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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Numerica’s telescopes were funded with $3,000,000 the company won in 2019 at a U.S. Air Force pitch day event.
The Launch Company was established to help New Space commercial clients and U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force assets reach space faster and more affordably by streamlining the launch process in part through automation.
The United States Air Force launched the AEHF-5 military communication satellite on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral in August 2019.
The NROL-82 mission will launch from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The SBIRS team based at Los Angeles Air Force Base and the flight crew from the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base worked together to ensure the safe and timely transportation of SBIRS GEO-5.
Bluestaq received an Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in 2018 to develop the UDL concept.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center is located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California and serves as the center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems.
The Unified Data Library (UDL) project started in 2018 when Bluestaq received an Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop the concept.
AFWERX was created in 2017 to improve the Air Force’s relationship with the private sector and make the military a more attractive customer for entrepreneurs and investors.
Congress directed the Department of the Air Force to stand up a separate civilian acquisition executive for space by 2022.
On 2021-03-19, the Government Accountability Office began a review of the Air Force’s methodology and scoring that led to the decision to move U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama.
Capella Space has contracts serving several U.S. intelligence and Department of Defense agencies, including the Defense Innovation Unit, the National Reconnaissance Office, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy.
Former Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett announced on 2021-01-13 that the Air Force was recommending relocation of U.S. Space Command from Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
The Air Force launched a three-year study in 2016 on using commercial systems to augment and replace Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellites.
The Air Force developed a flexible modem interface that enables terminals to communicate with Wideband Global Satcom and commercial geostationary (GEO) satellites.
Kevin P. Chilton retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2011 as Commander of U.S. Strategic Command.
HawkEye 360 added retired Air Force General Kevin P. Chilton, retired Navy Admiral Scott Swift, former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence B. Lynn Wright, former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Stephanie O’Sullivan, and former U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry to its Board of Advisors on 2021-03-09.
Robert Dickman, a retired Air Force general and adviser to Spaceport Camden, positions the facility as an alternative to Cape Canaveral for small launch vehicles by offering lower cost and reduced bureaucracy.
The $500,000,000 contract is intended to fill critical analysis gaps in acquisitions and increase the rigor of Space Force, Air Force, Army, Navy, and other Department of Defense resourcing decisions.
LinQuest received a $200,000,000 contract last month for advisory and support services for the Space Force’s Space Operations Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base.