Franklin Caldwell II

https://lnkd.in/erWeurAf I do like my job! I get to work with the smartest and most capable people and do the most interesting things. Here we see the heart of a new concept that I call a Fugacious Thrust Deflector. Deorbiting a satellite at the end of its life can be surprisingly difficult, but it's becoming more and more necessary. As my colleague Jeff Lang puts it, "It's like camping, if you pack it in, you've got to pack it out.". With this invention, all you need to do is point your satellite in the right direction. This does the rest - it spins your satellite up for spin-stabilized flight, then it provides the deorbit impulse, and without the mass or complication of a Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system. Like most of my concepts, it's surprisingly simple.

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🌟 Meet our incredible members! This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Tom McDaniel from L3Harris Technologies. Tom discusses how DII has helped him and his organization. What is one way that you and your organization use DII? To me the most valuable part of DII is networking with other members offline using Member Connect and in-person during the annual Best Practices Forum (BPF) to share ideas and learn how others are implementing their respective ethics programs. Check out his full spotlight at www.dii.org #DIICommunity #ethicsandcompliance

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The petition to get a boat named after Medal of Honor recipient Henry Breault has reached 1000 signatures! That may not seem like much, when you hear of petitions reaching hundreds of thousands in the news, but submariners and the communities that support them are relatively small ones. Why is 1000 so special? The average crew size on an S-Boat (1919-1947) was around 35, meaning we have well over 30 S-Boats who have signed. The average crew size of a Fleet-boat (1937-still in service in Taiwan) was about 65, meaning we have over 15 who have signed. The average crew size of a Virginia (2004- still in service) is about 120, meaning we have over 8 who have signed. The average crew size of our largest boats, the Ohios (1976-still in service) is about 180, meaning we have over 4 who have signed (or 2 combined gold and blue crews). That's what 1000 means and why it's such a high milestone! https://lnkd.in/es6FrrWQ

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One cool concept that doesn't fully meet the eye here is the idea of "induced mass", meaning the component mass on the Starship/Super Heavy vehicles required to support Raptor operations. Not only is v3 a massive streamline of the engine, but it incorporates startup, cooling, and fire/heat mitigation features that simplify other Starship systems and thereby cut "induced mass". A truly impressive score for the Starship program that translates directly to higher payload capability!

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Axiom Space makes large changes to their space station plans. Now will only fly one module to the ISS prior to ISS end of life. https://lnkd.in/gKbMTKUQ

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Come help chart the future of defense space technology with me!

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For our Defense customers, Axient delivers: 🔗Advanced modeling, simulation, software and analysis to help our customers develop, evaluate and test next generation weapon systems. 🔍 Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) techniques expediting and improving the SE life cycle  🚀 Processor-in-the-loop testing of complex defensive weapon systems  🔧 Hardware-in-the-loop testing of complex systems and sensors  🖥 Digital simulation, to include six-degree-of-freedom (6-DoF) digital simulation modeling and analysis for complex systems  📈 Expedited and enhanced processes for complex system design 

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This is a great article that describes how #Raytheon uses composability and modularity in software-defined apertures. https://lnkd.in/eJMuncE6

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Right on Shawn Barnes! With regard to DoD, USSF, and IC aspirations related to commercial space, actions > (voluminous) words. Vision without resources and implementation is hallucination. Investors will run out of patience, companies will disappear, talent will dissipate, and innovative technologies will whither and die - along with our marginal advantage over our adversaries. “Ruthlessly implement” indeed!

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Mars Sample Return (MSR) Program Update: It seems as though it's back to the drawing board...possibly without JPL. This past Monday's unveiling of the NASA HQ response to the Mars Sample Return (MSR) Independent Review Board (IRB-2) was jarring. In summary: 1. Program Status: MSR will remain on pause, with no clear path or timeline for resumption. 2. Leadership Transition: Management and programming of MSR will be shifted from JPL to NASA HQ, with new personnel appointed. 3. Budget Adjustments: The FY24 budget for MSR is set at $310 million, significantly less than the presidential budget request of $949 million. 4. NASA Budget Revision: The FY25 NASA budget request for MSR has been updated from "TBD" to $200 million, compared to the baseline planned amount of about $1 billion. 5. Project Streamlining: Helicopters have been officially removed from the project, ending active support and future development of flight on Mars. #thanksingenuity 6. Budget and Timeline Analysis: The IRB response team confirmed the IRB's budget assessment, and went on to assert a sample return by 2040, but did not provide detail on the reference architecture used for these predictions. 7. Executive Commentary: Administrator Bill Nelson remarked that the IRB Response Team’s estimate of $10 billion and a return year of 2040 was “too expensive and too slow,” suggesting a start over might somehow be the path to a faster, less costly solution. ...Administrator Nelson also implied that the mission cost should not exceed $7 billion. Considering that $3 billion has already been spent, this implies a cost cap of $4 billion for the restart—less than any of the last three flagship missions. 8. Call for Innovation: NASA HQ has called for industry proposals for "innovative heritage possibilities that leverage new architectures for robust reliability and margins, higher risk tolerance, lower complexity, and relaxed success criteria." ..."Just make it faster, better, cheaper." 9. Employment Concerns: There's a growing fear of further layoffs among us at JPL by year's end, in addition to those already experienced. For more insights, check out the full audio-only media briefing here: https://lnkd.in/gTXcX9zq. The full content of the response report remains undisclosed to the public.

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Our Spark team is excited to host the Software Enabled Weapons Industry Day, July 17 - 18 in Huntsville, Alabama! This AFWERX Spark Collider event will be held in collaboration with Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW). Additional agencies from across the United States Department of Defense will be joining the event to work towards outlining a problem statement and looking to industry for possible solutions. This event will bring together entrepreneurs, warfighters, and experts! 💥 Government problem owners and solution providers will explore novel technologies and new opportunities to improve weapon systems performance. Come join us to discuss how various organizations within the Department of Defense are approaching software enabled weapons and discuss innovative ways to radically accelerate the weapon performance update cycle. If you have a solution that you think could fit the bill, register to attend and submit required security information by July 9: https://ow.ly/lZsR50SbWzm . . . #AFWERX #Spark #Collider #government #collaboration #event #technology #innovation #DoD #AI #weapons

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#ICYMI The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center reorganization into an Air Force Forces staff structure, commonly referred to as an A-Staff, reached full operational capability Oct. 1. AFIMSC initiated the reorganization to improve communication, coordination and responsiveness across its nine major functional areas, ultimately supporting the center’s ability to execute national defense and Department of the Air Force priorities. #USAF #defense #reorganization

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U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Operations Command have transitioned two additional Space Deltas to fully-integrated Mission Deltas under the Unified Mission Readiness concept, marked by ceremonies Oct. 30-31, 2024. Mission Deltas oversee all aspects of mission area functions – people, training, equipment and combat sustainment. The Mission Delta construct is intended to garner the benefits that arise when operations, sustainment, and capability development are in sync. Read the full story in the link below #USSpaceForce #SemperSupra #USSF5 #BuildOnAndBuildOut

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💻 Attention early-career scientists and engineers! The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Young Investigator Research Program (YIP). This prestigious initiative aims to support outstanding young investigators conducting creative basic research in science and engineering fields relevant to the Air Force and Space Force missions. The YIP provides a unique opportunity to kickstart your research career and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in areas crucial to national security. Selected applicants will receive substantial funding of up to $450,000 over three years to pursue their groundbreaking projects and foster collaboration with AFOSR's research interests. Key Program Details: 📌 Eligibility: Principal Investigators must be employed full-time at U.S. institutions of higher education, industrial laboratories, for-profit, or non-profit research organizations. PIs must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who received their PhD/equivalent degree on or after April 1, 2017. 💰 Funding: Awards of up to $150,000 per year for three years, totaling $450,000. 🔬 Research Areas: Open to proposals across various scientific disciplines aligned with Air Force and Space Force strategic priorities. ⏳ Deadline: Applications must be submitted by April 22nd, 2023. This program represents an exceptional chance for early-career researchers to gain recognition, expand their academic horizons, and make tangible impacts on our nation's defense capabilities. By fostering innovative thinking and groundbreaking discoveries, the YIP nurtures the next generation of scientific leaders poised to tackle complex challenges. We strongly encourage all eligible candidates to seize this incredible opportunity. 🔗To learn more about the program guidelines and application process visit: https://lnkd.in/gmeqDZ9T Let's collectively drive advancements that safeguard our nation's interests while propelling scientific progress. #AFOSRYIP #AFOSRSTEM #STEMFunding #YoungInvestigators #AirForceResearch #SpaceForceTech #BasicResearch #CareerDevelopment #NationalSecurity

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On August 30, the U.S. Department of State announced a significant settlement with RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, over 750 violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This settlement resolves issues related to unauthorized exports of defense articles, including classified materials, improper jurisdiction and classification, and unauthorized exports to proscribed destinations. Key Points of the Settlement: 1. Violations Addressed: The violations include unauthorized exports due to failure to establish proper jurisdiction and classification, unauthorized hand-carrying of defense articles to restricted destinations, and breaches of the terms and conditions of DDTC authorizations. 2. Voluntary Disclosure: RTX voluntarily disclosed all the alleged violations to the Department of State and cooperated fully with the subsequent compliance review conducted by the Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance. 3. Civil Penalty: RTX will pay a civil penalty of $200 million, with $100 million suspended on the condition that these funds will be used for Department-approved remedial compliance measures under the Consent Agreement. 4. Compliance Measures: RTX has agreed to enhance its compliance program significantly. This includes engaging an external Special Compliance Officer for at least 24 months to oversee the implementation of the Consent Agreement. The agreement also mandates at least one external audit of RTX’s ITAR compliance program. Department's Role: - This settlement underscores the U.S. Department of State's commitment to furthering national security and foreign policy objectives by ensuring strict control over the export of defense articles. It also highlights the critical importance of adhering to export regulations and obtaining proper authorization for exporting defense-related materials. - This agreement reflects the Department's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with U.S. export laws and to protect national security through the diligent oversight of defense exports. The Department of State's action against RTX serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous compliance programs to prevent violations of export regulations. For more updates on regulatory developments, unlock cutting-edge legal intelligence with our subscription free platform — stay ahead in your industry! Explore GRI : https://lnkd.in/gZmkUPim #RTXCorporation #USDepartmentofState #ExportCompliance #ITAR #NationalSecurity #GRI

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