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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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'War in space' would be a catastrophe. A return to rules-based cooperation is the only way to keep space peaceful

By Steven Freeland, David Kuan-Wei Chen, Ram S. Jakhu

In 2019, US President Donald Trump declared “space is the new war-fighting domain”.

A Soyuz rocket carrying the French military spy satellite CSO-2 launches from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana on Dec. 29, 2020 in the final Arianespace flight of 2020.

Arianespace launches French military spy satellite on Soyuz rocket to cap 2020

By Tariq Malik

Arianespace launched a new reconnaissance satellite for the French military on Tuesday (Dec. 29), marking the launch provider's final mission of 2020.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the classified NROL-108 spy satellite into orbit from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Dec. 19, 2020.

SpaceX launches classified US spy satellite, sticks rocket landing to cap record year

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX launched a clandestine U.S. spy satellite into space for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Thursday (Dec. 17), marking its 26th rocket of the year.

Col. Michael Hopkins, a NASA astronaut, recites the U.S. Space Force oath of enlistment while on the International Space Station on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Hopkins voluntarily transferred to the Space Force after 27 years serving in the Air Force.

First 'Guardian' in space: NASA astronaut on ISS enters Space Force

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Col. Michael Hopkins, who has served for 27 years in the Air Force, voluntarily transferred to the Space Force while aboard the International Space Station on Dec. 18, 2020.

The U.S. Space Force was officially created in December 2019.

'Guardians' of the galaxy: Space Force personnel get a name

By Mike Wall

If you thought the U.S. Space Force sounded pretty sci-fi before, well, the ante has been upped.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to launch the NROL-108 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Dec. 17, 2020.

SpaceX will launch a spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office Thursday. Watch it live!

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX is set to launch a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on Thursday (Dec. 17), during a three-hour launch window that opens at 9:45 a.m. EST (1400 GMT).

The U.S. Space Command reports that Russia tested a space-based anti-satellite weapon in orbit on Dec. 16, 2020. This image shows the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, the site of another Russian anti-satellite missile test in April 2020.

Russia has launched an anti-satellite missile test, US Space Command says

By Hanneke Weitering

Russia has launched a new anti-satellite missile test, its latest push to weaponize space, U.S. Space Command officials said Wednesday (Dec. 16).

Vice President Mike Pence, joined by leaders of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, helps reveal signs bearing the redesignated names of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base in Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.

Cape Canaveral bases redesignated for Space Force, but in name only (for now)

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base in Florida have been formally re-designated for the U.S. Space Force, though in name only.

An artist's depiction of astronauts walking on the moon as part of NASA's Artemis program.

Trump unveils new national space policy for US leadership off the Earth

By Mike Wall

President Donald Trump released a new national space policy Wednesday (Dec. 9), laying out the fundamental principles of, and chief priorities for, the United States' space activities going forward.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the classified NROL-44 spy satellite stands atop Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in this Aug. 28, 2020 image. The mission will launch on Dec. 10.

You can watch a US spy satellite launch on a giant Delta IV Heavy rocket tonight. Here's how.

By Amy Thompson

A new U.S. spy satellite will launch into space Thursday (Dec. 10) on the mightiest rocket built by the United Launch Alliance: the massive Delta IV Heavy. Watch it live.

A Russian Soyuz-2 rocket carrying a Gonets-M communications satellite launches into orbit on Dec. 3, 2020 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

Watch Russia launch new satellites in this awesome video

By Elizabeth Howell

Video's views of launch shows flames spewing from multiple angles during ride to orbit

Artist's concept of the JAXA Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS) payload relaying information to other satellites using laser technology.

Japan launches advanced relay satellite with laser communications tech into orbit

By Elizabeth Howell

Earth observation data will flow more quickly using laser technology instead of radio, according to JAXA

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-101 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, at 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT) on Nov. 13, 2020.

Atlas V rocket launches NROL-101 spy satellite to orbit

By Amy Thompson

United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully sent an Atlas V rocket into space today (Nov. 13), following a series of delays due to hardware issues and poor weather conditions at the launch site.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with the NROL-101 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) rolls from the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Nov. 3, 2020.

US spy satellite launch on Atlas V rocket delayed by Tropical Storm Eta

By Amy Thompson

United Launch Alliance is delaying the launch of an Atlas V mission 24 hours due to inclement weather from Hurricane Eta.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force's GPS III-SV04 navigation satellite lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Nov. 5, 2020.

SpaceX launches next-gen GPS satellite for US Space Force, lands rocket

By Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lit up the evening sky above Florida tonight (Nov. 5) to carry an advanced new GPS satellite to orbit for the U.S. Space Force.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the classified NROL-101 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office at Space Launch Complex 41 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for a Nov. 4, 2020 liftoff.

Watch an Atlas V rocket launch a new US spy satellite tonight!

By Amy Thompson

The United Launch Alliance will launch a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on Nov. 4, 2020. Here's how to watch.

NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins celebrating the announcement in August 2018 that he would be flying to the International Space Station on the first full-fledged mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon.

NASA's Crew-1 SpaceX mission commander will join the US Space Force: report

By Meghan Bartels

If all goes according to plan, the U.S. Space Force will soon have its first service member in orbit.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster will launch 10 Earth observation satellites into space from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula, one of four big space events on Oct. 21, 2020.

Watch a rocket launch, spaceship landing, asteroid update and more live today

By Meghan Bartels

If you're looking for more space in your life, look no farther: The stars have aligned to bring your four separate space events today (Oct. 21).

An artist's illustration of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites in orbit. The company has won a U.S. military contract for missile-warning satellites.

SpaceX, L3Harris win missile-warning satellite contracts from US military

By Elizabeth Howell

Eight military satellites will be deployed for a new missile-warning system under construction from the Department of Defense's Space Development Agency (SDA).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffered an abort just two seconds before the planned launch of the GPS III SV04 navigation satellite for the U.S. Space Force from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Oct. 2, 2020.

SpaceX aborts launch of advanced GPS satellite for the US Space Force

By Hanneke Weitering

SpaceX aborted the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket that was scheduled to deliver an upgraded global positioning satellite (GPS) into orbit for the U.S. Space Force on Friday (Oct. 2).