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.
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In November 2017, Congress reassigned the role of principal space adviser from Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson to Patrick Shanahan in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act and directed him to study ways to reorganize the Department of Defense space enterprise.
John Stopher worked closely with former Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson to prepare the Air Force to establish a Space Force.
John Stopher, principal assistant to the secretary of the Air Force for space, is stepping down effective July 19.
Heather Wilson awarded John Stopher the Department of the Air Force’s Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service.
John Stopher joined the administration in August 2017 as deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space.
RBC Signals announced its first U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovative Research award on 2019-06-17.
The U.S. Air Force awarded the EDIS contract on 2019-01-31 to SAIC.
The U.S. Air Force’s proposed Phase 2 strategy is to select two launch providers in 2020 to split all Phase 2 missions from 2022 to 2026.
The HASC version of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Air Force to set aside $500,000,000 to help a company that wins a Phase 2 contract but does not receive Launch Service Agreement subsidies.
The House Armed Services Committee passed legislation that directs the U.S. Air Force to create opportunities for new entrants to compete in the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 program.
The Air Force memo to the HASC states that allowing SpaceX to access a $500,000,000 fund would negate competition and that applying those funds to Phase 3 would provide more value for national security space.
Air Force officials plan to start mapping out a strategy for Phase 3 while maintaining competition throughout Phase 2.
One option in the Air Force’s National Security Launch Architecture study is to set aside launches such as demonstration payloads from the Space Test Program or the National Reconnaissance Office to create opportunities for non-Phase 2 providers to prepare for Phase 3.
Any company not selected in the Air Force’s 2020 Phase 2 award would have to wait until 2024 for another chance to compete under the Air Force plan.
Chairman Smith maintained the $500,000,000 fund on the basis that SpaceX was the only company the Air Force did not award a development contract under the Launch Service Agreement program.
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 10:17 a.m. Eastern.
SpaceX’s next launch, the U.S. Air Force’s Space Test Program 2 mission on a Falcon Heavy, is scheduled for no earlier than 2019-06-24 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
HASC Chairman Adam Smith included provisions in the committee’s 2020 NDAA requiring the Air Force to add more competitors to the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement.
Adam Smith’s proposed NDAA provisions would create a $500,000,000 fund intended to help SpaceX access government funds that the Air Force awarded to other rocket manufacturers but denied to SpaceX.
Smith's bill creates a $500,000,000 fund for certification and infrastructure available to companies that win a Phase 2 procurement contract but were not awarded Launch Service Agreement funds by the Air Force.