Courtney Albon
Courtney Albon is the Space Editor at Air & Space Forces Magazine. She has been covering the U.S. military since 2012, with a focus on the Air Force and Space Force. During that time, she has reported on some of the Defense Department’s most significant acquisition, budget and policy challenges, including the F-35 fighter jet, hypersonic capability development and the creation of the Space Force.
Recent stories by Courtney Albon
Space Force’s Commercial Reserve Fleet Moves Out of Pilot Phase
The Space Force’s work to establish a pool of at-the-ready commercial satellite capacity during a crisis is moving out of the pilot phase as the service prepares to award its next batch of contracts in 2026.
White House Order Underlines Space Force’s Counterspace Mission
A new White House new executive order, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” emphasizes space security as a high priority for President Donald Trump and underlines the Space Force’s role in not only defending U.S. assets, but also in the attack mission.
SDA Hands Out $3.5B for 72 New Missile Tracking and Defense Satellites
The Space Force’s Space Development Agency announced $3.5 billion in contract awards to four companies to build a total of 72 missile warning and tracking satellites—the largest deal to date for its low-Earth orbit constellation.
Space Acquisition Leaders Concerned SBIR Lapse Could Hurt Innovation Pipeline
Space Force acquisition leaders say they’re worried the lapse in funding for the Small Business Innovative Research program could impede the service’s efforts to leverage commercial technology and innovation.
Combat Forces Command Creates New Ops Centers for SATCOM and EW
The Space Force’s Combat Forces Command is expanding its footprint with the creation of two new operations hubs for electronic warfare and satellite communications.
US, France Conduct Joint Space Domain Awareness Operation
U.S. Space Command has conducted a second bilateral space domain awareness operation with France, according to SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting.
Space Force Wants Lower-Cost, Commercial Capabilities for Silent Barker Replacement
The Space Force wants to emphasize small, low-cost systems and commercial capabilities in the next generation of Silent Barker surveillance satellites, drawing lessons from its work to replace the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness program.
‘Victus Haze’ Responsive Space Mission Pushed to 2026 by Rocket Anomaly
The Space Force has delayed its next Tactically Responsive Space mission, Victus Haze, until 2026, as one of its launch providers continues to recover from a rocket anomaly that occurred earlier this year.
Space Force Accepts Meadowlands SATCOM Jammers
The Space Force has accepted its first Meadowlands satellite communications jammer from prime contractor L3Harris and is poised to start using the system in operations next year.
Snakes, Sharks, and Ghosts: Space Force Reveals Themes for Naming Platforms
In a move to better connect Guardians with the space systems they operate, the Space Force on Dec. 11 revealed a new naming scheme for its platforms.
USSF to Keep Implementing Space-Focused Elements of Re-Optimization
Weeks after senior Air Force leaders revealed the service would shed a number of the re-optimization initiatives pursued by their predecessors, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman confirmed the Space Force is retaining all of the space-specific elements of the strategy.
Lawmakers Push Funding Boost for Space Force Data Transport and Polar Missile Warning
The final version of the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill calls for adding $1.2 billion to the Space Force’s research and development accounts, an increase that’s mostly split between two efforts: expanding the service’s low-Earth orbit data transport network and boosting its space-based missile warning ...
USSF Eyes More Space-Based Interceptors to Take Missiles Out Midcourse
The Space Force is requesting prototype proposals for space-based interceptors that can destroy a missile during the midcourse phase of flight, on top of its previous efforts to develop interceptors that take down missiles in their boost phase.
Northrop Tests New Rocket Motor as Part of Innovation Push
Northrop Grumman test fired its newest solid rocket motor Dec. 4, part of an internally funded effort to rapidly design and build SRMs using advanced manufacturing techniques.
SDA Back on Track to Award Satellite Contracts After Funds Went to Troop Shutdown Pay
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government ...
