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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 United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches two Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program satellites for the U.S. Space Force on Jan. 21, 2022.

Atlas V rocket launches 2 surveillance satellites for US Space Force

By Mike Wall published

An Atlas V rocket topped with two "neighborhood watch" satellites lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Friday (Jan. 21) at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT).

People watch a North Korean missile launch on a television at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 5, 2022.

North Korea tests another new hypersonic weapon: reports

By Mike Wall published

North Korea claims that it conducted a successful test of a new hypersonic vehicle on Wednesday (Jan. 5).

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Laser Communication Relay Demonstration instrument launches on the

Atlas V rocket launches NASA laser communications prototype and Space Force experiments into orbit

By Amy Thompson published

An Atlas V rocket lit up the predawn sky over Florida early Tuesday (Dec. 7) to launch a novel NASA laser space communications satellite into orbit.

A United Launch Alliance rocket carrying the STP-3 mission for the U.S. military, including a NASA laser space communications experiment, stands atop its pad at Space Launch Copmlex 41 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Launch is scheduled for Dec. 7, 2021.

Fuel leak delays Atlas V rocket launch to early Tuesday morning: Watch it live

By Mike Wall published

A U.S. military mission will get off the ground Tuesday morning (Dec. 7) after a two-day delay, and you can watch the liftoff live.

The near side of the moon, as seen by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. How do military powers view Earth's natural satellite?

Military interest in the moon is ramping up

By Leonard David published

There is growing interest in protecting strategic assets in cislunar space, the realm between Earth and the moon.

A United Launch Alliance rocket carrying the STP-3 mission for the U.S. military, including a NASA laser space communications experiment, stands atop its pad at Space Launch Copmlex 41 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a Dec. 5, 2021 launch.

Atlas V rocket launch of US military space mission delayed to Tuesday. How to watch live.

By Amy Thompson published

An Atlas V is scheduled to blast off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 4:04 a.m. EDT (0904 GMT) on Dec. 7 for the U.S. Space Force.

An artist's impression of NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration mission.

How NASA's new laser communications mission will work in space

By Elizabeth Howell published

The goal is to speed up solar system communications.

A NASA camera aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite caught this view of Africa and the entire sunlit side of Earth on July 9, 2015.

1st Space Council meeting under VP Harris highlights climate change, competitiveness and responsible space behavior

By Mike Wall published

Using space assets to monitor and help mitigate climate change, investing in STEM education and helping to establish and uphold rules for space behavior will be priorities going forward.

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter spacecraft will have to dodge space debris during its close Earth flyby.

Russian ASAT test adds risk to Solar Orbiter's super close Earth flyby

By Tereza Pultarova published

The flyby will nudge Solar Orbiter closer to the sun.

Space companies and nations around the world have spoken out about Russia's recent ASAT test that created hundreds of pieces of space debris. This NASA graphic depicts the amount of space junk currently orbiting Earth. The debris field is based on data from NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office. Image released on May 1, 2013.

Russian anti-satellite missile test draws condemnation from space companies and countries

By Chelsea Gohd published

Across the globe, nations and space companies alike are speaking out about Russia's anti-satellite (ASAT) test that forced astronauts in space to take cover.

An artist's impression of NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration mission.

Zap! NASA readies a new laser test to speed up space communications

By Elizabeth Howell published

The mission was delayed two years but is launching during a new era of laser services.

The International Space Station was in danger from space debris after a Russian missile test on Nov. 16, 2021.

Russia's anti-satellite missile test could have easily obliterated the International Space Station

By Brandon Specktor published

What's the worst that could happen from the Russian missile test that blasted more than 1,500 pieces of space debris into Earth orbit?

These radar images from the Numerica Corporation show the Cosmos 1408 satellite before (left) and after an impact from a Russian anti-satellite test on Nov. 15, 2021.

Russian anti-satellite missile test was the first of its kind

By Chelsea Gohd published

Russia's latest anti-satellite test is unlike anything we've seen from the nation before.

An Arianespace Vega rocket carrying three CERES satellites for the French military lifts off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana on Nov. 16, ,2021.

Arianespace Vega rocket launches 3 satellites into orbit for French military

By Hanneke Weitering published

A Vega rocket launched three French military satellites from a South American spaceport Tuesday (Nov. 16).

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks at a press briefing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in July 2021.

NASA chief Bill Nelson condemns Russian anti-satellite test

By Hanneke Weitering published

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has condemned a Russian anti-satellite test on Monday (Nov. 15) that put the International Space Station at risk of colliding with the resulting debris.

Another photo of the International Space Station shared by cosmonaut Novitsky on Twitter on Sept. 29, 2021.

Did Russia just launch an anti-satellite test that created a cloud of space junk?

By Chelsea Gohd published

Suspicions swirl that Russia may have conducted an anti-satellite test that created the debris field that's causing astronauts on the International Space Station to seek refuge, reports suggest.

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket carrying the Yaogan 35 A, B and C Earth reconnaissance satellites lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China on Nov. 5, 2021.

China launches new set of Yaogan Earth reconnaissance satellites

By Andrew Jones published

China launched the first set of three satellites for a new series of classified Yaogan reconnaissance satellites on Saturday (Nov. 5).

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's hypersonic weapon test no cause for panic, experts say

By Mike Wall published

China's mysterious recent space-tech test is not a sign that the sky is falling.

Potential conflicts in space over resources can be prevented by a commitment to peaceful collaboration.

Space exploration should aim for peace, collaboration and co-operation, not war and competition

By Kuan-Wei Chen, Ram S. Jakhu, Steven Freeland published

When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, it represented humanity’s first significant foray into the cosmos.

An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying the SES-17 and Syracuse 4A communications satellites for SES and France's Ministry of Defense, respectively, lifts off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana at 10:10 p.m. EDT (0210 GMT) on Oct. 23, 2021.

Ariane 5 rocket successfully launches two satellites into orbit on its heaviest mission ever

By Elizabeth Howell published

An Ariane 5 rocket will launch satellites for SES and the French military tonight, Oct. 23, and you can watch it live here.