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There’s a divide within the Space Force. Congress is forcing the service to address it
The new service was supposed to meld the “tribes” of operators and acquisition specialists. It didn’t happen.
December 11, 2025 | Thomas Novelly
Trump’s ‘Iron Dome for America’ plan would put weapons in space, at a big cost
It’s a Cold War concept for a mission whose threats and tools have long since changed.
January 30, 2025 | Patrick Tucker
As space weapons proliferate, spy satellites are getting new duties
Space Force signs selects Vantor to watch for naughty satellites, space threats.
October 22, 2025 | Patrick Tucker
Elon Musk’s SpaceX took money directly from Chinese investors, company insider testifies
The newly unsealed testimony marks the first time direct Chinese investment in the company has been disclosed, raising new questions about foreign stakes in one of America’s most important military contractors.
October 2, 2025 | Justin Elliott and Joshua Kaplan
China is practicing ‘dogfighting’ in space, Space Force says
The capability gap between the U.S. and its competitors has “significantly narrowed.”
March 18, 2025 | Audrey Decker
Space Command HQ will move to Alabama, Trump says
Colorado’s use of mail-in voting influenced his decision, he said.
September 2, 2025 | Audrey Decker
China is working on reusable rockets—and a strategic leap in space power
The U.S. is ahead, but China’s ability to close the gap should not be underestimated.
August 14, 2025 | Peter W. Singer and Alex Nova
China is bringing gray-zone warfare to space
Space is increasingly looking like the South China Sea.
June 17, 2025 | Patrick Tucker
Industry eyes ‘wicked hard’ Golden Dome space interceptor challenge
Defense companies are eager to stake claims in Trump’s Golden Dome vision.
April 18, 2025 | Audrey Decker
The US needs ‘weapons in space,’ SPACECOM head says
The Pentagon has long been hesitant to call for or acknowledge the development of orbital weaponry.
April 8, 2025 | Audrey Decker
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20 Comments
The selection of Vantor to watch for space threats and naughty satellites is a step in the right direction, but I wonder if it’s enough to keep up with the rapidly evolving space warfare landscape, especially with China’s reusable rockets and strategic leap in space power.
The Space Force’s plan to develop ‘weapons in space’ is a controversial issue, and it’s unclear if it’s the right approach to address the growing threats in space, it’s a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the potential consequences and risks.
The Space Force’s plan to put weapons in space, as mentioned in Trump’s ‘Iron Dome for America’ plan, is a concept that seems outdated and could be costly, I’m not sure if it’s the best approach to address the current threats in space.
The fact that China is working on reusable rockets is a sign that they are serious about closing the gap in space power, it’s a strategic challenge that requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach, not just a military one.
China’s ability to close the gap in space power should not be underestimated, as they are working on reusable rockets and have already demonstrated ‘dogfighting’ capabilities in space, it’s a wake-up call for the US to reassess its space strategy.
The Golden Dome space interceptor challenge is a ‘wicked hard’ problem, but it’s one that defense companies are eager to tackle, I’m curious to see how they will approach this complex issue and what solutions they will propose.
The Golden Dome concept is ambitious, but it’s unclear if it’s feasible with current technology.
The decision to move Space Command HQ to Alabama is a surprise, especially since it was influenced by political considerations, it’s unclear how this will impact the effectiveness of the Space Force and its ability to address the growing threats in space.
The fact that China is bringing gray-zone warfare to space is a concerning development, it’s a sign that the rules of engagement in space are changing and the US needs to adapt its strategy to address these new threats.
The US needs to develop ‘weapons in space’ as mentioned by the SPACECOM head, but I’m not convinced that this is the right approach, we need to consider the long-term consequences and potential escalation of space warfare.
I’m skeptical about the decision to move Space Command HQ to Alabama, especially since it was influenced by Colorado’s use of mail-in voting, it seems like a politically motivated decision rather than one based on strategic or operational needs.
The US needs to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the growing threats in space, including the proliferation of space weapons and the increasing competition from China and other adversaries, it’s a complex issue that requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach.
The fact that Elon Musk’s SpaceX took money directly from Chinese investors raises questions about foreign stakes in one of America’s most important military contractors and the potential risks to national security, it’s alarming to think about the implications.
This is a serious concern, especially considering the sensitive nature of SpaceX’s work with the US military.
The US is ahead in space power, but China’s ability to close the gap should not be underestimated, it’s a strategic challenge that requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach, not just a military one.
The US needs to consider diplomatic and economic measures to address the growing competition in space.
The proliferation of space weapons is a serious concern, and the fact that spy satellites are getting new duties is a sign that the US is trying to keep up with the changing landscape, but it’s unclear if it’s enough to counter the threats posed by China and other adversaries.
The Space Force’s inability to meld the ‘tribes’ of operators and acquisition specialists is a significant issue, it’s a cultural and organizational problem that needs to be addressed in order to effectively counter the growing threats in space.
The fact that China is practicing ‘dogfighting’ in space is a sign that the capability gap between the US and its competitors has ‘significantly narrowed’, it’s a wake-up call for the US to reassess its space strategy and invest in new technologies and capabilities.
I’m concerned about the divide within the Space Force between operators and acquisition specialists, as it could hinder the service’s ability to effectively address the growing threats in space, such as China’s ‘dogfighting’ capabilities.