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
Aircraft Procurement, Space Launch Could Pay for Unexpected Personnel Costs
The Air Force and Space Force want approval from Congress to shift more than $900 million in fiscal 2026 funds to cover higher-than-expected personnel costs.
Space Force Finalizes New Acquisition Structure, Names 9 Portfolio Executives
The Space Force has finalized a major reorganization of its acquisition structure, creating nine mission area-focused portfolio acquisition executives with broad authority over the service’s development and procurement programs.
Space Force’s New C2 System to Get Key Upgrades in 2027
The Space Force is eyeing three key upgrades next year to its next-generation command-and-control system that will make it easier for allies to share space domain awareness data and improve collaboration and training for operators.
Space Force Picks Two More Startups to Compete for Launch Missions
The Space Force has added two startup firms to its National Security Space Launch program, increasing the competitive field for “commercial-like” missions to seven providers.
Interview: Meink Cites Progress After First Year as SECAF
Just over a year after becoming the 27th Secretary of the Air Force, Troy Meink believes he’s making progress on his top priorities—increasing Air Force readiness, modernizing its aircraft fleet, and growing the nascent Space Force. In a June 26 interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine, Meink acknowledged headwinds but said the proof of his progress is in the fiscal ...
Deep-Space Radar Construction Delayed, GAO Says
The Space Force approved the first of three deep-space radars for early operational use last fall, but construction delays at the ground-based radar site in Western Australia are holding up the program, according to a government watchdog.
Satellites Maneuver Around Each Other on Rapid Timelines for Victus Haze Mission
Now that the Space Force has launched satellite into orbit on less than 17 hours’ notice, the companies operating the satellites involved in the mission involved say their space domain awareness and maneuver operations are progressing faster than expected.
Space Force Approves New Satellite Jammer for Operational Use
The Space Force formally accepted its Meadowlands jammer for operational use earlier this month, an upgrade to its current electronic warfare portfolio.
Air Force Accelerates Sending B-21s to Ellsworth
The arrival of the Air Force’s B-21 Raider at its first operational base is fast approaching, and the service’s plans for its newest stealth bomber are coming into focus. In an exclusive interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on June 26, Air Force Secretary ...
SDA Cuts 11 Satellites from Low-Earth Orbit Demo to Focus on Operational Work
The Space Development Agency last year quietly canceled plans to launch 11 satellites mean to conduct communications experiments in low-Earth orbit, Air & Space Forces Magazine has learned.
Space Force Gives Boeing $2 Billion for Pair of Narrowband Communication Satellites
The Space Force selected Boeing to extend the life of its narrowband satellite communications program, awarding the company $2 billion to build two satellites.
Space RCO Head Moves to Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center
After four years leading the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Kelly Hammett was named the new executive director of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center last week.
Space Force Mission Goes from Orders to Launch in Less than 17 Hours
The Space Force started its second live Tactically Responsive Space mission June 19, working with a contractor to launch a satellite to low-Earth orbit in less than 17 hours. That spacecraft will now conduct a series of maneuver demonstrations with another vehicle.
DARPA Seeks Tech to Reconstitute Space Force Satellites During Conflict
As the Space Force develops options to respond to real-time threats in orbit by rapidly launching new payloads or tapping into commercial constellations, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking for innovative technology that could support those efforts and expand the scope of gap-filler ...
Lawmakers Push for More New Sensors to Track Hypersonic and Ballistic Missiles
Lawmakers on a key Senate panel want to put their stamp on the Space Force’s missile warning plans, pushing for more satellite sensors that can detect and track hypersonic and ballistic missiles in real time and attempting to block an effort to cancel satellites that ...