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

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

By Mike Wall published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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 published

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.

An artist's illustration of a GPS III Magellan navigation satellite built by Lockheed Martin.

Coronavirus pandemic forces US Space Force, SpaceX to delay GPS satellite launch

By Tariq Malik published

Scheduled for late April. Now set for June 30.

A photograph showing SpaceX's first batch of Starlink satellites during launch on May 23, 2019. With companies like SpaceX launching small satellites over larger ones, will the U.S. military follow suit?

US military may start moving towards launching fleets of tiny satellites

By Elizabeth Howell published

With much of the commercial space industry focused on putting small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), how quickly will the U.S. military follow?

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches the AEHF-6 satellite for the U.S. Space Force on March 26, 2020.

Here's why the Space Force just launched a rocket as the world fights the coronavirus pandemic

By Mike Wall published

Launches are rare these days.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF-6 military communications satellite launches from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on March 26, 2020.

US launches advanced satellite in 1st Space Force national security mission

By Amy Thompson published

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket took to the skies Thursday afternoon (March 26), delivering a highly advanced communications satellite to orbit for the U.S. Space Force.

The U.S. Space Force emblem as seen on the payload fairing of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket during launch operations for the AEHF-6 military communications satellite in March 2020.

Not enough Americans understand the need for Space Force, a top commander says

By JoAnna Wendel published

Space Force vice commander Lt. Gen. David Thompson urges Americans to better understand the need to be prepared for military actions in space.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket topped with the AEHF-6 military communications satellite stands at the launch pad ahead of a planned March 26, 2020 liftoff.

The first US Space Force national security mission will launch today. Here's how to watch live

By Mike Wall published

The sixth and final Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite, AEHF-6, will launch Thursday afternoon (March 26), and you can watch the liftoff live.

A Chinese Long March 2C rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center carrying three Yaogan surveillance satellites into orbit, on March 24, 2020.

China's Long March 2C rocket launches military surveillance satellites into orbit

By Hanneke Weitering published

China successfully launched three new military surveillance satellites into orbit on a Long March 2C rocket today (March 24).

A Russian Soyuz 2.1b rocket launches a Glonass-M navigation satellite into orbit for the country's Ministry of Defence from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on March 16, 2020.

Soyuz rocket launches Glonass-M navigation satellite for Russian military

By Tariq Malik published

A Soyuz rocket launched a new navigation satellite into orbit for Russia's military forces on Monday (March 16) in a dazzling nighttime liftoff from a snowy launchpad.

The official U.S. Space Force seal was unveiled Jan. 24, 2020, by President Trump.

US Space Force's activities still mysterious despite House hearing

By Elizabeth Howell published

Congress gave the lone employee of the United States Space Force quite a grilling this week, but the public still doesn't know much about the new military branch's activities.