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 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 established a new, independent U.S. Space Force within the Department of the Air Force.
On 2019-12-20, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett assigned 16,000 airmen and civilians who worked under Air Force Space Command to the Space Force.
PlanetIQ has raised $18,700,000 and holds contracts from NOAA and the U.S. Air Force.
The U.S. Air Force is moving a retired National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration geostationary weather satellite into orbit over the Indian Ocean.
The U.S. Air Force intends to award five-year Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contracts in mid-2020 to two providers to split approximately 30 national security launches starting in fiscal year 2022.
RAND recommends that the Air Force support three providers until 2023 as prudent preparation for a future with only two U.S. NSS-certified heavy lift launch providers.
RAND identifies selecting a third provider under the Phase 2 contract as an alternative way the Air Force can mitigate the risk of new vehicles not being ready by 2022.
The RAND study does not recommend changing the Air Force decision to award national security launch contracts to two providers later 2020.
The RAND study recommends having a viable third provider at least until 2023 to provide breathing room for the Air Force.
Under U.S. law, the Air Force is prohibited after 2022 from purchasing rockets with engines designed or manufactured in Russia.
ABL Space Systems requested that the CRADA not be announced until test activities were underway at Edwards Air Force Base test site 1-56 in California.
ABL Space Systems established a presence at Edwards Air Force Base test site 1-56 of the AFRL rocket propulsion division.
The U.S. Air Force launched four SBIRS satellites in 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2018.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula planned air operations in the Middle East during the 1991 Gulf War and worked with the Defense Support Program early warning satellite constellation.
Melanie Preisser is vice president of national systems at York Space Systems and is a former U.S. Air Force officer who oversaw space and intelligence programs at the Pentagon and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
The 45th Space Wing operates Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Eastern Range on the Florida Space Coast.
The National Defense Authorization Act directs the secretary of the Air Force to submit by 2020-02-01 a report on how the Space Force will be organized and its anticipated funding requirements.
SpaceX scheduled a launch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 2020-01-06.
About 16,000 Air Force personnel who support the five space wings became part of the U.S. Space Force.
Many companies at Air Force Space Pitch Day received $50,000 phase one SBIR awards for customer discovery.