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ORLANDO, Fla. — The U.S. Space Force is taking a measured approach to developing its in-orbit logistics capabilities, as military leaders continue to evaluate commercial technologies and interagency responsibilities for satellite servicing operations, senior officials said Jan. 28 at the Space Mobility Conference.
Following a $30 million congressional allocation in 2023 aimed at accelerating these efforts, the Space Force has yet to solidify its long-term strategy for in-space services — a mix of capabilities that would allow the military to maintain and reposition satellites in orbit.
“We’re focused on understanding the state of the technology and also on understanding what the government is doing,” Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, who leads the Space Force’s Assured Access to Space office, told the conference.
Panzenhagen oversees a newly established office at Space Systems Command dedicated to servicing, mobility, and logistics, which has already awarded contracts to commercial players including Astroscale, Starfish Space, Northrop Grumman and Orbit Fab for various prototype projects.
Space Force Maj. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, a special assistant to the chief of space operations, indicated in remarks at the conference that funding for these initiatives remains to be determined. “We’re still working through the 2026 budget proposals,” he said, and it’s too early to say whether servicing and logistics programs will make the cut. He noted that the Pentagon’s overall military budget proposals for 2026 remain under review by the new administration before being submitted to Congress.
Supporting satellites for maneuvering operations
The push for enhanced space logistics capabilities comes as military planners recognize that static satellites designed decades ago no longer meet modern defense needs. Next-generation spacecraft must be able to maneuver to evade threats like orbital weapons and debris — a capability that requires robust in-space support infrastructure.
Former U.S. Space Command deputy commander, retired Lt. Gen. John Shaw, drew a parallel to aerial refueling, which revolutionized military aviation by dramatically extending operational range. In a speech at the conference, Shaw argued that developing similar logistics capabilities in space is crucial for future operations.
However, the path forward remains complex. Multiple government organizations currently oversee various aspects of in-space servicing and logistics, including the Space Force, the Defense Innovation Unit, Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA’s Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC). Questions also remain about responsibility for orbital debris cleanup and logistics operations in cislunar space — the region around the Moon.
The Space Mobility Conference, now in its third year, serves as a forum for military-industry dialogue on these challenges. While the U.S. maintains strong space access capabilities through commercial launch vehicles and infrastructure, developing a comprehensive space mobility and logistics network represents the next frontier in military space operations.