Concerns Over Leasing Military Space Assets
Senator Jack Reed highlighted alarming trends regarding the leasing of military-grade space assets. “Some companies are seeking to lease space assets that are essentially military weapons systems capable of targeting and destroying other systems, even resulting in loss of life,” Reed stated. “The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) from last year explicitly prohibits the temporary ownership of space weapons systems. The analogy is straightforward—just as we do not lease M4 rifles or F-15 aircraft, this year’s NDAA emphasizes that the Space Force must maintain ownership of its space weapons systems.”
Sen. Jack Reed meets with Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess prior to a Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing in Washington, DC, on July 16, 2026. Credit: Nna Moneymaker/Getty Images
In a dialogue regarding the future leadership of the Space Force, Lieutenant General Doug Schiess, a candidate for Director of Space Operations, expressed his opinions on military asset management. If confirmed, Schiess will serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advising presidential military matters.
“There are indeed mission areas where commercial leasing can be viable, such as satellite communications and space domain awareness,” Schiess stated. “However, I concur that for weapons systems that can cause damage to other entities, the Space Force must retain comprehensive ownership and control.”
The Space Force is set to receive a significant funding boost, with the Trump administration requesting $71.1 billion for fiscal year 2027—an approximately 80% increase from the previous year’s budget of $40 billion. Lawmakers are reportedly inclined to support a budget ranging between $50 billion and $60 billion.
Schiess also suggested a hybrid operational model akin to that employed by the National Reconnaissance Office, wherein contractors manage government-owned satellites, but always under the supervision of military personnel or civilians designated as mission chiefs.
“If confirmed, I look forward to collaborating with you,” Schiess assured Reed. “However, I maintain that Guardians should have the capability to manage these systems,” he emphasized, referring to the Space Force personnel as ‘Guardians.’
This pressing issue of space warfare may seem futuristic, yet current norms are not fully aligned with the realities of military operations in space.
Source: arstechnica.com