Thomas D. Taverney

Today threats in space are significant. Increasingly, U.S. space capabilities are contested, as Russia and China pursue threatening capabilities to challenge what was once U.S. dominance and have become near parity.

The traditional ways of doing space acquisition must be reformed in order to add speed to our acquisitions to meet our priorities.

The growing frequency of intentional and unintentional incidents in space proves the case for resiliency. 

With roots in the near-space photo reconnaissance of the U-2 Dragon Lady, space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance has become increasingly sophisticated and valuable over the past 65 years. Things will only get more interesting in the future.

Growing threats raise the stakes for why the U.S. must prevail in this essential domain. 

The U.S. Space Force has done much in its first 16 months. We must allow it to unlock its full potential, by providing it with the tools and authorities to accomplish its mission. The new service should be authorized to unify the department so everyone ...