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National Security Space Launch

Space Force to Launch 18 Comms and Targeting Missions by End of 2027

July 29, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
The Space Force awarded SpaceX a $1.6 billion contract to conduct 18 launches for communications and targeting satellites by the end of 2027.

Space Force Launch Program Sees Demand Surge from 60 Missions to 170

July 22, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
The Space Force is tripling the size of one of its main launch procurement contracts from $5.6 billion to $17 billion to accommodate growing demand from government customers.

Aircraft Procurement, Space Launch Could Pay for Unexpected Personnel Costs

July 10, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
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.

Blue Origin Rocket Explosion the Largest Ever at Cape Canaveral: Commander

June 2, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
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

June 1, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
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. 

Space Force Study Recommends Third Heavy Launch Site

May 20, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
A recent study of the Space Force’s launch infrastructure found that the service needs a third launch site to manage surging government and commercial launch demand.

Space Force Switches From ULA to SpaceX Rocket for Upcoming GPS Launch

March 20, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
The Space Force is changing launch providers for an upcoming GPS III launch amid an ongoing investigation into United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. The payload, initially slated to fly this month on Vulcan, will now launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket no sooner than ...

Space Force Pauses Vulcan Missions amid Anomaly Investigation

Feb. 25, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
The Space Force is pressing pause on all military launches on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket as officials investigate a recent anomaly they say could take “many months” to resolve. 

How the Space Force Is Managing Growth at Its Busiest Launch Range

Feb. 13, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
If the forecast holds, the world’s busiest spaceport is poised to get even busier. The Space Force’s latest projections show that its Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida could be supporting as many as 500 launches annually by 2036—a fivefold increase ...

ULA’s Interim Leader Focused on Increasing Launch Rate in 2026

Feb. 10, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
United Launch Alliance executives say the firm is “well positioned for the future” despite falling short of its projected launch cadence in 2025 and seeing longtime CEO Tory Bruno depart in early January for competitor Blue Origin. 

Next Up in Pentagon’s Push for Defense Industry Reforms: Space

Feb. 3, 2026 | By Chris Gordon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exhorted the U.S. space industry to step up its efforts in a forceful Feb. 2 speech in which he called for a new era of American “space dominance."

SpaceX Sweeps Another Round of Space Force’s More Commercial-Like Launch Orders

Jan. 12, 2026 | By Courtney Albon
The Space Force recently awarded SpaceX $739 million to launch nine missions for the Space Development Agency and National Reconnaissance Office over the next three years. Five of the awarded launches will be to build out SDA’s constellation of missile warning and tracking satellites in ...

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Air & Space Forces Magazine is the official publication of the Air & Space Forces Association, 1201 S. Joyce St., C6 / Second Fl., Arlington, Va., 22202. Copyright 2026

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