Courtesy of 1st Lt. Jacob Lutz/Air Force Research Laboratory Artists concept for NTS-3 in geostationary orbit. Harris Corporation will integrate NTS-3 using Northrop Grummans ESPAStar bus, building on AFRLs EAGLE spacecraft flight heritage. gporter@abqjournal.com Thu Aug 06 08:49:58 -0600 2020 1596725398 FILENAME: 1798974.jpg
Artist's concept for a new Navigation Technology Satellite, NTS-3. The satellite, which the DOD plans to launch in 2022 and which is being built by private contractors, is expected to improve the U.S. Global Positioning System. (Courtesy of 1st Lt. Jacob Lutz/Air Force Research Laboratory)
New Mexico is front and center in a new global race to dominate space, and it's creating huge commercial opportunities for the emerging space industry here and elsewhere. The U.S. Department of Defense is rapidly standing up its new Space Force, approved in December by President Donald Trump as the sixth branch of the military. And, by and large, the DOD is turning to private industry to provide the 21st-century technology needed to maintain U.S. leadership as the world moves to conquer the final frontier. New Mexico is playing a key role in those efforts, thanks to its long history as a hub for military-related space development through a myriad of DOD space entities at Kirtland Air Force Base, plus critical research, development and testing infrastructure provided by the state's national laboratories and installations like White Sands Missile Range. The military's efforts, in turn, are helping to build the state's industrial base through emerging Air Force and Space Force partnerships with new and existing companies, and through DOD and civilian efforts to connect innovative technology firms with defense-related opportunities.
AFRL scientists conduct an experiment in the Space Vehicles Directorates plasma chemistry lab used to understand how the space environment affects spacecraft in orbit. (Photo by AFRL Space Vehicles) gporter@abqjournal.com Mon Jul 27 16:05:00 -0600 2020 1595887500 FILENAME: 1791691.JPG
USAF Colonel Eric Felt. gporter@abqjournal.com Mon Jul 27 16:05:00 -0600 2020 1595887500 FILENAME: 1791692.jpg
(Left) Matt Fetrow, Air Force Research Laboratory Tech Engagement Office director, presents AFRL scientist Dr. Vince Cowan the Tech Transfer Agreement Award at AFRL New Mexicos 2019 Innovation Awards event held on Aug. 9 in Albuquerque, N.M. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo) gporter@abqjournal.com Thu Aug 06 09:57:58 -0600 2020 1596729478 FILENAME: 1799015.jpg
courtesy of SolAero Technologies Corp. Brad Clevenger gporter@abqjournal.com Thu Aug 06 10:13:58 -0600 2020 1596730437 FILENAME: 1799025.jpg