In Space, baby steps and a ponderous ‘pivot’: 2022 in Review

In Space, baby steps and a ponderous ‘pivot’: 2022 in Review
In Space, baby steps and a ponderous ‘pivot’: 2022 in Review

For the newest military arm, this year saw it plant the seeds for important changes in everything from strategy to acquisition.

‘Father of the Space Force’ Raymond retires, as Saltzman takes command

‘Father of the Space Force’ Raymond retires, as Saltzman takes command
‘Father of the Space Force’ Raymond retires, as Saltzman takes command

“A resilient, ready and combat capable Space Force is indispensable to deterrence today, tomorrow and every day after that,” the new Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said today. “And in the worst case, if deterrence fails, the Space Force will be an indispensable component of our joint force at war.”

Space Force completes space-based JSTARS replacement analysis, will inform future budgets

Space Force completes space-based JSTARS replacement analysis, will inform future budgets
Space Force completes space-based JSTARS replacement analysis, will inform future budgets

The Space Force is “working with all the other services and combat commanders to determine what are their requirements for ISR that we can then work with our partners in the Intelligence Community to figure out how best to satisfy those requirements,” CSO Gen. Jay Raymond said.

Space Force targets 2027 for resilient on-orbit posture initial capability

Space Force targets 2027 for resilient on-orbit posture initial capability
Space Force targets 2027 for resilient on-orbit posture initial capability

“What we’re trying to do is just like you do with your financial portfolios, where you diversify your financial portfolio, so you don’t go broke if one stock takes a tumble. We want to do the same thing with our satellite architecture,” said CSO Gen. Jay Raymond.

Two finalists emerge for next Space Force chief: Sources

Two finalists emerge for next Space Force chief: Sources
Two finalists emerge for next Space Force chief: Sources

Sources tell Breaking Defense that two names — Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting and Lt. Gen. John Shaw — have been sent to the White House for potential nomination as the new Space Force chief.

Question of Space National Guard heats up following legislation, hearings

Question of Space National Guard heats up following legislation, hearings
Question of Space National Guard heats up following legislation, hearings

Not establishing a Space National Guard was “a mistake when Space Force was created,” said Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., in announcing a proposed bill to “remedy that.”

After IG revelations, CO politicians push need for speed in basing SPACECOM HQ

After IG revelations, CO politicians push need for speed in basing SPACECOM HQ
After IG revelations, CO politicians push need for speed in basing SPACECOM HQ

A draft version of a DoD inspector general report, obtained by Breaking Defense, said an Alabama HQ was justified, even after top military officials made a last-minute push for Colorado Springs.

EXCLUSIVE: OIG finds Trump’s Huntsville choice for SPACECOM HQ justified

EXCLUSIVE: OIG finds Trump’s Huntsville choice for SPACECOM HQ justified
EXCLUSIVE: OIG finds Trump’s Huntsville choice for SPACECOM HQ justified

The final OIG report redacts details in the draft version, obtained by Breaking Defense, about how arguments by top military brass jumped Colorado Springs to DoD’s first choice only days before Trump’s briefing.

Kendall’s ‘message’ to Space Force: support missions are central role

Kendall’s ‘message’ to Space Force: support missions are central role
Kendall’s ‘message’ to Space Force: support missions are central role

Kendall’s remarks, which came as a surprise to many, including several Space Force officers at the Space Symposium, serves as a direction for where the service should prioritize.

Space Force’s top priority for next decade: Resiliency, says CSO Raymond

Space Force’s top priority for next decade: Resiliency, says CSO Raymond
Space Force’s top priority for next decade: Resiliency, says CSO Raymond

“Our joint and coalition forces that are requiring the space capabilities that we provide, and they can’t be treated as a given anymore,” Gen. John Raymond said.

US, close allies sign ‘call to action’ in space defense

US, close allies sign ‘call to action’ in space defense
US, close allies sign ‘call to action’ in space defense

The new military accord signed by Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US presages joint stance on future space norms.

Space Force to loft 2 new ‘neighborhood watch’ sats, as leader frets launch funds

Space Force to loft 2 new ‘neighborhood watch’ sats, as leader frets launch funds
Space Force to loft 2 new ‘neighborhood watch’ sats, as leader frets launch funds

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond said should a year-long continuing resolution come to pass, the disruption for sat launches would “ripple” for years.

Space Force’s data transport layer is linchpin of JADC2: Raymond

Space Force’s data transport layer is linchpin of JADC2: Raymond
Space Force’s data transport layer is linchpin of JADC2: Raymond

“I’ve been saying, kind of tongue in cheek, we’ve been JADC2 before it was cool,” Space Force chief Gen. Jay Raymond told CSIS.

Exclusive: Space Warfighting Analysis Center chief on creating ‘something out of nothing’

Exclusive: Space Warfighting Analysis Center chief on creating ‘something out of nothing’
Exclusive: Space Warfighting Analysis Center chief on creating ‘something out of nothing’

SWAC Director Andrew Cox joked that his office would be “building Pinocchios” if it can’t move its blueprints for change into real-boy programs with funding behind them.