Space Force

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) --  In a groundbreaking NASA study set against the remote backdrop of North Dakota, Spc. 4 William Wallace, 4th Space Operations Squadron payload engineer, played a pivotal role in advancing the science community’s understanding of extraterrestrial agriculture. Holding a Bachelor of Science in biology, Wallace gained his leadership’s approval and answered the American Public University’s call for volunteers with STEM backgrounds to participate in a two-week space research mission at the University of North Dakota’s Integrated Lunar/Mars Habitat facility. After submitting...

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...