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.
Mike Rogers and Rep. Jim Cooper (Tenn.) wrote the language to establish a Space Corps under the Department of the Air Force in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.
In June 2015, the U.S. Air Force re-baselined SBIRS GEO-5 and GEO-6 to upgrade both satellites to Lockheed Martin’s LM 2100 bus at no additional cost.
Space Force organizations that oversee space launches at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, will become part of Space Systems Command.
The U.S. Air Force has been operating 31 GPS satellites to support a commitment to maintain 24 operational GPS satellites available 95% of the time.
SpaceX launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04 (SV04) on a Falcon 9 Block 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on 2020-11-05.
The U.S. Air Force requested $302,000,000 in funding for ABMS in fiscal year 2021 and projected $3,200,000,000 in funding for the program over the next five years.
Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Will Roper directed in a memo on 2020-11-23 that the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office will be responsible for integrating and fielding ABMS technologies.
The U.S. Air Force requested $302,000,000 for ABMS in fiscal year 2021.
The U.S. Air Force plans to award up to $950,000,000 worth of individual task orders to vendors as it tests and develops ABMS.
SES Government Solutions was selected by the U.S. Air Force on 2020-11-30 to join the pool of vendors that will compete for contracts to build the military internet of things.
The U.S. Air Force projected $3,200,000,000 in funding for ABMS over the next five years.
The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office manages programs including the X-37B spaceplane and the B-21 stealth bomber.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 2020-11-24 at 9:13 p.m. Eastern.
Slingshot Aerospace partnered with the United States Air Force on two contracts to develop Slingshot Edge and an additional solution for the Air Force’s Base of the Future initiative.
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 9:13 p.m. Eastern on 2020-11-24.
The secretary of the Air Force and the office of the secretary of defense approved the sale of M-Code user equipment to 58 nations.
Work has started on Relativity Space’s first launch site at Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to support a first launch in late 2021.
The Space and Missile Systems Center is facilitating international access and availability of M-Code user equipment as directed by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to 58 authorized nations.
Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on 2020-11-21 at 9:17 a.m. PST (12:17 p.m. EST).
Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.