The US Space Force is taking a serious step towards becoming a truly combat-ready and well-coordinated structure. Now, those who buy and build satellites will work in conjunction with those who then use them in real operations. This was announced on July 23 by Lieutenant General Philip Garrant at the Ascend conference, the main space forum from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
In fact, we are talking about a complete restructuring. Instead of developing satellites "at random" or according to abstract technical specifications, now everything will be built around specific tasks — for example, warning of missile attacks or space surveillance. For this purpose, new divisions are being created — the so-called delta system units. They will be responsible for the purchase, creation and launch of satellites.
And in parallel, there are delta missions that are already working in the Space Operations Command and control these very satellites every day. Now these two teams — those who build and those who use — will work hand in hand. Moreover, operators will now be responsible for updating, maintaining, and even decommissioning equipment themselves. That is, the full life cycle — from the idea to the disposal.
Why all this? To remove bureaucracy and speed up processes. Previously, if a satellite had a problem, you had to wait for the two generals (procurement and operations) to come to an agreement. Now, two colonels — one from the "system delta", the other from the "delta mission" - just sit down at the table and resolve the issue on the spot.
According to Garrant, the Space Force is moving from the stage of "we are just being created" to the stage of "we are a full—fledged military service." Now the form adapts to the function: everything is built around specific combat missions, and not abstract departments like "intelligence" or "cybersecurity".
As a result, satellites should become more reliable, appear faster in space and better meet the real needs of the army. And this, in turn, can greatly strengthen the US position in the space race, especially against the background of the activity of China and Russia.
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