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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Lt. Gen. David Thompson participated in an online interview on 2020-05-12 with retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
When Task Force 45 is deployed, it will report to Maj. Gen. John Shaw, the commander of U.S. Space Command’s Combined Force Space Component at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Rocket Lab completed construction of a launch complex at Wallops Island, Virginia and plans to launch an Air Force satellite from Wallops in August.
The U.S. Air Force agreed to let VOX Space launch the STP-27VP mission from Guam.
The sixth mission of the U.S. Air Force’s reusable X-37B spaceplane is scheduled to launch 2020-05-16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The Air Force decided that only companies that win Phase 2 contracts will continue to receive Launch Service Agreement funding.
The Air Force awarded Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, and Northrop Grumman $2,300,000,000 in Launch Service Agreement funding in 2018 to be spread over six years.
Blue Origin supports the Air Force continuing to support three U.S. launch service providers through 2023.
U.S. law prevents the Air Force from purchasing United Launch Alliance Atlas V launches after 2022 because Atlas V uses Russian engines.
RAND recommends the Air Force provide tailored support through 2023 to enable three U.S. launch service providers to continue in or enter the heavy lift launch market.
Another officer stated that the Air Force values higher education more than the Army for promotion boards.
United Launch Alliance conducts launch operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
When the application window opens 2020-05-01, more than 7,000 enlisted airmen and officers will be asked to volunteer to give up their commission in the U.S. Air Force and transfer to the U.S. Space Force.
The Alpha mission is planned to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The Air Force Personnel Center will send thousands of U.S. Air Force members an email on 2020-05-01 opening the application window to transfer to the U.S. Space Force.
Falcon 9 lifted off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The Kobayashi Maru space data services will be tested at the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and at the National Space Defense Center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.
About 60 LinQuest employees work full-time at U.S. Space Command at the command’s primary locations at Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.
Towberman served in the Air Force for 30 years before becoming the senior enlisted adviser of U.S. Space Command and the Space Force.
Launcher has raised $5,500,000 to date, including the $1,500,000 Air Force SBIR award, and is seeking additional funding.