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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 the AEHF-6 satellite for the U.S. Space Force on March 26, 2020.

Here's why the Space Force just launched a rocket as the world fights the coronavirus pandemic

By Mike Wall

Launches are rare these days.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF-6 military communications satellite launches from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on March 26, 2020.

US launches advanced satellite in 1st Space Force national security mission

By Amy Thompson

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket took to the skies Thursday afternoon (March 26), delivering a highly advanced communications satellite to orbit for the U.S. Space Force.

The U.S. Space Force emblem as seen on the payload fairing of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket during launch operations for the AEHF-6 military communications satellite in March 2020.

Not enough Americans understand the need for Space Force, a top commander says

By JoAnna Wendel

Space Force vice commander Lt. Gen. David Thompson urges Americans to better understand the need to be prepared for military actions in space.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket topped with the AEHF-6 military communications satellite stands at the launch pad ahead of a planned March 26, 2020 liftoff.

The first US Space Force national security mission will launch today. Here's how to watch live

By Mike Wall

The sixth and final Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite, AEHF-6, will launch Thursday afternoon (March 26), and you can watch the liftoff live.

A Chinese Long March 2C rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center carrying three Yaogan surveillance satellites into orbit, on March 24, 2020.

China's Long March 2C rocket launches military surveillance satellites into orbit

By Hanneke Weitering

China successfully launched three new military surveillance satellites into orbit on a Long March 2C rocket today (March 24).

A Russian Soyuz 2.1b rocket launches a Glonass-M navigation satellite into orbit for the country's Ministry of Defence from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on March 16, 2020.

Soyuz rocket launches Glonass-M navigation satellite for Russian military

By Tariq Malik

A Soyuz rocket launched a new navigation satellite into orbit for Russia's military forces on Monday (March 16) in a dazzling nighttime liftoff from a snowy launchpad.

The official U.S. Space Force seal was unveiled Jan. 24, 2020, by President Trump.

US Space Force's activities still mysterious despite House hearing

By Elizabeth Howell

Congress gave the lone employee of the United States Space Force quite a grilling this week, but the public still doesn't know much about the new military branch's activities.

A view of Astra's Rocket 3.0 on the launch pad at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on March 2, 2020. The day's planned launch attempt was scrubbed, ending Astra's chance to win the DARPA Launch Challenge.

Astra's bid to win $12 million DARPA Launch Challenge comes up short

By Mike Wall

Spaceflight startup Astra scrubbed a planned orbital launch attempt of its Rocket 3.0 on Monday (March 2), meaning the company will not win the $12 million DARPA Launch Challenge.

An illustration of SpaceX's planned mobile service tower at Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The tower will allow vertical integration of U.S. national security payloads.

SpaceX aims to launch 70 missions a year from Florida's Space Coast by 2023

By Elizabeth Howell

SpaceX is planning a huge boost to the number of rocket launches from its Florida launch sites in the next few years and build a mobile service tower for rockets.

Bad weather foiled the planned launch of Astra's Rocket 3.0 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Feb. 29, 2020.

Foul weather delays Astra's 1st DARPA Launch Challenge liftoff in Alaska

By Mike Wall

Stealthy startup Astra hoped to win $2 million with its first-ever orbital launch today (Feb. 29), but Mother Nature prevented the DARPA Launch Challenge liftoff.

The official U.S. Space Force seal was unveiled Jan. 24, 2020, by President Trump.

Elon Musk approves of the US Space Force, eyes 'Star Trek' potential

By Mike Wall

SpaceX's billionaire founder and CEO said he's onboard with the sixth branch of the U.S. military, which President Donald Trump officially established in December 2019.

Astra's Rocket 3.0 at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska in February 2020, ahead of a planned liftoff for the DARPA Launch Challenge.

Astra to loft 1st mission for DARPA Launch Challenge Monday: Here's how to watch live

By Mike Wall

The stealthy startup Astra aims to win $2 million with its first-ever orbital launch Monday (March 2), and you can watch the liftoff live.

The first group of Manned Orbiting Laboratory astronauts poses in front of a model of the Titan III-M launch vehicle. Al Crews is at center.

Lost space dreams: How Al Crews missed out on becoming an astronaut — twice

By Roger Guillemette

Crews was in line to fly on two military spacecraft that never made it to orbit.

Astra, a company based in Alameda, California, aims to launch small satellites cheaply, efficiently and very frequently.

Astra's 1st flight for DARPA Launch Challenge set to fly Saturday

By Mike Wall

The first part of a California spaceflight company's quest to win the $12 million DARPA Launch Challenge is now scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 29), after a four-day delay.

Artist’s concept of DARPA's Glide Breaker anti-hypersonic-weapon system.

DARPA's hypersonic 'Glide Breaker' could blast missile threats out of the sky

By Elizabeth Howell

Aerojet Rocketdyne will develop "enabling technologies" for DARPA's Glide Breaker program under a newly announced contract, which is worth up to $19.6 million.

Astra, a company based in Alameda, California, aims to launch small satellites cheaply, efficiently and very frequently.

Stealthy startup Astra's bid to win $12 million DARPA Launch Challenge lifts off next week

By Mike Wall

California-based rocketmaker Astra is scheduled to attempt its first orbital mission Tuesday (Feb. 25), as part of the $12 million DARPA Launch Challenge.

A Russian Soyuz 2.1v rocket launches a classified military satellite into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russian on Nov. 25, 2019. The satellite can apparently track other satellites in orbit and is shadowing a U.S. spy satellite, officials say.

2 Russian satellites are stalking a US spysat in orbit. The Space Force is watching. (Report)

By Chelsea Gohd

A United States satellite that's used to spy on other countries is being trailed by two Russian satellites, according to the commander of the U.S. Space Force.

The official U.S. Space Force seal was unveiled on Jan. 24, 2020, by President Donald Trump.

Space Force gets $15.4 billion in 2021 budget request

By Mike Wall

That's about 60% of what the White House allocates to NASA.

The official U.S. Space Force seal was unveiled Jan. 24, 2020, by President Trump.

Space Force: What will the new military branch actually do?

By Leonard David

The Space Force has been officially established, but it's still unclear exactly what the organization will do.

Rocket Lab test fires the Electron rocket first stage for the "Birds of a Feather" launch of the NROL-151 satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office at Launch Complex 1 head of a January 2020 launch from Mahia Peninsula on New Zealand's North Island.

Rocket Lab's 1st launch of 2020 is for the National Reconnaissance Office, the US spysat agency

By Tariq Malik

The company's also building a new launchpad and expanding its headquarters.