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NASA Selects 9 Companies to Develop Capabilities for Artemis Mission
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NASA Selects 9 Companies to Develop Capabilities for Artemis Mission

NASA has selected nine U.S. companies to develop new strategies and concepts for logistics and mobility capabilities to support the Artemis lunar exploration mission.

Awarded under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships Appendix R program, the $24 million worth of contracts will advance knowledge to help support life and work in the lunar environment, the space agency said Thursday. The awardees include Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, MDA Space, Moonprint, Pratt Miller Defense, Sierra Space and Special Aerospace Services.

New Capabilities to Support Artemis Campaign

Nujoud Merancy, deputy associate administrator of the Strategy and Architecture Office at NASA headquarters in Washington, characterized the contracts as the catalyst to develop capabilities for Artemis and “the everyday needs of astronauts for long-term exploration on the lunar surface.” “This is an important step to a sustainable return to the Moon that, along with our commercial partners, will lead to innovation and expand our knowledge for future lunar missions, looking toward Mars,” she explained.

Advancing Innovative Technologies

The chosen companies will work on innovative technologies, such as advanced robotics and autonomous capabilities, to support the Artemis campaign. For example, Blue Origin and Intuitive Machines will explore potential enhancements for logistics handling and offloading during space operations.

The contract awards highlight NASA’s continuing collaboration with industry, academia, and the international community to mature its crewed exploration blueprint and prepare humanity on a path to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

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NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Launching Several Missions in 2025
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NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Launching Several Missions in 2025

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been preparing for the launch of numerous missions in 2025.

The agency said Thursday the missions aim to conduct thorough research on the expansion of the universe, the Moon’s water and other mysteries of the universe.

Breaking Down the Missions

Some of the missions the federal laboratory will be working on include:

NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory will launch on Feb. 27 or later to study the universe, including its expansion after the Big Bang and the location of life-supporting ingredients.

The Lunar Trailblazer, which will launch in late February through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, is meant to study the presence of water on the Moon by conducting a detailed mapping of the Moon’s surface water.

The NASA-Indian Space Research Organisation Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, is a mission conducted by the United States and India. It aims to study the Earth’s changing surface using L-band and S-band radars.

The Sentinel-6B will launch in November to conduct studies on the Earth’s sea surface. The mission intends to gather global sea surface height measurements to enhance climate models, hurricane tracking, and understanding of El Nino and other phenomena.

The Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration, or CADRE, project will work on utilizing autonomous robots on the Moon. The technology demonstration involves multi-robot missions for future lunar missions.

Space Entanglement and Annealing Quantum Experiment, or SEAQUE, is currently on the International Space Station and is evaluating technologies that can potentially allow communication using entangled photons between two quantum systems. This test demonstration can lay the groundwork for a future global quantum network.

The Europa Clipper was launched in October and is expected to arrive at Jupiter in 2030. This mission is meant to study the possibility that the ocean under the planet’s ice shell is suitable for life.

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Space Force Forecasts $2.3B in Satellite Services Contracts
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Space Force Forecasts $2.3B in Satellite Services Contracts

The U.S. Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office, or CSCO, forecasts $2.3 billion in contracting opportunities for commercial satellite services for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, SpaceNews reported Wednesday.

Maneuverable GEO Program

According to the procurement forecast issued in December, the largest contracting opportunity is the maneuverable GEO program, which is worth approximately between $895 million and $905 million.

The program seeks to acquire custom-built small satellites and services designed for operations in geostationary Earth orbit.

According to the report, CSCO released a request for information in October to assess the capabilities of the small GEO satellite sector. The office could release a draft solicitation in February and award an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract later in 2025.

CSCO Director Clare Hopper said the maneuverable GEO program shows how “we’re connecting the joint force to the commercial marketplace” and reflects a shift toward agility in traditionally static GEO operations.

Army Satcom as a Managed Service

The U.S. Army’s Satcom as a Managed Service, or SATaaMS, program could be awarded in the summer. Under this program, companies will manage hardware installation, network support and other aspects of satellite communications services through subscription-based contracts.

The SATaaMS program is valued at approximately $195 million to $205 million.

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Coast Guard to Increase Protection of US Marine Transport System
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Coast Guard to Increase Protection of US Marine Transport System

The U.S. Coast Guard will implement an updated rule starting on July 16 to better protect the country’s marine transportation system against existing and emerging cyberthreats.

The new rule will impose minimum cybersecurity requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, outer continental shelf facilities and other facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, USCG said in a Friday notice on Federal Register. It aims to help vessel and maritime facility operators detect risks and address cybersecurity incidents.

Addressing Cybersecurity Incidents

The final rule requires operators to establish a cybersecurity plan that includes account and device security measures and documentation for a cyber incident response program. The latter should outline instructions for resolving a security breach and identify personnel’s roles and responsibilities during the event.

The rule also directs owners and operators to appoint a cybersecurity officer tasked to ensure that the required measures are implemented. In addition, the officer will ensure that the cybersecurity plans are updated and arrange site inspections and cyber training for vessel and facility personnel.

Seeking Public Comments

Before the cyber requirements take effect, the USCG is inviting the public to comment on a potential delay of two to five years in the rule’s implementation period for U.S.-flagged vessels. Feedback will be accepted until March 18.

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Raft Exhibits Advanced C2 Capabilities at USAF Exercise
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Raft Exhibits Advanced C2 Capabilities at USAF Exercise

Defense tech firm Raft has demonstrated the capabilities of its Raft Data Platform, or [R]DP, during the Air Combat Command and the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis’ Capstone 24B exercise.

At the event, [R]DP was deployed as a command and control platform and facilitated the identification and integration of new technology into the kill chain for enhanced battle management and tactical operations, Raft said Wednesday. The exercise tests new command, control and communications capabilities that could improve warfighters’ situational awareness.

Enhanced Battle Management for Modern Warfare

The exercise showcased new technologies to increase the speed, accuracy, and scale of battle management, according to Raft Chief Product Officer Trey Coleman. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with the U.S. Air Force as we continue to leverage automation and artificial intelligence to perform battle management functions that previously required an entirely human workforce,” he added.

During the exercise, Raft integrated [R]DP into the Air Force’s existing systems to exhibit its ability to function as a C2 data transport layer that can support different applications throughout the kill chain process. The ACC used the platform to collect and merge data from multiple sources into a single dashboard.

Providing Forces With Actionable Insights

Raft also delivered a battle management prototype called StarSage. The artificial intelligence-enabled system is designed to deliver actionable insights enabling military forces to make faster and accurate operational decisions.

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Michael Kratsios Nominated by White House for OSTP Director
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Michael Kratsios Nominated by White House for OSTP Director

Michael Kratsios, a two-time Wash100 Award winner, has been nominated to be director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the White House announced Wednesday.

Kratsios’ Career 

Kratsios is currently serving as managing director of Scale AI, a position he has held since 2021. Prior to that, he was the acting under secretary of defense for research and engineering, making him the third highest ranking official at the Department of Defense.

He was also the chief technology officer of the DOD, where he led research, development and prototyping efforts. Kratsios also supervised the activities of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Innovation Unit, Space Development Agency, Missile Defense Agency and the DOD Laboratory enterprise.

Kratsios was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as CTO of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. He was the principal technology policy advisor to the president, advising on issues regarding technology policies and driving technology priorities and strategic initiatives. 

During his time, Kratsios spearheaded numerous initiatives involving artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous vehicles, commercial drones, 5G and broadband communications, STEM education and advanced manufacturing. He played a vital role in major projects including the American AI Initiative, National Quantum Coordination Office and the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium.

Before his stint in the White House, he spent seven years at Thiel Capital holding positions such as principal, chief financial officer and chief compliance officer. He was also an analyst at Barclays Investment Bank.

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NAVAIR Issues RFI for COCO ISR Services
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NAVAIR Issues RFI for COCO ISR Services

The Naval Air Systems Command Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, or PMA-263, has started seeking feedback on potential contractors that will provide Contractor Owned Contractor Operated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or COCO ISR, services for Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office.

COCO ISR Services

According to the notice issued on SAM.gov, PMA-263 intends to procure services supporting domestic and coalition forces in combat and contingency plans in both land-based and sea-based operations. These UAS ISR services will also support the DOD and other government agencies, or OGA.

The contractor will provide the resources necessary to deliver the required sensor data, which includes qualified personnel, non-developmental UAS equipment, certifications and licenses, operation and maintenance support and spares and product support. In addition, the vendor should provide ISR services around the clock.

Interested vendors should send their responses to the request for information by Feb. 5.

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CISA, FBI Address Cloud Service Threats With Advisory
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CISA, FBI Address Cloud Service Threats With Advisory

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI have unveiled an advisory regarding vulnerabilities in the Ivanti Cloud Service Applications, or CSAs.

Responding to Critical Ivanti CSA Threats

CISA said Wednesday the Threat Actors Chained Vulnerabilities in Ivanti Cloud Service Applications advisory was released to address the active exploitation of numerous vulnerabilities, including administrative bypass, SQL injection and remote code execution.

The two government agencies strongly urge organizations, particularly network administrators and defenders, to safeguard their networks by upgrading to the latest supported version of Ivanti CSA. They should also regularly conduct a thorough search for malicious activities on their networks using detection tactics and indicators of compromise, or IOCs.

The agencies said it is important for the cybersecurity community to visit CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. It’s designed to enable them to mitigate vulnerabilities and address emerging threats.

CISA also encourages cybersecurity professionals to visit its Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals to learn more about different methods of protection against threats.

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DOD OIG Finds Deficiencies in Mgmt. of Contract Actions Supporting Ukraine
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DOD OIG Finds Deficiencies in Mgmt. of Contract Actions Supporting Ukraine

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General has released a report regarding an audit it had conducted to determine whether contracting officials within the U.S. Army properly managed undefinitized contract actions, or UCAs, awarded in support of Ukraine. UCAs make it possible for the Army to rapidly deliver equipment and services in response to urgent operational needs, DOD OIG said Tuesday.

UCA Management Issues

Twenty-four UCAs were sampled for the audit and of that total, 18 were found to have not been properly managed by Army contracting officers. Qualifying proposals were not obtained by the required dates, UCAs were not definitized within the required timelines and UCAs did not comply with DOD requirements concerning profit adjustments.

The audit attributed the deficiencies to failure by contracting officers to establish realistic definitization timeframes, use their authority to unilaterally definitize or withhold payments and consistently interpret guidance regarding the start of the definitization period. The officers also prepared an outdated form to calculate the profit objective of the government.

Unnecessary Financial Risk

The effect of the deficiencies identified by the audit is that the DOD was subjected to unnecessary financial risk. DOD OIG offered 14 recommendations to address the issues.

Commenting on the matter, Inspector General Robert Storch said, “Undefinitized contract actions require particularly diligent oversight to protect taxpayer resources and maintain accountability. This sort of contracting serves an important purpose, but the Army needs to establish additional procedures and oversight to ensure it is reducing unnecessary financial risk and potential for wasted taxpayer dollars.”

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GAO Says DOD Must Improve Modular Open Systems Use in Weapons Development
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GAO Says DOD Must Improve Modular Open Systems Use in Weapons Development

The Government Accountability Office has called on the Department of Defense to improve its use of the modular open systems approach, or MOSA, in developing weapon systems to save time and money.

In a Wednesday report, GAO said the Pentagon failed to consistently employ the approach for design decisions across weapon programs, noting that by overlooking the benefits of MOSA, the agency missed opportunities to cut costs and implement faster upgrades.

Squandered Benefits of Proper MOSA Use

According to GAO, its review of 20 DOD programs showed that none conducted a formal analysis of costs and benefits for MOSA because it’s not a requirement. However, the agency’s decision to skip the approach reportedly led to wasted benefits, such as increased innovation, enhanced interoperability, lower prices due to higher competition and faster repairs and upgrades.

While the DOD is preparing regulations and guidance to address MOSA use, the office said that gaps still exist, which could hamper its implementation. The GAO report stressed the urgency of using MOSA more efficiently as it enables weapon programs to better respond to changing threats and address high weapon system sustainment costs.

GAO Recommendations

In conclusion, the GAO review submitted 14 recommendations to the DOD, including that the agency develop a process to analyze MOSA costs and benefits and resolve the identified issues in MOSA policy and guidance. The Pentagon concurred with the suggestions.

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