Space Force leaders connect with public, present 'Always Above' at Western Kentucky University

Published May 26, 2026
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AFNS) -- Top Space Force leadership engaged with the local community at Western Kentucky University May 22, fielding questions and presenting the service’s immersive planetarium documentary, “Always Above.”

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna, and Brig. Gen. Nick Hague, Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations and former NASA astronaut, participated in a panel discussion to shed light on the service’s mission, current-day capabilities, and future vision.

The visit served as a unique opportunity to connect with a community not regularly exposed to Guardians and their daily operations. During the panel, the leaders answered questions from the audience, demystifying the 6 1/2-year-old service and emphasizing the critical role the space domain plays in everyday American life.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna, and Brig. Gen. Nick Hague answer questions during a panel at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 22, 2026. The leaders discussed the service's mission, capabilities, and future vision with members of the community. (Courtesy photo by Katie Corbin)

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman welcomes community members to Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 22, 2026. Saltzman emphasized the vital role the space domain plays in everyday American life during the engagement. (Courtesy photo by Katie Corbin)

Brig. Gen. Nick Hague engages with community members at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 22, 2026. Hague, a former NASA astronaut, joined a panel of senior leaders to share the Space Force's mission and capabilities. (Courtesy photo by Katie Corbin)

“When you think about the agricultural industry, the financial industry, the transportation industry … all really rely on space capabilities,” Bentivegna said. “If you went and got gas today, used an ATM, paid with a credit card or used GPS to get to where you’re going, all that comes from space.”

In conjunction with the panel, Western Kentucky University hosted various screenings of the Space Force’s planetarium documentary, “Always Above.” The 12-minute, visually stunning full-dome planetarium film explores the unseen forces that connect Earth and space. It takes audiences on a journey to highlight how much modern life depends on orbiting satellites for communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and national security.

The film also offers audiences a look into the daily mission of Space Force Guardians.

“The Space Force is all about protecting our [nation's space] capabilities,” Saltzman said. “We also have to recognize that other countries are building satellites that are designed to target our forces.”

The Space Force first debuted the planetarium documentary one year ago in May 2025. Since then, it has helped the service reach tens of thousands of viewers around the country and online.

“The problem with space is it’s a little bit out of sight, out of mind, quite frankly,” Saltzman said. “I wanted to come up with some kind of experience that people could understand that the Space Force is out there, it’s important.”

By bringing top leadership and “Always Above” to Bowling Green, the Space Force aims to inspire the next generation, bridging the gap between local communities and the vital work being done to secure the ultimate high ground.

Click here to find a local screening, view the documentary on a personal virtual reality device, or watch the “flat” version on any device.

Space Force Leaders Connect with Public, Present 'Always Above' at Western Kentucky University