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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The SMASH system may be valuable in protecting sensitive strategic assets like air force bases and ships.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $13,300,000,000 contract to develop the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent two months before the November design review.
The $200,000,000 LinQuest contract covers work performed at Space Operations Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado between now and February 2030.
Firefly Aerospace completed acceptance testing of its Flight 1 Alpha vehicle and delivered that vehicle to Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) for integration.
On 2021-02-03, Gen. John Raymond traveled to Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, to discuss the role of space in global operations and to support Space Force integration efforts.
Melanie Stricklan served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and logged more than 1,500 flight hours onboard ground surveillance aircraft.
The Space Development Agency plans a future field office at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Flight 1 Alpha has been delivered to Firefly Aerospace’s Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) launch site for integration.
Analytical Space, Inc. was awarded a $26.4 million, three-year contract by the Department of the Air Force’s commercial investment arm, AF Ventures, as part of the Strategic Financing (STRATFI) program.
Virgin Orbit is working with the U.S., British, Canadian, and French Air Forces to provide rapid satellite replacement capabilities.
The U.S. Air Force is investing in smaller companies within the space sector.
Virgin Orbit’s upcoming LauncherOne mission in 2021 will carry payloads for the U.S. Air Force and a 6U cubesat for the Dutch air force under a contract announced on 2021-01-25.
General Crosier was responsible for aerospace and satellite services with the USAF and was involved in the establishment of the U.S. Space Force.
The SPHEREx launch is planned from Space Launch Complex-4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The U.S. Space Force is the nation’s first new military branch since the U.S. Air Force was established in 1947.
The U.S. Air Force selected L3Harris in April 2019 to design prototype payloads and mission concepts that evolved into the U.S. Space Force’s medium-Earth orbit track custody demonstration.
The U.S. Forest Service used data from the Air Force’s overhead missile-warning satellites to help spot new fires and flareups during California’s 2018 wildfire season.
ISISPACE deployers accommodated 53 smallsats as part of the ISILAUNCH34 launch campaign aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 2021-01-24 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as part of the SpaceX SmallSat Rideshare Program.
A dysfunctional procurement process for military satellites was the primary motivation that convinced many members of Congress to support creating a separate space service branch under the Department of the Air Force.
The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a new report on space acquisitions in May.