On 1 October 1979, space and missile functions were split for a second time.
SAMSO was split, with its space functions becoming Air Force System Command's Space Division and its ballistic missile functions becoming the Ballistic Missile Office (BMO).
On 1 October 1982, Air Force Space Command was established to serve as an operational command for space and consolidate Air Force space operations, which were splintered across several different major commands.
On 1 October 1987, the Space Division's Air Force Satellite Control Facility was inactivated, with its functions and personnel transferred to Air Force Space Commands operational wings.
On 1 October 1989, the Space and Missile Test Organization was inactivated, leaving its launch wings as direct reporting units to the Space Division.
While operational responsibilities were transitioned to Air Force Space Command, the Space Division centralized the service's space research and development.
In October 1982, the Space Division's Air Force Space Technology Center (AFSTC) was established at Kirtland AFB, with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, and Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory assigned to it.

The Space Division began the development of the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (Milstar) communications satellite constellation in 1982, which was designed specifically to support the National Command Authority.
The 1986 Challenger disaster illustrated some of the major dangers of using the Space Shuttle as the sole space launch system.
The Development of the Titan IV space launch vehicle began in 1985 but gained new importance after the disaster.
Development also started on the Delta II and Atlas II space launch vehicles, both derived from earlier ballistic missiles.

The Space Division continued SAMSO's anti-satellite weapons research, developing the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle launched ASM-135 ASAT, which used kinetic impact to destroy a target.
It destroyed the Solwind satellite in a 13 December 1985 test.
In the early stages of the Strategic Defense Initiative, the Space Division was involved in the Boost Surveillance and Tracking System, Space Surveillance and Tracking System, and the Space-Based Interceptor.

The Ballistic Missile Office continued SAMSO's development of the Peacekeeper missile, performing extensive test launches.
The missile forces were activated in 1983 under Strategic Air Command in.
In 1986, development also started on the MGM-134 Midgetman, also known as the Small ICBM.
The Small ICBM program was canceled in 1992 with the end of the Cold War.
On 1 October 1979, space and missile functions were split for a second time. SAMSO was split, with its space functions becoming Air Force System Command's Space Division and its ballistic missile functions becoming the Ballistic Missile Office (BMO). On 1 October 1982, Air Force Space Command was established to serve as an operational command for space and consolidate Air Force space operations, which were splintered across several different major commands. On 1 October 1987, the Space Division's Air Force Satellite Control Facility was inactivated, with its functions and personnel transferred to Air Force Space Commands operational wings. On 1 October 1989, the Space and Missile Test Organization was inactivated, leaving its launch wings as direct reporting units to the Space Division. While operational responsibilities were transitioned to Air Force Space Command, the Space Division centralized the service's space research and development. In October 1982, the Space Division's Air Force Space Technology Center (AFSTC) was established at Kirtland AFB, with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, and Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory assigned to it.
The Space Division began the development of the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (Milstar) communications satellite constellation in 1982, which was designed specifically to support the National Command Authority. The 1986 Challenger disaster illustrated some of the major dangers of using the Space Shuttle as the sole space launch system. The Development of the Titan IV space launch vehicle began in 1985 but gained new importance after the disaster. Development also started on the Delta II and Atlas II space launch vehicles, both derived from earlier ballistic missiles.
The Space Division continued SAMSO's anti-satellite weapons research, developing the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle launched ASM-135 ASAT, which used kinetic impact to destroy a target. It destroyed the Solwind satellite in a 13 December 1985 test. In the early stages of the Strategic Defense Initiative, the Space Division was involved in the Boost Surveillance and Tracking System, Space Surveillance and Tracking System, and the Space-Based Interceptor.
The Ballistic Missile Office continued SAMSO's development of the Peacekeeper missile, performing extensive test launches. The missile forces were activated in 1983 under Strategic Air Command in. In 1986, development also started on the MGM-134 Midgetman, also known as the Small ICBM. The Small ICBM program was canceled in 1992 with the end of the Cold War.
Space and Missile Systems Center