How the U.S. Space Force Is Actually Used in Wars Today | WSJ

Space warfare has transitioned from theoretical concepts to a critical, contested domain essential to national security and the global economy. General Chance Saltzman, head of the U.S. Space Force, emphasizes that the service must protect vital assets against adversaries like China and Russia, who are actively developing counter-space capabilities and proliferated satellite constellations. Future operations demand high-fidelity missile warning, dynamic orbital maneuvers, and robust electronic warfare defenses to mitigate interference in the electromagnetic spectrum. Integrating artificial intelligence is crucial for processing massive datasets to enable rapid decision-making under fire. While the U.S. maintains a significant lead in launch technology and precision navigation, the Space Force focuses on building resilient systems and training personnel through high-fidelity simulations to ensure operational readiness against evolving threats in low Earth, geosynchronous, and cislunar orbits.