Space Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) will begin executing a series of novel maneuvers, called aerobraking, to change its orbit around Earth and safely dispose of its service module components in accordance with recognized standards for space debris mitigation. Since December 28, 2023, the United States Space Force, supported by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has conducted radiation effect experiments and has been testing Space Domain Awareness technologies in a Highly Elliptical Orbit.The use of the aerobraking maneuver- a series of passes using the drag of Earth's atmosphere- enables the spacecraft to change orbits while expending minimal fuel. Once the aerobrake maneuver is complete, the X-37B will resume its test an...

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, visited Peterson Space Force Base, Oct. 3. Chaudhary is responsible for the formulation, review and execution of plans, policies, programs and budgets to meet Air Force energy, installations, environment, safety and occupational health objectives.“The men and women serving at Peterson are ready to deliver for the nation, but we must provide them with resilient infrastructure and quality of life befitting their service,” Chaudhary said. “Increasing power redundancy and co...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) --  Though the Space Force is not yet 5-years-old, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, told a large audience of Guardians and Airmen Sept. 17 that the nation’s youngest military service must continue evolving, adapting and innovating. “What we were is not what we must become, and so our only choice is to transform ourselves to thrive in this new environment, optimized for Great Power Competition,” Saltzman said in a keynote address at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference.  “I know this change is hard, but it is vital because the domain is changing around us so qu...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) --  Leaders representing the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Navy shared their perspectives alongside industry experts on the growing importance of space operations and the challenges of integrating space into broader military strategies during a panel at the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 16.Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, assistant chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, opened the discussion by referencing the war in Ukraine as a case study. He noted that the first “shot” in this conflict was a cyberattack against a space capability, crippling thousands of modems across Europe and severely disrupting Ukrainian communications. The conflict s...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) --  At this week's annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference, sponsored by the Air and Space Forces Association, the command responsible for training and readiness in the U.S. Space Force emphasized Guardian development, connection and family readiness across three key panel discussions.Brig. Gen. Matthew Cantore, deputy commander of Space Training and Readiness Command, discussed the importance of developing a skilled, adaptable workforce for the U.S. Space Force, highlighting the integration of officers, enlisted, and civilians into a cohesive Guardian family. One important start to this new initiative is the beginning of the Space Force’s Officer Training Course, which commenced training earlier this month at Peterson Space ...