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Space Force Galactic Mission
by David Vergun, DOD News
October 29, 2020
Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, provided remarks from the
Pentagon at the virtual Air Force Rapid
Sustainment Office Advanced Manufacturing Olympics on October 22,
2020.
"A
war that begins or extends into space will be fought over great
distances at tremendous speeds, posing significant challenges," said
Raymond, noting Great Power competition with Russia and China,
outlined in the National Defense Strategy, which could pose future
challenges.
Spacecom's area of responsibility extends from
100 kilometers above Earth's surface to the outer edge of the
universe, he noted.
Today, we're entering a defining period
for this country in space. Our nation is leading an expansive spirit
of space exploration and experimentation,'' Space Force Gen. John
W. "Jay" Raymond, commander, U.S. Space Command
On-orbit
capabilities move at speeds greater than 17,500 miles per hour.
Direct ascent and satellite missiles can reach low-Earth orbit in a
matter of minutes, Raymond said. Electronic attack and
directed-energy weapons move at the speed of light.
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September 5, 2020 - Air Force Senior Airman Peyton Van Nest, a radio frequency transmission system technician with the 51st Combat Communications Special Mission Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, GA sets up a satellite communications antenna during Exercise Agile Reaper at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks)
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In
response, Raymond provided a galactic roadmap to what his service is
doing. He said his guidance to Space Force's space professionals at
all levels is to be bold, innovative; use the outstanding talent the
service has; and be lean, agile and fast.
"Since
establishment, we have slashed bureaucracy, delegated authority and
enhanced accountability," he said.
The Space Force is working with
industry, both big and small, and academia to find the "disruptive
innovators and incubators for change," he remarked.
Today, our
space capabilities are, by far, the best in the world, he said, but
they were built for an uncontested domain.
The U.S. needs a
more defensible architecture, he said, and one that is equipped for
offensive operations should deterrence fail.
The challenge is
that all of this capability has to come at an affordable price, he
added.
Advanced manufacturing is rapidly transforming the way
space capabilities are designed and delivered, he said, meaning that
these could soon be affordable for the department.
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September 5, 2020 - Air Force Master Sgt. Lakisha DeJesus, assigned to Joint Task Force Civil Support, attaches a power supply to a satellite communication terminal outside a local hotel during Vibrant Response 20 Lite in Williamsburg, VA.
(U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)
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Spacecraft fuel tanks,
antennas, structures and engines are already being produced via
techniques with materials uniquely tailored for space, Raymond said.
"These technologies allow us to move rapidly from capability design
to prototyping."
Raymond mentioned that America is a
spacefaring nation and has long led military, civil and commercial
space centers. "Today, we're entering a defining period for this
country in space. Our nation is leading an expansive spirit of space
exploration and experimentation. And we are strongest when space is
secure, stable and accessible to enterprising Americans for
scientific, economic and security interests."
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