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 Air Force intends to launch the second GPS 3 satellite in 2019.
SpaceX launched the Air Force’s X-37B uncrewed spaceplane in 2017.
The Space Force would have a civilian Undersecretary for Space who reports to the Secretary of the Air Force.
The draft legislative proposal aims to establish a United States Space Force as a 6th Armed Force within the Department of the Air Force.
Thomas Taverney, a retired Air Force major general, stated that a Space Force equivalent to the Marine Corps would meet the criteria for a sixth service.
The Space Force would be organized under the Department of the Air Force.
The STP-2 mission manifest includes NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission alongside Air Force and private organization satellites, including the LightSail-2 solar sail demonstrator developed by The Planetary Society.
SpaceX received the EELV contract for the GPS 3 mission in April 2016.
SpaceX launched the Air Force’s X-37B spaceplane and a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload in 2017.
The upcoming 2019 Virgin Orbit mission is for the DoD Space Test Program, which is overseen by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross met with Air Force officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in late November 2018 to discuss establishing a civil agency interface for the STM transition.
Gen. John Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command, argued in October 2017 that the Air Force would be 'absolutely foolish' not to utilize SpaceX’s reused rockets to take advantage of cost savings.
The satellite launching on the 2018-12-18 GPS 3 mission is the first of 10 GPS 3 vehicles the Air Force plans to put into orbit.
The encapsulation of the GPS 3 satellite at Astrotech Space Operations was performed in preparation for a 2018-12-18 launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The first Air Force GPS 3 satellite is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 2018-12-18.
GPS 3 SV01 is the first of 10 GPS 3 satellites originally ordered by the Air Force.
Vice President Mike Pence will be at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, to witness the 2018-12-18 launch of the first Air Force GPS 3 satellite.
The U.S. Air Force did not launch any new GPS satellites in 2017 and aimed to place a GPS satellite on orbit before the end of 2018.
On 2018-09-26, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $1,400,000,000 contract to start the GPS 3F program.
In September, the Air Force planned to spend up to $7,200,000,000 on the GPS 3 follow-on (GPS 3F) program to build up to 22 additional satellites.