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

Latest Updates

A U.S. Air Force X-37B space plane, encapsulated ahead of a planned May 16, 2020, launch. That liftoff will kick off the sixth mission for the X-37B program.

US Space Force postpones launch of secretive X-37B space plane to Dec. 10

By Josh Dinner published

The U.S. Space Force has announced a delay in the upcoming launch of its elusive X-37B space plane, the first aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

a rocket lifting off amid towers with darkness in the background. it's a tv view of the launch with Korean Hangul characters describing the scene in front

North Korea rocket explodes during spy satellite launch, and meteor hunters caught it on camera: report

By Elizabeth Howell published

North Korea may have deliberately detonated the first stage of its rocket during a launch Tuesday (Nov. 21) that aimed to put a spy satellite in orbit.

a person in camouflage sits at a computer screen looking at an animation of several rings around Earth denoting spacecraft orbits

US Space Force wants to track 'abnormal observables' with unknown origins in Earth's orbit

By Brett Tingley published

A new U.S. Space Force publication says that to operate safely in space, Guardians need to know exactly what is in orbit and where it came from —  but anomalous objects show that it's no easy task.

north korean leader kim jong un sits beside the nation's flag

North Korea claims it sent a spy satellite to orbit for 1st time: report

By Brett Tingley published

North Korean state media claims its Malligyong-1 spy satellite reached orbit on Tuesday (Nov. 21); if true, this would mark the first time the nation has accomplished such a feat.

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

26 aerospace companies sign statement against destructive anti-satellite tests

By Mike Wall published

More than two dozen companies are backing a United Nations-led effort to end destructive anti-satellite tests, which add yet more debris to Earth orbit.

A sleek hypersonic vehicle streaking through the clouds

US military taps Rocket Lab to launch hypersonic test vehicle in 2025

By Andrew Jones published

Rocket Lab will launch a drone on its suborbital launch vehicle as part of a U.S. Defense Department hypersonic development project.

a white aircraft with no windows on a runway

SpaceX will launch the Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane on a Falcon Heavy rocket Dec. 7

By Brett Tingley published

U.S. Space Force's X-37B reusable space plane is set to take off on its seventh mission on Dec. 7, 2023, its first launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

a triangular space plane approaches a satellite above the blue marble of Earth

US Space Force's 1st official painting shows military space plane intercepting adversary satellite

By Brett Tingley published

United States Space Operations Command revealed its first official painting, which depicts a "futuristic intercept vehicle" engaging an adversary satellite in orbit above Earth.

Artist's impression of the Radarsat Constellation Mission managed by the Canadian Space Agency and MDA.

Canada to launch new satellites to monitor climate change, gather military data

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Canadian government promises it will get new satellites into space soon to extend its famous Radarsat series for Canada's Earth observation needs, climate change and Arctic military surveillance.

a white rocket launches into a blue sky.

Iran is seeking Russian assistance for a new spy satellite: reports

By Andrew Jones published

Iran plans to hold talks with Russia over assistance to build a new Khayyam remote-sensing satellite.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 52 Starlink satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 17, 2023.

SpaceX wins $70 million Space Force contract for Starshield military satellites

By Brett Tingley published

SpaceX has won its first contract with the United States Space Force for its new Starshield satellite constellation.

Illustration of NASA astronauts at the lunar south pole.

The Space Force should safeguard US interests on the moon (op-ed)

By Rick Tumlinson published

While the Pentagon sees the Space Force as a tool to fight the last war here on Earth, its leaders must prepare for its real role in space, on the moon and beyond.

a rocket launches at night next to a blue launch tower

China adds yet another Yaogan spy satellite to its orbital fleet (launch video)

By Andrew Jones published

On Wednesday (Sept. 27), China launched a fourth satellite in the Yaogan 33 group, which are believed to be radar reconnaissance craft.

a white rocket launches into a blue sky.

Iran launches 3rd military satellite to orbit

By Mike Wall published

Iran sent its 3rd military satellite to orbit on Wednesday (Sept. 27), lofting the Noor 3 spacecraft atop a Qasem rocket.

an illustration showing four pairs of satellites attacking one another with different methods including lasers, microwaves, chemical sprayers and robotic arms

DARPA wants new ideas for space weapons

By Brett Tingley published

The U.S. Department of Defense wants fresh ideas on how to maintain military superiority in space.

a white and black rocket launches at night.

New record! Firefly Aerospace launches Space Force mission 27 hours after receiving order

By Mike Wall published

Firefly Aerospace launched the Victus Nox mission for the U.S. Space Force on Thursday night (Sept. 14), just 27 hours after receiving the liftoff order.

a man in a black military uniform gives a speech on a podium

Space is 'more contested' than ever by world's militaries, US Space Force chief says

By Brett Tingley published

The Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force gave an ominous warning about how contested space is becoming as world superpowers continue to militarize Earth orbit.

eight men in dark suits stand in front of a rocket inside a spaceport facility.

Vladimir Putin meets North Korea's Kim Jong-un at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport for 5-hour summit

By Andrew Jones published

Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a Russian spaceport on Wednesday (Sept. 13), likely discussing a range of possibilities for space-related cooperation.

a small missile streaks through the sky above the clouds

Boeing to test DARPA's upcoming 'Glide Breaker' hypersonic interceptor

By Brett Tingley published

DARPA has chosen Boeing to develop a prototype and conduct flight testing of its upcoming Glide Breaker hypersonic interceptor.

A white rocket with side boosters lifts off from a seaside launch pad

Atlas V rocket launches the Space Force's Silent Barker 'watchdog' satellites in dazzling morning liftoff (video)

By Brett Tingley last updated

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched the multi-payload Silent Barker mission for the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office Sunday, Sept. 10.