Tag: space operations
7 articles
Japan Air Force Renamed to Reflect Expanded Space Domain Role
Japan is taking a giant leap in its defense strategy, renaming its air force to the Japan Aerospace Self-Defense Force to reflect its expanded role in the space domain. This move, approved by parliament on June 26, 2026, will take effect on April 1, 2027, and marks a significant shift in Tokyo's military capabilities.
US Space Command Targets Cislunar Space for Offensive Operations
The US Space Command is shifting its focus to cislunar space, a region between Earth and the moon, with plans for offensive operations, and has reordered its science and technology priorities to make it a top target. This move includes a push for fast on-orbit mobility and control in space.
Space Force Targets Distributed Ops, EW Sites to Bolster Resilience
The Space Force is shifting its strategy to prioritize distributed operations and electronic warfare sites, driven by the harsh lessons learned from Operation Epic Fury, where US space capabilities were targeted and destroyed for the first time. This new reality demands a bold response to safeguard ground-based US space systems.
Inertial Navigation Emerges as Imperative for Land Warfare
The US Space Operations chief warns that adversaries are deploying counterspace capabilities at a mind-boggling pace, turning GNSS, once a cornerstone of modern warfare, into a double-edged sword vulnerable to jamming and spoofing. This threat is no longer confined to major powers, but has become a routine feature of even lower-intensity conflicts.
Space Force Scrambles to Expand Launch Capacity Amid Rocket Surge
The Space Force is racing to boost its launch capacity as rocket missions skyrocket, with a staggering surge from 36 launches in 2021 to over 200 planned for this year from just two primary sites. With demand showing no signs of slowing, the service is scrambling to keep pace.
White House Taps Schiess to Lead Space Force
As the Space Force is poised for a massive expansion with a proposed $71.2 billion budget, the White House has tapped Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to lead the charge as its third Chief of Space Operations. With his current role as deputy chief of operations, Schiess is well-positioned to take the reins and drive the service's growth.
Air Force Launches AMTI with Satellite Tracking Competition
The Air Force is shaking things up with its new Advanced Missile Tracking Initiative (AMTI), launching a satellite tracking competition that could revolutionize how airborne activity is observed and contested from space. With contract awards for the first operational systems expected soon, the stage is set for a game-changing leap in space-based aircraft tracking.