In 1978, the USAF started a new program initially designated the Prototype Miniature Air-Launched Segment (PMALS) and Air Force Systems Command's Space Division established a system program office.
En 1978 a USAF comezou un novo programa denominando en principio Prototype Miniature Air-Launched Segment (PMALS) e o mando da división espacial da Forza Aérea estableceu unha oficina para o programa.