When Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall unveiled his seven no-fail mission priorities two years ago, creating a resilient space architecture was at the top of the list. The emphasis on space resilience is underpinned by the importance of capabilities like GPS, satellite communications, and space-based intelligence collection in military operations, as well as threats from adversaries like China and Russia. The Space Force was created in 2019 to strengthen the military space enterprise by centralizing resources and organization.

In recent years, progress has been made in defining a more resilient space architecture, focusing on fielding smaller satellites in diverse orbits. However, Air Force and Space Force budgets need to grow to fund the necessary systems. The Space Force’s budget has nearly doubled since its establishment, but future funding remains uncertain due to constraints imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Gen. Michael Guetlein warned that current budget limitations are impacting the Space Force’s ability to respond to combatant command requirements and close the capability gap with potential adversaries. Efforts to secure more funding could come from congressional increases, internal Department of Defense trades, or budget reallocations. The Space Force is working to identify the optimal force structure for the next 10 to 15 years, with a focus on offensive and defensive counterspace capabilities.

The development of the Space Force’s counterspace architecture is a classified process that includes a strategy for responsible use of capabilities. A new organization, Space Futures Command, is responsible for putting together the puzzle of force design. The Space Force plans to submit its first objective force design in fall 2025 and will update it every five years. Overall, the focus on space resilience and the creation of Space Futures Command are expected to shape the Space Force’s strategy and decision-making for years to come.