LeoLabs announced plans June 13 to build a new type of radar under a $1.245 million AFWERX contract.

The post LeoLabs wins AFWERX contract to develop next-generation radar appeared first on SpaceNews.

The U.S. government craves innovation but sets barriers via ownership stipulations, contrasting with other nations open to R&D funding with less stringent conditions.

The post The paradox of U.S. government R&D funding: Barriers for non-U.S. owned firms appeared first on SpaceNews.

In Orbit Aerospace won an AFWERX contract to develop a novel method of spacecraft docking in partnership with the University of Colorado, Boulder.

The post In Orbit Aerospace wins $1.8 million AFWERX contract appeared first on SpaceNews.

Rogue Space Systems, a three-year-old startup with plans for a fleet of small in-orbit servicing spacecraft, announced more U.S. government funding Sept. 27 to develop core technologies.

The post Rogue Space Systems gets US Air Force funds to advance in-orbit servicing tech appeared first on SpaceNews.

Starfish Space has secured $1.8 million from the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX technology accelerator to develop its satellite guidance software, the in-orbit servicing startup announced Aug. 8.

The post Starfish Space wins Air Force contract to develop satellite guidance software appeared first on SpaceNews.

Innovative Rocket Technologies, known as iRocket, won a U.S. Space Force contract to demonstrate a reusable rocket engine for small launch vehicles.

The post Startup iRocket wins Space Force contract to demonstrate rocket engine appeared first on SpaceNews.

X-Bow Systems, an Albuquerque, N.M., solid propulsion startup, announced a $60 million U.S. Air Force Strategic Funding Increase, or STRATFI, agreement.

The post X-Bow announces $60 million STRATFI agreement appeared first on SpaceNews.

ABL Space Systems, a California-based launch startup, announced March 24 it has secured a $60 million contract from the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force that also includes matching funds from private investors, a type of agreement known as strategic funding increase, or STRATFI.

The post ABL Space gets $60 million for responsive launch demonstrations appeared first on SpaceNews.

The U.S. Air Force plans to use startup Varda Space Industries’ reentry capsules as hypersonic flight test platforms

The post U.S. Air Force to test hardware at hypersonic speeds on Varda’s space capsules appeared first on SpaceNews.

Hydrosat won a $1.2 million Air Force contract to investigate uses of thermal infrared data for national security applications.

The post Hydrosat wins Air Force contract for thermal infrared data analytics appeared first on SpaceNews.

Saber Astronautics announced Sept. 5 the U.S. Space Force has extended the company’s contract to develop a space domain awareness tool designed for satellite operators.

The post Space Force extends Saber Astronautics’ contract for space visualization software appeared first on SpaceNews.

U.S. defense and intelligence agencies are eager to tap into commercial innovation, and many startup founders are eager to win government funding. The problem is the two groups often have trouble communicating.

The post How sherpas guide startups through government contracting terrain appeared first on SpaceNews.

Slingshot Aerospace won a $25.2 million Space Force contract to develop a virtual replica of the space environment

The post Slingshot wins $25 million Space Force contract to develop digital twin of the space environment appeared first on SpaceNews.

Orbit Fab, a venture-funded startup offering a refueling service in space, announced it has won a $12 million deal to ensure its fueling interface works with U.S. military satellites. 

The post Orbit Fab gets $12 million to integrate refueling port with military satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

Space Micro, a defense and NASA contractor recently acquired by Voyager Space, won a contract to design a laser communications terminal to connect military aircraft with geostationary satellites in orbit. 

The post AFWERX to fund development of laser terminal that connects military aircraft with satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

SpaceWERX plans to select at least one team to conduct an on-orbit demonstration of active debris removal within the next two years

The post Debris removal a key goal in Space Force’s ‘Orbital Prime’ project appeared first on SpaceNews.

The U.S. Space Force is kicking off a new initiative, called Orbital Prime, to fund commercial technologies for in-space operations

The post Space Force launches ‘Orbital Prime’ program to spur market for on-orbit services appeared first on SpaceNews.

An agreement just announced between the U.S. Space Force and a venture capital firm is a pilot project intended to help government buyers understand how investors assess space industry startups.

The post Space Force wants to learn how venture capitalists assess startups appeared first on SpaceNews.

Orbion Space Technology announced a U.S. Air Force contract to develop and demonstrate high-thrust propulsion to help small satellites quickly dodge satellites or space debris.

The post Orbion wins contract to demonstrate high-thrust propulsion appeared first on SpaceNews.

At a virtual pitch event Aug. 19, the U.S. Space Force selected 19 companies that each will receive $1.7 million Small Business Innovation Research Phase 2 contracts. 

The post Space Force awards $32 million in contracts to startups and small businesses appeared first on SpaceNews.

The U.S. Space Force is launching a new industry outreach program expected to award up to $50 million in contracts to small businesses and startups. 

The post Space Force to kick off new program to attract small businesses and startups appeared first on SpaceNews.

The Pentagon’s renewed focus on space and the standup of the U.S. Space Force are boosting demand for technologies being developed by commercial companies. The Air Force technology accelerator known as AFWERX is responding by creating new opportunities for space entrepreneurs.

The post A little love from the Air Force can put a space business on the map appeared first on SpaceNews.

Xage Security, a Silicon Valley cybersecurity startup, announced a contract Sept. 17 to develop a data protection strategy for the U.S. Space Force.

The post Xage Security prepares U.S. Space Force cyber strategy appeared first on SpaceNews.