News

Sept. 2, 2021
AFRL offers university satellite program

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory’s University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) request for proposals (RFP) will be open until October 1. UNP funds U.S. university students and programs to design, build, launch, and operate small satellites with the primary goal to
July 19, 2021
AFRL conducts 1,300 experiments on record-breaking satellite

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N. M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory is celebrating the completion of the Demonstration and Science Experiments (DSX) satellite mission, and processing a treasure trove of valuable data that will be studied by scientists for many years to come. The spacecraft was
June 17, 2021
AFRL’s DSX spacecraft ends orbit with a team celebration

After 706 days of successful on-orbit operations, the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Demonstration and Science Experiments (DSX) spacecraft completed its end of life May 31, exceeding the originally planned mission by nearly a year.
June 15, 2021
Senator Martin Heinrich visits AFRL- advanced solar power initiatives

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) visited the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR) project, to learn more about the program designed to collect solar power from space and beam it to the ground for a reliable, alternative source of energy.
May 19, 2021
AFRL engineer graduates from first-ever Space Test course

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – Air Force Research Laboratory astronautical engineer Evelyn Kent is among the graduates of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School’s inaugural Space Test Fundamentals course. The new program for space professionals included 15 students made up of Airmen and
March 18, 2021
AFRL breaks ground on state of the art space environment laboratory

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate broke ground on a new facility named the Skywave Technology Laboratory March 16. The 3,500 square foot, $3.5 million lab will be located in a remote area on Kirtland Air Force Base. “The Skywave Lab
Jan. 4, 2021
Ghost town provides high-tech testing for AFRL and others

In a dusty ghost town in southern New Mexico, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is conducting some of its most important testing.
Sept. 15, 2020
AFRL Technology traveling to Mars

The Red Planet, Mars, will soon be receiving more visitors when NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover accompanied by its flight companion, a 4-pound Mars Helicopter named Ingenuity, touches down in February 2021.
Sept. 3, 2020
AFRL announces two new space flight experiments

The Director of the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, Col. Eric Felt, announced that the two winning concepts are Precise and CHPS, or the Cislunar Highway Patrol System.
June 2, 2020
AFRL rolls-out new rapid contract award tool for space technology research

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate here is using a rapid acquisition capability called Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) that accelerates contract award times.