Congress is sold on developing operationally responsive space, be it satellite payloads built to common technical standards, low-cost launch vehicles, or command and control and operational concepts that employ responsive space capabilities. In fact, the 2007 defense authorization bill requires DOD to establish an Operationally Responsive Space Program Office, to be led by the DOD executive agent for space—the Air Force undersecretary—or other designee that would report to the executive agent. This office would coordinate responsive space efforts, pursue science and technology capabilities, buy the necessary space systems, and provide an operations element to oversee and operate ORS assets. DOD is to provide a report detailing how it will set all this up—it’s due 120 days after the President signs the defense bill. Lawmakers also corrected the Administration’s lack of ORS funding, by providing $23.5 million to develop ORS capabilities.
Celebrating 100 Years of Liquid-Fueled Rockets
March 11, 2026
March 16, 2026, marks 100 years since Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Over the past century, new and ever more capable liquid-fueled rockets have literally propelled humanity into space. Why liquid-fueled rockets?