Trending

Military Space - Spacecraft, Weapons and Tech

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

Latest Updates

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV medium rocket launches the WGS-10 military communications satellites into orbit for the U.S. Air Force on March 15, 2019 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

US Air Force Launches Advanced Military Communication Satellite

By Meghan Bartels

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket took to the skies during an early evening launch today (March 15), lofting a military satellite to become the 10th piece of a communications constellation.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV medium rocket stands atop the launchpad with the WGS-9 military communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force. A similar rocket will launch the WGS-10 satellite on March 15, 2019.

You Can Watch a US Military Satellite Launch Into Space Tonight! Here's How.

By Tariq Malik

The U.S. Air Force will launch the new WGS-10 military communications today (March 15). Watch it live.

United Launch Alliance is developing a new vehicle to replace the Atlas 5 in future national security launch competitions.

EELV Is No More. It Is Now 'National Security Space Launch'

By Sandra Erwin

Col. Bongiovi, director of SMC's Launch Enterprise Directorate, says the NSSL program will seek to leverage the U.S. commercial launch industry.

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan meets with a U.S. congressional delegation on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Munich, Germany, Feb. 16, 2019.

Space Force Proposal Officially Sent to Capitol Hill, Now Come the Questions

By Sandra Erwin

Now that the proposal has been kicked over to Congress, DoD faces what could be a harder-than-expected job communicating the Space Force plan to Congress and the public.

President Donald Trump signs Space Policy Directive-4 in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 19, 2019. SPD-4 directs the Pentagon to establish a Space Force.

Trump Signs Directive to Create a Military Space Force

By Mike Wall

The Space Force just took a big step from sci-fi-sounding dream toward reality.

President Donald Trump

White House: Space Force Under the Air Force Only a 'First Step,' Separate Department Not Off the Table

By Sandra Erwin

Artist's illustration of the X-37B orbiting Earth

US Military Space Plane Wings Past 500 Days on Latest Mystery Mission

By Leonard David

The secretive mission of a U.S. Air Force X-37B miniature space plane just winged past 500 days in Earth orbit.

india-pslv-launch

India's 1st Rocket Launch of 2019 Sends Military Satellite, Student Cubesat Into Orbit

By Meghan Bartels

India launched its first rocket of 2019 yesterday (Jan. 24), lifting two payloads into orbit: a military imaging satellite and a student-built orbital laboratory.

Space Tracking and Surveillance System

Next Steps for the Pentagon's New Space Sensors for Missile Defense

By Sandra Erwin

The Missile Defense Agency is evaluating nine proposals for space sensor architectures. With $73 million that Congress already appropriated, the agency will select three to continue on.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the classified NROL-71 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launches toward space from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on Jan. 19, 2019.

Launch Photos: Spy Satellite NROL-71 Soars on Secret Mission Atop Delta IV Heavy Rocket

By Tariq Malik

President Donald Trump

Trump Unveils Missile Defense Review, Promises Funding for Space Sensors in 2020

By Sandra Erwin

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Pentagon on Thursday to roll out the 2019 Missile Defense Review.

Delta IV Heavy Launches NROL-71 Satellite

New US Spy Satellite Launches on Secret Mission at Last After Delays

By Mike Wall

The NROL-71 spy satellite streaked to orbit today (Jan. 19) atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, which lifted off from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base at 2:10 p.m. EST.

ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket with NROL-71

US Launching Secret Spy Satellite Today! Here's How to Watch Live

By Mike Wall

The United States plans to launch a hush-hush spy satellite Saturday (Jan. 19), and you can watch the liftoff live.

Steve Carrell will star in a new Netflix comedy series "Space Force" based on President Donald Trump's push to establish a real military branch of the same name.

Steve Carell Is Launching a 'Space Force' Comedy Series on Netflix

By Mike Wall

It looks like we'll have a fictional Space Force before the real one gets off the ground.

ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket with NROL-71

US to Launch Secret Spy Satellite Saturday

By Mike Wall

DMSP satellite

What's Next for Air Force Weather Satellites?

By Debra Werner

The Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-71 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is seen during tower rollback operations at Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Launch of New US Spy Satellite Delayed Again

By Tariq Malik

The much-delayed launch of the new U.S. spy satellite NROL-71 has been postponed again due to an issue with its rocket, but it's unclear when exactly the mission may fly.

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan

New Pentagon Chief Shanahan Urges Focus on China 'Great Power Competition'

By Sandra Erwin

In his first national security meeting as acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan said DoD should stay focused on the national defense strategy and the strategic competition with China.

The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-71 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office stands atop its launchpad at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base ahead of a Dec. 19, 2018 launch attempt.

Launch of New US Spy Satellite Delayed to Early 2019

By Tariq Malik

The launch of an much-delayed U.S. spy satellite has been delayed again, this time to no earlier than Jan. 6, according to the United Launch Alliance.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan

Pentagon Analyzing Possible Missions for a New Space Development Agency

By Sandra Erwin

DoD spokesman: "The intent is to ensure DoD leverages commercial space technology and accelerates the development and delivery of new capabilities."