The US Space Force may only be in its infancy as an official military branch, but it is quickly expanding its role in protecting cybersecurity operations and terrestrial security. In the fiscal year 2024 budget proposal, the Space Force has requested $700 million for cybersecurity, a significant increase from the $280 million it received in the fiscal year 2021.
For the fiscal year 2024, the Space Force has requested a budget of $30 billion. The $700 million allocated for cybersecurity will “enhance the cyber defense of our critical networks associated with space operations,” said Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations.
According to SpaceNews, Gen. Saltzman did not provide details of what cybersecurity capabilities are being funded in the 2024 request. He said the Space Force is investing in software and hardware, but also in training for operators.
The Space Force’s cybersecurity efforts are focused on protecting its satellite networks, which are critical for military communications and reconnaissance. The service is working to develop more secure satellite systems, as well as investing in new technologies to detect and mitigate cyber threats.
Ukraine and Russia war highlights need for securing satellite systems
The need for protecting satellite systems for communications and reconnaissance intensified with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Satellite systems have repeatedly become targets for cyberattacks in efforts to deny the opposition of critical systems.
In the fall of 2022, US President Joe Biden threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin that any attempt to interfere with US commercial satellite systems would be met “in an appropriate way.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned that any satellites utilized by the US or its allies to benefit Ukraine would be the target for a “retaliatory strike.”
Space Force cyber efforts directly tied to national security
The Space Force also partners with the National Security Agency (NSA) to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. The NSA has been providing technical assistance and training to the Space Force’s cyber personnel, and the two organizations are working together to develop new technologies to protect space assets.
In addition to its cybersecurity efforts, the Space Force is also working to improve its space situational awareness, which refers to the ability to track and monitor objects in space. This is critical for preventing collisions and other space-based incidents that could threaten US satellites and other space assets.
Overall, the Space Force’s increased cybersecurity spending is part of a broader effort to ensure the US maintains its superiority in space. As space becomes increasingly contested, cybersecurity will play a critical role in protecting US interests and ensuring the country’s national security.
