Sirotin Intelligence Briefing: July 28 - August 2, 2025: Golden Dome Architecture Due in 60 Days as Space-Based Interceptors Target Hypersonics While NASA Faces Budget Crisis

This week's Sirotin Intelligence analysis reveals the accelerating militarization of space as Gen. Guetlein confirms space-based interceptors will target hypersonic threats in their vulnerable boost phase, marking a shift from Reagan-era concepts to operational reality despite economic challenges. While defense contractors secure billions for missile defense systems and NATO adopts Space Force's industry engagement model, NASA faces congressional warnings about budget instability threatening critical missions as SpaceX prepares to rescue stranded ISS astronauts. The strategic divergence crystallizes: as Safran projects defense space revenue doubling to €10 billion and Japan proposes an Aerospace Self-Defense Force to counter China and Russia, the U.S. pours resources into kinetic defense while our upcoming guest Dr. Robert Statica demonstrates how AI-powered delta-v optimization and horizontal takeoff SSTO systems could deliver sub-$100/kg orbital access—transforming space from exclusive government domain to accessible infrastructure.

🛡️ Defense Highlights

• Golden Dome Space-Based Interceptors to Target Hypersonic Threats in Boost Phase: Breaking Defense reports that space-based interceptors in the Golden Dome architecture will focus on defeating hypersonic missiles during their most vulnerable boost phase, with Gen. Guetlein emphasizing the need to prove economic viability of proliferated satellite constellations that can track and engage threats traveling over 6,000 mph.
• Safran Projects Defense and Space Revenue to Double by 2030: French aerospace giant Safran forecasts its defense and space sales will double from current levels to reach €10 billion by 2030, driven by increased military spending and space sector growth, positioning the company as a key supplier for both European and international defense programs.
• FrontGrade Launches Radiation-Hardened Power Systems for Space Applications: FrontGrade Technologies introduced its new VNX+ Intelligent Power Supply series designed for aerospace, defense, and space systems, featuring enhanced radiation tolerance and intelligent power management capabilities critical for next-generation satellite constellations.
• Space Force Launches Eighth X-37B Mission with Quantum Inertial Sensor: The X-37B OTV-8 mission scheduled for August 21 will test laser communications and the world's highest performing quantum inertial sensor in space, enabling GPS-denied navigation and enhancing spacecraft resilience for cislunar operations.
• NATO Following Space Force's 'Front Door' Model for Industry Engagement: NATO plans to establish its own Front Door program modeled after Space Force's vendor vetting system, with plans to link databases for alliance companies while conducting supply chain analysis to identify critical dependencies and vulnerabilities.
• Slingshot Aerospace Unveils AI-Powered Space Training Tool TALOS: The Thinking Agent for Logical Operations and Strategy uses behavior cloning to simulate realistic satellite tactics and adversary maneuvers, already tested by Space Force's 57th Space Aggressor Squadron during the service's first Space Flag exercise.
• Space Force Mental Health Program RISE Expands to Space Delta 8: The Reconnecting to Internal Sensations and Experiences training, originally developed for acute mental health cases, now serves as a prevention tool for guardians at Peterson & Schriever Space Force Base, offering self-guided resilience building.
• Chief Master Sergeant Bentivegna Completes First European Partnership Tour: CMSSF John Bentivegna concluded meetings across UK, Germany, and Italy emphasizing collective defense in space domain, visiting RAF bases and meeting with senior enlisted leaders from Australia, Canada, and NATO following the Space Force's new International Partnership Strategy.
• Space and Missile Defense Symposium Opens with Focus on Army Transformation: Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey will open the 28th annual symposium in Huntsville August 5-7 with focus on SMDC's transformation to ensure Army wins next fight, featuring panels on AI integration and directed energy weapons.
• Defense Contracts:
  • Lockheed Martin Secures $2.06B THAAD Interceptor Production Contract: Lockheed Martin received a $2.06 billion modification to produce Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors, bringing the total contract value to $10.4 billion with work in Texas, California, Alabama, and Arkansas expected through December 2029.
  • Owl Cyber Defense Wins $150M Air Force Cross-Domain Solution Contract: The Columbia-based company was awarded a sole-source IDIQ contract for Voice and Video Cross Domain Solution development, including XD Vision and Cross Domain Full Motion Video systems for the Minerva user community through July 2030.
  • Space Systems Command Awards $37M for Protected Tactical Satellite-Global Demonstrations: Five companies including Viasat, Northrop Grumman, Astranis, Intelsat, and Boeing were selected for design and demonstration contracts supporting the Protected Tactical Satellite-Global program, with work expected through January 2026.
  • Army Awards $264M for Indirect Fire Protection Capability Weapon System: Dynetics Inc. received a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for IFPC weapon system requirements, with work in Huntsville, Dallastown, and Chanhassen funded by $127.8 million in FY25 RDT&E funds.
  • Navy Awards $126.7M for Medical Modeling and Simulation Support: Teledyne Brown Engineering won an IDIQ contract to develop IT applications, medical manpower analytical methodologies, and cloud migration tools for the Naval Health Research Center, with work split between Huntsville (80%) and San Diego (20%).

🌐 Policy, Geopolitical & Legal Developments

• Senators Express Concerns Over NASA Budget Uncertainty in Letter to Administrator Duffy: A bipartisan group of senators wrote to acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy warning about the impact of continuing resolutions and budget uncertainty on critical programs, emphasizing that funding instability threatens both ongoing missions and workforce retention at a crucial time for U.S. space leadership.
• SpaceX Prepares to Return Stranded NASA Astronauts from ISS: SpaceX is preparing a mission to bring home two NASA astronauts who have been on the International Space Station longer than planned due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, highlighting the critical role of commercial providers in maintaining U.S. human spaceflight capabilities and the ongoing challenges with Boeing's crew transportation system.
• NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins Retires After Pioneering DNA Sequencing in Space: Kate Rubins retired Monday after 16 years with NASA, having completed 300 days in space and becoming the first person to sequence DNA in orbit, enabling critical advances in molecular diagnostics and microgravity cell culture for future exploration missions.
• Roscosmos Chief Makes First U.S. Visit Since 2018 for NASA Talks: Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov arrived in Houston Tuesday for talks with acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, focusing on cross-flight agreements, ISS life extension, and safe deorbiting plans while touring Johnson Space Center and meeting Crew-11 members including cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
• Senate Commerce Approves NOAA Leadership Nominations Amid Controversy: The committee approved Neil Jacobs as NOAA Administrator and Taylor Jordan as Assistant Secretary despite Democrats' concerns, while questions remain about two NOAA officials placed on administrative leave Friday without explanation.
• EU Proposes Space Act to Harmonize Regulations Across Member States: The European Commission's landmark proposal aims to create a single market for space activities by 2030, introducing unified requirements for licensing, cybersecurity, and debris mitigation while maintaining regulatory independence despite new US-EU trade deal.
• Space Cybersecurity Risks Escalate with 11,700 Active Satellites: Security experts warn that aging equipment, remote locations, and global exposure make satellites vulnerable targets, with the EU's NIS2 Directive now including space as critical infrastructure requiring mandatory cybersecurity assessments.
• South Korea's KASA Doubles Space Budget to $1.1B Through 2027: The new space agency plans lunar landing by 2032 and Mars by 2045, with technology transfer of Nuri launch vehicle to Hanwha Aerospace expected in 2025 as Seoul shifts toward privatized yet strategically guided space sector.
• Indonesia's BRIN Develops Battery Management Systems for Satellite Longevity: The National Research and Innovation Agency is developing indigenous BMS technology to reduce import dependence and mission costs, testing batteries under space conditions including radiation, vacuum, and extreme temperatures to optimize satellite performance.

🛰️ Technology & Commercial Developments

• Mars Glaciers Revealed as 80% Pure Water Ice, Key Resource for Future Colonization: NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data shows surprising consistency in glacier purity across the Red Planet, with researchers confirming these widespread ice deposits could serve as essential water resources for future human settlements.
• Australia's First Orbital Rocket Launch Fails 14 Seconds After Liftoff: Gilmour Space Technologies' historic Eris rocket launch from Queensland's Bowen Orbital Spaceport ended in failure when the vehicle slid sideways and crashed, though CEO Adam Gilmour called clearing the tower "a major milestone" with plans to launch again within 6-8 months.
• China's iSpace Returns to Flight with Successful Hyperbola-1 Launch: Chinese startup iSpace successfully launched its solid-fueled Hyperbola-1 rocket Tuesday, marking its return to flight after a year-long hiatus following failures, as the company continues developing its reusable Hyperbola-3 vehicle for 2025 debut.
• China Launches Pakistan's Remote Sensing Satellite PRSS-1: China successfully deployed Pakistan's PRSS-1 satellite aboard a Kuaizhou-1A rocket from Xichang on July 31, enhancing Pakistan's disaster monitoring and agricultural assessment capabilities as space cooperation between the nations deepens.

💭 A Word From Christophe Bosquillon

The Japanese Ministry of Defense just released its "Space Defense Policy 2025," outlining Japan’s strategy to strengthen its national security posture by treating space as a critical and contested operational domain. The document reflects growing geopolitical tensions due to the militarization of space by China and Russia (ASATs, RPOs, killer satellites), and commits to developing resilient, independent capabilities to ensure secure access and usage of space for military and civilian purposes.

Central to the strategy is the proposed transformation of the Air Self-Defense Force into an Aerospace Self-Defense Force, reflecting space’s elevated status in military operations. Key initiatives include: real-time detection and tracking of mobile and hypersonic targets; expanded use of AI and digital twins for command decision-making; and the development of multilayered, anti-jam satellite communications networks incorporating both military-grade and commercial satellite constellations.

The policy emphasizes “mission assurance” through Space Domain Awareness and Space Situational Awareness, satellite protection from kinetic and non-kinetic threats, and rapid satellite replenishment using responsive small launch vehicles. Japan also commits to developing counterspace capabilities to disrupt adversary command-and-control systems.

Technological modernization is prioritized through public-private collaboration, integration of dual-use technologies (AI, laser communications, VLEO platforms), and strategic investment in domestic supply chains to reduce reliance on foreign components. Japan’s MOD also stresses human capital development with dedicated training pipelines and international cooperation through exercises and information-sharing with allies, particularly the U.S..

In essence, Japan is shifting from viewing space with a support desk mindset, to treating it as core domain and independent national defense pillar. This requires reorganization, rapid technological adoption, tighter alliance interoperability, and sustained civil-military collaboration, to ensure resilience and deterrence in an increasingly contested orbital environment.

China immediately reacted, saying that Japan’s space defence guidelines “threaten security and stability.” China’s foreign ministry said that in space, Japan, the US and other Western countries continued “expanding military cooperation and used ‘defence’ as a pretext to develop and deploy space weapons,” adding that  “these measures threaten the security and stability of outer space and trigger the concerns of neighbouring countries about a revival of militarism.”   

Meanwhile, North-Korean space and cyber threats remain unabated.

Have a great space week ahead!

🎤 Our Next Guest: Dr. Robert Statica

Thursday, August 7th – Dr. Robert Statica on Building Hypersonic Aircraft, Space-Based Defense Systems, and the Race to Sub-$100/Kg Space Access

From NASA's Stardust mission to founding HYPERIAN AEROSPACE, Dr. Robert Statica has spent 25 years translating government-scale engineering into commercial viability. As the creator of platforms ranging from the BLACKSTAR Mach 10 hypersonic fighter to the HYPERSPACE SSTO promising sub-$100/kg orbital access, he's not just building science fiction—he's engineering it into reality, demonstrating how the barriers between Earth and orbit can dissolve when you optimize for delta-v instead of raw metrics.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• How single-stage-to-orbit technology can achieve sub-$100/kg space access vs. today's $1,000-$3,000/kg
• Why delta-v management is "movement currency" in space and the key to sustainable orbital operations
• The HYPERSPACE Interceptor's ability to launch horizontally, intercept targets at 17,500 mph, and return for reuse
• Lessons from NASA's Stardust mission that shaped SpaceAI's autonomous deep-space navigation
• How the HYPERLINER's Mach 10 speed enables 90-minute global travel with "no layovers, no jet lag"
• The critical difference between government's "optimize for certainty" and commercial's "move fast and iterate"
• Why retaining full IP control allows rapid adaptation across commercial and defense contracts
• The "inflection point" where space access becomes infrastructure rather than aspiration
• How platforms serve dual-use readiness for civilian satellites, ISR, and space threat interception
• Why AI-powered flight systems constantly optimize the "chess game at 25,000 km/h"

Don't miss this conversation with the aerospace futurist who's bridging government reliability with startup speed, revealing how horizontal takeoff changes everything about space economics—and why the future of space operations requires thinking beyond rockets to create true orbital infrastructure.

📚 Essential Intel from Our Archives

Missed a beat? These groundbreaking conversations are must-reads:

"Space Wars Are Over in 24 Hours—Most People Don't Even Know They're Happening" 

Space warfare doctrine pioneer Paul Szymanski reveals mathematical proof that the U.S. lost its first space war to Russia in 2014, exposing how temporal pattern analysis unmasks satellite attacks hidden behind "solar flare" cover stories and why hypervelocity weapons from orbit could render the U.S. Navy obsolete overnight.

"The Grid Is Already a Living System—We Just Don't Recognize It"

Power systems veteran Mike Swearingen explains why treating the power grid as a living, autonomous system isn't science fiction—it's an engineering reality we refuse to acknowledge, and how space-domain tactics can secure the grid of tomorrow.

"The Hidden Power Struggle Reshaping China: Xi Jinping's Dramatic Fall From Grace"

An investigation into China's internal power dynamics reveals how Xi Jinping's grip on power is weakening amid economic turmoil, military purges, and rising opposition within the Communist Party.

"I Patented a Space Airlock That Uses 6,000 Times Less Air"

NASA veteran Marc Cohen reveals his revolutionary Suitport design and four decades of challenging engineering orthodoxy, advocating for space habitats that prioritize human experience over forcing astronauts to adapt to machines.

"I Created a Language That Lets AI Think in 128 Dimensions"

Former corporate sales executive Chris McGinty reveals how his McGinty Equation unifies quantum mechanics with relativity through fractal geometry, creating Hyperfluid AI and revolutionary space-folding technologies now being adopted by NATO defense strategists.

"I'm on a Crusade to Expand the Domain of Life"

Space pioneer Rick Tumlinson reveals how he created the NewSpace movement, his work with Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill, and his 40-year mission to expand humanity beyond Earth through commercial space ventures.

"Space Law Is The First Domain Where Nations Agreed On Rules Before Having Practice" 

Military JAG-turned-attorney Trevor Hehn explains how Cold War-era space treaties meet modern commercial ventures, highlighting the challenges of resource utilization, dual-use technologies, and regulatory navigation for companies expanding beyond Earth's atmosphere.

"The Unprotected Power Grid Will Be Our Civilization's Death Warrant If We Don't Act"

Doug Ellsworth, Co-Director of the Secure the Grid Coalition, warns about America's vulnerability to electromagnetic pulse attacks and advocates for urgent power grid protection to prevent catastrophic infrastructure collapse.

"When AI Designs Components, They Sometimes Defy Textbook Engineering"

Space Force Lt. Colonel Thomas Nix reveals how 3D printing and AI are creating revolutionary spacecraft designs, with parts that are stronger and lighter than what human engineers could develop using traditional methods.

"The Gaps in Our Lunar Knowledge Are Enormous"

Extraterrestrial Mining Company Chief Scientist Dr. Ruby Patterson describes the urgent need for more lunar geological data before making commercial decisions, while offering a balanced view on helium-3 mining and advocating for inclusive international cooperation in cislunar space.

"We're Building the Railroads of the Space Gold Rush"

Space Phoenix Systems CEO Andrew Parlock positions his company as "FedEx for space," creating an infrastructure that helps businesses launch and return payloads from orbit with minimal friction.

"Our Nuclear Shield Was Killed For Political, Not Technological Reasons"

Reagan's SDI Director Ambassador Henry Cooper argues that effective missile defense technology developed during the Reagan-Bush years was abandoned for political reasons when the Clinton administration "took the stars out of Star Wars."

"Every Country Has a Border with Space"

UK Space Agency CEO Dr. Paul Bate is developing Britain's space industry through initiatives like spaceports in Scotland's Shetland Islands to establish the UK as Europe's premier satellite launch destination.

"We're Treating Satellites Like They're Still In The 1990s" 

Niha Agarwalla, Director of Commercial Space, explains why traditional satellites are obsolete and how resilient constellations will transform space economics.

"When People See Space Guardians in Uniform, They Ask If They're Real" 

Colonel Bill Woolf, 25-year space defense veteran, reveals his mission to build public support for the newest military branch defending America's orbital assets.

"One Kilogram of Helium-3 Is Worth $50 Million" 

Jeffrey Max, Magna Petra CEO, explains how lunar resource extraction could revolutionize Earth's energy production and fuel humanity's expansion across the solar system.

"I'm Building a Rocket Engine That Could Reach Alpha Centauri" 

Michael Paluszek, Princeton Satellite Systems President, reveals how fusion propulsion could reduce travel times throughout our solar system and enable humanity's first interstellar missions.

"Space Has a Scottish Accent"

Chris Newlands, CEO of Space Aye, discusses how his company's satellite technology is revolutionizing wildlife conservation and helping to combat illegal fishing and poaching.

"I Learned From the Last Generation of Manhattan Project Veterans”

Patrick McClure, former Kilopower Project Lead at Los Alamos National Laboratory, explains how small nuclear reactors could power future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

"We're Being Attacked Every Day" 

Christopher Stone, Former Pentagon Space Advisor, warns about America's vulnerabilities in orbit and explains why China's "attack to deter" doctrine makes space conflict more likely than many realize.

"I Helped SpaceX Secure Their First Commercial Contracts" 

Serial entrepreneur Robert Feierbach discusses building billion-dollar space ventures across four continents and developing North America's newest spaceport.

"We Can Fly 8,000 Miles In 2 Hours" 

Jess Sponable, Ex-DARPA PM & President of NFA, explains how rocket-powered aircraft will revolutionize global travel through simplified hypersonic technology.​​ 

"This Could Be Our Biggest Economy"

Kevin O'Connell, Former Space Commerce Director, reveals how space is transforming from a government domain to a $1.8 trillion market.

​​"How Do You Win a War in Space?" 

Ram Riojas, Ex-Nuclear Commander and Space Defense Expert, explains why the next war will start in space and how nations are preparing their defenses.

"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 and discusses the commercial revolution transforming space exploration.

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.

Space Law's New Frontier 

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.