The Air Force has selected Maj. Gen. John T. Sheridan to be the first person to hold the new “crossover” position meant to bridge any gap between the National Reconnaissance Office and the Air Force and run point for the airmen who comprise the bulk of NRO’s workforce. USAF and NRO officials announced in June that they had reached agreement on a new working relationship that included installing a USAF two-star as NRO deputy director. Sheridan has been serving as program executive officer and system program director for the space radar program and will retain that position, as well.
A new White House policy calls for the Pentagon to craft plans for additional space launch facilities to support a projected increase in launch demand that could see the U.S. supporting as many as 1,000 launches by 2030, more than a fivefold increase from 2025.