The U.S. Air Force (USAF) plays a significant role in the space industry, historically serving as the Department of Defense's executive agent for space, and developing early military space programs and launch vehicles. Although the U.S. Space Force was established as an independent branch in 2019, the Air Force continues to contribute to space operations, including training personnel, research and development, and maintaining partnerships. The USAF's space-related activities encompass satellite operations, missile warning, communication support, and collaboration with allies to ensure regional stability. Key partners include the U.S. Space Force, other branches of the military, and international allies.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The Department of Defense has argued that the proposed NDAA language does not provide sufficient authorities to establish a separate branch under the Air Force.
Vulcan Centaur is being offered by ULA as a single vehicle to perform missions currently done by Atlas and Delta and to compete for NASA, commercial, and Air Force Phase 2 missions.
United Launch Alliance is financing factory improvements with funds awarded in October 2018 by the U.S. Air Force under the Launch Service Agreement contract.
The 2019-08-17 launch carried the 65-kilogram Qiansheng-1 (01) remote sensing, communication, and navigation satellite plus two smaller payloads into 529- by 560-kilometer sun-synchronous orbits, according to U.S. Air Force data.
Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander will launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The Air Force will not be able to fly satellites on the Russian-engine-powered Atlas beyond 2022, motivating ULA to design Vulcan with a domestically produced engine.
The Air Force selected contractors for OSP-3 in 2012: SpaceX, Orbital Sciences Corp (later Orbital ATK, then Northrop Grumman), and Lockheed Martin.
The Air Force projects OSP-4 will procure about 20 missions over nine years.
The U.S. Air Force will select two companies in 2020 to split 60/40 as many as 34 national security missions between 2022 and 2026.
Blue Origin’s complaint to the GAO seeks clarification on points the company raised with the Air Force in written comments and meetings.
The Air Force intends to select two winners for the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement in 2020 to split 60/40 a few dozen medium- and heavy-lift national security missions between 2022 and 2026.
The Air Force awarded a Launch Service Agreement in 2018 to Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, and Northrop Grumman to help pay for rocket development and infrastructure.
The core team at Vector will support other work, including a recently awarded U.S. Air Force launch contract.
Vector won a $3,400,000 U.S. Air Force contract for the Agile Small Launch Operational Normalizer (ASLON)-45 mission under the Small Rocket Program-Orbital (SRP-O).
The Air Force Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload flew on the commercial SES-2 communications satellite in 2011 as an experimental missile warning sensor.
The U.S. Air Force is working with government and industry partners to reduce the cost of small satellite sensors.
The Air Force’s AEHF-5 communications satellite reached orbit after separating from a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The Atlas V lifted off in the 551 configuration with five solid rocket boosters at 6:13 AM EST from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload approach saved the Air Force nearly $300,000,000 compared with mounting the sensor on a dedicated Air Force satellite, according to a 2018 Government Accountability Office report.
The U.S. Air Force selected 14 companies in July 2014 for the Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) contract vehicle to help the government launch military payloads on commercial satellites.