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
Senators Want Pentagon to Tap in to Commercial On-Orbit Data Centers
Senate lawmakers introduced a bill June 10 to require the Pentagon to consider how it might leverage the commercial space industry’s rush to build on-orbit data centers.
Lawmakers Pave the Way for Space Force to Dissolve SDA, Space RCO
Tucked into the Senate Armed Services Committee’s annual defense policy bill is the legal backing the Space Force needs to dissolve the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office as part of its acquisition reform efforts.
What the Space Force Is Eyeing for Its Future GPS Enterprise
After years of talking about the issue and a few fits and starts, the Space Force is refining its plans to bolster its legacy GPS architecture amid fears that its satellites and ground systems are increasingly vulnerable to threats like jamming, spoofing, and even kinetic ...
Space Force Picks Intelsat, Viasat for Protected SATCOM Program
The Space Force announced contract awards to Intelsat General and Viasat to begin building a constellation of satellites in geosynchronous orbit for protected, secure communications.
New Commander Takes the Reins at Air Force Research Lab
The Air Force Research Laboratory installed its newest commander, Brig. Gen. Douglas Wickert, in a June 3 ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Wickert most recently served as director of air, space, and cyber operations at Air Force Materiel Command, and before that, he led ...
Lawmakers Push Space Force to Seek More Commercial Integration
House lawmakers want the Space Force to buy more technology and services from commercial companies, evidenced in a handful of amendments approved as part of the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
Air Force, Space Force Seek 6,000 Civilian Hires in Wake of DOGE Cuts
The Air Force and Space Force are seeking to add more than 6,000 civilian personnel to their ranks in fiscal 2027, a sharp reversal from a year ago when they were looking to slash around 5,700 positions as part of the Trump administration’s push to ...
Blue Origin Rocket Explosion the Largest Ever at Cape Canaveral: Commander
The May 28 explosion of a Blue Origin rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., is the largest the installation has seen in its history, according to the commander of the range. Despite the unprecedented nature of the anomaly, the base’s safety precautions before and ...
Space Force Announces Launch Deal with Blue Origin After Rocket Mishap
The Space Force on May 28 awarded a task order to Blue Origin for its first National Security Space Launch mission—the same day the company’s New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, Fla.
Lockheed Opens Scalable Factory to Build Next Generation Interceptor
Lockheed Martin on June 1 opened a new assembly facility in Courtland, Ala., where it will produce a new interceptor meant to protect the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles. The facility will house a digital-centric production line for the Next-Generation Interceptor that company officials say ...
Cape Canaveral ‘Mission Capable’ After Blue Origin Rocket Explosion
Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., said the range is “fully mission capable” to support launches following a major May 28 mishap involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.
Space Force Gives SpaceX $4.2B for Satellites to Track Airborne Targets
The Space Force awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract on May 29 to build a constellation of satellites that can sense and track airborne targets from orbit.
Hypersonic Startup Nabs Contract For High-Speed Drone Testing
Venture capital-backed aircraft startup Hermeus announced May 28 its Quarterhorse unmanned aircraft will conduct a series of flight tests with the Defense Innovation Unit over the next few years.
House Panel Proposes Eliminating SDA, Space RCO
House lawmakers this week included language in their version of the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill that would dissolve two Space Force rapid acquisition organizations, absorbing their programs and potentially replicating their authorities in the service’s new portfolio-based acquisition system.
Space Force Sees Path to Operationalize On-Orbit Logistics Demos
As the Space Force makes plans for two on-orbit refueling and maneuver demonstrations in 2027—and closely watches similar government and commercial endeavors—the service official overseeing the effort say he want to take these capabilities from demo to operations in short order.