The 460th Space Wing, headquartered at Buckley AFB, Colo., last week activated the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo. The new unit, which replaces Det. 1 of the 460th Space Operations Group, will operate the new Space-Based Infrared System satellite payload. Under a former life, the 11th SWS operated the Attack and Launch Early Report to Theater (ALERT) system that drew data from the Defense Support Program satellites, which SBIRS is designed to replace. (Report by SSgt Sanjay Allen)
A new White House policy calls for the Pentagon to craft plans for additional space launch facilities to support a projected increase in launch demand that could see the U.S. supporting as many as 1,000 launches by 2030, more than a fivefold increase from 2025.