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.
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Iridium changed its operations after the 2009 collision of the Iridium 33 satellite with the defunct Russian satellite Cosmos 2251 to work more closely with the U.S. Air Force for updated collision-risk information.
The next Iridium satellite launch is scheduled for 2018-05-21 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
The Falcon 9 Block 5 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base at 4:14 p.m. Eastern on 2018-05-11.
The Falcon 9 Block 5 is the final design of Falcon 9 and features modifications for simpler manufacturing, to meet NASA commercial crew requirements, and to include U.S. Air Force requests.
Congress added $600,000,000 to the Air Force’s budget for procurement of two new WGS satellites to be built by Boeing.
The Air Force informed Congress in February that it wanted to end procurement of Lockheed-made SBIRS satellites after vehicle 6 and shift funds previously allocated for SBIRS 7 and 8 to develop a new system.
The Air Force is implementing rapid procurement authorities and is targeting the first next-generation OPIR launch in 2023.
An Atlas 5 rocket launched the InSight mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on 2018-05-05.
The Air Force plans to launch the first next-generation OPIR system in 2023.
The Air Force will use rapid procurement authorities for the next-generation OPIR program and is targeting the first launch in 2023.
Melanie Stricklan served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force and flew in the back of the JSTARS radar surveillance plane.
The proposed contract covers nearly 600 union members at United Launch Alliance’s main manufacturing facility in Decatur, Alabama, and at its launch sites at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
On 2018-05-01 the United States Air Force issued a "Statement of Support for the Firefly Aerospace Program, Alpha and Beta Launch Vehicles" to utilize Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 West for future launches of the Firefly Alpha and Beta launch vehicles.
Firefly Aerospace is seeking to launch commercial satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 West.
NASA and the United States Air Force support the transition of Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 West to a commercial launch site dedicated to the launch of Firefly vehicles.
Firefly Alpha and Beta launch vehicles are planned to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 West.
Firefly Aerospace has received U.S. Air Force approval to take over Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The 30th Space Wing is working with Firefly Aerospace at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles manages a $6,000,000,000 portfolio that includes the majority of the Air Force’s space programs.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 directs the secretary of the Air Force to develop a plan to provide U.S. Central Command with persistent weather imagery beginning not later than 2026-01-01.