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 U.S. Air Force’s 10th Wideband Global Satcom communications satellite (WGS-10) launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket at 8:26 PM EST from Space Launch Complex-37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Heather Wilson will step down as Secretary of the Air Force to become president of the University of Texas at El Paso and is expected to depart on 2019-05-31.
If Congress authorizes the new branch for fiscal year 2020, the Air Force must specify the staff that would have to be in place by 2018-10-01 to form the Space Force headquarters.
The Air Force share of DoD space investments is $10,300,000,000.
The Space Development Agency is not intended to displace the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, which will continue to produce and oversee the legacy space architecture.
The House Armed Services Committee approved legislation in 2017 to create a Space Corps under the Department of the Air Force.
Patrick Shanahan directed the Air Force in a 2019-02-21 memo to begin the detailed planning necessary to establish a U.S. Space Force when the legislation proposed by the President is enacted.
The U.S. Air Force is requesting $13,800,000,000 for space programs in its fiscal year 2020 budget.
The Air Force is requesting $1,700,000,000 for the GPS III program in fiscal year 2020.
About $10,300,000,000 of the Air Force fiscal year 2020 space portfolio funds the development and procurement of space technologies such as satellites, ground systems, and launch services.
In addition to the Air Force’s $13.8 billion, the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request includes $306,000,000 to establish three new organizations: a U.S. Space Force, a Space Development Agency, and U.S. Space Command.
The Air Force is requesting $1,600,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 to double funding for missile warning satellites, including $1,400,000,000 for RDT&E for next-gen OPIR and about $200,000,000 to continue procurement of the Space Based Infrared System.
Audacy launched its first satellite, a cubesat technology demonstrator called Audacy Zero, in December on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base and Audacy Zero was one of 64 satellites on the flight.
The U.S. Air Force launched the first GPS satellite in 1978.
The Global Positioning System constellation consists of 31 satellites developed and operated by the U.S. Air Force.
Heather Wilson prioritized the Air Force’s space mission while supporting efforts to stand up a Space Force in fiscal year 2020.
The Department of Defense is seeking congressional approval to establish a U.S. Space Force as a sixth branch of the U.S. military under the Department of the Air Force.
The U.S. Air Force awarded a contract to Ball Aerospace for the Weather System Follow-on — Microwave satellite with a planned 2022 launch.
Appropriators in the fiscal year 2019 omnibus funding bill directed the U.S. Air Force to submit a plan within 90 days for producing and launching WGS-11 and WGS-12.
The U.S. Air Force asked Boeing to propose alternative options to provide WGS satellites and cover the launches for $600,000,000.