On July 2, 2023, at 7:00 a.m. EDT, Major General Stephen Purdy, the commander of the 45th Space Wing, made a significant announcement. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)Comment on this storyCommentCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The uniforms of the U.S. Space Force may resemble costumes from “Battlestar Galactica,” and the logo might remind you of “Star Trek.” Even the name given to its members, “guardians,” seems straight out of a science fiction novel. However, three years after its establishment as the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Space Force is very much a reality.
The Space Force has adopted a motto, “Sempra Supra” or “Always Above,” which is fitting for an agency whose future lies outside Earth’s atmosphere. It also has an official song, a melodic anthem about guardians “boldly reaching into space” (though not as catchy as “The Army Goes Rolling Along”). With a budget of $26 billion last year, similar to NASA’s, and bases spread across the country, the Space Force’s mission is to transform the military’s approach to space as it has become a critical arena for military operations.
“We are now clearly in the next chapter of the Space Force,” said General David Thompson, the vice chief of space operations, during an event hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The mission of the Space Force is to become an “enterprise that ensures we are prepared to deliver warfighting capabilities.”
However, the practical implications of this mission are still somewhat unclear. The Space Force remains one of the least understood branches of the federal government. Its leaders are still shaping its culture and identity, emphasizing that, as a new and smaller service, it has the freedom to operate differently from the Air Force, Navy, and Army. While the Air Force has over 300,000 service members, the Space Force has only 13,000 guardians.
Internally, analysts suggest that Space Force officials are still debating the service’s priorities. This tension illuminates the fundamental question of what the Space Force truly is or should be. Should its focus be on supporting ground warfighters, protecting assets in space, or both? Despite all the talk of fresh starts and agility, the Space Force operates within the rigid structures of the Pentagon, the world’s largest bureaucracy, which is often criticized for resisting change and clinging to traditional practices.
Even when General Chance Saltzman, the chief of space operations, introduced the guiding principles for the force, he explicitly labeled them a “theory of success” rather than doctrine, indicating his desire for ongoing evolution. “I’m proposing this theory so that people can debate with me,” he stated during an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington earlier this year. “So we can refine what truly matters and what details need further refinement.”
Nevertheless, a glimpse into the current state and future aspirations of the Space Force can be seen on the Florida Space Coast, where the Space Age began in the United States and where a new era of space exploration, driven primarily by the private space industry’s growth, is taking hold.
Thanks to companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the number of launches on the Space Coast has significantly increased, leading to changes in the area’s landscape, including landing pads for SpaceX’s reusable rockets and the transfer of historic launch sites, such as pad 39A, into private hands. Other companies like Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are also taking over vacant launchpads, aiming to send their rockets into orbit. As a result, the official name of the area has changed, and it is now known as Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The growth in launches is remarkable. In 2021, NASA and the Space Force combined for 31 rocket launches. The number jumped to 57 last year, and it’s predicted to exceed 90 this year. Some experts even project that the number could eventually surpass 200, 300, or more. Given this projection, a top Space Force general recognized the need for managing the increased traffic. Last spring, Major General Stephen Purdy organized a meeting with his staff at Orlando International Airport to gather ideas. He explains that by bringing together people from different backgrounds, new and innovative ideas emerged.
The Space Force’s goal goes beyond managing airspace. They aim to redefine how the military utilizes space and transform it into a theater where the U.S. can exert the same tactical dominance it currently demonstrates in land, air, and sea operations. However, achieving this is not without challenges. Much of the military’s space infrastructure was developed at a time when space was perceived as a peaceful domain. For instance, satellites were designed to be large and resilient, lasting for years or even decades without interference. However, China and Russia have demonstrated that such satellites are vulnerable. They conducted missile strikes on dead satellites, leaving debris in Earth’s orbit for many years.
To adapt, the Space Force is shifting to constellations of smaller, more maneuverable satellites that can be easily replaced. This is just one example of how the Space Force aims to maintain “space superiority,” protecting the Defense Department’s satellites, which provide crucial functions like missile warnings, precision-guided munitions, and surveillance.
In an interview, Major General Purdy elaborated on the potential roles the Space Force could fulfill, offering a glimpse into its future. He suggested that, akin to how the Army and Marines pre-position supplies on the ground, the Space Force could store supplies in orbit and quickly deliver them to hotspots on Earth. This concept could be utilized for emergency response scenarios, such as following a tsunami or tidal wave, where an entire area is wiped out.
Additionally, the military is exploring the use of solar energy in space, beaming it down to ground stations. The Space Force could leverage this technology to deliver power to remote areas, supporting soldiers on the ground. Purdy also speculated on the idea of using rockets to swiftly transport cargo across the globe if launch rates double or triple, and costs continue to decrease.
Looking ahead, commercial space stations may become operational in Earth’s orbit. Purdy poses the question, “Can we lease a room? Can we lease a module?” The Space Force envisions space as a theater of war, with supply lines, logistical oversight, and continuous awareness of activities. However, accomplishing these tasks becomes significantly more complex in the weightless vacuum of space.
“In no other military domain would you fuel up a tank, aircraft, jeep, or ship and say, ‘You will never refuel it again,'” Purdy mentioned in an earlier interview. Unlike tanks and jets that can be repaired and refueled, satellites, the crucial vehicles relied upon by the Space Force, are not easily accessible for maintenance.
As the Space Force seeks to redefine military operations in space, its journey is still ongoing. Challenges exist in terms of clarifying priorities, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles, and shaping a cohesive identity. However, the force’s aspirations and potential are evident, particularly in the dynamic environment of the Florida Space Coast. With ongoing advancements and unprecedented growth in the space industry, the Space Force must continue evolving to stay at the forefront of this new frontier.
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