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.
Vandenberg Air Force Base has supported missile launches including Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile tests and missile defense tests.
Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 12:17 p.m. Eastern.
The Department of the Air Force will conduct both virtual and on-site visits at each candidate location to assess which location is best suited to host the U.S. Space Command Headquarters.
Peterson Air Force Base will remain the provisional location for the U.S. Space Command Headquarters until a permanent location is selected and facilities are ready to support the mission.
The Department of the Air Force anticipates selecting the preferred location for the U.S. Space Command Headquarters in early 2021.
Orbital Sidekick has U.S. Air Force backing to expand its hyperspectral satellite constellation.
Rogers and Cooper wrote language to establish a Space Corps under the Department of the Air Force that passed the House in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act but was defeated in the House-Senate conference.
On 2020-11-19, the Department of the Air Force selected six military bases as candidate locations for U.S. Space Command headquarters.
The Air Force expects to select a permanent U.S. Space Command headquarters location in early 2021 and expects it will take up to six years to build new facilities.
United Launch Alliance is testing hardware and conducting a broad review of Delta 4 ground equipment at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The Air Force launched an open bidding process on 2020-05-15 to select the permanent location of U.S. Space Command headquarters.
Enview joined U.S. Air Force Advanced Battle Lab (ABL) personnel at Nellis Air Force Base to deploy Enview Explore at the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Onramp 2 exercise.
Orbit Fab won a $3,000,000 U.S. Air Force contract in 2020 to flight-qualify RAFTI.
Orbit Fab received a $3,000,000 contract from the U.S. Air Force to fully flight qualify the RAFTI service valve.
An Air Force-led basing study is evaluating multiple locations for U.S. Space Command headquarters.
United Launch Alliance launched an Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-101 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 2020-11-13 at 5:32 p.m. EST.
The Atlas 5 lifted off at 5:32 p.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy was named commander of the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Space Wing and director of the Eastern Range at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida on 2020-11-10.
Peraton will serve as one of the Air Force’s industry partners developing the information backbone for future joint warfighting under this contract.
United Launch Alliance received a $967,000,000 Launch Service Agreement contract from the Air Force.