News: Defense Innovation Unit

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42 headlines. We show the headline and the publisher's own teaser; the full story is at the source.

• Defense Innovation Unit seeks commercial path to deliver electrical power from orbit SpaceNews · 16 Jul 2026 DIU solicitation aims to move long-studied technology toward military use by fiscal 2030
• NASA Wallops Supports First Rocket Lab HASTE Launch of 2026 NASA · 5 Mar 2026 NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility supported a Rocket Lab HASTE suborbital launch from the company’s Launch Complex 2 in Virginia on Feb. 27, 2026. The mission, called Cassowary Vex, supported a flight of a hypersonic test p...
• Rocket Lab Showcases Hypersonic Test Flight Space Scout · 28 Feb 2026 On February 27th, 2026, Rocket Lab launched the “That’s Not A Knife” mission from Wallops Island, Virginia, carrying a hypersonic test vehicle for the Defense Innovation Unit.
• Pentagon seeks commercially built GEO spy satellites SpaceNews · 18 Feb 2026 The Defense Innovation Unit plans to select companies to field and operate spacecraft before transferring them to government control within three years
• Pentagon weighs consolidation of DIU tech portfolio SpaceNews · 8 Dec 2025 The ongoing review could have implications for space projects
• Pentagon taps more firms to build commercial-military satellite network SpaceNews · 12 May 2025 The Defense Innovation Unit added more than a dozen new companies to its Hybrid Space Architecture project.
• DIU studying applications of SpaceX Starship in-space refueling SpaceNews · 6 Feb 2025 A Defense Department unit is examining how SpaceX’s Starship vehicle could be used to support a broader architecture of in-space refueling.
• Astra wins DIU contract to support Rocket 4 development SpaceNews · 25 Oct 2024 Astra has won a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit worth up to $44 million to support development of its Rocket 4 launch vehicle.
• DoD seeks innovations in small-satellite propulsion SpaceNews · 1 Oct 2024 The Defense Innovation Unit issued a solicitation for proposals on electrospray thrusters
• Defense Innovation Unit Awards The Spaceport Company Sea-Based Space Launch Demo Contract The Launch Pad · 10 Jun 2024 Defense Innovation Unit Awards The Spaceport Company Sea-Based Space Launch Demo Contract
• Sea-based launch startup scores $2.5 million Pentagon contract SpaceNews · 29 May 2024 The Spaceport Company received a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit to advance the development of a mobile, ocean-going launch platform
• Congress pushes DoD to deliver SpaceNews · 19 Apr 2024 A big budget boost for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) sends a loud, clear message.
• DIU helps orchestrate Pentagon innovation enterprise SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2024 Q&A with Steve “Bucky” Butow, Defense Innovation Unit Space portfolio director.
• Lawmakers cut $1 billion from Space Force’s 2024 budget request SpaceNews · 21 Mar 2024 The compromise bill gives a big boost to the Defense Innovation Unit
• Defense Innovation Unit awards three contracts for space logistics technologies SpaceNews · 20 Mar 2024 Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Spacebilt will demonstrate technologies sought by DoD for in-orbit mobility
• Pentagon’s innovation unit steps up role in Space Force’s responsive launch program SpaceNews · 19 Mar 2024 The Defense Innovation Unit sees broader benefits from investing in rapid launch capabilities alongside commercial partners
• Space Force seen as the more agile branch to adopt new tech SpaceNews · 12 Feb 2024 The Defense Innovation Unit is backing a Space Force initiative to buy commercial satellite imagery directly from providers
• Space startup Aalyria demonstrates satellite mesh network SpaceNews · 12 Feb 2024 The company is working with the Defense Innovation Unit to create a “hybrid space architecture”
• Defense Innovation Unit solicits new round of proposals for space network project SpaceNews · 29 Nov 2023 The Defense Innovation Unit issued a new solicitation for proposals from private companies for a project known as the Hybrid Space Architecture.
• Rocket Lab to launch hypersonic test vehicle for the Defense Innovation Unit SpaceNews · 9 Nov 2023 Rocket Lab announced a new mission for its suborbital launch vehicle — a 3D-printed hypersonic drone built by Australia’s Hypersonix for the U.S. Defense Department.
• Uniting and Igniting the Space Sector: After five years, NewSpace Nexus is hitting its stride SpaceNews · 14 Oct 2023 The nonprofit, previously known as NewSpace New Mexico, runs an incubator for space startups around the country called NewSpace Ignitor. Working with the Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Space Force and
• DoD-funded space project advances non-GPS navigation SpaceNews · 10 Oct 2023 An atomic navigation sensor, funded by the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, was delivered in August and is waiting for a ride to space.
• Defense Innovation Unit to sponsor a rapid response space mission SpaceNews · 25 Aug 2023 The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking industry bids for a “tactically responsive space” mission where a launch provider would get only 24 hours’ notice to get a payload off the ground.
• Defense Innovation Unit solicits proposals for cargo delivery to and from space SpaceNews · 30 Jun 2023 The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking proposals from commercial launch companies that can provide “responsive and precise point-to-point delivery of cargo to, from, and through space.”
• Apple executive Doug Beck tapped to lead the Defense Innovation Unit SpaceNews · 4 Apr 2023 Apple executive Doug Beck has been named as the next director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Defense Department announced April 4.
• Defense Innovation Unit seeks commercial options to deploy satellites in deep space SpaceNews · 7 Dec 2022 The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking proposals for commercial services to deploy and operate payloads in outer space beyond Earth orbit
• Amazon, Microsoft, SpiderOak join Defense Innovation Unit’s hybrid space network project SpaceNews · 2 Nov 2022 The Defense Innovation Unit on Nov. 2 announced new agreements with Amazon Web Services, Kuiper Government Solutions, Microsoft Azure Space and SpiderOak Mission Systems.
• DIU selects startups for U.S. military weather modeling project SpaceNews · 26 Oct 2022 The Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Air Force announced Oct. 26 they selected five companies to help build weather models using data from satellites, aerial and terrestrial sensors.
• DoD signaling demand for satellite support services in geostationary orbit SpaceNews · 25 Jul 2022 The Defense Innovation Unit is funding space projects that the agency hopes will spur commercial investments in satellite refueling technologies and support services for geostationary satellites.
• Defense Innovation Unit selects contractors to build hybrid space network SpaceNews · 7 Jul 2022 Anduril, Aalyria, Atlas Space and Enveil won contracts for the Defense Innovation Unit's hybrid space architecture program
• Atlas wins Defense Innovation Unit Award for hybrid network SpaceNews · 13 Jun 2022 Atlas Space Operations announced a Defense Innovation Unit contract June 8 to demonstrate a hybrid network to link Defense Department, civil government and commercial satellites.
• DIU selects nuclear-powered spacecraft designs for 2027 demonstrations SpaceNews · 17 May 2022 The Defense Innovation Unit announced May 17 it selected Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. and Avalanche to develop small nuclear-powered spacecraft for in-space demonstrations planned for 2027.
• Defense Innovation Unit taps Lyten to develop high-performance batteries for small satellites SpaceNews · 10 Jan 2022 Lyten, a battery manufacturer based in California, has prototyped an advanced battery design for small satellites under a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit.
• U.S. Defense Innovation Unit selects Maxar to produce robotic arms for on-orbit servicing SpaceNews · 20 Dec 2021 Maxar Technologies won a $9.3 million Defense Department contract to design and deliver two in-space servicing robotic arms for the Defense Innovation Unit.
• DoD seeks ideas for connecting government and commercial satellites SpaceNews · 1 Oct 2021 The Defense Innovation Unit in a new solicitation is asking the companies for ideas on how to build a “hybrid architecture” of government and commercial satellites.
• DoD looking for commercially available nuclear propulsion for small spacecraft SpaceNews · 11 Sep 2021 The Defense Innovation Unit last week issued a call for bids for small nuclear-powered engines for space missions beyond Earth orbit.
• DIU director Michael Brown withdraws as Pentagon acquisition nominee SpaceNews · 14 Jul 2021 President Biden’s pick to serve as undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, Michael Brown, has withdrawn his nomination.
• Defense Innovation Unit selects ABL Space to launch DoD mission SpaceNews · 17 May 2021 Small launch startup ABL Space Systems announced May 17 it was selected by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit to launch a military payload.
• Technology race against China a key concern for Pentagon acquisition nominee SpaceNews · 4 Apr 2021 Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, was nominated by President Biden to serve as undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.
• DoD grapples with how to bring in new space technology to military systems SpaceNews · 10 Feb 2021 DoD has to transition to a space architecture that takes advantage of emerging technologies, Steve Butow, director of the Defense Innovation Unit’s space portfolio, said at the SmallSat Symposium.