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.
David Davis, chief systems engineer for the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, stated that current technical practices drive high costs.
David Davis noted that the Air Force is working with the supplier base to understand how to adopt commercial products securely.
Orbital ATK is developing the OmegA launch vehicle for EELV missions for the U.S. Air Force and will reevaluate the vehicle concept if it does not win a Launch Services Agreement award from the Air Force later 2018.
The 2018-05-22 Falcon 9 took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 3:48 p.m. Eastern.
NASA joined the Air Force hosted payload initiative and launched the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) as a hosted payload aboard the commercial satellite SES-14 in January.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center sought industry bids for a "hosted payload solutions" contracting vehicle to pre-qualify satellite manufacturers and operators for future hosted payload opportunities.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, based in Los Angeles, opened a Hosted Payload Office in 2014.
Pawlikowski is currently the four-star commander of Air Force Materiel Command.
The Air Force must figure out how to leverage new technology as satellite launch costs decrease.
Pawlikowski has spent eight of the past ten years in the Air Force overseeing space programs as vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center, and in senior roles at the National Reconnaissance Office and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Air Force’s original plan did not include a three-star Space Command official in the Pentagon.
Secretary Heather Wilson expects more emphasis on science and technology from the Air Force’s procurement organizations.
Pawlikowski does not support creating a separate acquisition workforce in the Air Force for space systems, highlighting the benefits of cross-flow between aviation and space programs.
The Air Force decided that Space Command chief Gen. John Raymond should have a deputy based in the Pentagon to reduce his travel time to D.C. and allow him to focus more on operations in Colorado Springs.
The Air Force originally announced in April 2017 that it would name a three-star deputy chief of staff for space operations, identifying Lt. Gen. David 'DT' Thompson as the likely candidate.
Ellen Pawlikowski previously commanded the military satellite communications systems wing at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles in 2005.
The Air Force is trying a prototype investment approach with light attack aircraft.
Congressional critics viewed the plan to name a three-star deputy chief of staff for space operations as a weak attempt to demonstrate the Air Force's commitment to space.
The Air Force historically built large satellites to maximize the payload capacity of costly launch vehicles.
The Air Force plans to seek opportunities to reset the architecture of its space capabilities in the future.