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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Muon Space was awarded an option to its contract with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit to collect ionospheric data on the MuSat-2 satellite mission.
Muon Space was awarded an option to their contract with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit to collect ionospheric data on the MuSat-2 satellite mission.
The original $2,800,000 contract awarded in 2022 to Muon Space by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit requires Muon Space to deliver terrestrial weather products to the Air Force 557th Weather Wing from a space-based prototype microwave sensor.
The U.S. Air Force is working with Albedo under a separate $1,250,000 contract to integrate Albedo imagery tasking with government systems.
The Counter Communications System Block 10.2 at Peterson Air Force Base is a transportable space electronic warfare system that reversibly denies adversary satellite communications.
Muon Space will supply the U.S. Air Force with global soil moisture and sea surface wind measurements and will supply ionospheric data to the U.S. Space Force.
The U.S. Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center is funding Albedo’s infrared technology under a $1,250,000 contract.
The Department of the Air Force began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 to expand the range of innovations it funds.
ESSP will operate and provision the Iris service and will lead Iris service commercialization to European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).
Marcus Wandt, a Swedish Air Force pilot selected by ESA as a reserve astronaut in November 2022, will fly on the Axiom commercial flight funded by ESA and the Swedish National Space Agency.
John Williams served 21 years as a United States Air Force officer in roles including operations, acquisition, budgeting, strategic planning, and command.
In 1956, the Air Force selected film-scanning technology as the preferred option for satellite reconnaissance.
Lockheed was awarded the contract to develop the reconnaissance satellite that utilized film-scanning technology for the Air Force.
ULA has executed rideshare partnerships with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and commercial customers to deliver missions to orbits from low Earth orbit to the Moon.
The U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center awarded Raytheon Technologies a $625,000,000 contract to produce nuclear-hardened satellite communications terminals on 2023-06-28.
In 2020 the Air Force awarded Raytheon a $442,300,000 contract to design and develop a FAB-T terminal for aircraft communications with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite network.
RTX demonstrated advanced and foundational Joint All Domain Command and Control capabilities on 2023-05-11 during the first of two tests at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Northern Edge 2023 exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
Above: Orbital received a $75,000 U.S. Air Force contract in May to work with Ascent Solar Technologies on manufacturing thin-film solar photovoltaics in space.
The Department of the Air Force began offering the 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program in 2018 to expand the range of innovations it funds.
ALITEC fuel has been tested on tactical missile-sized solid rocket motors under a program jointly funded by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.