Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

“I’m extremely proud of the Space Force and all the good it has accomplished. But, as good as we are, as much as we’ve done, as far as we’ve come, it’s not enough. We are not yet optimized for Great Power Competition.”

~ Chief of Space Operations
Gen. Chance Saltzman

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force was a direct response to threats arising from Great Power Competition in the space domain. Nevertheless, our legacy roots leave us sub-optimized for the security environment confronting us today, and we must finish fine-tuning the service to continue meeting its National Defense Strategy responsibilities

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

The space domain is no longer benign; it has rapidly become congested and contested.

We must enhance our capabilities, develop Guardians for modern warfare, prepare for the high intensity fight, and strengthen our power projection to thrive and win in this new era of Great Power Competition.

Video by Walter Talens

Hack-A-Sat 4 Space Operation and Cybersecurity (no lower-third version)

Space Systems Command

Aug. 13, 2023 | 3:26

Space Systems Command, Air Force Research Laboratory, and The Aerospace Corporation planed, funded, and executed Hack-A-Sat (HAS), during four years of DEF CON.

Las Vegas, Nevada - DEF CON 31, the most prominent hacking convention, hosted Hack-A-Sat 4 (HAS4). Hosting the first Capture The Flag (CTF) hacking competition of an actual orbiting satellite in Space. The Moonlighter, designed by The Aerospace Corporation, was at low-earth orbit (LEO) when HAS4 participants actively engaged the satellite to perform certain actions to gain points. Watch this video to see how it all went down at DEF CON 31.

This video contains imagery of the competition, rare glimpse into DEF CON, and actual images captured by the competitors/hackers from space during the CTF competition.

This video contains no-lower-third graphics

Featured speakers in order of appearance:

Capt. Kevin Bernert
Hack-A-Sat Lead, Space Systems Command

Aaron Myrick
Senior Project Engineer, The Aerospace Corporation

Lt. Col. Donald Johnson
Branch Chief, Defense Cyber Operations for Space

Rachel Mann
Hack-A-Sat Lead, Air Force Research Laboratory

Carlo / Lorenzo / Dario
Team mHACKeroni

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