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• Frank A. Rose
A Brookings discussion with Gen. Chance Saltzman, then a senior fellow and now chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, examines how conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are shaping thinking about space warfare, military operations and the future role of the domain.
Space Defense & Militarization
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Space Force leaders are developing ways to demonstrate the operational realities of conflict in orbit to lawmakers, who can observe exercises involving tanks, warships and combat aircraft but lack an equivalent view of space operations. The challenge reflects the speed, distance and extended timelines that shape satellite encounters.
A Brookings discussion with Gen. Chance Saltzman, then a senior fellow and now chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, examines how conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are shaping thinking about space warfare, military operations and the future role of the domain.
An Air Force office has assumed responsibility for the sprawling M-Code effort, which aims to equip as many as one million platforms and systems with GPS receivers resistant to jamming and spoofing. Receivers intended for ships and aircraft are expected to complete testing by 2027.
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Access to commercial and allied space capabilities can improve near-term mission capacity, but it does not automatically deliver strategic autonomy. This analysis examines the risks of dependency through the Five Pillars of Space Power, distinguishing purchased access from the sovereign capabilities needed for durable influence and resilience.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping military operations across every domain, from missile and drone warfare to satellites, naval forces, airpower and cyber operations. The accelerating integration of AI into weapons and command systems raises consequential questions about escalation, control and the future role of humans in decisions involving weapons of mass destruction.
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Tesla is reportedly considering selling or spinning off its China operations as part of preparations for a potential merger with SpaceX. A separate China business could reduce regulatory complications tied to SpaceX’s U.S. defense work and possible scrutiny from Beijing, though Musk has denied plans to separate the unit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked U.S. President Donald Trump to enable Starlink support for operations targeting ballistic-missile launchers inside Russia. The request would expand the role of commercial satellite connectivity in Ukraine’s military targeting and strike activities.
Satellite imagery has reportedly detected fresh burn scars and active fires at Amazon data centers and at a Saudi oil refinery, indicating continued strikes affecting critical energy and cloud infrastructure. The observations add to the growing body of satellite-based assessments of wartime damage in the region.
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