The Space Force expects to begin early operations of its new Futures Command before the end of this year, according to Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, the service’s chief strategy and resourcing officer. Bratton hopes to have a task force of 10 to 15 personnel in place by this summer to lay the groundwork for the command, aiming for initial operations before the end of 2024.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman announced the creation of the command on Feb. 12 as part of organizational changes meant to better deter and counter threats from China. The Space Futures Command will focus on three primary functions: Concepts and Technology Center, Wargaming Center, and the Space Warfighting Analysis Center.
Bratton pointed to cislunar operations and on-orbit servicing and logistics as two mission areas Space Futures Command may explore in the near term. Cislunar refers to the area between geostationary orbit and the moon, and the new command could help refine how the service might operate in cislunar and what threats it may encounter.
Servicing, mobility, and logistics are emerging missions for the Space Force as it looks to extend the life of its satellites and change the way it maneuvers them. The Space Force has demonstrations planned in the coming years around on-orbit refueling and how it contributes to the Space Force’s role in future conflicts.
