Air Force project blends military and commercial space networks

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force is gearing up for a demonstration next year of a satellite communications network that can seamlessly integrate government-owned and commercial constellations on a single, secure military terminal. The demonstration is a key milestone in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet, or DEUCSI — a program launched in... Read more about Air Force project blends military and commercial space networks

AFRL researchers 3D print and test rocket engine thrust chamber

Stay up to date with everything that is happening in the wonderful world of AM via our LinkedIn community. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Propulsion Division recently designed, built, and hot-fired a single-block rocket-engine thrust chamber that was 3D printed using directed energy deposition (DED). “AFRL’s investments in early advanced manufacturing techniques enable us to... Read more about AFRL researchers 3D print and test rocket engine thrust chamber

AFRL Develops First 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Thrust Chamber

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has produced its first additive-manufactured rocket engine thrust chamber. Additive manufacturing is similar to industrial 3D printing, which uses different materials to mold product segments. For AFRL’s project, experts applied laser powder-directed energy disposition (DED) to build the chamber, an approach leveraging metal powder injection as base... Read more about AFRL Develops First 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Thrust Chamber

SpaceWERX, Aerospace Corporation collaborate to guide technologies through the 'Valley of Death'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFRL) - SpaceWERX , the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX , has partnered with the Aerospace Corporation to establish a cutting-edge “Technology Readiness Level”, or TRL, bootcamp lab in El Segundo, California. This collaborative effort aims to guide promising technologies through the “Valley of Death,” the challenging transition... Read more about SpaceWERX, Aerospace Corporation collaborate to guide technologies through the 'Valley of Death'

Purdue University, Purdue Global, and U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine conduct summit for collaboration and continued partnership

FAIRBORN, Ohio — Purdue University, Purdue Global, and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) came together to discuss an academic-based partnership that supports the USAFSAM mission. The primary objectives of the 2-day summit were to foster a deeper understanding of the academic models, training capabilities, and registrar functions employed by... Read more about Purdue University, Purdue Global, and U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine conduct summit for collaboration and continued partnership

Solar farms in space move one step closer

A breakthrough in power transmission is just the latest step towards readily available, continuous solar energy. Solar power has one big problem: it's only available when the sun is shining. But what if it could be generated 24/7, whatever the weather? That's the premise behind several projects, now starting to show real results, that involve building huge solar farms in space. These initiatives... Read more about Solar farms in space move one step closer

Space Force unveils strategy to leverage commercial tech innovation

COLORADO SPRINGS — Following the Pentagon’s recent guidance urging greater use of commercial space technologies, the U.S. Space Force on April 10 released its own blueprint for integrating private-sector capabilities. In a speech at the 39th Space Symposium, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said the strategy serves as foundational guidance for military and civilian leaders tasked... Read more about Space Force unveils strategy to leverage commercial tech innovation

DARPA transitions new technology to shield military AI systems from trickery.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has transitioned newly developed defensive capabilities to the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, according to a senior official. The tech was born out of DARPA’s Guaranteeing AI Robustness Against Deception (GARD) program, which kicked off a few years ago. “That is a program that’s focused on building defenses against adversarial... Read more about DARPA transitions new technology to shield military AI systems from trickery.

Experts Reflect on Recent Shifts in AI Ecosystem

The field of artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, and the U.S. government is working to adapt to these constant changes as quickly as possible. To ensure that AI is brought in successfully, federal organizations have devised new strategies to guide their adoption of AI tools. During a panel discussion at the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual AI Summit last week, experts shared their... Read more about Experts Reflect on Recent Shifts in AI Ecosystem

AFRL Showcases Key Programs at 2024 Space Symposium

AFRL Showcases Key Programs at 2024 Space Symposium MARCH 27, 2024 – The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, will feature several space-related technologies and programs during the 39th Space Symposium at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 8-11, 2024. “As the Department of the Air Force re-optimizes for Great Power Competition and the U.S. Space Force ensures continued... Read more about AFRL Showcases Key Programs at 2024 Space Symposium