The Pentagon acquisition chief, Ken Krieg, has given the Air Force permission to proceed with the restructured Space-Based Infrared System satellite program, reports Rebecca Christie of Dow Jones Newswires (report via CNNMoney.com). The program had been in technological and financial jeopardy, prompting the Air Force to begin work on an Alternative Infrared Satellite System. Krieg says AIRSS research should continue.
The Space Development Agency added 21 satellites to its nascent data transport network in an Oct. 15 launch, the second mission in a 10-month campaign to field 154 operational spacecraft.