Trending

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

An Israeli Shavit 2 rocket launches the Ofek 16 reconnaissance satellite into orbit from the Palmachim air base in central Israel on July 6, 2020.

Israel launches Ofek 16 reconnaissance satellite into orbit

By Samantha Mathewson

Israel has successfully launched a new reconnaissance satellite into orbit, the latest in a series of spy satellites for the country that date back to 1988.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the GPS III SV03 satellite for the U.S. Space Force on June 30, 2020.

SpaceX launches advanced GPS satellite for US Space Force, sticks rocket landing

By Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched an advanced GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force Tuesday (June 30) then nailed a booster landing at sea.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the GPS III SV03 navigation satellite for the U.S. Space Force stands atop its launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station ahead of a planned June 30, 2020 launch.

SpaceX is launching an advanced GPS satellite for the US Space Force today. Here's how to watch.

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX is gearing up to launch a Falcon 9 rocket today, June 30, to deliver an upgraded global positioning satellite (GPS) into orbit for the U.S. Space Force and you can watch it live online.

The official flag of the U.S. Space Force is unveiled at the White House event with President Donald Trump on May 15, 2020.

More than 8,500 Air Force personnel volunteer to join US Space Force

By Samantha Mathewson

More than 8,500 active-duty Air Force service members have volunteered to join the U.S. Space Force — the nation's newest military branch.

A Soyuz-2 rocket launches a missile-warning satellite from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia on May 22, 2020.

Russian military satellite launch spawns space-junk fireball over Australia (video)

By Mike Wall

Russia launched a military satellite to orbit on Friday (May 22), and the mission generated plenty of drama in the downward direction as well.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches an X-37B space plane on a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 17, 2020.

Space Force launches robotic X-37B space plane on new mystery mission

By Amy Thompson

The U.S. Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane successfully launched on its sixth mystery mission from Florida today (May 17).

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the X-37B space plane for the U.S. Space Force's OTV-6/USSF-7 mission stands atop a rainy launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida on May 16, 2020.

Space Force launch of X-37B space plane delayed by bad weather

By Tariq Malik

The secret mission is now set for Sunday, May 17.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying an X-37B space plane stands atop Space Launch Complex 41 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 14, 2020 during launch preparations for the USSF-7 mission.

Space Force to launch X-37B space plane on secret mission today. Here's how to watch live.

By Tariq Malik

The Space Force will launch a robotic X-37B space plane on a new secret mission for the U.S. military on Saturday (May 16) and you can watch it live online.

The official flag is revealed for the U.S. Space Force.

The US Space Force now has a flag. Here it is.

By Chelsea Gohd

The Space Force has an official flag.

Image of on-orbit functions for NASA’s X-37 space plane.

X-37B: The Air Force's Mysterious Space Plane

By Mike Wall

A look at the U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane, which has flown four secret, long-duration missions in Earth orbit to date.

A Boeing image shows the X-37B in its capsule before launch.

Why a microwave-beam experiment will launch aboard the Air Force’s secretive X-37B space plane

By Rafi Letzter

There's a microwave power experiment heading to space Saturday (May 16) aboard the Air Force's secretive X-37B spaceplane. Researchers hope it could lead to a new global power source.

This still from a United Launch Alliance video shows how the U.S. Space Force's X-37B space plane will launch into orbit on a Centaur upper stage in May 2020.

Watch how the Space Force will launch an X-37B space plane on a secret mission Saturday

By Tariq Malik

The U.S. Space Force is counting down to the planned launch of an X-37B space plane on a secret mission on Saturday (May 16), and a new video reveals just how it will reach orbit.

ula aehf-6 mission launch

In photos: Atlas V launches AEHF-6 military satellite for US Space Force

By Christine Lunsford

At 4:18pm EDT (2018 GMT) on March 26, 2020, United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket blasted off of Earth, carrying a satellite for the United States Space Force.

After being sworn in as the first Chief of Space Operations by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Gen. John Raymond addresses the audience in the Executive Eisenhower Office Building, Washington, D.C., on Jan. 14, 2020.

'Get a haircut,' real Space Force chief tells Netflix 'Space Force' star Steve Carell

By Mike Wall

The leader of the real U.S. Space Force says he's looking forward to the Netflix show about the new military branch, but he has a note for series star and co-creator Steve Carell.

A still from the U.S. Space Force's first promotional video released on May 6, 2020.

The US Space Force is recruiting (and has a snazzy promo video just for you)

By Tariq Malik

In a new recruitment video unveiled today (May 6), the Space Force makes its case for a military life among the stars.

A U.S. Air Force X-37B robotic 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 to launch the next X-37B space plane mystery mission on May 16

By Mike Wall

The sixth X-37B mission is scheduled to lift off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station May 16, Space Force officials announced today (May 6).

Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, the launch site for an anti-satellite test on April 15, 2020.

Don't panic about Russia's recent anti-satellite test, experts say

By Mike Wall

Russia's recent anti-satellite test wasn't as big of a deal as you probably think.

U.S. Navy videos of alleged UFO sightings were previously available but had not been officially declassified.

'UFO' videos declassified by US Navy

By Mindy Weisberger

Three videos captured by U.S. Navy pilots show unidentified aircraft flying at hypersonic speeds.

The Iran national flag.

Iran launches its 1st military satellite into orbit: reports

By Mike Wall

Iran has apparently lofted its first military satellite, ending a series of setbacks for the nation's space program.

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.

Russia tests anti-satellite missile and the US Space Force is not happy

By Chelsea Gohd

Russia just fired an anti-satellite missile in a test of technology that the U.S. Space Force considers a threat to American orbital assets.