The military is beginning to think about how best to protect space assets from increasing threats, but there is still a long way to go. Audrey Schaffer, the director of space strategy and plans for the Defense Department, said Thursday the Pentagon is “beginning [to make] changes to architecture” to ensure space capabilities could be available in the face of threats. “But that’s just beginning,” she said. Future administrations need to continue this focus to harden space assets to deter allies from not just operating in space, but threatening the US in any theater that involves space-based capabilities. This needs to be addressed in multiple ways: enhancing the resilience of current architectures, developing new defensive operations, and addressing how to replenish capabilities if they are lost.
The Air Force achieved its goal of recruiting 32,750 Active-Duty enlisted Airmen for 2026 five months ahead of schedule, military officials said this week—its biggest recruiting year in more than two decades.