Air Force and Space Force leaders identified domain awareness and counterspace systems as top priorities in fiscal 2026. Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman emphasized the critical need for understanding the space environment and protecting against potential threats. The Space Force’s $30 billion budget is seen as insufficient to meet growing demands for space capabilities, with calls for doubling or tripling its budget in the coming years.
Funding for the Space Force could be impacted by a potential decrease in the FY25 budget proposed by Congress, with the House appropriating committee’s policy bill cutting about $900 million from the Space Force’s request. The Pentagon may also redistribute space funding from the Air Force or other services to meet key mission needs.
The Space Force is working to develop the ideal force structure over the next 10 to 15 years, focusing on counterspace capabilities, domain awareness, missile warning and tracking, and space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The Army has also announced plans to enhance its investments in space capabilities, though questions remain regarding potential competition for resources. Saltzman views space funding as a shared resource among branches and emphasizes the need for strategic allocation of resources.
