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 2024 National Defense Authorization Act blocked procurement of WGS-12 until the Department of the Air Force confirmed that commercial satellites could not perform the same service.
Viasat will provide its ViaSat-3 satellite communications network to enable military users to access high-bandwidth satellite internet connectivity from existing U.S. Air Force aircraft or ground vehicles as part of its contract with Northrop Grumman.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition is monitoring United Launch Alliance’s ability to scale and Blue Origin’s ability to deliver BE-4 engines in a timely manner to support a higher launch cadence.
The Air Force added missile launch capabilities to Johnston Island in the 1950s.
The United States Air Force operated the nuclear-armed Program 437 anti-satellite weapon from Johnston Island from 1962 to 1975.
The Air Force aimed for Program 437 to intercept Soviet fractional or multi-orbit bombardment systems that the CIA believed the Soviet Union was developing.
The Air Force tested the Program 437AP with a camera system designed to photograph satellites during its lofted trajectory in the 1960s.
Varda had planned to return the capsule as soon as mid-July 2023 but encountered delays securing a commercial reentry license from the Federal Aviation Administration and approvals from the U.S. Air Force to land at UTTR.
Northrop Grumman is partnered with the U.S. Air Force during the Sentinel EMD phase to mature the design and reduce program risk as key milestones are achieved.
Fred Gregory, an Air Force pilot, was one of three Black men selected in NASA's 1978 astronaut class, alongside Guy Bluford and Ron McNair.
The US Air Force awarded SpaceX a $102 million five-year contract as part of the Rocket Cargo program in early 2022.
The Air Force Research Lab found the business case and cost for the Rocket Cargo program has changed dramatically over the past seven years.
Air Force Col. Christopher Seaman emphasized the need for further understanding of the end-to-end cargo delivery concept.
Col. Gabe Arrington from the Air Force recommends investment in Rocket Cargo as a disruptive technology for the military.
Ed Dwight was a US Air Force pilot identified as a prospective astronaut by the White House during John F. Kennedy's presidency.
Dwight was not selected in a later NASA astronaut class and subsequently left the Air Force.
The Department of the Air Force will expand technical tracks for officers and create technical tracks for enlisted Airmen.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman endorsed the 2024-02-12 organizational changes for the Department of the Air Force.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin endorsed the 2024-02-12 organizational changes for the Department of the Air Force.
The Department of the Air Force will create Space Futures Command as a new field command to develop and validate concepts, conduct experimentation and wargames, and perform mission area design.