US Space Force wants a new 'orbital carrier' to be a satellite launch pad in space

[IDELB2006]

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This would allow the US space force to deploy new satellites from a space based satellite carrier, while it currently takes Space Force around 5 months to deploy a new satellite.

It is still in the design phase, with  no estimated time line for deployment. It would seem a novel space craft such as this could be a long way off from completion.

In recent years, the U.S. Space Force has been pushing for the development of more responsive spacecraft operations. This means being able to quickly reposition satellites in orbit, or being able to launch spacecraft on accelerated timelines.
 
In the statement, Gravitics CEO Colin Doughan said the Orbital Carrier concept is a "critical initiative" for the U.S. Space Force's ability to position spacecraft quickly and defend assets in orbit. "The Orbital Carrier is a game-changer, acting as a pre-positioned launch pad in space. It bypasses traditional launch constraints, enabling space vehicle operators to rapidly select a deployment orbit on-demand."
 
Space Force leadership has been warning that potential adversaries such as China and Russia are developing and testing new anti-satellite weaponry and capabilities, and even "practicing dogfighting in space." Typically, counter-space operations involve radiofrequency jamming, cyberattacks or using lasers to blind sensors on spy satellites.

With the way drones drone use has exposed in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised to see space drones that might be used to defend the military satellites.

[Spectral Entity]

We have the capability to rapidly respond and deploy a satellite in as little as a week, as demonstrated a couple of years back with Victus Nox. That exercise gave way to Victus Haze.

Anyway, while I try to keep up with the space guys, though there is so much going on with cyber that it's difficult keeping up. We're finally being taken seriously as a domain but as with AFSPACE was in the Air Force, we have had to fight to get stakeholders to realize the cyber domain is real.

Anyway, back on topic: it would be cool to see this coming to fruition, but the entire DoD has been ordered to find ways to cut budgets, us included.

Edit: Oh, the SpaceWERX project! I read about that in the Sadler Report! Happy to see this is moving forward!