About
History
1954
The Western Development Division is established
The U.S. Armed Forces established its first dedicated space organization under General Bernard Schriever.
1958
Explorer 1 Launched
The first U.S. satellite to carry science instruments was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Cape Canaveral, FL.
1978
First GPS satellite launched
After four years and hundreds of tests, the Air Force sets the first Block 1 development Navstar/GPS satellite into orbit. Three more Navstar satellites were launched by the end of 1978.
1982
Air Force Space Command was activated
The Air Force unified their space operations under AFSPC focusing on launch operations, satellite control, missile warning and space surveillance.
1983
AFSPC Slogan Adopted
"Guardians of the High Frontier" (where our term “Guardians” came from) was adopted to promote AFSPC's heritage of protecting space assets.
1991
Space tactics take priority
Space forces proved to be critical in U.S. involvement during Operation Desert Storm, further validating the Space Command’s mission.
2019
First Chief of Space Operations is assigned
General John Raymond was sworn in at the White House as the U.S. recognized its newest branch of the military.
2019
Space Force is established
The National Defense Authorization Act was passed. At which point, the Air Force Space Command was reclassified as the U.S. Space Force and became the sixth U.S. military branch.
2020
The first Space Force rocket launch
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched the Space Force’s first payload from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
2020
Space Force welcomes its first Air Force Academy graduates
Eighty-six Air Force Academy graduates moved directly into the Space Force, marking its first admission of commissioned personnel.
2020
Space Force partners with NASA
The Space Force and NASA formed the Foundation for Broad Collaboration to work on matters concerning space policy, transportation, operations and planetary defense.
2021
Space Force takes over SATCOM missions
The Army and Navy transferred their satellite funding and responsibilities over to the Space Force.
Our Mission
Space now defines our daily lives and the modern way of war.
From GPS to strategic warning and satellite communications, we defend the ultimate high ground.
