Space Force operations center at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Credit: U.S. Space Force
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force’s proposed $71 billion budget for fiscal 2027 is drawing attention for its investments in missile-warning satellites, proliferated low Earth orbit constellations and other big-ticket systems. Less visible, but increasingly central to the service’s plans, is a major buildout of the ground infrastructure needed to operate those systems during a conflict.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel, director of plans and programs on the Space Force headquarters staff, said he is frequently asked how the service plans to invest such a large influx of new funding.
Speaking May 28 at the State of the Space Industrial Base conference hosted by NewSpace Nexus in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Fernengel said the overarching objective is to build a larger, more resilient and technologically advanced force capable of maintaining U.S. military advantages in space.
People tend to focus on “kit and widgets,” he said, but the hardware is only valuable insofar as it supports capabilities relied upon by the joint force. Alongside investments in orbital systems, the service is planning significant spending on what it calls resilient operations centers.
