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 Sounding Rocket Program-4 is managed by the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center small launch and targets division at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Space Vector was one of two companies selected by the Air Force in 2018 for the Sounding Rocket Program-4.
The Firefly Alpha launch carrying the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols hosted payload will lift off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California into polar orbit in 2022.
Blue Origin won a $500,000,000 Launch Service Agreement with the Air Force in October 2018 that was terminated in December 2020 after Blue Origin received $255,500,000.
The Space Force decided on 2021-01-29 to adopt most of the U.S. Air Force ranks for officers and enlisted personnel.
The Air Force 14th Weather Squadron is based in Asheville, North Carolina and uses data from ground- and space-based sources to develop weather forecasts and determine climate change impacts.
Brandywine Photonics won an Air Force small business research contract to design a compact hyperspectral infrared sounding small satellite sensor to measure water vapor and temperature profiles.
The U.S. Air Force developed the GPS that provides a service to the entire world at no cost.
In September 2018 the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth $7,200,000,000 to build up to 22 GPS 3F satellites.
Rep. Doug Lamborn criticized the U.S. Air Force's recommendation to relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Peterson Air Force Base to Redstone Arsenal.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems will launch OTB-2 on Firefly’s Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Former Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett recommended on 2021-01-13 that the Air Force relocate U.S. Space Command from Peterson Air Force Base to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
The Air Force estimates it will take about two years to complete an environmental review of Redstone Arsenal as the new U.S. Space Command headquarters location.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Space Micro Inc. an STTR contract to enhance its Nanocom Software Defined Radio for new U.S. Space Force programs for smallsats.
Lawmakers contend that former Air Force Secretary Barrett was influenced by the Trump administration to recommend relocating U.S. Space Command to Alabama.
Redstone Arsenal was one of six finalists announced by the Air Force for the new location of U.S. Space Command in November.
The Defense Department’s inspector general will begin a probe into how the Air Force decided to move U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama.
Lawmakers allege that the Air Force was going to propose that U.S. Space Command remain at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Investigators will assess whether the Department of the Air Force complied with DoD and Air Force policies during the location selection process.
The DART spacecraft will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.