News from Air Space Cyber | Mattis sees need for new space programs; Air Force Reserve grooming space warriors

View this email in your browser SpaceNews' show daily for AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Sept. 18-20 September 20, 2017 SPACENEWS' DAILY COVERAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY Mattis sees need for new space programs Michael Fabey — U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said he's open to funding new  space programs if Congress delivers on the military spending hike the White House has sought. "In space, we need new starts in order to take advantage of what industry can deliver if we are willing to invest there," Mattis said Sept. 20 during a keynote speech at the annual Air Force Association Air Space Cyber conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Space is becoming a more dangerous military region, Mattis noted. "In outer space," he said, "we used to consider it a sanctuary." But now, he said, adversaries are challenging the U.S. in that domain as they are in others. "It is contested." Air Force exploring ways to protect satellite networks from cyberattacks Sandra Erwin —  A future war in space is less likely to be fought with missiles than with electronic signals and malware. Such a prospect has unnerved Air Force leaders at a time when the military is growing increasingly dependent on space systems for essential missions. The military is confident that its own spacecraft are tightly encrypted and unlikely to be taken down by hackers. It worries, however, about the vulnerability of commercial satellites that host military payloads. The Air Force is eyeing a possible fix: Adding encryption devices to payloads to protect them from tampering or hacking even if the satellite that hosts them comes under attack. Space industry awaits Air Force decisions on future launch services Sandra Erwin — A long-awaited solicitation for industry bids on future space launch services will be out "soon," said Air Force procurement chief Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch. Much is at stake for the space industry in how the Air Force proceeds with a "launch services agreement" that has been in the works for months. Bidders already have commented on an earlier draft request for proposals and are now awaiting the final RFP. "We want to get the real RFP out to industry," Bunch told reporters Tuesday at the Air Force Association's Air Space Cyber conference. Air Force Reserve grooming space warriors Sandra Erwin — Air Force leaders generally agree that the service will need more skills in three key areas: space, cyber and intelligence. Where that talent will come from is still a matter of debate. Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, chief of Air Force Reserve, says many of the specialized space and cyber operators the Air Force hopes to add to its ranks are likely to be part-time reservists. Miller recently sat down with Gen. John Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command, to discuss this very topic. The command is leading a long-term project to sharpen space warfare skills in the Air Force and prepare for future wars against peer competitors. SpaceX forces Air Force to revise launch mindset Michael Fabey — The emergence of Elon Musk's SpaceX as a legitimate and competitive player in the space-launch arena has prompted the U.S. Air Force to re-evaluate the way it perceives launch operations, said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander, 45th Space Wing. "SpaceX does not launch on schedule," Monteith said Sept. 20 during a space warfighting panel at the annual Air Force Association Air Space Cyber Conference. "They launch on readiness." This launch-when-we're-ready-to-go attitude has had an impact on SpaceX operational needs and costs, said Monteith, who also is director of the Air Force Eastern Range, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Follow SpaceNews Advertise with Us SN FIRST UP Satcom is sent out every Wednesday by SpaceNews Staff Writer Caleb Henry and SpaceNews Editor-in-Chief Brian Berger. Copyright © 2017 SPACENEWS, All rights reserved.