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 2020-03-01 Perseverance rover mission is scheduled to launch 2020-07-20 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Xplore received a U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research contract in April to study how to establish a positioning, navigation, and timing system for cislunar space.
The Senate Armed Services Committee’s markup of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act stated that the Air Force could support companies that do not win Phase 2 by investing in programs to help them prepare for Phase 3 five years later.
A RAND Corporation study commissioned by the Air Force recommended that the Space and Missile Systems Center consider supporting more than two launch providers in Phase 2 due to a risk of insufficient certified rockets when Phase 2 starts in 2022.
The Department of the Air Force is working to complete a congressionally mandated report proposing changes to space acquisitions.
The SASC markup directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a report on the selection process and criteria used to determine the permanent site for U.S. Space Command headquarters.
The 2020-10-01 SASC markup did not include provisions on Space Force acquisition reforms that the 2020 NDAA directed Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett to submit.
A report titled "Alternative Acquisition System for the United States Space Force" was sent to congressional committees on 2020-05-20 and the Air Force notified committees the next day that the version they received was not the final version.
The SASC bill requires the Secretary of the Air Force to develop technologies and systems to enhance Phase 3 National Security Space Launch requirements.
A group of 28 lawmakers from Colorado, Alabama, and other states with ULA manufacturing and launch operations sent a 2020-05-29 letter to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett and Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond urging them not to add a third provider in Phase 2.
The Department of the Air Force, on behalf of the U.S. Space Force, plans to announce the two winners of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 launch services procurement.
The RAND study recommended the Air Force provide tailored support to a third launch provider until at least 2023 to ensure sufficient launch suppliers with certified vehicles.
The Air Force awarded Launch Service Agreement funding in October 2018 to Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, and Northrop Grumman.
A Phase 2 competition provision states that only companies that win a Phase 2 contract will continue to receive Air Force funding for launch vehicle development and construction of launch pads.
The 2020-05-29 letter argues that the Air Force and the Government Accountability Office have indicated the national security launch manifest cannot support three or more launch providers.
Space Micro received an Air Force contract last year to develop a secure optical terminal for Air Force missions.
Deploying sensors aboard LEO satellites is an opportunity to support the Air Force Advanced Battle Management System by providing alternative platforms to integrate and analyze data during military operations.
In late 2019 the Air Force selected Raytheon to develop an open-architecture operating system for future Next-Gen OPIR ground stations, but a contract had not yet been awarded.
The U.S. Air Force compressed the Next-Gen OPIR program schedule by 42 months and plans to launch the first satellite by 2025.
CBO estimated that transferring 1,500 personnel from existing Air National Guard and Army National Guard units to a new Space National Guard would generate about $100,000,000 in annual operations and support costs and about $20,000,000 in onetime construction costs for additional facilities.