Phillip Swarts covered the military, national security and government contracting in space for Space News from 2016 to 2017. A master's graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Swarts's work can also be found at The Washington Times and Air Force Times. More recently, he has worked as a teacher for the Arlington Public School District.
Latest articles by Phillip Swarts

By Phillip Swarts Published
The Air Force selected United Launch Alliance as the launch provider for an experimental blast detection satellite, beating out SpaceX, the service announced June 29.

By Phillip Swarts Published
By Phillip Swarts Published
United Launch Alliance did not get the opportunity to compete for the next launch of the Air Force’s X-37B space plane, according to company officials.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The Air Force is preparing to launch its secret X-37B space plane aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket later this year, the service said yesterday (June 6).

By Phillip Swarts Published
Captain James T. Kirk himself, actor William Shatner, visited the opening ceremonies of the annual GEOINT Symposium Monday.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The White House is asking Congress to provide $7.75 billion for military space systems in 2018, a $1.3 billion increase over what the Pentagon sought for 2017.

By Phillip Swarts Published
Separating space operations from the Air Force would hamper the service's efforts to address threats in orbit, Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said May 17.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The U.S. Air Force held its first "Space Flag" exercise April 17 to 21, a new event designed to hone warfighter's skills at operations, problem solving, and potential conflict in space.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The Air Force's newest Space Based Infrared System missile-warning satellite is operational and has transmitted its first images, Lockheed Martin said March 21.

By Phillip Swarts Published
Most launch ranges aren't equipped to handle reusable rockets, space experts said, despite the technology being widely viewed as a key to reducing launch costs.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The United States must be prepared to lose satellites in the event of a conflict, but smallsats and dispersed systems can help ensure key capabilities remain operational.

By Phillip Swarts Published
North Korea and other rogue states pose unique challenges and threats to the space environment, defense experts said March 8.

By Phillip Swarts Published
United Launch Alliance announced Saturday it is delaying the launch of a Delta 4 rocket carrying a military communications satellite until it can fix a first stage booster issue.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The U.S. and Japan successfully tested the latest ballistic- missile interceptor Feb. 4, a system military leaders say they hope will be the future of missile defense.

By Phillip Swarts Published
The U.S. must be prepared for any Chinese aggression in space, said Gen. John Hyten, leader of U.S. Strategic Command.

By Phillip Swarts Published

By Phillip Swarts Published
The U.S. Air Force's next missile-warning satellite is set to launch from Florida Jan. 19, mission leaders said during a Tuesday teleconference with reporters.

By Phillip Swarts Published

By Phillip Swarts Published
Space sensors will help missile defense meet the next generation of threats, experts say.
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