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 order for the Teal 2 was requested by U.S. Air Force Security Forces.
The Space Development Agency will build a new satellite testing facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Rep. Mike Rogers sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and U.S. Space Command head Gen. James Dickinson demanding transcripts of interviews and other documents related to Space Command’s basing decision.
The Department of Defense stated that President Biden’s decision to keep U.S. Space Command in Colorado was made in consultation with the Pentagon, the Air Force, and U.S. Space Command.
Members from AFRL’s Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards Air Force Base and iRocket agreed to a collaborative effort on the CRADA in June 2023.
Ursa Major is producing about 30 Hadley engines per year, each with 2,268 kg of thrust, for the U.S. Air Force and commercial customers including Phantom Space and Stratolaunch.
The U.S. Air Force is providing subject matter expert support, test setup components, and site facility support to iRocket under the collaborative agreement.
The CRADA between iRocket and AFRL is expected to create hundreds of new high-paying engineering jobs at the High Thrust Research Facility at Edwards Air Force Base.
The CRADA includes use of an Air Force facility, equipment, and AFRL expertise to enable both sides to develop, build, test, and transition U.S. rocket engines at a fast pace.
The Edwards Air Force Base test site will be used for the TACFI contract full-duration static fire test, including a 120–180 second demonstration of 16,783 kg of sea level thrust.
Under the CRADA, iRocket plans to conduct propulsion, stage, and potentially grasshopper testing at Test Site 1-56 at the High Thrust Research Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
The SRM1 development motor was tested on 2023-04-07 at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Sierra Space received a $22,600,000 contract from the Air Force Test Center on 2023-07-25 to mature the VR35K-A engine design.
ATP Gov and Telos Corporation completed a delivery order with the U.S. Air Force to provide global satellite communications solutions across austere environments.
Zeno Power won a U.S. Air Force contract in May to test a radioisotope power source on a satellite that uses thermocouples and the isotope strontium-90.
ESSP was originally created in 2001 so regional air navigation service providers could participate in the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) program.
Charles Phillips is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel with extensive experience in orbital analysis.
The U.S. Air Force currently operates the X-37B space vehicle.
In March 2021, the U.S. Air Force engaged business satellite operators to develop a hybrid architecture that allows switching between commercial and military satellites.
The Department of the Air Force began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018.