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NASA Holds Competition for Cryogenic-Based Human Landing Systems for Future Space Missions
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NASA Holds Competition for Cryogenic-Based Human Landing Systems for Future Space Missions

NASA recently launched the 2025 Human Lander Challenge, or HuLC, a competition aimed at leveraging cryogenic liquid storage in human landing systems for future space missions beyond low Earth orbit.

The government agency said Tuesday college and university students are now welcome to submit ideas for supercold or cryogenic propellant applications that can be utilized for human landing systems.

Through the HuLC, NASA is looking for ways to use in-space cryogenic liquid storage and transfer systems for long-duration missions. The main goal of the Human Landing System Program-sponsored competition is to develop innovations that will help future space missions bring astronauts to the moon and eventually to Mars.

The Artemis mission aims to send the first woman, first person of color and first international partner astronaut to the moon. By utilizing a commercial human landing system, these astronauts can safely reach the surface of the moon and begin long-term exploration and science opportunities.

HuLC participants will need to submit a non-binding Notice of Intent on or before Oct. 6, 2024. They then have until March 3, 2025 to submit a proposal package.

A maximum of 12 proposals will be chosen with each team receiving $9,250 that they can use to develop their concepts further. Three teams will be chosen during the 2025 HuLC Forum, which will be held in Huntsville, Alabama in June 2025. They will share the prize money of $18,000.

Proposals should revolve around the following categories:

  • On-Orbit Cryogenic Propellant Transfer
  • Microgravity Mass Tracking of Cryogenics
  • Large Surface Area Radiative Insulation
  • Advanced Structural Supports for Heat Reduction
  • Automated Cryo-Couplers for Propellant Transfer
  • Low Leakage Cryogenic Components

Aerospace engineer Esther Lee, who leads the navigation sensors technology assessment capability team at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, said the HuLC competition provides Artemis Generation engineers and scientists an opportunity to contribute to advancements in space technology.

“NASA’s Human Lander Challenge is more than just a competition – it is a collaborative effort to bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical space technology,” said Lee. “By involving students in the early stages of technology development, NASA aims to foster a new generation of aerospace professionals and innovators.”

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Virginia-Class Fast-Attack Submarine USS Idaho Launches Into Thames River
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Virginia-Class Fast-Attack Submarine USS Idaho Launches Into Thames River

General Dynamics Electric Boat on Aug. 6 launched the future USS Idaho into the Thames River in Connecticut, performing a vessel construction milestone known as a “float off” — when a vessel is, for the first time, moved from a shipbuilder’s facilities into water.

A Virginia-class fast-attack nuclear submarine, the Idaho will provide the U.S. Navy with a variety of undersea supremacy capabilities, including enhanced stealth, surveillance features and special warfare enhancements, according to a news article posted Tuesday on the Naval Sea Systems Command website.

Virginia-class submarines also feature the use of modular construction, open architecture and commercial off-the-shelf components.

Commenting on the float off, Virginia Class Submarine Program Manager Capt. Mike Hollenbach said, “Today’s launch is testament to the strong collaboration the Navy has with its shipbuilding partners.”

“Idaho will be a valuable national asset and source of pride for our Sailors, the shipbuilders and all Americans for years to come,” Hollenbach added.

Float offs are followed by a vessel’s outfitting, testing and crew certification.

Virginia-Class Fast-Attack Submarine USS Idaho Launches Into Thames River

Naval leaders, experts and innovators from government and industry will discuss how they’re enhancing maritime security, driving technological advancements and fostering strategic cooperation during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit, which will take place on Aug. 15. Register now to attend this important event!

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NIST Issues 3 Post-Quantum Encryption Standards, Algorithms
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NIST Issues 3 Post-Quantum Encryption Standards, Algorithms

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released the first three finalized post-quantum cryptography standards and encryption algorithms designed to protect encrypted data from cyberattacks that could be carried out through the use of quantum computers.

NIST said Tuesday the three Federal Information Processing Standards contain information on the encryption algorithms’ computer code and their intended uses.

“These finalized standards include instructions for incorporating them into products and encryption systems,” said Dustin Moody, a NIST mathematician and head of the PQC standardization project. “We encourage system administrators to start integrating them into their systems immediately, because full integration will take time.”

FIPS 203 will serve as the primary standard for general encryption and is based on Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism, or ML-KEM, formerly CRYSTALS-Kyber algorithm.

FIPS 204 will be the primary standard for safeguarding digital signatures and uses Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm, or ML-DSA, formerly CRYSTALS-Dilithium.

FIPS 205 will also serve as the standard for digital signatures and uses the Sphincs+ algorithm, which has been renamed Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm, or SLH-DSA. This will be used as a backup method in the event that ML-DSA proves vulnerable.

Moody called on organizations to begin using the three standards.

“We need to be prepared in case of an attack that defeats the algorithms in these three standards, and we will continue working on backup plans to keep our data safe. But for most applications, these new standards are the main event,” he noted.

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DHS Seeks R&D Project Proposals to Address US Security Challenges
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DHS Seeks R&D Project Proposals to Address US Security Challenges

The Department of Homeland Security is inviting interested parties to submit their proposed research and development projects to address security challenges in the United States.

Under a new long-range broad agency announcement, or LRBAA, published on Tuesday, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate calls on the scientific and technical communities to submit new ideas for innovative solutions to improve the country’s security, the agency said.

Businesses, universities, national laboratories and other R&D organizations can submit their proposals through the LRBAA process, the department added.

According to LRBAA Program Manager Dusty Lang, the process allows organizations to test the government’s interest in their submissions, enabling them to reduce the effort and expense of creating a full proposal.

DHS seeks proposals for 23 research and development topics, which are categorized into five mission areas, namely, counter-terrorism and homeland security threats, secure U.S. borders and approaches, secure cyberspace and critical infrastructure, preserve and uphold the nation’s prosperity and economic security, and strengthen preparedness and resilience.

The department will host a hybrid industry day on Aug. 21 in Washington, D.C., to provide more details about the effort and answer questions from would-be attendees.

Summit 7 Makes Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies
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Summit 7 Makes Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies

Summit 7 has been named to the Inc. 5000 annual ranking, which celebrates the fastest-growing private companies nationwide.

Coming in at number 2290, Summit 7 is appearing on the list for the ninth time, and the fifth consecutive year, the cybersecurity company reported Tuesday.

Scott Edwards, CEO of Summit 7, said being selected to the Inc. 5000 list is an ode to the company’s mission of protecting the U.S. defense supply chain.

“This achievement is a direct result of our team’s commitment to providing unmatched compliance solutions that empower our clients to meet the newly mandated, stringent requirements of the Department of Defense,” Edwards said.

The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 has reportedly brought 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years. Editor-in-chief of Inc. 5000 Mike Hofman said, “To see all of the intriguing and surprising ways that companies are transforming sectors, from health care and AI to apparel and pet food, is fascinating for me as a journalist and storyteller.”

Edwards said that as Summit 7 continues to evolve, the company will focus on broadening its systems to support the future of the defense industrial base.

“Our future lies in innovating new solutions that not only secure our nation’s most critical data but also empower our clients to achieve compliance with confidence,” Edwards stated. “We’re excited about the road ahead and remain committed to being the trusted partner for defense contractors navigating the complex cybersecurity landscape.”

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Commerce IG Calls for Revision to OSC’s Approach to TraCSS Program Amid Implementation Delay
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Commerce IG Calls for Revision to OSC’s Approach to TraCSS Program Amid Implementation Delay

The Office of Inspector General within the Department of Commerce has recommended revising the Office of Space Commerce’s processes to speed up development of the Traffic Coordination System for Space—a.k.a. TraCSS—capability, Breaking Defense reported Tuesday.

Under Space Policy Directive-3, National Space Traffic Management Policy issued in June 2018, the Commerce Department is mandated to assume the responsibility to provide space situational awareness data to commercial, civil and foreign entities—an activity currently performed by the Department of Defense.

The OSC, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is developing the TraCSS to monitor space objects and provide notifications of potential conjunctions to civil and commercial space operators.

The IG, however, found that the OSC is behind schedule in providing basic space situational awareness data and services and a new approach to space traffic management is not yet defined and remains a distant goal.

In its report published in July, the IG urged the OSC to revise the TraCSS program timeline using agile best practices to include realistic dates, capabilities and actual progress; develop and communicate a plan to ensure stakeholders stay informed of changes to the TraCSS timeline; modify the TraCSS staffing plan to include roles, responsibilities and priority for each position and strategies for attrition management; define and document OSC’s approach for STM-related responsibilities in the near- and long-terms to address current and future operational risks; and develop and regularly update a plan to implement OSC’s approach to fulfilling the department’s STM-related responsibilities set in SPD-3.

In response to the report, NOAA concurred with the first three recommendations but did not concur with the fourth recommendation and only partially concurred with the fifth recommendation.

The report indicated that further delay in the OSC’s TraCSS program could result in a service gap for space operators.

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DLA to Support Small Businesses Through Mentor-Protege Program
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DLA to Support Small Businesses Through Mentor-Protege Program

The Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of Small Business Programs has launched a new program to help small businesses broaden their capabilities and compete for contracts through mentor-protege agreements with large contractors.

DLA said Tuesday its Mentor-Protege Program will provide incentives for prime contractors that offer developmental support to small vendors seeking to navigate federal acquisition processes and develop new skillsets.

“This is another tool that we will use to help strengthen our defense industrial base,” said DLA Small Business Director Daniele Kurze.

“It will give small businesses new opportunities to grow and learn from large suppliers, which can help us fill critical gaps in our supply chain down the road,” she added.

Mentors may support proteges in inventory control, software, quality assurance, manufacturing, systems compliance, personnel management and other general business processes.

Kurze’s office collaborated with the Department of Defense and service branches to determine how to establish DLA’s MPP initiative.

“We’ve taken a targeted approach in focusing on critical areas and establishing internal guidelines and repeatable processes,” she said.

Kurze noted that the first mentor-protege agreements will focus on backing specific weapons systems.

NSTC Releases Report on How US Government Can Advance International Cooperation on Quantum IT
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NSTC Releases Report on How US Government Can Advance International Cooperation on Quantum IT

The U.S. government should establish long-term mechanisms dedicated to the financing of international cooperation and collaboration in the field of quantum information science and technology, according to the National Science and Technology Council‘s Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science.

The subcommittee made the recommendation in a recently-released report titled “Advancing International Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technology,” which proposes actions that the U.S. can take to help advance QIST knowledge and innovation through international partnerships.

The subcommittee also called on agencies to better coordinate with one another when it comes to a portfolio of government-wide international QIST engagements.

A third recommendation involves the U.S. government establishing and monitoring metrics that would measure global competitiveness in QIST and enabling technologies.

The report was prepared in light of what the subcommittee described as the “transformative potential” of QIST in the collection, processing and transmission of information and the potential benefits such changes could bring.

And although the U.S. has historically supported international QIST cooperation, areas for improvement remain. The recommendations discussed in the report, along with those in the report titled “The Role of International Talent in Quantum Information Science,” seek to address those areas.

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SpaceWERX Unveils Latest Innovate to Accelerate Cohort for Aerospace Tech Innovations
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SpaceWERX Unveils Latest Innovate to Accelerate Cohort for Aerospace Tech Innovations

SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a division within AFWERX, has commenced its second Innovate to Accelerate, or I2A, cohort in line with efforts to boost the development of technological innovations in aerospace operations.

The Air Force Research Laboratory said Friday the latest I2A will focus on developing both the Alternative Positioning, Navigation and Timing, or AltPNT, and the Digital Spacefort of the Future.

The I2A program is intended to help companies under the SpaceWERX Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs find commercial success through the lifecycle of their Direct to Phase II, or D2P2. Participants will have the opportunity to receive mentorship, resources and collaborate with experts and investors.

The latest I2A cohort was launched in July 2024 and will run for 12 weeks. It will culminate in an Expo Day event on Oct. 17, 2024 in El Segundo, California. The project is made possible with the help of New Mexico Technologies University and Disruptive Technology Index, or DTI.

The National Security Innovation Network, or NSIN, meanwhile, is involved with AFWERX’s Project Vanguard initiative. The project is intended for those selected for the I2A program to have access to mentors, partners and private funding opportunities.

The goal of the AltPNT is to develop satellite-based systems beyond the traditional navigation satellite systems. With the help of Space Systems Command, the program intends to make navigation systems more resilient and accurate.

The Digital Space of the Future challenge, meanwhile, has partnered with Assured Access to Space. It aims to advance digital technologies and optimize aerospace launch and operational processes.

Companies chosen are automatically enrolled in the I2A program. They will participate in the AFWERX Challenge Definition Workshop, where they get to work with key space stakeholders and roll into a SpaceWERX specific topic D2P2 solicitation.

A total of 122 proposals were received for the AltPNT challenge with only 20 selected for funding. The 20 chosen companies got a total contract value of $34.8 million to develop proposals for innovations that will benefit the defense and commercial sectors.

The companies selected to participate are as follows:

  • AOSense
  • Applied Systems Engineering Inc.
  • Devorto
  • Infinity Systems Engineering
  • Innovative Scientific Solutions Inc.
  • Mesa Quantum Systems
  • NAVSYS
  • nou Systems
  • Polaris Sensor Technologies
  • Slingshot Aerospace
  • StarNav
  • TeraSense
  • Thomas Youmans
  • Trident Sensing
  • TRL11
  • TrustPoint
  • Xairos Systems
  • Xona Space Systems

The Digital Spaceport of the Future challenge, meanwhile, received 150 proposals. The 12 companies chosen for funding secured a total contract value of $57 million. They are tasked with developing the efficiency, safety and sustainability of spaceports through digital twins, artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics.

The following companies will participate in the challenge:

  • Beast Code
  • Black Rock Engineering & Technology
  • Colvin Run Networks
  • Federated Wireless
  • Lifescale Analytics
  • Parry Labs
  • RapidFort
  • Rise8
  • Silotech Group
  • UTSI International
  • VETS

Arthur Grijalva, director of SpaceWERX, stressed the importance of the innovative cohort focusing on AltPNT and the Digital Spaceport of the Future. “This initiative marks a significant step towards transforming space operations through advanced technology, fostering collaboration among industry leaders, startups and government entities.”

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US Army to Screen Laser Weapon Proposals in 2025 Competition
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US Army to Screen Laser Weapon Proposals in 2025 Competition

The U.S. Army is scheduling in the 2025 first quarter a competition for the proposals it received to develop the service’s short-range air defense system called Enduring High Energy Laser, or HEL, Defense News reported Monday.

The proposals were collected during the Army’s industry day in July, with team submissions as well as individual entries, Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office director, said.

The service has recently deployed laser prototypes, including 50-kilowatt systems designed to counter short-range threats.

Raytheon delivered the first 50-kw prototype with Kord Technologies, a KBR unit, as the lead integrator.

In addition, the Army’s RCCTO is currently assessing options on 10-, 20- and 300-kilowatt systems for wide-ranging threats and missions.

The service branch expects to receive in 2025 the 300-kilowatt laser, which is geared for indirect fire protection against such threats as rockets, mortars and drones.

Rasch’s office is also waiting for two other prototypes that the teams of Lockheed Martin and nLight are separately developing.

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