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

Parachute with rocket underneath

Rocket Lab plans another helicopter catch later this year

By Elizabeth Howell published

The company says data so far from May's first epic helicopter snatch shows a lot of success, even though they let it go into the water.

A smoke plume billows on the horizon behind sunflower fields, in the Donbass region on August 11, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Damaged Russian airfield in Crimea spied by satellites (photos)

By Brett Tingley published

Satellite images have revealed the extent of damage at Russia's Saki Air Base on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, currently occupied by Russian military forces.

satellite in orbit around earth

Maxar will build 14 missile-tracking satellites for new warning system

By Elizabeth Howell published

L3Harris Technologies asked Maxar to produce the satellites for the second stage of the Space Development Agency's missile-tracking constellation.

A Russian Soyuz rocket takes off at night, its exhaust plume glowing bright red.

Pentagon space chief condemns 'irresponsible' launch of Russian inspector satellite

By Brett Tingley published

The Pentagon is speaking out against Russia's launch of a spy satellite believed to be shadowing one of its American counterparts closely in the same orbit.

People watch a TV at the Seoul Railway Station in South Korea showing a file image of a North Korean missile launch on March 24, 2022.

Did North Korea lie about its big ICBM test launch?

By Mike Wall published

The first launch of North Korea's powerful new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) this spring apparently didn't go well after all.

Anti-satellite weapons targeted at satellite as the pair orbit above Earth.

Anti-satellite weapons: History, types and purpose

By Mark Smith published

Reference With the satellite network being a key component of modern life on Earth, space is now a major battleground for countries looking to get ahead of their competitors.

rocket launching

Russia launches sharp-eyed spy satellite for Iran

By Mike Wall published

Iran will soon have access to sharp orbital imagery, thanks to a newly launched Russian-built spy satellite.

Two Ghost Robotics Vision 60 Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles (Q-UGVs) pose for a picture at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on July 28, 2022.

US Space Force tests robot dogs to patrol Cape Canaveral

By Brett Tingley published

The Space Force has conducted a demonstration using "robot dogs" for security patrols and other repetitive tasks.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched the sixth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO-6) satellite this morning (Aug. 4)

Atlas V rocket launches missile-detecting satellite for U.S. Space Force

By Josh Dinner published

The sixth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite lifted off this morning (Aug. 4), completing the SBIRS GEO constellation for the U.S. Space Force.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster seen at sunset in orange light.

You can watch 4 different rocket launches in free webcasts today

By Tariq Malik published

If you're a fan of spaceflight, then Thursday will be a banner day with no less than four different rockets launching missions off planet Earth.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster launches the classified NROL-199 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula on Aug. 4, 2022.

Rocket Lab launches US spy satellite on mystery mission

By Mike Wall published

The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-199 mission launched early this morning (Aug. 4) atop a Rocket Lab Electron booster from New Zealand.

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket sits on Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral at sunset for the United States Space Force's Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO 6) mission.

Watch an Atlas V rocket launch a missile warning satellite for US Space Force on Thursday

By Brett Tingley published

The rocket will carry the Space-Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Flight 6 (SBIRS Geo-6) satellite into orbit.

A Russian Soyuz rocket launches the Kosmos 2558 military satellite from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on Aug. 1, 2022.

Did Russia just launch a spacecraft to stalk a US spy satellite?

By Mike Wall published

A newly launched Russian spy satellite may be tasked with stalking one of its American counterparts.

A powerful enough laser beam could blind spy satellites.

Russians reportedly building a satellite-blinding laser — an expert explains the technology

By Iain Boyd published

Russia is building a new ground-based laser facility for interfering with satellites orbiting overhead, according to a recent report. Here's what that means.

The uncrewed Airbus Zephyr in high-altitude flight above the clouds.

Experimental Zephyr drone sets new record for uncrewed flight duration

By Brett Tingley published

The experimental Airbus Zephyr drone has been airborne for over 42 straight days, setting a new record for an uncrewed flight.

Boom Supersonic and Northrop Grumman are partnering to deliver variants of the Overture aircraft to the U.S. government and allies.

Boom Supersonic and Northrop Grumman team up to build superfast US military aircraft

By Elizabeth Howell published

The companies plan to deliver variants of Boom's Overture aircraft for military and emergency response missions.

The mission patch for NROL-199 depicts a dingo in the Australian outback with the motto "Ad astra per aspera."

US spy satellite launch on Rocket Lab booster delayed

By Elizabeth Howell published

Rocket Lab says its National Reconnaissance Office mission will stand down for now, with new launch date 'to come.'

An artist's depiction of Raytheon and Northrop Grumman's Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept. The image depicts a hypersonic cruise missile flying above clouds against a blue sky.

Hypersonic air-breathing weapon concept passes 2nd flight test

By Brett Tingley published

Two major U.S. defense contractors announced the successful test flight of the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept, or HAWC, on Monday (July 18).

A Rocket Lab Electron booster carrying the NROL-162 satellite lifts off from New Zealand on July 13, 2022.

Rocket Lab launches US spy satellite to orbit

By Mike Wall published

Rocket Lab has delivered another satellite to orbit for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

A Rocket Lab Electron booster launches 34 satellites to orbit on the "There And Back Again" mission on May 2, 2022.

Watch Rocket Lab launch US spy satellite early Wednesday

By Mike Wall published

Rocket Lab will launch a U.S. spy satellite to orbit early Wednesday morning (July 13), and you can watch the action live.