The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the Air Force's only organization wholly dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. We trace our roots to the vision of airpower pioneers who understood science as the key to air supremacy. The passionate commitment of AFRL people, to realize this vision, has helped create the world's best air, space and cyberspace force.
The Space Vehicles Directorate serves as the Air Force's "Center of Excellence" for space research and development. The Directorate develops and transitions space technologies for more effective, more affordable warfighter missions. Primary mission thrusts include Space-Based Surveillance (space-to-space and space-to-ground) and Space Capability Protection (protecting space assets from man-made and natural effects). The Directorate also leverages commercial, civil and other government resources that ensure America's defense advantage. Primary focus areas include: radiation-hardened electronics, space power, space structures and control, space-based sensing, space environmental effects, autonomous maneuvering, and balloon and satellite flight experiments. Leading the nation in space supremacy research and development, the Space Vehicles Directorate consists of an integrated team of 900-plus military, civilian, and on-site contractors.
