In December 2019, Congress authorized the creation of the Space Force, a military branch led by Gen. Jay Raymond, its inaugural chief of space operations. Raymond described the Space Force’s small size as an asset, comparing it to a startup company, emphasizing its ability to remain lean, agile, and mission-focused. In a March 2020 House Armed Services Committee hearing, he stated, “We are establishing a Space Force that is lean, agile, and mission-focused.”
Since its inception, the Space Force’s budget has doubled to approximately $30 billion for fiscal 2025. Current leaders, including Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, have suggested that to meet future demands, the budget may need to double or triple. Kendall expressed in a previous interview that larger budgets or internal trading among military services would be necessary for further developments.
The trajectory of securing a larger budget is uncertain, even with the anticipated return of former President Donald Trump, who oversaw the service’s creation. Analysts indicate that Trump’s enthusiasm for space may not directly equate to increased funding. Todd Harrison, a senior defense policy fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, remarked that the Secretary of Defense’s stance on the budget will significantly influence funding decisions, rather than the president’s direct involvement.
As plans unfold, Trump is expected to nominate Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, to lead the Pentagon. Harrison notes that Hegseth’s position regarding the Space Force budget remains unclear, highlighting the need for Space Force leadership to advocate compellingly for their funding needs. Trump’s nomination for Air Force Secretary has yet to be announced; an appointee with a space background could boost investment in the Space Force, according to Harrison.
Doug Loverro, a consultant with extensive experience in space leadership, warned that regardless of who leads the Pentagon, the Space Force will need to clearly justify its funding needs to the new administration, which may prove challenging. Loverro noted that while organizational plans are underway to expedite acquisition programs, the Space Force has yet to demonstrate operational capabilities swiftly.
Looking ahead, Loverro predicts a shift toward placing more emphasis on operational capabilities rather than conceptual demonstrations, aligning with Project 2025—a 900-page conservative strategy for the next Trump administration. This blueprint suggests ending the current development phases of concepts and moving towards the fielding of offensive systems, driving a push for the Space Force to prioritize operational readiness.
Under this new focus, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is expected to launch hundreds of spacecraft to support missile tracking and data transport missions, although its initial satellites will prioritize capability demonstration. With the first operational satellites anticipated by 2026, the government is calling for a strategy that emphasizes “strength in numbers” to withstand potential threats in space.
Strategists suggest that the next administration may open discussions about fielding capabilities analogous to those exhibited by nations like China and Russia. Projects aiming for an increase in satellite proliferation will necessitate extensive funding and the expansion of capabilities beyond the missile tracking and data systems initiated by the SDA.
While the prospects for budget increases remain uncertain due to political dynamics, congressional support for defense spending could impact the Space Force. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker has proposed a $55 billion yet faces challenges from budget hawks in the House, potentially complicating funding trajectories for the Space Force.
Ultimately, the future of Space Force funding hinges on evolving political landscapes, ongoing defense priorities, and strategic planning within the Pentagon. Additionally, Trump’s potential influence, particularly through advisors like Elon Musk, may shape the Space Force’s direction and budgetary decisions, albeit with caution about Musk’s role leading to direct funding requests.
Courtney Albon, the reporter covering this topic for C4ISRNET, has been reporting on the U.S. military’s integration of space and emerging technologies since 2012.
