Space Force Unveils First Doctrine: A New Era for US Security

The U.S. Space Force took a bold step on April 9, 2025, releasing its first comprehensive doctrine document, titled Space Force Doctrine Document 1 (SFDD-1). Unveiled in Colorado Springs, this publication lays out the service’s vision for securing America’s interests beyond Earth’s atmosphere. It’s a moment that feels like it came out of nowhere, yet it’s been years in the making, ever since the Space Force stood up as a distinct branch in 2019. With space no longer just a backdrop for satellites but a contested battlefield, this doctrine signals a shift in how the military views the stars.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman didn’t mince words when he spoke at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfighter Symposium in March. He called on every Guardian, the term for Space Force members, to dig into SFDD-1 and wrestle with its meaning for their daily work. The document isn’t just a stack of pages; it’s a call to action, a foundation for a service still finding its footing. Saltzman framed it as the starting line for a marathon, one where readiness and adaptability will decide who comes out on top.

SFDD-1 spells out why the Space Force exists, boiling it down to a clear mission: achieve space superiority. That means protecting U.S. satellites and systems in orbit while making sure adversaries can’t use space against American interests. The document breaks this into core functions like space control, global mission operations, and ensuring access to space. It’s a tall order, especially as nations like China and Russia flex their own space muscles with anti-satellite weapons and advanced orbital tech. The doctrine also ties the Space Force tightly to the broader military, emphasizing its role in boosting joint operations across air, land, and sea.

Beyond the nuts and bolts, the document digs into values and structure. It outlines roles for officers, enlisted members, and civilians, while sketching out how the service organizes itself through commands like Space Operations Command and the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). There’s a focus on command and control principles, too, ensuring Guardians can pivot fast in a fight. Saltzman’s foreword drives home a key point: the Space Force’s edge depends on its people, their skills, and their grit.

To back up the doctrine, the Space Force has been revamping how it trains Guardians. Programs like the Officer Training Course plunge new leaders into a year-long mix of intelligence, cyber, and space ops, aiming to forge a mindset ready for joint warfare. Exercises like Space Flag 25-1 throw realistic scenarios at teams, testing their ability to plan and execute missions when the stakes are high. These efforts lean on cutting-edge tools, like simulations of radiofrequency interference, to mirror the chaos of a real space conflict. It’s about building a culture where readiness isn’t just a buzzword but a reflex.

This push isn’t new. Since STARCOM kicked off in 2021, the Space Force has been crafting training that fits the unique demands of space. Basic training blends traditional military drills with space-specific know-how, while advanced courses tackle everything from technical skills to staying sharp in degraded conditions. The goal? Guardians who can handle whatever comes their way, whether it’s a cyberattack on a satellite or a kinetic threat in orbit.

The Space Force isn’t operating in a vacuum, figuratively or literally. SFDD-1 nods to the bigger picture, where national security and international ties intersect. Saltzman has been vocal about deepening partnerships with allies, from joint exercises to swapping personnel with nations like the UK and Japan. The idea is to pool expertise and make operations seamless across borders, especially as space grows more crowded and contested. China’s rapid advances in space tech and Russia’s anti-satellite tests keep the pressure on, pushing the U.S. to stay ahead while keeping allies in the loop.

Historically, space has been a game-changer for security. The Gulf War in 1991 showed how satellites could tip the scales, delivering real-time intel and comms that clinched victory. Today, the Space Force builds on that legacy, guarding assets critical for navigation, communication, and missile warnings. With plans to launch over 100 satellites in 2025, equipped with tech to resist jamming, the service aims to lock in resilience against threats while keeping the joint force lethal.

SFDD-1 isn’t a finish line; it’s a launchpad. The doctrine sets out a theory of ‘competitive endurance,’ a strategy to outlast and outmaneuver rivals in space over the long haul. That means not just defending what’s up there now but staying agile as tech and threats evolve. Guardians will need to balance offensive moves, like disrupting enemy satellites if push comes to shove, with defensive plays to shield U.S. assets. It’s a tightrope walk, one that demands sharp training, smart tech, and a clear-eyed view of the risks.

For everyday Americans, this might sound distant, but it’s closer than it seems. Space underpins everything from GPS in your car to the weather app on your phone. The Space Force’s job is to keep that humming, even as the cosmos turns into a frontline. Saltzman’s confidence in his Guardians shines through in SFDD-1, and their performance will shape whether this doctrine holds up when it counts. The stars aren’t just for gazing at anymore; they’re a domain to defend.