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Defense Command

United States Space Force

Also known as U.S. Space Force, Space Force

The U.S. military service responsible for space operations, space domain awareness, and the acquisition of space test, training and range capability.

Verified connections
3
Evidence citations
6

Executive overview

The United States Space Force is the acquisition and operating authority behind the current wave of space test, training and domain awareness investment. It awarded the $981M NITE-STAR range and test engineering vehicle, named the vendor pool behind the wider Space Test and Training Architecture, and owns the sensing mission now being extended from Earth orbit into cislunar space.

Why it matters

For capture teams, USSF is the decision authority that converts space domain awareness requirements into contract vehicles. Tracking what it awards, and to whom, is the earliest reliable indicator of where space test, training and sensing budgets land next.

Editorially approved Aug 5, 2026 · version 1

Verified relationships

Evidence timeline

  1. Aug 5, 2026 · Node created

    Commissioned in Stage G2 first-node cohort

  2. Aug 5, 2026 · Connection formed

    NITE-STAR — Space Force is the awarding authority for the NITE-STAR vehicle.

  3. Aug 5, 2026 · Connection formed

    Space Domain Awareness — Space Force operates the sensing and custody mission for the space domain.

  4. Aug 5, 2026 · Connection formed

    Cislunar Domain Awareness — Space Force is extending domain awareness coverage into cislunar space.

  5. Aug 5, 2026 · Connection formed

    Space Force owns the test and training architecture effort.

  6. Aug 5, 2026 · Connection formed

    GPS constellation operations sit with Space Force; receiver fielding is joint.

  7. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    NITE-STAR — Space Force Awards $981M NITE-STAR Range and Test Engineering Contract

    Source

  8. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    NITE-STAR — Space Force Names 15 Vendors for $981M Space Test and Training Architecture

    Source

  9. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    Space Domain Awareness — Atmospheric Entry Events Highlight Strategic Space Domain Awareness Needs

    Source

  10. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    Space Domain Awareness — Impending Falcon 9 Lunar Impact Drives Cislunar Domain Awareness Push

    Source

  11. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    Cislunar Domain Awareness — Impending Falcon 9 Lunar Impact Drives Cislunar Domain Awareness Push

    Source

  12. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    Cislunar Domain Awareness — NASA and Defense Industrial Base Accelerate Cislunar Cargo Capabilities

    Source

  13. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    Space Force Names 15 Vendors for $981M Space Test and Training Architecture

    Source

  14. Aug 5, 2026 · Evidence added

    Air Force Targets 2027 for M-Code GPS Receiver Testing Across Ships and Aircraft

    Source

  15. Aug 5, 2026 · Summary updated

    Editorial overview approved for commissioning

  16. Aug 5, 2026 · Promoted to public

    Promoted after class thresholds re-verified at publication