire test on Falcon-9 William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX vice-president, build and flight reliability, stressed on the company's continued focus on safety and precision, noting that "space flight is really hard, and we're learning every day". During a static fire test of the Falcon-9, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen leak that had initially gone undetected during the booster's post-flight refurbishment. "We discovered that we had not fully repaired the booster ... we're installing a purge that will essentially mitigate the leak if it continues," he said. In addition, a thrust vector control issue with engine five was also identified. The affected components have since been replaced.
Bloomberg
10-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
How Space Tech Is Shaping US Defense Spending
Spire Global sends satellites, which are about the size of a loaf of bread, into space to track atmospheric data to help drive data-driven decisions. The company has contracts with the Canadian Space Agency and has secured a 10-year contract with the US Space Force last month. Theresa Condor, Spire's CEO joined the C-Suite on Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about the role of tech in defense spending. (Source: Bloomberg)
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Golden Dome missile defence system — A must know for UPSC Exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on Golden Dome. (Relevance: Various air defence systems, missiles, fighter jets, and aircraft types are some of the important topics of defence technology that have been asked by UPSC in prelims. In 2018, a question was asked on Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD). As in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, air defence systems have been in the news; it becomes important to know about the Golden Dome and Iron Dome. US President Donald Trump has offered the 'Golden Dome' missile defence system for free to Canada, which had shown interest after the Republican leader announced it but added a rider that Ottawa can have it without paying any charge 'if it becomes part of the US' 51st State'. Notably, on May 20, US President Donald Trump said he has shortlisted a design for the 'Golden Dome' missile defence shield and made General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force in charge of the project. In this context, let's know about Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' and what it is inspired by. 1. First floated by Trump this January, the Golden Dome is inspired by Israel's much lauded Iron Dome system — a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system. But it is far more ambitious in scale and scope, and seeks to integrate 'next-generation' technologies across land, sea, and even space. 2. Trump said that the system will comprise, among other things, space-based sensors and interceptors. If this were to be true, this would make the Golden Dome the very first truly space-based weapon system. 3. As of right now, the use of space technology in defence has largely been restricted to reconnaissance. Satellites provide crucial targeting and other data for Earth-based weapon systems such as long-range missiles, guided munitions, etc. 4. The proposed Golden Dome goes one step further, with the introduction of interceptors to be launched from space. Exactly how they will work is still unclear. But according to the initial plans, the system will comprise thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth, which will intercept an enemy missile mere moments after it is launched, NPR reported. 5. Trump said the defense shield would cost some $175 billion, and will be operational by January 2029, when his term ends. But industry experts are skeptical of both this timeline and estimated cost, Reuters reported. 6. Technologically speaking, the idea behind Golden Dome is not far-fetched. But it is untested, and at the moment, more of a 'concept'. 'Right now, Golden Dome is, it's really an idea,' one source had told CNN in March. This also makes projecting timelines and costs very difficult, the article added. 1. Iron Dome is a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system that includes a radar and Tamir interceptor missiles that track and neutralise any rockets or missiles aimed at Israeli targets. It is used for countering rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM) as well as aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. 2. The genesis of the Iron Dome goes back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war, when the Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel. The following year, Israel announced that its state-run Rafael Advance Systems would come up with a new air defence system to protect its cities and people. It was developed with Israel Aerospace Industries. 3. Notably, the idea behind Trump's proposed Golden Dome is inspired by Israel's much lauded Iron Dome system. But the Iron Dome's capabilities pale in comparison to what Trump wants with the Golden Dome. 📌 The Iron Dome does not rely on satellites for any aspect of its functionality, even tracking. It primarily relies on radars to identify and track enemy targets. Although Trump's Golden Dome will likely comprise radar and other ground-based targeting systems as well, its main selling point, thus far, is the deployment of space-based systems. 📌Israel is nearly 400 times smaller than the US, and consists of mostly flat desert terrain, which makes short-range interceptors ideal and cost-efficient for air defence. Moreover, its primary threats come from non-conventional actors like Hezbollah and Hamas. The US requires a far more expansive air defence system. Most notably, the US must be able to defend against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), technology which both China and Russia — Washington's two main geopolitical rivals — possess. ICBMs can be launched from tens of thousands of kilometres away, and travel to space as a part of their flight trajectory. Tracking ICBMs necessitates the use of satellites. And while they can be neutralised using ground-based interceptors, space-based weapons have long been thought to be more effective for this task given that they re-enter Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. 1. The United Nations' Outer Space Treaty is an international agreement binding member states to only use outer space for peaceful purposes. It spells out the principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. 2. The treaty came into force in October, 1967, during the peak of the Cold War, after being ratified by Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It lays down the following governing principles: 📌 The exploration and use of outer space will be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and will be the province of all mankind. 📌 Outer space will be free for exploration and use by all states. 📌 Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty. 📌 States will not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner. 📌 The Moon and other celestial bodies will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. 📌 Astronauts will be regarded as the envoys of mankind. 📌 States will be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities. 📌 States will be liable for damage caused by their space objects. 📌 States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies. 1. The Artemis Accords, launched by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020, have 53 signatories, including India. 2. It implements fundamental commitments from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and emphasises commitment to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, and best practices for responsible behaviour, such as the public distribution of scientific data. 3. The accords are a series of non-binding agreements that establish principles to be respected in outer space. With reference to the Outer Space Treaty, consider the following statements: 1. It entered into force during the peak of World War II and provides the basic framework on international space law that remains in place to date. 2. As per one of the Articles of the treaty the activities of non-governmental entities in outer space shall require authorisation and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (Sources: What we know about Trump's 'Golden Dome', Trump offers Golden Dome missile shield to Canada 'for free', but 'only if it joins US as 51st state', What is the Outer Space Treaty and why the US and Russia are at odds over it? ) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
