The US Space Force is advancing satellite refueling technologies to improve national security and operational flexibility in space. Gen. Stephen Whiting of US Space Command underlined the importance of “dynamic operations and on-orbit logistics,” while Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess emphasized preparing spacecraft to “dogfight in space.” The Space Force has allocated $16 million over five years for research, but experts advocate for $200 million annually over three years to establish a functional refueling system. This initiative reflects the Space Force’s focus on sustaining and extending the capabilities of its satellite assets amid growing space competition. Satellite refueling is seen as a critical step in maintaining a strategic edge in increasingly contested orbital environments.
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