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NSIC changes commanders, redesignated Field Operating Agency > United States Space Force > Article Display

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Space Force

NSIC changes commanders, redesignated Field Operating Agency > United States Space Force > Article Display

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- In a dual ceremony, Space Delta 18—the National Space Intelligence Center—changed commanders and was redesignated as a field operating agency of the U.S. Space Force during a ceremony June 28, 2024.Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander, presided over the ceremony, recognizing the achievements of the unit’s first commander, Col. Marqus Randall, who assumed the position when NSIC first stood up in June 2022. “Marqus, your leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Miller said. “Starting with a team of just 24, you've masterfully built it to over 450, to really ta...

SpaceX launches Türksat 6A satellite, Turkey’s first domestically-build satellite – Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX

SpaceX launches Türksat 6A satellite, Turkey’s first domestically-build satellite – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It carried the TÜRKSAT 6A satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now Update 8:10 p.m. EDT: SpaceX confirms deployment of the Türksat 6A satellite. Turkey launched its first home-grown communications satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket Monday evening. Prior to the mission’s launch, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu called the Türksat 6A geostationary satellite “the symbol of our independence”. While this wasn’t the first Türksat spacecraft launched, it’s garnered such national pride because it is the first of its kind to be entirely built in Turkey. Uraloğlu said Turkey is just the 11th country capa...

Space Force begins first synchronized SPAFORGEN Commit cycle > United States Space Force > Article Display

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Space Force

Space Force begins first synchronized SPAFORGEN Commit cycle > United States Space Force > Article Display

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The U.S. Space Force is continuing implementation of its Space Force Generation (SPAFORGEN) model across the force, beginning its first synchronized Commit phase cycle July 1 after the successful completion of the Prepare and Ready phases.The start of this phase marks a major milestone in the Space Force’s efforts to reoptimize for great power competition.“As the lead Field Command for executing SPAFORGEN, we are focused on generating, presenting, sustaining and improving combat-ready space forces for Service and Combatant Command missions,” said Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander. “Aligning the timing of these phases for all units across our command helps us ensure combat-credible force elements and wa...

European Space Agency makes final preparations for inaugural Ariane 6 launch – Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX

European Space Agency makes final preparations for inaugural Ariane 6 launch – Spaceflight Now

The Ariane 6 rocket stands at the launch pad at the Europe Spaceport in French Guiana following the removal of the mobile launch gantry. Image: M. Pédoussaut/ESA To quote the title track of Swedish rock band Europe’s third album, “It’s the final countdown” for the long awaited Ariane 6 to finally take flight. After running years behind schedule, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace are less than a week from the planned debut. The 62-meter-tall (203-foot-tall) rocket will lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana about 4 km (2.5 mi.) from the former Ariane 5 launch pad. This will be the first of two planned launches of the rocket in 2024. “We will keep in mind that this inaugural flight is also the start of a very important phase in the Ariane 6 program,” said Franck Huib...

Multiple nations enact mysterious export controls on quantum computers

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Science

Multiple nations enact mysterious export controls on quantum computers

Quantum computer exports are being restricted by many countriesSaigh Anees/Shutterstock Secret international discussions have resulted in governments across the world imposing identical export controls on quantum computers, while refusing to disclose the scientific rationale behind the regulations. Although quantum computers theoretically have the potential to threaten national security by breaking encryption techniques, even the most advanced quantum computers currently in public existence are too small and too error-prone to achieve this, rendering the bans seemingly pointless. The UK is one of the countries that has prohibited the export of quantum computers with 34 or more quantum bits, or qubits, and error rates below a certain threshold. The intention seems to be...