Atlas V GPS IIF-4 Launch

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the fourth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 5:38 p.m. EDT, May 15, 2013, from Space Launch Complex-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Photo: ULA

Atlas V GPS IIF-4 Launch

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the fourth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 5:38 p.m. EDT, May 15, 2013, from Space Launch Complex-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Photo: ULA

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket successfully launching the OTV-3 for the U.S. Air Force.

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket successfully launching the OTV-3 for the U.S. Air Force.

Delta IV GPS IIF-3

"We earn our stripes and prove to the world what a world-class team we have with every single launch we execute from here," said Col. Robert Pavelko, vice commander, 45th Space Wing commander, who also served as Launch Decision Authority. GPS is a space-based, world-wide navigation system providing users with highly accurate, three-dimensional position, velocity and timing information 24 hours a day in all weather conditions. Every modern GPS satellite has been launched from CCAFS. (Photo by Pat Corkery, ULA)

Atlas V RBSP

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 4:05 a.m. EDT Aug. 30 with NASA’s twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission. (Photo by Pat Corkery, ULA)

AEHF-2

Successful Launch of AEHF-2 Satellite to Orbit for the U.S. Air Force at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. (Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance).

Heads up

Staff Sgt. Andres Tovar and K-9 Ciro, 45th Security Forces Squadron, provide crowd safety and security at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., for the final launch of a NASA Space Shuttle July 8, 2011. The successful STS-135 mission marked the culmination of three decades of support of the shuttle program by the 45th Space Wing, other Air Force units and government agencies, and their mission partners on the Eastern Range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric Brian)

Success!

Crowds of U.S. Air Force members and their guests at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., watch the final launch of a space shuttle July 8, 2011, from the 45th Space Wing VIP Viewing Area on the NASA Causeway, as Shuttle Atlantis roars into the sky. The success of STS-135 marked the culmination of three decades of support for NASA Space Shuttle missions by the wing, other Air Force units and government agencies, and their mission partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric Brian)

Mars Science Laboratory

An Atlas V rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Nov. 26 carrying NASA's Curiosity Rover. The Rover is set to land on Mars in August 2012. (Photo courtesy of United Launch Alliance)

Poised for Red Planet

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory with is centerpiece Curiosity rover, depicted here, is scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket Saturday from Launch Complex 41. The launch window is 10:02-11:45 a.m. The rover will assess whether Mars was, or is still today, an environment able to support microbial life and determine the planet's habitability. (Graphic courtesy of NASA)

Latest Air Force satellite prepares for final processing.

The U.S. Air Force's fourth Wideband Global satellite communication spacecraft arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Nov. 15. Photo by Capt. Joseph Maguadog, Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center.

WGS-4 Satellite Shipment Postures Air Force for Launch

The U.S. Air Force’s fourth Wideband Global satellite communication spacecraft offloads from a C-5 Galaxy at the Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Nov. 15. Wideband Global SATCOM provides anytime, anywhere communication for the warfighter through broadcast, multicast, and point-to-point connections. WGS-4 will undergo final processing, encapsulation and transport to Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it is scheduled to launch atop a Delta IV evolved expendable launch vehicle Jan. 19, 2012. U.S. (Air Force photo/Maj. Rob Russell)

45th Space Wing supports NASA launch from Cape Canaveral AFS

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - A United Launch Alliance Delta II carrying NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) lifts off Sept. 10, 2011, at 9:08 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 17, with Eastern Range support from the U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing. GRAIL includes two spacecraft to study the moon's interior and thermal evolution. (United Launch Alliance photo/Thom Baur)

45th Space Wing supports NASA launch from Cape Canaveral AFS

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - A Delta II carrying NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) launched Sept. 10, 2011, at 9:08 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 17, with Eastern Range support from the U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing. The Air Force's Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is pictured at left. GRAIL includes two spacecraft to study the moon's interior and thermal evolution. (Air Force photo/Tony Gray)

GPS IIF-2

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (July 16, 2011) – 2:41 a.m. EDT with the Air Force’s Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-2 payload. This launch marks the 50th successful GPS launch on a Delta vehicle. GPS IIF-2 is the second in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the earths’ surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.

Historic Launch Range Support

Air Force 45th Space Wing Leadership in the Morrell Operations Center Control Room 2, Cape Canaveral AFS, FL, provide flawless Eastern Range support for the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis July 8, 2011. NASA, the wing and their Mission Partners supported STS-135, the final mission of the Space Shuttle program. (Air Force photo/Matthew Jurgens)

The Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) first geosynchronous satellite came to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 3.

Col. Scott Larrimore, Chief, SMC's Space Systems Division and Col. Roger Teague, Director, Space and Missile Systems Center's Infrared Space Systems Directorate, brought the Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) first geosynchronous satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 3. SBIRS will replace the stalwart Defense Support Program System as a key part of North America's missile early warning and defense systems. SBIRS will provide critical functions for protecting the United States and its allies by supporting four mission areas: Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Battlespace Awareness, and Technical Intelligence. SBIRS is designed to perform these critical missions well into the 21st century.

Space shuttle Discovery launches on final scheduled mission

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery lifts off for the last time from Launch Pad 39A at 4:53 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011. "This is a historic flight, with one of the last Air Force shuttle crews," said Brig. Gen. Ed Wilson, 45th Space Wing commander, Launch Decision Authority for STS-133. "The 45th Space Wing is pleased to have participated with NASA and our mission partners on a safe, successful launch. Congratulations to the team for another successful mission supporting our nation's human space program." (U.S. Air Force photo/Brad Swezey)

SpaceX Falcon 9 NASA COTS Demo 1 launch

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla.--SpaceX Falcon 9 NASA COTS Demo 1 carrying the Dragon spaceecraft launches Dec. 8, 2010, at 10:43 a.m. from Pad 40 here with range and safety support from the 45th Space Wing. "This is a true milestone mission, the first time a commercial company has launched and attempted reentry of a capsule," said Brig. Gen. Ed Wilson, 45th Space Wing commander. (Photo courtesy of Alan Walters, awaltersphoto.com)

45th SW Launches Delta IV-Heavy

The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a Delta IV-Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-32 classified payload for the National Reconaissaince Office Nov. 21 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

AEHF-1

The 45th Space Wing successfully launched the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite onboard an Atlas V launch vehicle here today from launch pad 41 at 7:07 a.m.

Atlas V OTV launch

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle makes its first space flight aboard an Atlas V rocket April 22 from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Connell)

Delta IV mission assurance

Delta IV Mechanical Engineer 2nd Lt. Elizabeth-Ann Bupane of the 5th Space Launch Squadron performs mission assurance observations of a Delta IV booster prior to it moving to the launch pad. The Delta IV lifted off March 4 carrying the NASA/NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite P. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Maj. Jeremy Geib)

Delta IV GOES P launches

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket lifts off with the NASA/NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite P (GOES P) from Space Launch Complex-37 at 6:57 p.m. March 4. GOES P will provide NOAA and NASA scientists with data to support weather, solar and space operations, and will enable future science improvements in weather prediction and remote sensing. Additionally, GOES P will provide data on global climate changes and capability for search and rescue. (Boeing photo/Carleton Bailie)