Space Force to launch first guardian into space this summer

The first U.S. Space Force guardian will be launched into space this summer. Jerry Porter, chief of public affairs at Space Launch Delta 45, announced during the Space Mobility Conference that a guardian will be sent into space via NASA in August. The mission marks the first launch of a guardian into space, but Col. Mike Hopkins was the first Space Force officer in space when he transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force while orbiting the Earth aboard the International Space Station in 2020. Space officials discussed pursuing on-orbit satellite refueling and repair work at the conference, but the Space Force isn’t planning to send guardians for on-orbit work. Since its inception, the Space Force has not shown any intention to deploy troops into orbit.