Maintaining American leadership: Space Force funding and legislative autonomy (Image Credit: Space News)
Five years after its establishment, the United States Space Force remains hindered by its dependence on the Air Force for both funding and legislative access. To address the escalating threats posed by adversaries like China and Russia, the Space Force urgently needs two things: increased funding to reflect the scope of its mission and legislative autonomy to advocate for the specialized demands of space operations.
Space: the new battlefield
Space is no longer the boundless, peaceful domain we once imagined. It is now a critical and contested battleground. Adversaries are deploying advanced technologies that threaten U.S. satellites, disrupt communications and compromise vital infrastructure. Our Global Positioning System (GPS) networks, secure communications, missile defense warnings and intelligence channels all rely on space-based assets, which are increasingly vulnerable to attack.
Meanwhile, China and Russia, which recognize the strategic value of space as the ultimate high ground, are moving aggressively to secure dominance. Their advancements in weaponized satellites, anti-satellite missiles and sophisticated cyber tactics are a clear signal: They’re not just aiming to keep up; they’re working to outpace us. It’s a stark shift in global power dynamics, placing space at the heart of modern geopolitical competition. In response, the U.S. needs a Space Force that doesn’t just respond to incoming threats but proactively safeguards our interests. In this high-stakes environment, we need new capabilities to ensure that space remains a domain where American values — and security — prevail.
The Space Force’s structural dependence on the Air Force
Despite the urgency of its mission, the Space Force remains constrained by its organizational dependence on the Air Force for both funding and legislative support. This structure forces the Space Force to compete for resources within a system that was designed to prioritize airpower, not space defense. While this arrangement may have been suitable in the early stages of the Space Force’s creation, today’s environment requires a dedicated focus and resources that reflect the unique demands of the space domain.
Space is not merely an extension of airpower; it is a distinct and vital domain all on its own — one that’s fundamentally driven by software, data and specialized tech. The current framework, however, limits the Space Force’s ability to meet the growing and increasingly complex demands of space defense. To address this imbalance and the serious risk of underinvestment, the Space Force must have the freedom to advocate directly for its resources without competing against other branches.
The case for legislative autonomy
A solution to this challenge is to grant the Space Force legislative autonomy akin to how the U.S. Marine Corps has operational independence within the Department of the Navy. Like the Marine Corps, the Space Force must be able to engage directly with Congress to present its mission needs without filtering through the broader priorities of the Air Force. Establishing a dedicated legislative office within the Space Force would empower the branch to highlight the distinct nature of its mission and secure funding tailored to address these specific challenges.
This autonomy would streamline the legislative process and ensure that Congress understands the pressing threats in space — and the tailored resources necessary to confront them. By advocating for its own clear legislative voice, the Space Force can secure funding for essential capabilities like satellite defense, advanced space-based intelligence and resilient communications infrastructure, ensuring it is fully prepared to meet the intensifying demands of the space domain.
Funding shortfalls and the risks of underinvestment
Satellites and space-based assets are crucial to military operations, from GPS-guided systems to the intelligence that shapes defense strategy. Without adequate funding, the Space Force will struggle to protect these assets.
The U.S. cannot afford to relegate space to a backseat function. Simply tacking on incremental budget increases that only sustain the status quo won’t cut it — our adversaries are advancing, and without significant investment, we’ll be outpaced. To remain competitive, the Space Force needs a budget that truly reflects the urgency and complexity of its mission.
A call to action
It’s time for Congress to take decisive action and enable the Space Force to fully execute its mission. First, it should grant the Space Force legislative autonomy that would allow it to advocate for its priorities and needs directly with lawmakers. Second, the Space Force’s funding must shift to match the scale and immediacy of threats in space.
On the Space Force’s fifth anniversary, our resolve to secure America’s future in space is stronger than ever — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If the U.S. doesn’t adapt and fortify its space capabilities, we risk ceding ground to adversaries like China, which is relentlessly advancing its strategic foothold in space. Congress has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to equip the Space Force with the authority and resources it needs to affirm our leadership in this vital domain and safeguard our nation’s interests for the challenges ahead.
Angel Smith is the executive director of the SmallSat Alliance and currently serves as general manager of Strategic Global Enablement at Microsoft.
Charles Beames is an aerospace investor, chairman of the SmallSat Alliance and York Space Systems, and the executive chairman of SpiderOak and TrustPoint Inc.