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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Latest about military space
Rocket Lab scrubs planned Feb. 25 launch of hypersonic scramjet vehicle for the US military
Rocket Lab scrubbed the planned Feb. 25 launch of its HASTE suborbital rocket, which will send a scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicle up for the U.S. military. No new target date has been announced.
China's mysterious Shenlong space plane recently launched on its 4th mission. What is it doing up there?
China's reusable Shenlong space plane launched on its fourth space mission earlier this month. What is it doing in Earth orbit, and how do those activities advance China's space goals?
Deja vu: Vulcan Centaur rocket powers through 'significant performance anomaly' on satellite launch
A Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully launched two U.S. spy satellites on Feb. 12 despite suffering an anomaly with one of its solid rocket boosters, echoing the result of an October 2024 mission.
Vulcan Centaur rocket launches 'neighborhood watch' satellites for the US military (video)
Liftoff of the USSF-87 mission occurred at 4:22 a.m. ET on Thursday (Feb. 12).
Rocket Lab's 'Hungry Hippo' Neutron fairing arrives at spaceport in Virginia
The "hungry hippo" fairing for Rocket Lab's new Neutron launch vehicle has arrived for integration at the company's Virginia Spaceport facilities.
US Space Force awards 1st-of-its-kind $52 million contract to deorbit its satellites
"This contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter."
Rocket Lab launches final mission of 2025, sends Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit (video)
Rocket Lab launched its 21st and final mission of the year over the weekend, sending a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit.
Trump signs sweeping executive order aimed at 'ensuring American space superiority'
On Thursday (Dec. 18), President Donald Trump issued an executive order designed to ensure American space superiority. It calls for the initial construction of a moon base by 2030, among other goals.
