News: United States Space Force
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News / United States Space Force
- Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to launch USSF missions, China to launch internet satellites NASASpaceflight · 2 Nov 2026 Eight launches are expected this week, from launch sites in the United States, China, New…
- SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch classified mission for U.S. Space Force from West Coast Spaceflight Now · 25 Sep 2026 Liftoff of the USSF-385 mission atop a Falcon 9 is scheduled for 5:56 a.m. PDT (8:56 a.m. EDT / 1256 UTC) at the opening of a three-hour launch window.
- Live coverage: SpaceX to launch classified payload for the U.S. Space Force Spaceflight Now · 9 Sep 2026 The mission, dubbed USSF-153 mission, will launch an undisclosed number of satellites for the U.S. Space Force. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled during a three-hour window that opens at 8:3...
- Satellite manufacturing thrives in California despite cost and regulatory pressures SpaceNews · 5 Aug 2026 The mood was celebratory at the ribbon-cutting for Muon Space’s San Jose, California, manufacturing facility in June. State, local, United States Space Force and Pentagon representatives lauded the startup and, […]
- Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing SpaceNews · 20 May 2026 USSF-23 mission will launch vehicles to demonstrate refueling and satellite servicing in geostationary orbit
- ULA’s Vulcan Gets USSF Payloads to Orbit Despite Another SRB Anomaly SpacePolicyOnline.com · 13 Feb 2026 United Launch Alliance’s (ULA’s) new Vulcan rocket delivered U.S. Space Force satellites to geosynchronous orbit today despite a “significant performance anomaly” on one of the Solid Rocket Boosters. This was
- USSF-87 Anomaly Reveals Continuing Obstacles for ULA’s Vulcan-Centaur Space Scout · 12 Feb 2026 A familiar anomaly encountered during Vulcan's launch of USSF-87 raises significant concerns for the vehicle’s immediate future.
- Vulcan suffers solid rocket booster problem during USSF-87 launch Spaceflight Now · 12 Feb 2026 The anomaly appears similar to the nozzle burn through seen during the launch of the second certification flight of a Vulcan rocket.
- ULA’s Vulcan launches U.S. Space Force mission to geosynchronous orbit SpaceNews · 12 Feb 2026 USSF-87 sends GSSAP payloads and propulsive ESPA ring on fourth Vulcan flight
- ULA to launch first mission of 2026 with USSF-87 aboard Vulcan NASASpaceflight · 11 Feb 2026 United Launch Alliance is preparing to fly its first mission of 2026 with the USSF-87…
- Live coverage: ULA to launch geosynchronous orbit surveillance satellite for the U.S. Space Force Spaceflight Now · 11 Feb 2026 The USSF-87 will be the second national security flight for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket and the fourth flight of this type of rocket to date. Liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is schedu...
- Launch Preview: Vulcan to launch USSF-87, SpaceX to launch Crew-12 to ISS NASASpaceflight · 9 Feb 2026 The launch manifest is full this week, with eight launches scheduled from different launch sites…
- ULA offloads first Vulcan rocket at Vandenberg at it preps its next Cape launch Spaceflight Now · 6 Feb 2026 United Launch Alliance is preparing for the launch of the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force no earlier than Feb. 12, which will fly from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
- Vulcan to open 2026 with national security launch SpaceNews · 8 Jan 2026 The launch of USSF-87 comes amid leadership change at United Launch Alliance and pressure to increase launch tempo
- Iridium wins five year US Space Force contract to upgrade EMSS infrastructure SpaceDaily · 3 Dec 2025 Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 03, 2025 Iridium Communications Inc. has secured a five year indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract from the US Space Force Space Systems Command Commercial Space Office worth up to...
- Strap In! NASA Aeroshell Material Takes Extended Space Trip NASA · 27 Aug 2025 Components of a NASA technology that could one day help crew and cargo enter harsh planetary environments, like that of Mars, are taking an extended trip to space courtesy of the United States Space Force. On Aug. 21, se...
- Vulcan Begins Operational Missions Space Scout · 25 Aug 2025 On August 12, 2025 at 8:56 p.m. EDT (0056 UTC), United Launch Alliance successfully launched its Vulcan Centaur VC4S vehicle from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for the USSF-106 mission.
- X-37B set to launch on USSF-36 mission aboard Falcon 9 NASASpaceflight · 21 Aug 2025 The U.S. Department of Defense’s reusable X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is about to make…
- ULA’s Vulcan Centaur Lifts Off on First National Security Mission SpacePolicyOnline.com · 13 Aug 2025 ULA’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket lifted off on a national security mission for the first time this evening. One payload aboard the U.S. Space Force’s USSF-106 mission is the Navigation
- Live coverage: ULA to launch first national security mission on a Vulcan rocket Spaceflight Now · 12 Aug 2025 The mission, dubbed USSF-106, will be the first Vulcan rocket launch since the vehicle was certified by the United States Space Force in late March. Liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is schedule f...
- ULA’s Tory Bruno lays out plans for ramping up launch cadence Spaceflight Now · 7 Aug 2025 United Launch Alliance will launch the USSF-106 mission as its first flight for the U.S. Space Force using a Vulcan rocket. The vehicle will carry two satellite missions onboard.
- ULA set to ramp up Vulcan launches and national security missions with USSF-106 NASASpaceflight · 8 Jul 2025 United Launch Alliance (ULA) is starting launch processing for its long-awaited national security launch debut…
- Balancing progress and partnership: evaluating the Space Force’s new personnel laws SpaceNews · 21 May 2025 The United States Space Force, America’s newest military branch, executes its mission with roughly 9,400 military personnel and an additional 5,000 civilian employees. This is a fraction of the size […]
- USSF’s Gen. Michael Guetlein Appointed to Lead Golden Dome Project SpacePolicyOnline.com · 20 May 2025 President Trump appointed U.S. Space Force’s Gen. Michael Guetlein today to lead the Golden Dome missile defense shield project. In a televised Oval Office meeting, Trump projected Golden Dome will
- Accelerating the path for commercial space integration (and implementation) remains a DoD and national security priority SpaceNews · 12 May 2025 Last year’s release of both the Department of Defense (DoD) “Commercial Space Integration Strategy” and the United States Space Force (USSF) “Commercial Space Strategy,” marked, for the first time, the […]
- Data and artificial intelligence: the fuel behind space discovery SpaceNews · 26 Mar 2025 As maintaining leadership in space is a primary goal, particularly across the United States Space Force, NASA and other federal agencies, the U.S. remains focused on space exploration as a […]
- Space endurance: A call for more dialogue, not less SpaceNews · 28 Feb 2025 On February 19, the Mitchell Institute published a report on the United States Space Force’s Theory of Competitive Endurance. The report assumes the Space Force’s core theoretical approach could undermine […]
- The Space Rapid Capabilities Office: unlocking the power of collaboration for national defense SpaceNews · 22 Dec 2024 The United States Space Force is a critical component of our nation’s defense. As the newest branch of the U.S. military, the Space Force is responsible for protecting and defending […]
- Space Force says first national security Vulcan launch now anticipated in spring 2025 Spaceflight Now · 18 Dec 2024 The first mission for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket as part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract will be USSF-106. ULA began stacking the rocket that will support this mission in October 2024.
- Maintaining American leadership: Space Force funding and legislative autonomy SpaceNews · 2 Dec 2024 Five years after its establishment, the United States Space Force remains hindered by its dependence on the Air Force for both funding and legislative access. To address the escalating threats […]
- Space Force adjusts timeline as Vulcan’s national security launches slip to 2025 SpaceNews · 21 Nov 2024 Two missions—USSF-106 and USSF-87—are currently waiting in the wings, with payloads ready but no confirmed launch dates
- ULA’s Vulcan rocket in “final phase” of certification, awaiting first national security launch date Spaceflight Now · 3 Nov 2024 Vulcan completed the second of two planned certification mission on Oct. 4. ULA began stacking the rocket for the USSF-106 mission on Oct. 21.
- Defining dynamic space ops: How data intelligence creates flexibility for orbital warfare SpaceNews · 30 Oct 2024 General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations in the United States Space Force, recently proposed “Competitive Endurance” as a theory of Space Force success. Competitive Endurance has three core tenets:
- ULA begins stacking Vulcan rocket in anticipation of first national security mission Spaceflight Now · 23 Oct 2024 The USSF-106 mission will be the first launch of the Vulcan rocket once it receives certification to support missions on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. A launch date has not yet been announced for the third Vu...
- ULA’s Vulcan launches second certification flight NASASpaceflight · 3 Oct 2024 Currently scheduled to launch on Friday, Oct. 4, the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) heavy-lift Vulcan rocket is ready to fly on its second certification mission for the United States Space Force. The mission, named Certi...
- Launch Roundup: Vulcan takes second flight; Hera mission set to study asteroid NASASpaceflight · 30 Sep 2024 The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has launched its Vulcan Centaur rocket for the second time, this week. The mission saw Vulcan carry an inert payload to orbit alongside some experiments and demonstrations and will comple...
- Col. Michelle Idle, United States Space Force – Leading Women in Space SpaceNews · 5 Sep 2024 In this episode of the SpaceNews Leading Women in Space series, correspondent Debra Werner speaks with Col. Michelle Idle, Deputy Commander, Space Systems Command, United States Space Force.
- Launch Roundup: Atlas V, Electron, CZ-3B/E, and Falcon 9 missions flying this week NASASpaceflight · 30 Jul 2024 As July turns into August, launch activity will pick up after Falcon 9’s return to flight. Besides the Falcon 9, ULA’s Atlas V and Rocket Lab’s Electron were also being prepared to fly missions to orbit. The USSF-51 flig...
- ULA launches Atlas 5 rocket on the company’s 100th national security mission Spaceflight Now · 29 Jul 2024 The United States Space Force 51 (USSF-51) mission was the 58th and final time an Atlas 5 rocket launches a national security payload. Liftoff happened at Tuesday, July 30, during a three-hour window that opens at 6:45 a...
- Atlas V successfully launched its last ever national security mission NASASpaceflight · 29 Jul 2024 United Launch Alliance, formed in 2006 to merge the Boeing and Lockheed Martin launch vehicle programs, has flown 100 national security missions over the last 18 years using the Delta II, Delta IV, and Atlas V rocket fam...