At five years, Space Force reflects on growth, challenges and the road ahead (Image Credit: Space News)
ORLANDO, Fla. — As the U.S. Space Force marks its fifth anniversary, senior leaders and rank-and-file members, known as guardians, gathered at the second annual Spacepower Conference in Orlando this week. Against the backdrop of an increasingly contested space domain, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman in a keynote speech Dec. 10 outlined the service’s achievements and challenges that lie ahead.
“I’m extremely proud of where we are and what we’ve accomplished,” Saltzman told the audience, reflecting on the Space Force’s evolution from a nascent concept into an operational branch of the U.S. military. Yet, his message was clear: the service’s work has only begun.
The Space Force was established in December 2019 under President Donald Trump, becoming the first new military branch in over 70 years. It was created in response to the growing recognition that space is as critical to national security as land, air, and sea. Today, the service oversees approximately 15,000 military and civilian personnel, operating with a mandate to safeguard U.S. interests in orbit.
Saltzman recounted the Space Force’s early days, highlighting milestones such as the activation of field commands, the consolidation of satellite communications and missile warning systems from other branches, and the establishment of operational and policy frameworks. These efforts have doubled the Space Force’s budget, though Saltzman warned that current resources remain “well short” of what is needed to meet its mission.
A theme of Saltzman’s address was the evolving perception of the Space Force within the broader military apparatus. “We are a military service, not a support element,” he said, stressing the importance of integrating space operations into joint force strategies.
A key Space Force mission known as “space control” involves ensuring freedom of action in space — a task Saltzman characterized as both unique and essential. This responsibility has grown more urgent as adversaries like China and Russia expand their capabilities in anti-satellite weaponry, electronic warfare and orbital surveillance.
China and Russia threats
Saltzman singled out China as the most significant threat to U.S. space operations, noting that since 2022, Beijing has launched over 400 satellites, with half designed for military purposes such as surveillance and targeting. By 2029, China plans to deploy a low Earth orbit constellation for communications and sensing, potentially giving it the ability to disrupt U.S. and allied forces before they reach conflict zones.
“There should be no doubt in your mind that China can and will use their space capability to hold the joint and combined force at risk,” Saltzman warned. “It’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Russia, too, poses a formidable challenge. Saltzman described Moscow’s “eye-watering counter-space portfolio,” which includes anti-satellite weapons, co-orbital threats, and advanced electronic warfare systems. These developments underscore the urgency of the Space Force’s mission to protect U.S. assets and capabilities in space.
Navigating bureaucracy
Despite its achievements, the Space Force faces significant hurdles within the labyrinthine structure of the Department of Defense. Saltzman acknowledged the frustrations of slow progress, citing the Pentagon’s layers of oversight, policies, and legal constraints.
“The government was intentionally not designed to move fast,” he said, emphasizing that every new policy or initiative must navigate a gauntlet of approvals. However, adversarial actions by China and Russia often serve as unintentional catalysts, providing what Saltzman called “our best PR” for securing additional resources and support.
In contrast, the commercial space sector has moved at lightning speed, bringing innovations that could revolutionize military operations. “The industry is moving unbelievably fast,” Saltzman said. “The challenge now is how we can grab this innovation and take hold of it.”
Looking to the future
Under Saltzman, the Space Force is poised to deepen its integration with other branches of the military while expanding its global footprint. Just last week, the service activated its sixth service component, U.S. Space Forces-Japan, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. This follows similar activations in key regions like the Indo-Pacific and Europe, aligning the Space Force with U.S. strategic priorities worldwide.
There is now potential for the Space Force to evolve further. With former President Trump returning to the White House, there is speculation that his administration could push to make the Space Force an independent department, fulfilling an idea floated during his first term.
For now, Saltzman said he remains focused on ensuring that guardians develop the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of modern space warfare. “Space has never been more vital to our nation, our national security, and its prosperity,” he said. “We are no longer icing on the cake.”
“Our adversaries understand the importance of space power,” Saltzman concluded. “We must be prepared to defend it.”