In the Rocket’s Red Glare:

Jan. 25, 2006

NASA got its Pluto spacecraft off—after weather and technical delays—from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., with the help of Air Force Space Command’s 45th Space Wing. The wing assisted Lockheed Martin with launch of the company’s Atlas V on Jan. 19. It was the first launch in which the new rocket used five strap-on boosters, making it the fastest vehicle to leave the Earth’s atmosphere, said wing officials.

Related Content

If America Wants Airpower, It Needs to Invest in Its Air Force 

July 2, 2025
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability to prevail.  

‘What ACE Is All About’: Dispersion Protects Airmen, Planes During Iran Attack

July 2, 2025
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…

First Missile Warning Satellite Launch to MEO Slips, But More to Come

July 1, 2025
The Space Force's first planned satellite launch to begin a new missile warning constellation in medium-Earth orbit has slipped from late 2026 to spring 2027 as a key component remains unproven. But the service is making progress and moving forward with plans for new batches of satellites, the Guardian in charge…

Senate Passes Reconciliation Bill with Billions for Air Force and Space Force

July 1, 2025
The Senate passed Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package July 1 in a 51-50 vote, the culmination of a 27-hour marathon legislative session. The package—often called the reconciliation bill—includes a $150 billion package of defense funds that accounts for a significant portion of the money the Air Force and Space Force want…