Sirotin Intelligence Briefing: Feb 10 - Feb 15, 2025: Pentagon Scrutinizes SDA, China Sets Up Planetary Defense Unit, and Russia Replaces Roscosmos Chief
Pentagon Scrutinizes SDA, China Sets Up Planetary Defense Unit, and Russia Replaces Roscosmos Chief
This week’s Sirotin Intelligence Briefing dives into pivotal developments shaping the future of space defense, technology, and policy. From the U.S. Space Force’s push for fixed-price contracts to China’s expanding influence in Africa’s space sector, the dynamics of global space competition are accelerating. Key highlights include the Pentagon’s review of missile tracking capabilities, a $71M investment in orbital infrastructure, and the addition of 50 nations to NASA's Artemis program. Meanwhile, leadership shifts in Russia and bold lunar ambitions from the UAE underscore the geopolitical stakes in space exploration.
🛡️ Defense Highlights
- 🇺🇸🚀 Space Force Pushing Acquisition Reforms: Acting procurement executive Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy announced more aggressive oversight of underperforming programs and accelerated shift toward fixed-price contracts. The service oversees 59 major acquisition programs, with half already under fixed-price contracts.
- 🛰️🔍 Space Development Agency Under Review: Pentagon acquisition office has ordered an independent review of SDA's progress in deploying missile tracking satellites. The review comes amid leadership changes, with William Blauser appointed as acting director.
- 🚀⚠️ US Military Space Tracking Strained: The US Space Force's decades-old tracking systems are struggling to keep up with modern threats and increasing orbital congestion. The service currently monitors about 47,000 objects in orbit but faces challenges from sophisticated threats like China's satellite servicing capabilities.
- 🇬🇧🛰️ UK Expands Military Space Capabilities: UK Ministry of Defense awarded Airbus a £127 million contract to develop two reconnaissance satellites as part of its Oberon Synthetic Aperture Radar constellation, expected to launch in 2027.
- ⚠️🌍 CFR Task Force Warns of Space Security Risks: A new Council on Foreign Relations report warns of increasing vulnerabilities in U.S. space assets and recommends making space a top national priority. The report calls for enhanced domain awareness, better asset distribution for resilience, and improved international cooperation while highlighting growing threats from China and Russia's anti-satellite capabilities.
- 🇨🇳🪐 China Establishes Planetary Defense Unit: Beijing's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has created a planetary defense team in response to asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 2.2% chance of Earth impact in 2032. China plans to develop DART-style capabilities similar to NASA's successful asteroid redirection mission.
💼 Major Space Contracts
- 🛡️🚀 Space Development Agency Opens "Iron Dome" Studies: SDA issued a call for executive summaries to study US "Iron Dome" space architecture concepts, with submissions due February 28, 2025. This falls under their focus area for advanced target custody, warning, tracking and defeat.
- 🔥🛰️ Air Force Extends Sierra Space Contract: $16 million contract extension awarded to Sierra Space to further develop their VR35K-A upper stage rocket engine, building on a previous $22.6 million contract from July 2023.
- 🚀🔧 Redwire Wins Third Mako Spacecraft Contract: Orion Space Solutions awards Redwire contract for third Mako spacecraft for Space Force's Tetra-6 mission, following two spacecraft already ordered for Tetra-5 mission. The platforms will demonstrate capabilities including refueling and proximity operations.
- 🎯Space Systems Command Advances TacRS: SSC awarded Firefly Aerospace a $21.8M contract for VICTUS SOL mission under Space Safari program, advancing rapid-response space capabilities. The effort aims to enable faster orbital deployment through OSP-4 contract vehicle.
- 🛰️🔬Momentus Expands Defense Space Assembly Role: DARPA awarded Momentus a $3.5M Phase 3 contract for in-orbit demonstration of large structure assembly, set to launch on SpaceX Transporter in 2026. The mission will test novel manufacturing and assembly capabilities using Momentus' Vigoride vehicle.
- 🔄🛰️ Apex Technology Wins Multi-Orbit Vehicle Contract: Space Systems Command awarded Apex Technology a $45.9M firm-fixed-price contract for multiple space vehicles operating across two orbital regimes. The Culver City-based company will complete work by 2032, with initial $22M in R&D funding obligated.
🌐 Policy, Geopolitical & Legal Developments
- 🌙🚀 New Space Subcommittee Chair Backs Moon-First Approach: Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), new chair of the House space subcommittee, fully supports returning to the Moon before Mars. Despite speculation about Trump's Mars focus, Congress maintains strong support for the Moon-first strategy, with Haridopolos emphasizing lunar resources and stepping-stone approach.
- 🌍🛰️ FAO and UNOOSA Launch Space Agriculture Initiative: The UN agencies released a new publication "Leveraging Space Technology for Agricultural Development and Food Security," focusing on using satellite technology and geospatial data to address global food security challenges. The initiative was launched during the 62nd session of COPUOS's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee.
- 🇩🇪🔭 Germany Expands Space Surveillance: The German Air Force has contracted Spain's Indra to provide a space surveillance radar, enhancing its ability to track orbital threats. The system will integrate with the EU's Space Surveillance and Tracking Partnership.
- 🇺🇸🌍 U.S. Urged to Strengthen Africa Space Ties: With Trump back in office, experts argue the U.S. should establish a clear strategy for engaging Africa's growing space sector. Recommendations include a dedicated task force and support for space sustainability efforts.
- 🇨🇳🌐 China Deepens Space Ties in Africa: Beijing has formed 23 bilateral space partnerships across Africa while the U.S. cuts aid. Egypt leads with three Chinese satellites and a new assembly facility, as Beijing advances its bid to become the dominant space power by 2045.
- 🇷🇺🚀 Russian Space Program Leadership Change: Putin replaced Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov with former deputy transportation minister Dmitry Bakanov after just 2.5 years. The change comes amid challenges including delays in Russia's new space station plans, the Luna-25 crash, and ISS technical issues. The Kremlin cited the need for "dynamic development."
- 🇦🇪🌖 UAE Accelerates Multiplanetary Plans: UAE Space Director Salem Al-Marri stated the nation is aligning its projects toward a future of human settlement beyond Earth. The UAE aims for a permanent lunar presence as a stepping stone to Mars, with goals including landing an Emirati on the Moon within 10 years.
- 🇸🇦🧪 Saudi Space Agency Advances Bio-Gravity Initiative: The agency completed its final "Towards Space" workshop as part of its Bio-Gravity initiative, overseen by astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi. The program aims to empower scientists in biomedical sciences and build international research partnerships.
🛰️ Technology & Commercial Developments
- 🔬🚀 NASA Spinoff Technologies Hit New Milestone: NASA's 2025 Spinoff publication highlights over 40 commercial applications of space tech, including advances in medical treatments, plant watering systems, and 3D-printed buildings. The innovations span healthcare, agriculture, and construction sectors.
- 🇮🇳🛰️ India's Digantara Plans U.S. Expansion: Space surveillance startup Digantara targets $30M revenue over two years with new U.S. defense contracts. The company will invest $15M in Colorado facilities after successfully launching its first debris-tracking satellite.
- 🇮🇪🤖 Ireland's Ubotica Strengthens Space AI Position: Dublin-based Ubotica reported successful operation of its CogniSAT-6 satellite despite radiation challenges. The company is advancing AI-enabled Earth observation capabilities while expanding U.S. partnerships.
- 🌞🛰️ KARI Advances Solar Sail Technology: Korea Aerospace Research Institute developed a 10-meter solar sail deployment device that surpasses NASA's ACS3 in size. The system, designed for CubeSats, enables fuel-less deep space propulsion and could help address orbital debris challenges.
- 🚀💰 K2 Space Raises $110M Series B: The Torrance-based satellite manufacturer announced successful completion of their first in-space demonstration and $110M Series B funding round led by Lightspeed and Altimeter Capital. The company is scaling production of their multi-orbit, high-power satellite platform.
- 🛰️📡 York Space Systems Launches Commercial Services Program: York unveiled a new commercial services program targeting national security capabilities, leveraging their flight-proven satellite designs for government customers. The program aims to provide rapid, low-risk access to space-based operations through a commercial service model.
- 🇮🇳🌎 India's First Private Earth Observation Program Advances: BlackSky partners with Thales Alenia Space to support India's first private Earth observation constellation for Nibe Ltd. The deal includes supplying satellite imagery, analytics services, and a high-resolution optical satellite, mirroring a similar arrangement made with Indonesia.
📢 Special Announcements 📢
🤝 Sirotin Intelligence x Cyber Security Global Alliance
We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone: our Founder, Angelica Sirotin, has been appointed to the Business Board of Advisors of the Cyber Security Global Alliance (CSGA). This strategic appointment comes at a crucial time when space systems face unprecedented cybersecurity challenges.
This collaboration strengthens our mission to deliver actionable intelligence on space security while contributing to global cyber defense initiatives.
🎨 New Branding Coming Soon
We are excited to announce Sirotin Intelligence is evolving our brand identity. A fresh, bold design reflecting our commitment to space sector intelligence. Stay tuned - launching soon.
💭 A Word From Christophe Bosquillon
Intelligence Contributor, Senior Editor at Sirotin Intelligence
This week roamed Earth across space defense, sustainability, and diplomacy hot topics.
London led the charge with DGI - Defence Geospatial Intelligence, an annual rendez-vous for the geospatial intelligence community. DGI 2025 showcased dozens of cutting-edge geospatial intelligence and space companies, such as Maxar Technologies, HawkEye 360, Umbra, Unseenlabs, and Space Aye with Chris Newlands, leading the conversation with US and UK defense and space force representatives.
Australia in Space held a sustainability event "Transforming healthcare through innovations in extreme environments" featuring experts such as hibernation specialist Ekaterina Kostioukhina. Humans operating in extreme environments push the limits of performance to previously unattained levels. Small margins of error in execution impact risk, safety, health, and even survival: solutions benefit both life in space and on Earth, and the training of space forces.
Prof Mark Sundahl, Director of Global Space Law Center and their Team at Cleveland State University College of Law, held a full day event “The Legal and Operational Challenges of Space Flight “ in collaboration with Global Business Law Review and with the support of Blue Abyss Global.
The Asian Development Bank held a seminar "Space Technology for Energy and Cross Sector Innovation: Transforming the Asia Pacific Region" featuring Sam Alden, co-CEO of Space Solar for space-based solar power, while other experts emphasized the impact of space over Asian agriculture, healthcare, and transport.
Finally, the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC2025) just took place on Feb. 14-16. The MSC is primarily about "peace through dialogue" and follows a pattern of regional conflict resolution, such as an endgame in Ukraine.
At MSC2025, US Vice-President JD Vance, fresh from the Paris AI Summit, delivered a speech articulating European issues, at a time when NATO EU partners need to drastically step up to the plate. That includes competitiveness in the commercial and military space domain. The intersection of space, cyber, autonomous systems and infowar, was addressed in sessions about European security architecture and Russian hybrid tactics in Europe.
Have a great space week ahead!
🎤 Our Next Guest
Tomorrow, we feature an exclusive interview with Ram Riojas, CEO & President of Delta Defense Group and expert in defense, aerospace, and intelligence operations.
🔍 Topics Covered:
- His transition from decorated Air Force Colonel to global defense leadership
- Multi-domain expertise across Air, Space, Missile, and Cyber Operations
- Key insights on military modernization and transformative defense initiatives from his work with U.S. and allied partners
Don't miss this deep dive into critical perspectives on national security and defense transformation from a leader with over 150 combat missions and extensive experience in multinational defense operations.
📚 Essential Intel from Our Archives
Missed a beat? These groundbreaking conversations are must-reads:
"First Day on the Job, Hubble Was Broken"
Mike Kaplan, James Webb Space Telescope Pioneer, reveals how early setbacks with Hubble shaped NASA's approach to complex space missions.
The Future of Human Space Habitation
Jules Ross reveals how her journey from artist to space visionary is reshaping human adaptation to space through Earth's first artificial gravity station.
Attorney Michael J. Listner unpacks the complex legal challenges facing modern space activities. From resource rights to orbital debris management
Making Oceans Transparent From Space
Navy Legend Guy Thomas, inventor of S-AIS, shares how his invention transformed global maritime surveillance and security.
