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Military Space

Military forces have a long association with spaceflight, with modern rockets evolving from missiles developed during World War II. Today's armed forces rely on space-based assets for reconnaissance, weather tracking, communication, navigation and more. The U.S. Air Force regularly launches GPS and missile-defense tracking satellites, and operates two classified X-37B robotic space planes. Learn more about military satellites, space weapon, the Space Force and more here.

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A Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket launches from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in an undated image.

NASA to launch secretive US military payloads on 3 sounding rockets from Virginia tonight

By Rahul Rao

NASA will launch three sounding rockets from its Wallops Flight Facility in coastal Virginia on flights that local observers may be able to spot in the sky.

China conducted a test launch of a hypersonic vehicle in August 2021 using a Long March rocket, according to an Oct. 17, 2021, report in The Financial Times. This photo shows a Chinese Long March 7 rocket launching the Tianzhou-2 cargo ship to the country's Tianhe module, the core of the new Tiangong space station, from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island on May 29, 2021.

China successfully tested hypersonic weapon in August: report

By Mike Wall

China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon two months ago, making strides with the technology that surprised and alarmed U.S. officials, according to a media report.

Boeing's X-37B space plane.

Air Force's X-37B robotic space plane wings past 500 days in Earth orbit

By Leonard David

That enigmatic U.S. military X-37B robotic space drone has now chalked up more than 500 days circling the Earth.

North Korea conducted a test launch of its Hwasong-8 vehicle, which features a hypersonic upper stage, on Sept. 28, 2021. This photo of the launch was released by North Korean state media.

North Korea tests new hypersonic weapon: reports

By Mike Wall

North Korean state media declared the test of the Hwasong-8 a success, but outside experts are skeptical.

The US Space Force unveiled its prototype dress uniform on Sept. 21, 2021.

The Space Force's prototype dress uniforms look like something out of science fiction

By Mike Wall

We just got our first look at the U.S. Space Force's formal wear.

A Soyuz rocket launches from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on Sept. 9, 2021.

Russian Soyuz rocket sends classified military payload to orbit

By Elizabeth Howell

Russia's ministry of defense sent a classified payload into orbit on a Soyuz rocket Thursday (Sept. 9), according to state media outlet TASS.

The U.S. Air Force's robotic X-37B space plane is shown here in a 2009 photo at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The US Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane: 10 surprising facts

By Mike Wall

Learn all about the U.S. Space Force's robotic X-37B space plane, which has flown six mystery missions to date.

The U.S. Space Force logo.

'Guardians wanted!' US Space Force unveils new recruitment video

By Elizabeth Howell

The U.S. Space Force is seeking more recruits to address future military challenges of spaceflight. Yes, there's an ad for it.

What could go wrong on the International Space Station, and how would an AI respond?

Can the US and China Cooperate in Space?

By Leonard David

China’s meteoric rise in space science and exploration—along with its new partnership with Russia—is spurring U.S. experts to reconsider a long-standing prohibition on bilateral collaborations

Astra's Rocket 3.2 launches on a test flight from Alaska's Pacific Spaceport Complex on Dec. 15, 2020. The rocket reached space, a first for California-based Astra.

Rocket startup Astra to launch satellite for US Space Force this month

By Mike Wall

The U.S. Space Force has booked two missions with Astra, the first of which will launch a test payload from Alaska during a window that runs from Aug. 27 through Sept. 11.

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launches the U.S. Space Force's Monolith satellite from New Zealand, on June 29, 2021.

Rocket Lab launches US military satellite on return-to-flight mission

By Mike Wall

The company's Electron rocket launched a small satellite for the U.S. military early this morning (July 29), acing its first mission since a failure in mid-May.

An artist's depiction of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Demonstration and Science Experiments (DSX) spacecraft with its antenna booms extended.

US Air Force celebrates end of the world's largest uncrewed satellite, which studied Earth's radiation belts

By Samantha Mathewson

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's mission to study Earth's Van Allen radiation belts ended on May 31, after exceeding its original planned lifetime of one year in orbit.

The near side of the moon, as seen by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

US Space Force has new guidelines for working at and around the moon

By Elizabeth Howell

The U.S. Space Force has a new primer for activities beyond Earth orbit amid increased NASA and international interest in lunar activities.

Missile defence satellite Next Gen OPIR GEO.

Lockheed Martin wins $4.9 billion contract to build advanced missile-warning satellites

By Samantha Mathewson

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $4.9 billion contract to build a triad of missile-warning satellites for the U.S. Space Force.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the GPS III SV05 satellite for the U.S. Space Force launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 17, 2021.

SpaceX launches advanced GPS satellite for US Space Force, sticks rocket landing at sea

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX successfully launched an advanced GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force and nailed a rocket landing at sea on Thursday (June 17).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the GPS III SV04 satellite for the U.S. Space Force stands atop Space Launch Complex 40 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida for an October 2020 launch.

You can watch SpaceX launch a new GPS satellite for the US Space Force today. Here's how.

By Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a new GPS navigation satellite for the U.S. military today (June 17) and you can watch it live online.

A Northrop Grumman Minotaur 1 rocket carrying three classified payloads for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launches from Pad 0B of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island, Virginia on June 16, 2021.

Minotaur 1 rocket launches 3 classified spy satellites for National Reconnaissance Office

By Amy Thompson

A Minotaur 1 rocket blasted off from the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tuesday morning (June 15), heading to orbit with three secret spacecraft for the U.S. government's spy satellite agency.

A Minotaur 1 rocket stands ready to launch the NROL-111 mission on Pad 0B at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia.

Watch a Minotaur 1 rocket launch a classified US spy satellite today

By Amy Thompson

Northrop Grumman is set to launch a Minotaur 1 rocket early Tuesday morning (June 15), and you can watch the action live online.

This still from a Vandenberg Space Force Base video shows a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket carrying the TacRL-2 satellite being loaded onto a Stargazer carrier plane for a June 13, 2021 launch.

Pegasus XL rocket launches secretive 'space domain awareness' satellite for US Space Force

By Elizabeth Howell

A Northrop Grumman rocket successfully launched a secretive Space Force satellite for "space domain awareness" on Sunday (June 13).

United Launch Alliance delayed the launch of its STP 3 mission.

United Launch Alliance delays Atlas V rocket launch for US Space Force

By Amy Thompson

United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s next Atlas V launch will have to wait a little longer as the liftoff has been delayed, the company announced Friday (June 5).