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.

Related Topics: NASA

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a metal tube floating in the ocean

North Korea says its rocket launch failed, 1st spy satellite lost

By Brett Tingley published

North Korean state media reported that the launch of the nation's first spy satellite on Wednesday (May 31) was unsuccessful due to a stage-separation issue.

America's secret space plane, the Boeing X-37B, is thought to have inspired China to construct a similar craft.

China's mysterious space plane released an unidentified 'object' in orbit, US intelligence reveals

By Joanna Thompson published

Here's what we know (and don't know) about China's mysterious space plane, which just landed after nine months in orbit on a secret mission.

a space plane in orbit above Earth

China's mysterious space plane returns to Earth after 9-month orbital mission

By Mike Wall published

China's mysterious space plane landed on Monday (May 8), bringing its second orbital mission to an end after 276 days.

a hypersonic missile soars above the clouds

China's hypersonic research to get boost from satellite startup

By Andrew Jones published

The Chinese satellite internet startup Galaxy Space is planning to provide broadband connectivity to assist the nation's hypersonic vehicle program.

An unidentified rocket is displayed during a military parade marking the 105th anniversary of the birth of late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang on April 15, 2017.

North Korea readying launch of nation's 1st spy satellite: report

By Brett Tingley published

North Korean state media announced Wednesday (April 19) that the country has built its first spy satellite and is preparing it for launch.

Space debris generated by the Russian anti-satellite missile test in November 2021.

3 more countries pledge not to conduct destructive anti-satellite tests

By Mike Wall published

The Netherlands, Austria and Italy have pledged not to conduct destructive anti-satellite tests, bringing the number of nations to make such a commitment to 13.

Diagram of True Anomaly's Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle, which is designed to study orbiting objects at close range.

Private 'Jackal' inspector satellites to get 1st in-space test this year

By Mike Wall published

Colorado-based startup True Anomaly, which aims to help keep the U.S. on top in space, plans to launch its first two "Jackal" spacecraft to orbit this October.

in an illustration, a missile flies above the earth and clouds. far behind is a large military plane that deployed the missile

Pentagon won't be buying air-launched hypersonic missile after failed test: report

By Elizabeth Howell published

The US Air Force will not use a Lockheed Martin-made hypersonic weapon for its Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon program. Other hypersonic research continues.

A Shavit rocket launches the Ofek 13 radar spy satellite to orbit on March 29, 2023.

Israel launches 'most advanced of its kind' radar spy satellite

By Josh Dinner published

Israel launched the newest addition to its Ofek series of spy satellites early Wednesday (March 29), an advanced radar craft called Ofek 13.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 Tranche 0 military satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency and Space Force launches to orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on April 2, 2023.

SpaceX successfully launches 10 Space Force Tranche 0 satellites after abort delay, lands rocket

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched a set of advanced new satellites for the U.S. Space Force Sunday (April 2) after days of delays due to a last-second abort.

A SpaceX rocket lifts off in the background behind the sign for Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

US Space Force seeks $60 million for 'tactically responsive space' program

By Josh Dinner published

The Space Force is laying the groundwork to place payloads in orbit with relatively little notice through its 'tactically responsive space' program.

The Port in-space manufacturing facility envisioned by Arkisys for the U.S. Space Force.

US Space Force wants to test how to build satellites in orbit with $1.6 million Arkisys deal

By Jeff Spry published

Arkisys Inc. and its partners awarded $1.6 million contract by the U.S. Space Force for scalable spaceport.

Hypersonic missiles can change course to avoid detection and anti-missile defenses.

Suspected US hypersonic missile test launch from Cape Canaveral scrubbed

By Andrew Jones published

The U.S. Department of Defense scrubbed a test launch of an undisclosed missile out of Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station earlier this month.

A SpaceX rocket lifts off in the background behind the sign for Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

US Space Force grants 4 companies launch pads at Cape Canaveral

By Robert Lea published

Space Force wing Space Launch Delta 45 has allocated three launch pads at the historic Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to four private companies.

An illustration of Earth showing how far away geostationary orbit is

A Chinese spacecraft has been checking out US satellites high above Earth

By Andrew Jones published

The Chinese satellite TJS-3, which launched in 2018, has been inspecting other nations' spacecraft high above Earth in geostationary orbit.

A U.S. Air Force pilot looked down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovered over the Central Continental United States February 3, 2023.

This photo of China's spy balloon taken from a U-2 reconnaissance plane is absolutely bonkers (video)

By Brett Tingley published

The Department of Defense released an image taken from the cockpit of a U-2 spy plane of the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that floated over the United States earlier this month.

An example of pico-ballooning is this U.S. Naval Academy amateur radio balloon experiment.

Mystery object shot down over Yukon may have been harmless 'pico balloon'

By Leonard David published

The object blasted out of the sky over the Yukon on Feb. 11 may have been an amateur radio pico balloon — specifically, a 33-inch-wide one called K9YO-15.

U.S. President Joe Biden discusses the recent shoot-downs of three mysterious aerial objects during a brief press conference on Feb. 16, 2023.

3 mystery objects shot down by US likely weren't spy craft, Biden says

By Mike Wall published

The three mysterious objects shot down recently by U.S. fighter jets were likely research or recreation objects lofted by private companies or academic institutions, President Joe Biden said.

The emblem of the United States Space Force.

What is the U.S. Space Force and what does it do?

By Brett Tingley published

Reference The U.S. Space Force was created as the sixth branch of the Armed Forces in order to protect U.S. space assets as Earth orbit becomes increasingly contested.

Satellite imagery of Lakes Huron and Michigan.

US shoots down UFOs over Lake Huron and Canada

By Tia Ghose last updated

The U.S. shot down a UFO over Lake Huron on Sunday, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the U.S. shot down an unidentified flying object over the Yukon, Canada at his request.