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 Air Force will terminate the $792,000,000 co-investment funding for OmegA because the vehicle did not win a launch services contract.
The U.S. Air Force selected United Launch Alliance and SpaceX to provide launch services from 2022 to 2027.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper presided over a change-of-command ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado on 2020-08-20.
Former Air Force space operator John Galer believes the Space Force can implement innovative personnel policies due to its unique position.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Launch Service Agreements in October 2018 to United Launch Alliance, Northrop Grumman, and Blue Origin.
The U.S. Air Force selected SpaceX and United Launch Alliance as the winners of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 launch service procurement on 2020-08-07.
The Falcon 9 lifted off at 10:31 a.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The Air Force launched an open bidding process in May 2020 to select a permanent location for U.S. Space Command’s headquarters.
AFWERX was launched by the U.S. Air Force in 2017 as a dual-purpose technology accelerator program focused on commercially viable companies with dual-use technologies.
On 2020-08-18 Viasat was one of 30 industry teams competitively selected by the U.S. Air Force AFWERX program to virtually demonstrate new and emerging capabilities.
The Air Force said it will announce the decision on U.S. Space Command’s permanent headquarters location in January 2021.
U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson will take command of U.S. Space Command on 2020-08-20 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
The U.S. Air Force established a formal agreement with Spire Global in early July 2020 and began assimilating Spire data into its own operations thereafter.
Spire Global provided free radio occultation data earlier in 2020 to ECMWF, the United Kingdom’s Met Office, and the U.S. Air Force to help offset a loss of aircraft-derived data.
The National Aeronautic Association awarded the 2019 Collier Trophy to the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B on 2019-08-13.
The X-37 program was transferred to the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.
The sixth mission of the X-37B spaceplane lifted off on 2020-05-17, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The U.S. Air Force operates two X-37B spacecraft that were built by Boeing.
The development of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur is partially funded by a $967,000,000 six-year Launch Service Agreement contract awarded by the Air Force in 2018.
The Air Force selected United Launch Alliance and SpaceX as the two launch providers for Phase 2 of the National Security Space Launch program covering 2022 through 2027.