Space Force News

(2 Articles)

Did the Pentagon do enough to convince Congress it needs a Space Force?

By: Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna April 12, 2019

WASHINGTON — A high-powered panel of Pentagon officials faced a group of skeptical senators Thursday during a key moment in the department’s push to create a new branch of the military focused on space.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford and U.S. Strategic Command chief Gen. John Hyten appeared together in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee to argue on behalf of the Space Force.

MOAR: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2019/04/11/did-the-pentagon-do-enough-to-convince-congress-it-needs-a-space-force/

National Reconnaissance Office could join Space Force down the road, Shanahan says

By: Aaron Mehta and Joe Gould April 12, 2019

WASHINGTON — Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Thursday indicated there could be an integration of the National Reconnaissance Office into the Space Force down the line, despite a decision to leave the NRO on its own for now.

Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee about the formation of Space Force, Shanahan was asked by ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., why the NRO wasn’t put under the potential new branch of the military. Shanahan’s answer: The Defense Department didn’t want to delay a Space Force while it figures out how to work NRO into the picture.

MOAR: https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2019/04/11/national-reconnaissance-office-could-join-space-force-down-the-road-shanahan-says/