US Space Force – Page 2 – The Defense Post

Mar- 2026 -

27 March

Firefly's Launch Control Center at Space Launch Complex 2 within the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

US Space Force Shrinks Launch Prep to Hours in New Test

The US Space Force has tested rapid launch timelines with Lockheed Martin, compressing payload processing and simulated liftoff into hours instead of days.

18 March

Americas

US President Donald Trump presenting the government's 'Golden Dome' missile defense plan at the Oval Office

Rojoef Manuel

Pentagon Ups Golden Dome Cost to $185B as Space Capabilities Expand

The US Department of Defense has increased the projected cost of its Golden Dome missile defense system by up to $10 billion to accelerate critical space-based capabilities.

17 March

Space

An artist rendering of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency System satellite.

Jodesz Gavilan

US Air Force Expands Raytheon AEHF Satellite Terminal Contract to $2.97B

The US Air Force has increased Raytheon’s contract for protected satellite communications terminals by about $2 billion, pushing the total potential value to nearly $2.97 million.

Feb- 2026 -

27 February

Air

A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launches from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Oct. 4, 2024. This mission was the second certification mission required for ULA's certification process with the United States Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collin Wesson)

Rojoef Manuel

US Space Force Grounds Vulcan National Security Launches After Rocket Booster Issue

The US Space Force has suspended National Security Space Launch missions on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan heavy-lift launch vehicle after a solid rocket booster anomaly in mid-February.

26 February

Americas

Giulia Bernacchi

L3Harris Completes Mirror Upgrade for US Space Force Telescope in Australia

L3Harris has completed a major refurbishment of the primary mirror on the US Space Force’s Space Surveillance Telescope.

25 February

Americas

Protecting launch operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base requires advanced, networked defenses against drone threats.

Giulia Bernacchi

Picogrid, Guardian RF Partner to Boost US Space Force Drone Defenses

Picogrid and Guardian RF have secured a contract to enhance installation security at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

24 February

Americas

Rojoef Manuel

AST SpaceMobile Bags $30M SDA Deal for Tactical SATCOM Demo

AST SpaceMobile has secured a $30-million contract to demonstrate low-latency tactical satellite communications for the US Space Development Agency.

19 February

Americas

Service members take the oath of office officially transferring from the United State Air Force to the United States Space Force during a ceremony held at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Feb. 10, 2020. The Airmen transitioned into the Space Force as Guardians during the ceremony, joining some of the first Guardians to cross into the newest branch of the U.S. armed forces. (U.S. Air Force Photos by Senior Airman Caleb House

Rojoef Manuel

US Space Force Tops 2026 Recruiting Goal, Pushes to Double Force Size

The US Space Force has exceeded its fiscal 2026 recruiting goal by 25 percent just five months into the year, as leaders press Congress to double the service’s size to meet rising national security demands.

Jan- 2026 -

21 January

Americas

Christine Casimiro

US Space Force Gets AI Enemy Simulator From Slingshot Aerospace

The US Space Force is leveling up how it prepares for conflict in orbit, awarding Slingshot Aerospace a $27-million contract to inject artificial intelligence (AI) into space warfare training.

5 January

Americas

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Claude Lambert, chief of future operations division for the Joint Task Force-Space Defense and U.S. Air Force Maj. Katie “Starbuck” Baier, chief of intelligence for weapons and tactics for the JTF-SD, look at a computer screen at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 19, 2022. Through the partnering of the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community and National Reconnaissance Office in the National Space Defense Center, JTF-SD brings to bear the full force of the U.S. Government and synchronizes space superiority planning and operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dennis Rogers)

Rojoef Manuel

CACI to Reinforce US Space Force Base Networks Under $12.5B Framework

CACI International has won a five-year task order worth up to $212 million to support enterprise-level network infrastructure upgrades for US Space Force installations.

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