The U.S. Space Force conducted its first launch Thursday, sending a military communications satellite into orbit.
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket blasted the sixth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
and LIFTOFF of the United Launch Alliance #AtlasV rocket with #AEHF6 on the 1st mission for the @SpaceForceDoD! pic.twitter.com/sJMuPSyqIf
— ULA (@ulalaunch) March 26, 2020
“Congrats @ulalaunch on today’s successful launch of #AEHF6—our 1st USSF Nat’l Security Space Launch!" Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond tweeted Thursday, thanking those involved in the project.
Congrats @ulalaunch on today’s successful launch of #AEHF6—our 1st USSF Nat’l Security Space Launch! Great teamwork by all partners @LockheedMartin @AerojetRdyne @AF_SMC @45thSpaceWing. On behalf of the @SpaceForceDoD & joint warfighters who depend on protected SATCOM…THANK YOU!
— Gen. Jay Raymond (@SpaceForceCSO) March 26, 2020
The launch, deemed mission essential, went ahead Thursday despite the coronavirus outbreak that has infected at least 280 U.S. troops and disrupted training exercises, overseas deployments and other military activities.
Despite #COVID19, we’re READY to launch #AEHF6—our 1st Nat’l Security Space launch for the @SpaceForceDoD. Check out the official USSF seal on the #AtlasV at Cape Canaveral AFS. Proud of the great teamwork w/our mission partners @ulalaunch @LockheedMartin @AF_SMC @45thSpaceWing! pic.twitter.com/ZYS6jHHfdU
— Gen. Jay Raymond (@SpaceForceCSO) March 26, 2020
The Lockheed Martin-built AEHF satellites are replacing the older Milstar constellation of military communication satellites. The sixth AEHF is the last one in the $15 billion program, with the Air Force having launched the other five before the Space Force’s creation.
The Space Force was created in December with the signing of the annual defense policy bill.
Its establishment fulfilled a top priority for President Trump
Donald TrumpBiden prepares to confront Putin Biden aims to bolster troubled Turkey ties in first Erdoğan meeting Senate investigation of insurrection falls short MORE since he first floated the idea in 2018 and turned it into a reliable applause line at his campaign rallies.
Though Trump coined the name Space Force, the idea for a separate branch of the military for space originated as a bipartisan House idea in 2017.
The new service is aimed at protecting U.S. assets in space, such as satellites, from earthly threats, including U.S. adversaries Russia and China.
