Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Safeguarding National Security: Why Mission-Critical Space Assets Must Remain Government-Owned
Regarding national defense and trustworthy deterrence, certain capabilities are indispensable and cannot be outsourced. Failures in these areas can lead to military defeats and national vulnerabilities. This is especially true in the space domain, where the U.S. military increasingly relies on commercial space services for flexibility, speed, and innovation. While we acknowledge the benefits, it’s crucial to recognize that essential space support, particularly communications and navigation systems vital for warfighters, must remain under government ownership and control. Commercial services should enhance these capabilities, not replace them entirely.
Satellites: The Warfighter’s Lifeline in Space
For a soldier or Marine, a rifle is more than simply a weapon; it’s an integral part of their being. This bond is instilled from their initial training. Similarly, satellites are crucial to a Space Guardian’s readiness. While today’s satellites don’t fire projectiles, they are equally vital for mission success. Without assured GPS, secure communications, and reliable data links, joint force commanders risk losing their capacity to effectively maneuver, target, and sustain operations. Other branches of the military understand this interdependence, becoming staunch advocates for space capabilities as they depend on them to operate effectively.
To be taken seriously as a warfighting force, the Space Force must transition from experimentation to a more strategic and decisive approach.
Communications: The Most Critical Space Mission
While all space missions have value, certain missions are more critical during conflict. Communication is paramount, serving as the essential connection between troops and command, and among various units.
Whether relying on encrypted handheld radios or a satellite-based Link 16 network connecting aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels, reliable communication under duress is second only to weaponry for warfighters. Since the earliest days of organized conflict, effective command and control have been the foundation of victory.
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This underscores the importance of ensuring that satellites providing these crucial links, especially during active combat, are owned, operated, and protected by the U.S. government. These resources should not be leased, borrowed, or subject to the vagaries of commercial availability, pricing models, or external disruptions.
The Supporting Role of Commercial Space
Based on experience, commercial space capabilities are integral to the future of national security in space. Industry provides launch services, payloads, data processing, rapid integration, and surge capacity. A strong partnership with the government in which commercial industry fills a need is essential and has been strongly advocated more than ever.
However, the rifle must remain with the Marine, and satellites with the Space Guardian, especially those supporting real-time warfighting. Relying on leased mission-critical communications during combat is akin to renting bombers for the Air Force or rifles for the infantry.
That’s not resilience; it’s risk.
Beyond Policy: Defining the Space Force’s Purpose
The Space Force, still in its early years, continues to shape its culture and mission. Popular perception remains clouded by satire and science fiction tropes. However, the present situation necessitates clarity and seriousness.
To avoid becoming fodder for a new parody, the Space Force must prioritize supporting the warfighter. This means focusing on the real-world needs of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who rely on space assets to fight and win today, not hypothetical scenarios in distant galaxies.
National defense should never be vulnerable to service interruptions, market volatility, or contractual terms. Certain capabilities are simply too important to entrust to external parties.