The 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., on June 11 helped launch a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster, carrying the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope satellite into space for NASA. Moving in a circular orbit around the Earth, GLAST will study neutron stars and black holes, cosmic rays that interact with interstellar gas, dust in the galaxy, and other phenomena. (45th SPW report by A1C David Dobridney)
Space Systems Command on July 27 announced a $287 million award to Sphinx Defense to develop a mission planning prototype for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program’s ground segment.