Several defense officials have questioned the Trump administration’s plan to create an independent military organization for space operations, especially on its possible financial priorities, Space News reported Sunday.
Wesley Hallman, senior vice president for policy at the National Defense Industrial Association, asked if the Space Force’s overhead cost would take up funds from other programs and warfighter priorities.
The retired U.S. Air Force officer requested the government to further analyze the advantages of creating a new military branch, which will include establishing a new recruiting command, basic training program, a service academy and a medical corps.
Hallman recommended establishing the Space Force under the Department of the Air Force, similar to when the U.S. Marine Corps was assigned under the Department of the Navy.
Meanwhile, Frank Kendall, former undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said that creating an independent space organization could further separate space programs from military operational needs.
Loren Thompson, chief operating officer of the Lexington Institute, added that the Air Force will possibly no longer be assigned to oversee the United States’ satellites, ground stations, intercontinental ballistic missiles, warfighter networks and cybersecurity operations once the Space Force is established.
She stated that the Space Force may also threaten the service’s logistics functions in the long run.