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.
In 2019 the U.S. Air Force reached an agreement to take over GOES-13 from NOAA.
The White House request indicated that without the anomaly most Space Force activities during the continuing resolution period would be funded from Air Force accounts, requiring manual adjustments of obligations and disbursements and creating administrative burden that would adversely impact Space Force mission execution.
The Department of the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $13,300,000,000 contract on 2020-09-08 to develop the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent intercontinental ballistic missile.
The U.S. Air Force awarded National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contracts to SpaceX and United Launch Alliance rather than to Northrop Grumman.
The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a Launch Service Agreement in 2018 valued at $792,000,000 to support work on the OmegA rocket.
Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 7:19 p.m. Eastern on 2020-08-30.
SpaceX originally intended to launch Saocom-1B from Vandenberg Air Force Base but requested to launch it on a polar trajectory from Cape Canaveral.
The 45th Space Wing is one of the few Air Force wings run by a one-star general.
The base support functions for the 45th Space Delta will be performed by a garrison command at Patrick Air Force Base.
Schieß expects the new organization will retain a general officer at Patrick Air Force Base.
The Space Force is naming its units deltas to create a separate identity from the Air Force.
The Space Force deactivated three former U.S. Air Force space wings and replaced them with nine deltas and two garrison commands.
SpaceX has launched satellites to polar orbits from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
NROL-82 is planned to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, later in the same year as the NROL-44 sequence.
The Air Force negotiated closeout Delta 4 Heavy contracts and scheduled the Delta 4 Heavy vehicle to be retired in fiscal year 2024.
A Delta 4 Heavy rocket was scheduled to launch the classified NROL-44 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office paid United Launch Alliance about $2,200,000,000 for the final five Delta 4 Heavy missions.
On 2020-08-07 the Air Force awarded Phase 2 contracts that included a $337,000,000 contract to United Launch Alliance for two launches and a $316,000,000 contract to SpaceX for one launch.
The Air Force plans to award the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent contract this fall.
The Air Force had been co-investing in the solid-propulsion OmegA since 2018 under a $792,000,000 six-year agreement.