The key point in the debate about space weaponization is understanding “how critically dependent” the United States is upon space capabilities, Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center, told defense writers March 10 in Washington, D.C. “We as a nation derive extraordinary asymmetric advantages in terms of our world leadership, our military capabilities and the like,” he said. Retaining this edge means that the US must be prepared to defend its space systems against those seeking to deny it the use of them, he said. “We all, as a matter of international norms, accept the free and open use of space,” he said. “And when that is threatened, it is an obligation we have to ensure that we can protect America’s interests.”
To meet growing demand for national security space capabilities, the Space Force's top enlisted leader says it needs to double in size. The Space Force has already surpassed its recruiting goals for fiscal 2026 and was at 125 percent of its goal after just five months.
