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.
Space was previously not part of the Air Force's identity, according to Loverro.
The OMB report argued for an independent service for space to address conflicts of interest within the Air Force.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center oversees $7,000,000,000 a year in space program funding.
Representative Mike Rogers has advocated for a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force.
The U.S. Air Force and the Wright Brothers Institute are offering cash prizes for creative visualization tools that enhance military space operators’ understanding of satellites and other objects in space.
The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is working with industry, the U.S. Air Force, and NASA on regulatory reforms required by Space Policy Directive 2.
SpaceX did not receive a Launch Service Agreement award from the U.S. Air Force in the October 2018 LSA competition.
Two Vulcan launches in 2021 are needed for United Launch Alliance to obtain Air Force certification for military payloads.
United Launch Alliance won one of three Launch Service Agreement awards from the U.S. Air Force on 2018-10-10.
The Air Force procures satellites while the Army procures the radios that communicate with those satellites.
SpaceX operates launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center in Florida and at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office managed the B-21 stealth bomber program.
Under the Weather Satellite Follow-on electro optical infrared program (WSF-E), the Air Force will invest about $450,000,000 on a satellite intended to be operational by 2024.
The 1948 Key West agreement was signed months after the Air Force was created and specified that the Air Force must support the Army.
The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office launched the Air Force X-37 experimental robotic space plane, which accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours over two years.
The Air Force projects that the two providers picked for LSA phase 2 could win 20 to 25 commercial launches between them over a five-year period.
United Launch Alliance president and CEO Tory Bruno said the company had already used a share of the 18 RD-180 engines for Air Force launches and retained some for potential orders before the 2022 deadline.
On 2018-10-10, the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center allocated up to $967,000,000 to ULA to develop the Vulcan Centaur rocket.
The Air Force planned to inject an additional $2,300,000,000 into domestic launch vehicle development over the next few years through the LSA program.
On 2018-10-10, the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center allocated up to $792,000,000 to Northrop Grumman to develop the OmegA rocket.