The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has challenged programmers to develop algorithms capable of gathering components from retired or non-working satellites that are still in orbit. The Defense Department’s research arm said the Zero Robotics Autonomous Space Capture Challenge competition begins March 28 and will last for four weeks. DARPA said programmers will work to develop […] More

As president and CEO of the PTR Group, Russ Berkoff is responsible for pushing the company to stay ahead of the technology market curve. In speaking with ExecutiveBiz, Berkoff outlines the next steps the company will take to keep pace with innovation and places his role as a behind-the-scenes figure in making technology and the […] More

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking to utilize dormant satellites floating in a geostationary orbit around Earth, the agency said in a  recent notice. Through DARPA’s Phoenix Program, the agency said it wants contractors to develop a robotic system to “cooperatively harvest and re-use valuable components from“ more than 1,300 retired, non-operating satellites. DARPA […] More

A volleyball-sized, free-flying robot on the International Space Station helped astronauts complete tasks with a smartphone controller, according to a recent report by NASA. The first successful flight took place last month. As part of NASA’s Technology Demonstration Missions, the agency launched the Human Exploration Telerobotics project where it installed the SPHERES Satellites with a Samsung Nexus […] More

BAE Systems has signed an agreement with Vancouver-based renewable energy firm Instream Energy Systems to help develop and install new hydrokinetic power generation systems, which convert the kinetic energy in moving water into electricity. The agreement provides Insream with ongoing access to BAE’s Advanced Technology Centre to bolster its effort to commercially develop the technology. The […] More

If you see robots touring the Smithsonian this weekend, don't be surprised. In fact, expect to see all sorts of ASIMO-inspired machines walking, rolling, slinking and sliding as Washington, D.C., plays host to the FIRST Robotics Competition regional March 25-26. Students from Maryland, Virginia and the District will join engineers, teachers and mentors for the […] More

One would expect NASA to reach for the stars when dreaming. And reach they have. Earlier this month, NASA released its “wish list“ ranked by the National Research Council. While some pipedreams are never likely to see the light of day, others are challenges space contractors are sure to wave a magic wand over. Mars […] More

Tom McCabe, general counsel at Alion, says company legal departments often have the unfair reputation for taking forever just to say no. Not so at Alion. “We'll never say no; we say: “˜Here's a better way to do it,'“ McCabe told ExecutiveBiz. He shares what a day in the life of a GC is like, […] More

TASC, Inc. delivers holiday cheer by supporting nonprofits and employee volunteerism across the country. The firm donated to community-based organizations such as veterans programs and education, and TASC employees volunteered their time to wounded military and to support cancer research. In 2010, TASC contributed volunteers and funds to numerous programs: Rebuilding Together New Orleans Veterans […] More

Force fields, human-robot hybrids and super powerful lasers may sound like something from science fiction, but are actually under development by military agencies ““ and may one day save soldiers' lives. Raytheon has developed a prototype of a robotic exoskeleton that allows soldiers to lift 200 pounds of weight easily, but still remain agile. Project […] More

Four years ago, this month, Planning Systems Incorporated (PSI) was acquired by QinetiQ North America.  It is now ready for the next stage in its growth as part of QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group (TSG). On the heels of this new chapter, ExecutiveBiz recently spoke with Alan Friedman, former PSI President and now  Senior […] More

Kenneth J. Krieg and Dr. Anthony J. Tether  were recently elected to the Aurora Flight Sciences Board of Directors, a leading provider of military and scientific aerospace vehicles and applications.  Kenneth Krieg is in charge of  Mclean-based Samford Global Strategies. Krieg most recently served under the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics from 2005 to 2007. Dr. Anthony Tether […] More