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 United States Air Force (DAF) has approved SpaceX's proposal to double its launch rate at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
SDA Space Operations Centers at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, will manage the Tranche 1 satellites.
Momentus is helping shape the future of orbital innovation through its ongoing work with NASA, DARPA, SpaceWERX, and the Air Force Research Labs.
Digantara's workforce has grown from five members to over 100, including scientists and engineers from ISRO, NASA, and the U.S. Air Force.
U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command established the Satellite Communications System Delta (SYD 88) through an assumption of command ceremony at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
On May 20, 1972, the US Air Force launched a Titan III Agena D rocket for GAMBIT mission 4435 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
SpaceX is conducting a separate review with the Department of the Air Force to support Starship launches from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 37.
The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office has joined the U.S. Air Force working capital fund through the activation of a new Enterprise Space Activity Group.
In July 2025, Space Systems Command established two System Deltas, including System Delta 810 and Space Sensing System Delta 84, at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
The C-119J was modified to catch reentry vehicles that had returned from orbit as part of the Air Force’s Discoverer program.
The Discoverer program was a cover story for the top secret CORONA reconnaissance program operated by the Air Force's 6594th Test Group.
The 446th Airlift Wing was based out of Ellington Air Force Base, north of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center.
The Air Force’s 446th Airlift Wing began working with NASA in October 1961 to test the Mercury and later Gemini spacecraft.
Adam Fuhrmann holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master's in flight test engineering from the US Air Force Test Pilot School.
Adam Fuhrmann, 35, is a Major in the United States Air Force with over 2,100 flight hours on 27 aircraft, including the F-16 and F-35.
Cameron Jones, 35, is a Major in the United States Air Force with over 1,600 flight hours on more than 30 different aircraft, including 150 in combat.
The first two test flights of the PERUN rocket will be conducted from the Central Air Force Training Range in Ustka, Poland.
The TACFI contract awarded to CSC is worth $4 million, which includes a $2 million match from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.
The Chief of the Air Force, General Antonio Conserva, emphasized the importance of initiatives that promote the Aeronautica Militare to the public.
NASA also hoped the Air Force would incorporate paraglider technology in its own version, the Gemini B for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory.