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.
A Crew Dragon spacecraft was destroyed during a ground test at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on 2019-04-20.
Blackjack will remain a joint DARPA and U.S. Air Force program while the Space Development Agency develops a larger proliferated LEO architecture for operational use.
The National Reconnaissance Office currently collaborates with the Air Force and other services and would need to collaborate with a created Space Force.
Mike Leahy served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years and retired with the rank of colonel.
The Air Force opposed efforts by Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin to establish a new agency to develop next-generation space systems.
The Air Force Association argues that establishing the Space Development Agency is unnecessary and redundant given the reforms of the Space and Missile Systems Center 2.0 effort.
Twenty-eight lawmakers signed an 2019-04-12 letter to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson urging the Air Force to keep the Phase 2 acquisition on schedule, limit Phase 2 missions to two providers, and refrain from weakening performance requirements.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith sent a 2019-03-28 letter to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson asking the Air Force to delay the Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement and reconsider its plan to request bids 2019-04 and select two providers in spring 2020.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson wrote back on 2019-04-25 that the Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement must get underway immediately and that further delays would prevent the Air Force from fulfilling a congressional mandate to stop using rockets with the Russian RD-180 engine.
Congress set a 2022-12-31 deadline for the Air Force to stop using the Atlas V which uses the RD-180 engine.
The Air Force intends a five-year commitment to buy approximately 25 launches from fiscal years 2022 to 2026 with one winner receiving 60 percent of the missions and the other receiving 40 percent.
The U.S. Air Force requested $1,400,000,000 for next-gen OPIR in 2020, including $817,000,000 for the development of Block 0 satellites.
The Air Force procured three additional Delta IV Heavy launches from United Launch Alliance to allow more time for competitors to mature propulsion systems for heavy rockets.
The U.S. Air Force plans to spend more than $11,000,000,000 over the next five years to accelerate both the space and ground segments of next-gen OPIR.
The anomaly occurred on 2019-04-20 during a static-fire test of SpaceX’s SuperDraco thrusters at a test site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center is preparing to launch the STP-2 mission.
Adjutants general from several states raised concerns after Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson’s September memo suggested transferring Army and Air National Guard units performing space duties to the Reserves.
The Department of Defense proposes to place the Space Force under the Department of the Air Force to minimize administrative costs.
Relativity planned the first launch of Terran 1 for the very end of 2020 from a launch site the company plans to construct at Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The Air Force is negotiating with Boeing to deliver WGS-11 on-orbit, with Boeing responsible for launching the satellite and turning it over to the Air Force.