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 bill allows the Secretary of the Air Force to establish a service acquisition executive for Space as soon as possible but no later than 2022-10-01.
The 2021-10-01 NDAA language elevates the directive from being directed at the Air Force in the 2021 bill to being directed at the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.
Air Force and Space Force leadership completed a report required by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act detailing how they would organize Guard and Reserve components within the Space Force.
The Federal Aviation Administration released a final environmental assessment on 2021-08-27 that found no significant impact for Virgin Orbit to conduct launches from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam using a Boeing 747-400 carrier aircraft and LauncherOne rocket.
Virgin Orbit intends to launch from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam once its launch license is approved.
Virgin Orbit intends to launch from Spaceport Cornwall in England and from Andersen Air Force Base once its launch license is approved.
The Federal Aviation Administration released its final environmental assessment on 2021-08-27 finding no significant impact for Virgin Orbit to conduct launches using its Boeing 747-400 carrier aircraft and LauncherOne rocket from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
The U.S. Air Force awarded BlackSky a contract in July 2020 to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on overseas bases.
The U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force are providing funding for commercial firms developing propulsion systems that can produce significant thrust for mission requirements including collision avoidance.
Xplore Inc. has a follow-on contract with the U.S. Air Force to continue developing its positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solution as a commercial service for cislunar space.
The Phase II SBIR provides the U.S. Air Force with capabilities to extend precision operations to the Moon and across cislunar space.
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Pentagon to name a senior acquisition executive with the title assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration.
The Air Force is paying nearly $1,000,000,000 for Vulcan vehicle development costs.
Space Systems Command is established at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California.
The Air Force selected Vulcan Centaur in 2020, along with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, to launch national security satellites for the next five years.
Frank Kendall is establishing the assistant secretary for space acquisition and integration office under the Department of the Air Force’s acquisition shop immediately.
U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall is reorganizing the office that oversees Space Force acquisition programs as of 2021-08-24.
Orbion Space Technology received a U.S. Air Force Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research contract through the AFWERX program to develop and demonstrate high-thrust propulsion for small satellites.
The Air Force has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade military space facilities in Colorado, including Space Command’s current headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base.
Lawmakers asked the Department of the Air Force for an estimate of the cost to build a new U.S. Space Command headquarters at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.