At the 2025 Space & Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. Space Command leader Gen. Stephen Whiting underscored the vital importance of developing enhanced on-orbit mobility for satellites. He stressed that the ability for satellites to maneuver swiftly and strategically—especially in geosynchronous orbit—is key to maintaining “space superiority.”
Whiting explained that unlike traditional operations focused on simply moving satellites from point A to B, modern space missions require satellites to make unpredictable, tactical maneuvers to evade threats, protect their mission, and exploit new opportunities. Without sufficient fuel or mobility, satellites become vulnerable and predictable targets.
The general argued that military forces in all domains rely on maneuver warfare to gain battlefield advantages and that space operations must adopt the same philosophy—allowing satellites to maneuver freely, evade threats, and even pursue offensive actions when needed.
He also provided updates on SPACECOM initiatives like Operation Olympic Defender, a multinational alliance including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the U.K., designed to coordinate collective defense efforts in space. The coalition has achieved initial operational capability and is progressing toward full readiness.
Additionally, SPACECOM recently completed a missile warning and defense data fusion pilot, integrating multiple data streams into a unified “single pane of glass” for analysts and operators, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making. Future projects will enhance these capabilities by adding space attack assessment tools for prolonged conflict scenarios.
