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 formally approved a satellite development program called MX-2226 in December 1953.
The US Air Force began studying the possible military uses of satellites in 1946.
Space Systems Command stood up its latest System Delta through an assumption of command ceremony at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
COSMO-SkyMed Seconda Generazione – Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) is preparing to leave Italy for the launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The ALSV was defined more by the Air Force's aircraft needs than its space operations capabilities.
Pratt & Whitney completed a study for the Air Force on the ALSV by August 1982.
The United States Air Force sponsored studies of the Air Launched Sortie Vehicle (ALSV) in the 1980s.
Small winged spacecraft have a limited record of success, with the European Space Agency's Hermes spaceplane and the US Air Force's Dyna-Soar both canceled during development.
The ALSV concept aimed for rapid response capabilities, allowing the aircraft to take off on warning from any Air Force base.
The TREX contract supports USSOCOM worldwide operations from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Melanie Stricklan has over 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force.
Zhang Lu achieved the rank of Senior Colonel in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force before becoming a taikonaut.
According to Flightradar24, the X-59 taxied from the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 before taking off from Palmdale Regional Airport in California.
Sen. Angus King praised Berkowitz's idea to have the Air Force under secretary also serve as director of the NRO.
The X-59 took off from Skunk Works' facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and landed near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
One idea proposed by Berkowitz includes having the Air Force under secretary also serve as director of the NRO to foster a closer partnership between the two organizations.
The USAF Dyna-Soar X-20 space glider was cancelled in December 1963.
The first LANYARD reconnaissance satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in March 1963 but failed to achieve orbit.
Reflect Orbital was awarded a $1.25 million contract in May from the U.S. Air Force's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
The completion of the CDR allows the team to build, test, and qualify the Sentinel system for U.S. Air Force launches.