Military Space Spacecraft, Weapons and Tech

X-37B at Vandenberg Air Force Base Runway
An X-37B robotic space plane sits on the Vandenberg Air Force base runway during post-landing operations on Dec. 3, 2010. Personnel in self-contained protective atmospheric suits conduct initial checks on the robot space vehicle after its landing. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force/Michael Stonecypher)

Military forces have a long association with spaceflight, with modern rockets evolving from missiles developed during World War II. Today's armed forces rely on space-based assets for reconnaissance, weather tracking, communication, navigation and more. The U.S. Air Force regularly launches GPS and missile-defense tracking satellites, and operates two classified X-37B robotic space planes. Learn more about military satellites, space weapon, the Space Force and more here.

Related Topics: NASA

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Latest about military space

a black-and-white rocket launches at night above a bright plume of fire

Rocket Lab's secretive launch last month was a hypersonic test for the US military (photos)

By Mike Wall published

Rocket Lab's pioneering suborbital launch last month conducted hypersonic tests for the U.S. military, the company has revealed.

Launches & Spacecraft
a rocket launches at night above a plume of fire

US military test-launches unarmed nuclear missile on election night (video)

By Brett Tingley published

The United States military test-launched an unarmed nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Nov. 5, 2024.

Launches & Spacecraft
a yellow and white rocket launches from a seaside pad

Japan launches military communications satellite on 4th flight of H3 rocket (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

Japan launched the Kirameki 3 military communications satellite Monday morning (Nov. 4), on the fourth-ever flight of the country's H3 rocket.

Launches & Spacecraft

North Korea launches intercontinental ballistic missile to space, reaches record altitude

By Elizabeth Howell published

North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday (July 12), shortly after complaining about purported spying activity by the United States.

Launches & Spacecraft
Illustration of a space plane in orbit over earth, with the sun in the background

Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane to attempt new 'aerobraking' maneuvers in orbit

By Andrew Jones published

The U.S. military's X-37B space plane is about to begin a series of novel maneuvers, according to a rare official update on the spacecraft.

Tech
a man with orange skin in an ill-fitting blue suit gestures vaguely with his hand in front of a row of flags

Trump says he'd create a Space National Guard if elected

By Brett Tingley published

Former President Trump said he would create a Space National Guard if elected for a second term this November.

Missions
a rocket launching into an early morning sky.

Atlas V rocket launches its final national security mission for US military (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

United Launch Alliance's venerable Atlas V rocket flew its final national security mission early Tuesday (July 30).

Launches & Spacecraft
Artisti's illustration of Portal Space System's Supernova spacecraft in Earth orbit.

US military project aims to prevent hackers targeting satellites and recognizes rising threat of cyberattacks in space

By Sharon Lemac-Vincere published

The US military recently launched a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen ties with the commercial space industry.

Satellites
blistering white flames burst from the two nozels piped on either side of the bottom of a rocket, fixed with two dark metalic engines shining through the smoke, shooting out a faint blue flame like two diamonds toward the ground.

Pentagon picks SpaceX, Blue Origin and ULA for $5.6 billion launch deal

By Andrew Jones published

SpaceX, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance will compete for National Security Space Launch contracts worth up to $5.6 billion across fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Launches & Spacecraft
a small cubic satellite attaches to a large cubic satellite. both have two rectangular solar arrays extending from them. earth can be seen below the pair

Space Force orders 'jetpack' to give 2 years of maneuverability to military satellite

By Brett Tingley published

In a first-of-its-kind mission, Starfish Space will attach a "jetpack"-like satellite to a U.S. military satellite to give it two years of additional propulsion and maneuverability.

Satellites
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives