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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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The space startup SpinLaunch has secured its first launch contract, a prototype flight for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Secretive Startup SpinLaunch Gets 1st Launch Contract for US Military

By Tariq Malik

The secretive startup SpinLaunch, which aims to fling satellites into space without a traditional launch pad, has just secured its first launch contract.

SpaceX will launch 24 satellites for Space Test Program 2 mission by the U.S. Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center on a Falcon Heavy rocket on June 24, 2019. This image shows many of the satellites packed together for launch.

This Is What 2 Dozen Satellites Look Like Packed for Launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy

By Tariq Malik

SpaceX is gearing up for its busiest Falcon Heavy megarocket launch yet and now, thanks the U.S. Air Force, we know what the epic rideshare looks like.

In this screenshot, you can see what may be an "anomalous aerial vehicle."

Why Is the Pentagon Interested in UFOs?

By Iain Boyd

New rules encourage U.S. Navy pilots and sailors to report UFO sightings. Here's why.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan, and Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Office David L. Norquist provide testimony on the fiscal 2020 Department of Defense budget before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Congressional Report: Space Force Would Cost Billions More Than DoD Estimated

By Sandra Erwin

An independent space service under the Air Force would add up to $1.3 billion a year in costs, says CBO, far more than DoD's estimate of $500 million.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 3:40 a.m. EDT (0740 GMT; 12:40 a.m. PDT) on May 9, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

North Korea, US Fire Missiles in Early-Morning Tests (Video)

By Mike Wall

North Korea fired off two short-range missiles in quick succession early this morning (May 9), and the United States followed suit with a test of its own just minutes later.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivers a keynote address during Access Intelligence's Satellite 2019 Conference and Exhibition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center May 06, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Pence Reaffirms Trump Administration's Support for Space

By Jeff Foust

Vice President Mike Pence used a speech at a major space industry conference Monday (May 6) to restate the Trump administration's space policy efforts.

An artist's depiction of the U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane in orbit with its solar array deployed and payload bay open.

X-37B Military Space Plane's Latest Mystery Mission Passes 600 Days

By Mike Wall

The U.S. Air Force's X-37B space plane has now been circling Earth for more than 600 days on its latest mystery mission.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy will launch the STP-2 mission this year for the U.S. Air Force.

Cape Canaveral Preparing for Key Military Launches

By Sandra Erwin

The Air Force 45th Space Wing is gearing up for three high-profile space launches at Cape Canaveral over the coming months.

100th Missile Defense Brigade National Guard soldiers operate missile warning satellites at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

Pentagon Wants a Space Force, Still Undecided on a Space National Guard

By Sandra Erwin

The National Guard Bureau is calling for the establishment of a Space National Guard as a reserve component to the Space Force.

An Indian PDV-Mk II missile lifts off March 27 en route to intercept and destroy Microsat-R.

Why We Need to Avoid More Anti-Satellite Tests

By Laura Grego

No state has destroyed another state's satellite. This extraordinary restraint is worth preserving and expanding.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, and Commander of U.S. Strategic Command Gen. John Hyten testify April 11, 2019 in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Defense Officials Get a Grilling at Space Force Hearing

By Sandra Erwin

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said the hearing was an "opportunity to continue to gather facts and to fully explore the proposal."

This is an aerial photo of the U.S. Air Force Space Surveillance Network on Kwajalein Atoll slated for initial operations in late 2019.

Indian Anti-Satellite Test Proves Early Test for Space Fence

By Debra Werner

Still in testing mode, the U.S. Air Force Space Fence on Kwajalein Atoll detected India’s March 27 anti-satellite test and issued a break-up alert.

An artist's rendering of Northrop Grumman's OmegA rocket, which is scheduled to make its first test launch in 2021.

3 New Rockets Are on Track for 1st Test Flights in 2021

By Hanneke Weitering

Three new commercial rockets are on track to make their first test flights in 2021.

The Broadmoor Hotel is hosting the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 8-11, 2019.

US Space Dominance Dominates 35th Space Symposium Agenda

By SpaceNews Staff

Vice President Mike Pence won’t be delivering a keynote address at this year's Space Symposium, but the speech he gave two weeks ago is sure to reverberate across the event.

India launched an anti-satellite missile on March 27, 2019.

New Studies Provide Fresh Insights Into the Escalating Space Arms Race

By Sandra Erwin

A new report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies focuses on four specific countries that pose the greatest risk for the United States: China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Clockwise from left: SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, ULA's Vulcan Centaur, Northrop Grumman's OmegA and Blue Origin's New Glenn rockets are all in the running to compete for a block of launch contracts the U.S. Air Force intends to divide between two providers during phase 2 of the Launch Service Agreements (LSA) program.

Air Force Space Launch Competition Caught in Political Crossfire

By Sandra Erwin

House Armed Service Committee Chairman Adam Smith on Thursday sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson questioning "what seems to be a rush to move ahead in the procurement strategy."

Rocket Lab's Electron booster will launch three experimental military satellites this month from New Zealand.

Rocket Lab to Launch 3 Satellites for US Air Force This Month

By Mike Wall

The liftoff will follow closely on the heels of a mission Rocket Lab recently flew for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

A still from a video animation showing what the anti-satellite weapon launched by India on March 27 may have looked like from space, just moments before the MICROSAT-R satellite struck the kinetic kill missile placed in its path.

These Simulations Reveal What Happened During India's Anti-Satellite Missile Test (Videos)

By Doris Elin Salazar

A U.S. space and defense software company created two new simulation videos, revealing how the anti-satellite weapon recently launched by India might have looked hitting a satellite in space.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks at a town hall event April 1, 2019.

India's Anti-Satellite Test Created Dangerous Debris, NASA Chief Says

By Sarah Lewin

India's recent anti-satellite test created 60 pieces of orbital debris big enough to track, 24 of which rise higher than the International Space Station's orbit around Earth.

Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of Air Force Space Command, testified March 27, 2019, in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee's strategic forces subcommittee.

US Military Was Immediately Aware of India's Anti-Satellite Missile Test

By Sandra Erwin

Once the launch was detected, U.S. Space Command right away started notifying satellite operators.