United States Space Force’s Post

The launch of GPS III SV07 marked a first for USSF, SpOC, and Mission Delta 31. GPS III SV06 demonstrated flexibility and responsiveness by reducing the typical six-month SV pre-launch processing timeline to approximately three months.

Sierra Space’s mission is to build a commercial business and technology platform in space to benefit all of humanity - to solve our toughest challenges here on Earth. We believe commercial business platforms in space will be the catalyst for the next and most profound industrial revolution. However, to transform Low Earth Orbit into the vibrant economic environment we envision, our company is applying our innovative technologies to ensure space is protected and remains free. Today we are witnessing a significant increase in hostile aggressions around the world. These aggressors are accelerating the introduction of even more capable military systems into operations, especially systems that are aimed at holding space freedom at risk. Sierra Space is committed to innovating at speed to bring affordable national security solutions online to address these risks. We are applying our commercial practices, disruptive technologies, industry leading expertise in advanced autonomy and artificial intelligence, and multi-domain battle management, command and control, and fire control systems, to ensure our Nation and our Allies have the overmatch capabilities they need, when they need it. The defense industrial base, led by next generation defense-tech companies like Sierra Space, are ready to build the future of a strong U.S. Defense readiness, and one we can afford. Press Release: https://bit.ly/3TxqBXc

If you haven't listened to this week's episode of Real Space Strategy, here's a quote to encourage you to do so.... “… people need to keep in perspective how dependent we have become on space … those 10,200 satellites on-orbit of every nation’s registry are up there doing 24/7 365 day operations and it becomes awfully easy for our sister services to look at the Space Force as a service provider … there is not going to be any support to the warfighter if we get into a war because our satellites are absolutely undefended … the enemy has more weapons than we have satellites that they need to defend. Space Force only operates an average of 70 satellites. The Chinese have 400 satellites. We are a second-rate Space Force; we took our eyes off the ball … right now the Space Force is getting about 3.5% of the entire DoD budget and we have to catch up. We are so far behind the curve plus we have over- bureaucratized our management of space … we have to provide space superiority in challenged and contested space, or we won’t be able to provide services to anyone anywhere … we don’t have the types of weapons to hold at risk enemies who would challenge us in space. Therefore, we have no deterrent capability, no deterrent credibility. We are sitting ducks.” Dr. M.V. "Coyote Smith, Professor of Strategic Space Studies, Air Command and Staff College – Real Space Strategy Podcast 24 Jun 2024 https://lnkd.in/d7zyf8Ai

The rigor needed to get from good idea to actually mitigating threats with warfighter capability is crucial to space power— there is not an easy fix and the equation includes acquisition/ requirements generation/ science and technology and a long term strategy— hard choices impacting greater power competition — Forward..

As U.S. launch rates surge at the Defense Department’s two coastal ranges, House lawmakers are pushing the military to consider alternative sites for sending space payloads to orbit. In the House Armed Services Committee’s draft fiscal 2025 defense policy bill, lawmakers raised concerns about the ability of DOD’s most in-demand spaceports at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to meet military and commercial capacity needs in the coming years. “Given the emerging needs of department and commercial launch operators, the [National Security Space Launch] program must meet requirements that enable payload processing and launch beyond the current NSSL-capable locations on the Western and Eastern ranges,” the committee said. The U.S. launched 103 missions in 2023 — up from 76 the previous year. According to a May 8 report from the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, DC think tank, two thirds of all U.S. launches last year lifted off from Cape Canaveral. “The sharp increase in launches from this location has raised questions about how many launches the location can support without undue impact on the support services provided by the US Space Force and the busy air corridor that passes through this region,” the report said. That growing demand has driven the Space Force to explore options to increase the number of launches its existing ranges can support and invest in the infrastructure at those bases through an initiative called Spaceport of the Future. #SpaceForce #LaunchRates #Spaceports

🚀 Excited to share my latest Via Satellite article on the evolving landscape of space defence! 🛰 From cutting-edge technologies to strategic defence initiatives, the article provides a guide to what's next in space defence. Let me know in the comments what you think and if I missed anything pivotal. For insights and a deeper conversation on the subject, or to learn about Access Partnership's capabilities here, feel free to reach out to me directly! #SpaceDefence #space #defence #Innovation #PolicyTrends #SatelliteTechnology

Building the Foundation for Space Superiority: Training Our Guardians The cornerstone of a capable and combat-ready force lies in the quality and quantity of its training. For our Guardians, this principle is no different. Quality training hinges on realism—ensuring Guardians face scenarios that mirror the challenges of real-world space operations. Training environments must integrate live, virtual, and constructive elements that simulate dynamic engagements against adaptive, thinking adversaries. Achieving this level of realism demands close collaboration between STARCOM and industry to deliver tools and systems that are not only effective but also realistic for operational commanders. One of the greatest challenges in preparing Guardians for the realities of space warfare is equipping them with training systems that replicate the exact weapon systems they will operate during combat. This remains a significant hurdle, largely due to the fragmented development of weapon systems by various companies without standardized frameworks to ease operational use. Addressing this gap must be a top priority for STARCOM to ensure our Guardians are ready to fight and win. Quantity of training forms the second pillar of readiness. Unlike other military branches—such as the Army, which trains at the National Training Center, or the Navy, which conducts live fleet operations—the U.S. Space Force faces unique constraints. Practical limitations prevent live operations in space, yet space has become a contested domain where our Guardians already engage in critical operations. To bridge this gap, STARCOM must work closely with industry to develop advanced Live, Virtual, and Constructive Environments (LVCE). These environments must not only reflect the physical realities of space but also replicate the weapon systems Guardians will use in combat. LVCE enables a cost effective way to train the force while also creating realism by involving multiple units that are globally dispersed to fight collectively. By addressing both the quality and quantity of training, we ensure our Guardians are prepared to secure space superiority when it matters most.

Australia's approach to space for defense is shifting after canceling a GEO milsatcom program. Experts discussed Australia's space defense strategy last week at the Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference in Perth. https://lnkd.in/eTk_Hihq

Where do YOU fit in? The Space Warfighting Architecture shows how we're all connected, and how SpOC provides combat-ready space forces to our teammates across the globe. Another interesting fact: many of the commands you see on this chart got their start as a part of SpOC. In the nearly four years since we were established, SpOC has launched multiple USSF organizations that have evolved to focus on a specific mission set, including Space Training and Readiness Command, Space Forces-Space and Deltas 5 & 15. It's been our honor to set up our teammates for success! United States Space Force #USSpaceForce #SemperSupra #BuildOnAndBuildOut #ViaVincimus #USSF5

The Evolving Landscape of Defense: Responsive Space and its Significance * Responsive Space as a concept is fundamentally driven by defense organizations. Defense organizations are increasingly dependent upon space-based systems for operations. These organizations need the ability to: be able to augment capacity on demand based on tactical requirements; and rapidly replace disabled space-based systems to restore capability. The capability which addresses that need is generally referred to as Responsive Space.