Space Force

ARLINGTON, Va (AFNS) --  Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman announced a new addition to the Space Force headquarters staff, bringing a member of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force to the organization. Air Marshal Paul Godfrey took the position June 17 and will serve the U.S. Space Force as assistant chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships after three years as the first commander of the U.K. Space Command.“This is a significant step forward in promoting closer cooperation with an important ally, and it exemplifies the kind of partnership we need to internalize as a service,” S...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AFNS) --  San Diego has long been known for its strong U.S. Navy presence, but many people may not know it’s also home to part of the U.S. Space Force.Space Systems Command’s Narrowband Satellite Communications program office was originally part of the Navy, delivering communications capabilities in the Ultra High Frequency spectrum to support deployments on land, air and sea, with voice services to data networks.On Oct. 1, 2021, the program — including 76 manpower authorizations and 13 satellites — was transferred to the Space Force’s SSC. Since the creation of the USSF as a separate service, space-related capabilities that were previously spread out across the U.S. Department of Defense have been consolidated within the USSF to in...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AFNS) --  In partnership with NASA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Space Force GPS III Program Office has delivered two laser retroflector arrays to Lockheed Martin. On May 6, the LRAs were delivered under a directed program to rapidly integrate hosted payloads on GPS satellites ahead of launch call up. The LRAs will be installed onto two GPS III satellites, SV9 and SV10, in preparation for a 2025 launch.The addition of the LRA hosted payload onto GPS satellites marks an expansion of NASA’s Space Geodesy Program space instrument network. The GPS III LRAs will allow NASA to make precise range measurements to the sub-centimeter level using the Satellite Laser Ranging technique, enabling accurate determination...

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  In a dual ceremony, Space Delta 18—the National Space Intelligence Center—changed commanders and was redesignated as a field operating agency of the U.S. Space Force during a ceremony June 28, 2024.Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander, presided over the ceremony, recognizing the achievements of the unit’s first commander, Col. Marqus Randall, who assumed the position when NSIC first stood up in June 2022. “Marqus, your leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Miller said. “Starting with a team of just 24, you've masterfully built it to over 450, to really ta...

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The U.S. Space Force is continuing implementation of its Space Force Generation (SPAFORGEN) model across the force, beginning its first synchronized Commit phase cycle July 1 after the successful completion of the Prepare and Ready phases.The start of this phase marks a major milestone in the Space Force’s efforts to reoptimize for great power competition.“As the lead Field Command for executing SPAFORGEN, we are focused on generating, presenting, sustaining and improving combat-ready space forces for Service and Combatant Command missions,” said Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander. “Aligning the timing of these phases for all units across our command helps us ensure combat-credible force elements and wa...