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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.

Related Topics: NASA

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Maxar Technologies' GeoEye-1 satellite captured this view of a sunken Russian ship just off the coast of Snake Island on May 12, 2022.

Satellite spies sunken Russian ship off Ukraine's wartorn Snake Island (photos)

By Mike Wall published 14 May 22

Tiny Snake Island has hosted some fierce fighting during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as new satellite photos show.

SpaceX's Starlink internet service consists of a ground terminal (right) and antenna for high-speed satellite internet.

Elon Musk says Russia is ramping up cyberattacks on SpaceX's Starlink systems in Ukraine

By Elizabeth Howell last updated 14 October 22

SpaceX's Starlink internet communications systems in Ukraine are under increasing cyberattack from Russia.

Artist's impression of DARPA’s Novel Orbital Moon Manufacturing, Materials, and Mass Efficient Design (NOM4D) program.

DARPA is exploring ways to build big things in space

By Elizabeth Howell published 12 May 22

The U.S. military has awarded contracts under a new program to address in-space manufacturing needs, as part of a larger effort to reduce the costs of spaceflight.

Artist's conception of DARPA's Glide Breaker missile interceptor in action.

DARPA's 'Glide Breaker' hypersonic missile interceptor program enters new phase

By Elizabeth Howell published 11 May 22

A U.S. military proposal to blast hypersonic weapons out of the sky is entering a new phase.

Artist's impression of a spacecraft powered by nuclear thermal propulsion.

US military wants nuclear rocket ideas for missions near the moon

By Elizabeth Howell published 10 May 22

The U.S. military is ready to take the next step in developing a nuclear rocket to help monitor Earth-moon space, an area it has deemed a high strategic priority.

People in a railway station in Seoul, South Korea watch a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test on May 7, 2022. North Korea launched a submarine-based ballistic missile test earlier that day.

North Korea launches ballistic missile from submarine in latest test: reports

By Tariq Malik published 7 May 22

North Korea launched a new ballistic missile test from a submarine on Saturday (May 7).

Ukraine's flag above the city of Dnipro.

Space Industry for Ukraine: Companies donate $50K each and pledge humanitarian aid to embattled country

By Elizabeth Howell published 7 May 22

A group of 18 space companies is banding together to raise funds in support of Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.

Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept by Lockheed Martin for DARPA.

Lockheed Martin tests new hypersonic weapon concept for DARPA

By Elizabeth Howell published 6 May 22

Lockheed Martin tested a hypersonic weapon prototype for the U.S. military's DARPA that flew at 5 times the speed of sound.

The Roc carrier aircraft from Stratolaunch which performed its fifth flight test on May 4, 2022.

Stratolaunch aces 5th test flight with giant hypersonic aircraft carrier

By Chelsea Gohd published 4 May 22

The Roc carrier aircraft, the biggest airplane ever built, completed its fifth test flight this Star Wars Day (May 4).

People watch a TV broadcast showing a file image of a North Korean missile launch at the Seoul Railway Station on May 4, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea. An unidentified projectile was fired by North Korea toward the East Sea on May 4, according to reports from South Korea's military.

North Korea launches yet another ballistic missile test: reports

By Elizabeth Howell published 4 May 22

North Korea just launched another missile test, its 14th already in 2022.

This photo, taken by Maxar Technologies' WorldView-2 satellite, shows missiles being loaded onto a Russian Kilo-class submarine (center, to left of tall yellow tower) in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol on April 29, 2022.

Satellite photos show missiles being loaded onto Russian submarine. Dolphin pens, too.

By Mike Wall published 30 April 22

Maxar Technologies' WorldView-2 spacecraft spotted what appear to be Kalibr missiles sitting next to a docked Kilo-class submarine in Sevastopol, an important Black Sea port in the Crimean Peninsula.

This still from a recent Top Gun: Maverick trailer hints at a potential cameo by Lockheed Martin's SR-72 hypersonic stealth plane in development now.

Does Lockheed Martin's stealthy SR-72 Darkstar spy plane have a cameo in 'Top Gun: Maverick'?

By Jeff Spry published 28 April 22

The SR-72 hypersonic spy plane being designed by Lockheed Martin is the successor to the legendary SR-71 Blackbird

This screenshot from a Russian Ministry of Defense video shows the first full test launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile on April 20, 2022.

Russia conducts 1st full flight test of new 'Sarmat' intercontinental ballistic missile

By Mike Wall published 22 April 22

Russia just performed the first full test launch of its next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

This photo, taken by Maxar Technologies' GeoEye-1 satellite on April 3, 2022, shows a newly excavated mass grave (the rows near the center top, just under the road) in the Ukrainian town of Manhush, which is close to the besieged port city Mariupol.

Mass grave near besieged Ukrainian city Mariupol spotted from space (satellite photos)

By Mike Wall published 21 April 22

Satellites operated by Maxar Technologies have spotted a recently excavated mass grave in the town of Manhush, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) west of the battered Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

Bits of communication units donated to the Ukraine military by Kyiv-based moon start-up Lunar Research Service.

Ukrainian moon start-up volunteers tech for military use

By Tereza Pultarova published 20 April 22

A Ukrainian space tech start-up has postponed its goal of going to the moon to volunteer its technology to fight Russia. But they still believe they will get there one day.

Hypersonic missiles can change course to avoid detection and anti-missile defenses.

How hypersonic missiles work and the unique threats they pose — an aerospace engineer explains

By Iain Boyd published 20 April 22

Next-generation hypersonic missiles that Russia, China and the U.S. are developing do pose a significant threat to national and global security.

Space junk created by a 2007 Chinese anti-satellite test hit a Russian satellite on Jan. 22, 2013.

US pledges not to conduct destructive anti-satellite tests

By Elizabeth Howell last updated 19 April 22

The Biden administration wants other countries to sign on to its pledge not to conduct destructive anti-satellite missile tests in space.

A used SpaceX Falcon rocket launches the classified NROL-85 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.

SpaceX launches US spy satellite, lands rocket in flawless Easter flight

By Mike Wall published 17 April 22

SpaceX launched a spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office and landed the returning rocket back on Earth today (April 17), acing yet another spaceflight twofer.