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Space Force Launches X-37B OTV-8 Mission
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U.S. Space Force logo. The Space Force launched the the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on a SpaceX rocket.

The U.S. Space Force, together with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, launched the eighth X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on board the USSF-36 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Aug. 21 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The launch was also conducted on behalf of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit, Space Systems Command said Friday.

X-37B OTV-8 Mission Details

The launch is part of Task Order 2 under the NSSL Phase 2 contract, which was awarded on March 8, 2021. The spacecraft lifted off at 11:50 pm. The USSF-36 mission is the third NSSL Falcon mission this year, followed by the GPS III-7 SV-08 mission in May and the National Reconnaissance Office Launch 69, or NROL-69, in March.

Assured Access to Space, or AATS, which is part of the SSC-led Space Force team, is working with SpaceX to increase launch cadence by refining technical assessments, aiming to shorten timelines while maintaining mission success. AATS launches satellites and spacecraft, manages launch ranges, runs and maintains launch sites and test facilities, and provides services and logistics in space.

In July, Space Force said the X-37B OTV-8 mission seeks to conduct tests on laser communications and quantum inertial sensors as part of efforts to boost space communications.

Space System Command’s Ryan Hiserote Shares Thoughts

Col. Ryan Hiserote, senior materiel leader of launch execution for AATS, said the launch was the fourth NSSL Phase 2 mission this year and the organization plans to have more.

“In fact, we have more missions queued for launch over the next 12 months than in any prior 12-month period in the history of the NSSL program…and we welcome this challenge,” Hiserote remarked.

“Putting innovative capabilities such as these in orbit builds United States strength in the space domain and increases our nation’s overall warfighting capability,” he added. 

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Army Developing Modular EW Capability to Enhance Service-Wide Interoperability
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Col. Scott Shaffer, project manager for the Army's PEO IEW&S. Shaffer talked about a new Army EW effort

The U.S. Army is developing a universal electronic warfare capability designed to be interoperable with any platform. Called the Modular Mission Payload, or MMP, the standardized EW kit can be integrated onto any system and will enable the introduction of updates and new technologies to existing capabilities.

Modular Mission Payload Development Update

In an interview with Breaking Defense, Col. Scott Shaffer, project manager within the Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, shared that the MMP is still in the early stages of development.

“I probably don’t have a lot of information on the production quantities and demand, because part of the prototyping process, which we’re going to dig really deep into next fiscal year, is understanding how many do we need?” Shaffer said. “And then where do they fit in the formations?”

What is currently known about the MMP, according to the official, is that it needs to be commercial-off-the-shelf or government-off-the-shelf. He explained that a COTS and GOTS configuration will allow the Army to easily swap systems with newer kits in the future, “as long as they conform to some kind of standard in that system.”

Differences Between MMP and CMOSS

Despite similarities, Army officials insisted that MMP diverges in some aspects from another service effort, the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and EW Modular Open Suite of Standards, also known as CMOSS.

CMOSS has a plug-and-play architecture, allowing an exchange of software cards between platforms to respond to specific environmental threats. During a recent panel discussion, Col. Leslie Gorman, EW capability manager for the Army, said CMOSS is not modular enough compared to MMP and may be too large for some unmanned aerial systems and armored fighting vehicles.

“With the modular EW systems, we’re looking at lighter weight chassis, in some cases, dual-use EW sensors,” Gorman revealed.

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DOE Forms Consortium to Boost Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply
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DOE seal. The DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy has announced the formation of the Defense Production Act Consortium.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy has announced the formation of the Defense Production Act Consortium to bolster the nation’s nuclear fuel supply chain.

Enhancing Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply

The DOE said Friday the DPA Consortium is being established pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order titled Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base. The agency, through the consortium, will pursue voluntary agreements with U.S. companies to boost fuel availability and access to reliable power. The consortium is also intended to reduce dependence on foreign sources for enriched uranium.

The DPA Consortium is designed to leverage voluntary agreements to facilitate consultation among industry experts and create plans that maintain and enhance supply chain capacity across all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle and ensure reactor reliability.

The DOE NE will collaborate with industry partners to identify potential participants and develop near- and long-term goals. The consortium will have its first meeting on Oct. 14.

Comments From DOE Acting Asst. Secretary Mike Goff

“There are major gaps in our nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure that leave the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of enriched uranium,” said Acting Assistant Energy Secretary Mike Goff. “By leveraging authorities in the Defense Production Act, DOE is able to take swift action to bring all parties to the table to accelerate our path toward a more secure and independent energy future,” Goff added.

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SpaceX Resupply Mission to Deliver New Experiments to ISS
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SpaceX logo. SpaceX has launched a resupply mission to deliver new experiments, food and other supplies to the ISS.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft—carrying the SpaceX 33rd commercial resupply mission—launched on Sunday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, NASA announced.

The agency said Sunday the Falcon 9 rocket is delivering over 5,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station, including various experiments, food, supplies and equipment for the orbiting laboratory’s crew. It will dock on the forward port of the ISS’ Harmony module. The Dragon spacecraft will depart the ISS in December.

Experiments for Space & Medical Science Advancement

The scientific experiments include bone-forming stem cells to investigate bone loss prevention and materials, 3D-printed medical implants to advance nerve damage treatments on Earth, bioprinted liver tissue to study blood vessel development in microgravity, and supplies for 3D-printing metal cubes in space.

Reboost Demonstration

The Dragon spacecraft will conduct a reboost demonstration starting in September to maintain the space station’s altitude. It will utilize an independent propellant system to drive two Draco engines, leveraging existing propulsion design.

NASA’s Sean Duffy on the Resupply Mission

“Commercial resupply missions to the International Space Station deliver science that helps prove technologies for Artemis lunar missions and beyond. This flight will test 3D printing metal parts and bioprinting tissue in microgravity – technology that could give astronauts tools and medical support on future Moon and Mars missions,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. 

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New NATO Commercial Space Strategy Seeks Flexible Contracting, Financing Models
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NATO emblem. NATO's new commercial space strategy encourages flexible contracting and financing.

NATO’s new Commercial Space Strategy is filled with provisions to make it easier for allied nations to do business with burgeoning space businesses and startups and tap their innovative capabilities.

The strategy document, released in June, encourages flexible contracting and financing to constantly refresh the pool of commercial providers and accommodate rapidly changing requirements. New contracting and financing models would benefit small and medium-sized companies and startups and take better advantage of commercial innovation.

The strategy also tackles financial and contractual risk management. NATO pledges to study how to better understand commercial challenges, evaluate existing support measures and make suggestions for possible additional mechanisms to slash risks to commercial space companies.

NATO also vows to leverage multinational space cooperation to reduce costs, bolster interoperability and interchangeability and create long-term relationships with the commercial space sector. Multinational cooperation opportunities are also scheduled for exploration to better address NATO and allied space capability requirements.

Learn more about flexible contracting and financing initiatives for commercial space companies at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 GovCon International Summit on October 16! Attend an informative keynote address by Maj. Gen. Devin Pepper, NATO deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and policy. Hear directly from Maj. Gen. Pepper about new business opportunities through improved space cooperation between allied nations. Secure your seat today for this elite GovCon conference!

US Influence on the NATO Commercial Space Strategy

NATO’s Commercial Space Strategy highly resembles the Space Force Commercial Space Strategy that came out in 2024, according to Breaking Defense. Initiatives to develop a NATO Front Door gateway for commercial vendors and an allied version of the Space Force’s Commercial Integration Cell are similar to Space Force efforts.

The NATO strategy also anticipates organizational changes to military and civil staff structure. This has a goal of institutionalizing commercial integration practices, including developing a standards body to increase interoperability among allied space systems.

NATO allies pledge to better promote space priorities in allied education and training activities. NATO will mainstream collaboration with commercial space firms in exercises, demonstrations and trials and find more ways to leverage commercial participation.

Why Commercial Space?

Commercial space firms are developing innovative and cost-affordable technologies that allied militaries want to leverage. Satellite constellations, earth observation platforms and advanced sensors are being developed and upgraded at a much faster rate by private companies than the usual government acquisition cycles permit.

NATO also seeks to implement lessons learned from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the alliance calls the first conflict to have commercial space technologies play a major role. Instead of duplicating efforts, NATO wants to acquire services directly from commercial providers early in the acquisition cycle, bringing these capabilities to NATO planning, exercises and operations.

What’s Next for NATO’s Commercial Space Strategy?

The RAND Corp. has multiple recommendations for NATO to advance its commercial space strategy. One is developing extensive partnerships and communication avenues with space companies. Learning from SPACENET, a NATO platform for connecting space firms, the alliance should persist in making its communications transparent and include small-, medium-sized and nontraditional companies. RAND calls them the foundation of allied defense interests.

RAND also suggests NATO’s industry engagement be “action-oriented” to develop ownership and trust. Initial conversations should envision opportunities to reduce regulatory burdens that slow acquisition timelines.

RAND encourages NATO to develop a model of project-based funding to support multinational capability cooperation efforts. Allied nations have small budgets for space, around 0.3 percent, according to RAND. Common funding is also not only difficult to disperse, but it can require a nation to “own” the start-up costs, even for joint programs.

Are you a GovCon space professional with an international portfolio? Be the first to learn about new requirements and solicitations at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 GovCon International Summit on October 16! Learn about the latest developments in space export control reforms directly from Maj. Gen. Devin Pepper, NATO deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and policy, during his keynote address. Sign up today to unlock new international space business opportunities!

New NATO Commercial Space Strategy Seeks Flexible Contracting, Financing Models
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Entegris to Drive Semiconductor Innovation Through $700M R&D Investment
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Integrated circuit. Entegris will invest $700 million in U.S. R&D projects to accelerate semiconductor innovation.

Entegris will invest $700 million in U.S. research and development projects over the next several years to advance semiconductor innovation.

The company said Thursday the R&D investment will span its materials solutions and advanced purity solutions divisions.

“To support the industry’s growth, we have been creating a stronger and more resilient domestic semiconductor ecosystem in the U.S.,” said Dave Reeder, president and CEO of Entegris.

“These investments also allow for continued leadership in advanced materials solutions,” he added.

The announcement brings the company’s planned investment in domestic R&D and manufacturing initiatives to approximately $1.4 billion. Entegris previously announced a $700 million investment in a new manufacturing center of excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Entegris Investment in US Technology Center

The company will use a portion of its investment to build its U.S. Technology Center in Aurora, Illinois.

The center will focus on enhancing product performance and accelerating time to market across its suite of offerings, including deposition materials, cleans, slurries and CMP pads.

Entegris supplies advanced materials and process platforms for the semiconductor industry and other high-tech sectors. The company has approximately 8,200 employees worldwide and has manufacturing and research facilities in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Israel and other countries in Asia, including Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

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Gen. Whiting: Enhancing Space Security Requires Greater International Cooperation
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Gen. Stephen Whiting. The head of USSPACECOM called for greater international cooperation to safeguard the space domain.

Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, highlighted the need for greater international cooperation to protect the space domain and urged partner countries to invest in space to improve space security and respond to emerging threats, USSPACECOM reported Thursday.

“I encourage the continued investment in space from our partner nations, because we know that our cooperation in space is a strategic advantage that can harness capabilities, capacities, access and strengthen messaging,” Whiting said Wednesday at the South American Defense Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Your individual strength is a direct challenge to autocratic nations’ careless ambitions.”

Gen. Whiting: Enhancing Space Security Requires Greater International Cooperation

Join U.S. military leaders and industry experts as they discuss international partnerships, technological advances, coalition warfare and more at the Potomac Officers Club’s GovCon International Summit. Reserve your seat for this Oct. 16 event!

USSOCOM’s Enhanced Domain Awareness Program

Whiting, a previous Wash100 awardee, cited USSPACECOM’s partnership with U.S. Southern Command to drive space domain awareness and security cooperation.

“We’re working to build and share specialized expertise through partner space training opportunities and share enhanced domain awareness via SOUTHCOM’s [Enhanced Domain Awareness] program,” he said at the event.

He cited the role of SOUTHCOM’s EDA program in improving situational awareness and collaboration for space-based surveillance and intelligence capabilities.

During the event, he also mentioned the $42 million investment in infrastructure development initiatives and the installation of space domain awareness telescopes with partners in South America.

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Joseph Francescon Appointed National Security Agency Deputy Director
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Joseph Francescon. The NSA has named Francescon as its new deputy director.

Joseph Francescon has been named the next deputy director and senior civilian leader of the National Security Agency. The NSA said Thursday that in his new role, Francescon will be managing strategy execution, creating policy and overseeing the senior civilian leadership. He will also help shape defense and intelligence policies as well as strengthen the NSA’s role in protecting the U.S. from foreign threats.

Joseph Francescon Appointed National Security Agency Deputy Director

 Don’t miss this upcoming intel networking event! Join the Potomac Officers Club 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2 and learn about to use artificial intelligence to your advantage during missions.

Commenting on his appointment, Francescon said, “I am deeply honored and filled with excitement to return home to the National Security Agency as Deputy Director, where my career began.”

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Trump for his trust in me and bold leadership in prioritizing America’s security, to DNI Tulsi Gabbard for her principled and inspiring guidance rooted in constitutional values, and to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for his transformative vision and combat-tested resolve. Together, I am eager to lead NSA’s exceptional team in safeguarding our nation and countering global threats to protect the American people,” he added.

Who Is Joseph Francescon?

Francescon began his career as an intelligence analyst at the NSA. He then joined the National Security Council as director for counterterrorism, then eventually became an acting senior director for counterterrorism and threat networks. As part of the Department of Defense, he served as the deputy assistant secretary for special operations and combating terrorism, then became the deputy chief. He then took on the role of the chief of Washington operations of High Point Aerotechnologies at Highlander Partners. He is currently the chief external affairs officer of DZYNE Technologies.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard, SecDef Pete Hegseth Share Thoughts

In a joint statement, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary and Wash100 Award winner Pete Hegseth congratulated him on his appointment.

“Joe has served our country with distinction at the highest levels of national security, from the Intelligence Community to the Pentagon and overseas. With his wealth of experience countering foreign threats, Joe is exceptionally qualified to lead the next generation of American cybersecurity experts, spearheading efforts to outmaneuver evolving threats and counter our adversaries,” they said.

“We have confidence and faith that Joe will serve with integrity as a mission-focused leader and faithfully uphold the Constitution and defend the freedom and security of the American people,” they added.

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NIST Releases Draft Guide to Help Organizations Address Emerging Cybersecurity Risks
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Cybersecurity. NIST seeks feedback on an initial public draft of a new quick-start guide for using the CSF 2.0.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released an initial public draft of a new quick-start guide for using the Cybersecurity Framework 2.0. NIST said the document provides organizations with practical steps to improve their management of emerging cybersecurity risks.

NIST’s New Quick-Start Resource

The draft guide, NIST Special Publication 1331 ipd, is the latest in a series of quick-start resources developed to make the updated cybersecurity framework more accessible to different audiences and actionable. NIST said the guide explains how organizations’ existing enterprise risk management can be paired with CSF 2.0 to help organizations prepare for risks that are either not yet well understood or entirely unknown.

Defining Emerging Risks

According to the publication, emerging risks fall into two categories: those that are already known to some organizations but not others and those that are unknown to all. The guide notes that while traditional threats such as ransomware and distributed denial-of-service attacks fall into the first category, the second involves novel risks with no existing mitigation strategies.

Preparing Through Resilience and Governance

Besides integrating the cybersecurity practices under CSF 2.0 with enterprise risk management programs, the guide recommends adopting multidisciplinary approaches when facing emerging risks, emphasizing that preparation should focus on resilience, governance structures and organizational adaptability, allowing enterprises to maintain or restore operations when unexpected risks materialize.

Organizing Management of Risks

The draft organizes management of emerging risks into proactive and reactive phases aligned with CSF 2.0’s functions. The Govern, Identify and Protect functions are primarily used before risks are realized, while Detect, Respond and Recover support actions after risks occur. NIST highlights the importance of continuous improvement across all phases, stressing that lessons learned must be analyzed, prioritized and used to inform all functions.

Public Feedback Sought

Authors of the draft are NIST’s Stephen Quinn, Matthew Barrett of CyberESI Consulting Group, Robert Gardner of New World Technology Partners, Kelly Hood of Optic Cyber Solutions and Matthew Smith of Seemless Transition.

NIST is accepting public comments on the draft until Sept. 21. Feedback must be sent to csf@nist.gov.

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PEO STRI Experiments With Cloud-Based Next-Gen Constructive Training Platform
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US Army logo. PEO STRI conducts experiment on the Next Generation Constructive training platform.

The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, or PEO STRI, has conducted an experiment on the Next Generation Constructive during Scarlet Dragon 25-3 held from Aug. 11 to 15, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

PEO STRI said Thursday it collaborated with Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Team, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina Mission Training Complex, and industry partners Palantir Technologies and Battle Road Digital to conduct the experiment to test the new cloud-based training architecture.

Advancing Warfighter Training Capabilities

The experiment, intended to confirm the feasibility of the NGC system before a full contract award, validated Palantir’s Foundry platform as the data fabric for the proposed system. It also demonstrated the interface between Battle Road Digital’s Atom Engine and Foundry’s Maven Smart System.

The test unexpectedly activated the command and control information system team awareness kit using Atom Engine data through the Foundry interface, showcasing the NGC architecture’s adaptability. The initial integration confirmed that the systems could share data to boost situational awareness during training exercises.

According to Lt. Col. Thane Keller, lead capability developer for NGC, the team will focus on intelligence and fires for Scarlet Dragon 26-1 as they continue to integrate the platforms and mature capabilities to drive multi-domain operations training and readiness.

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