Pentagon Prepares for Potential Military Operations in Cislunar Space

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—The U.S. military’s top uniformed leader, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, stated that U.S. forces must be prepared for military operations near or potentially on the moon. This statement follows the recent revelation of orbital weapons, as military leaders navigate the legal frameworks surrounding their use. Caine addressed airmen, guardians, and industry figures during his keynote speech at the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, emphasizing the need for the Joint Force to adapt to global contested environments, extending from the seabed to cislunar space. He reiterated that the modern battlefield encompasses cislunar space but did not specify whether this includes the moon’s surface. U.S. law defines cislunar space as the region from the Earth to the area surrounding the moon, with interpretations suggesting it may include the moon itself. Caine referenced comments from the Air Force secretary and the Space Force chief of space operations regarding orbital weapons, although details on operational strategies in this domain remain limited. Space Force officials have indicated a focus on enhancing sensors and capabilities to monitor adversary activities in cislunar space. Aaron Brynildson, a space law professor at the University of Mississippi, noted concerns about Chinese activities in this region, including a relay satellite and robotic missions on the far side of the moon. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which the U.S. signed, prohibits certain military actions on the moon, mandating its use for peaceful purposes. Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, head of Combat Forces Command, stated that the 18th and 19th Space Defense Squadrons are sharing the cislunar mission. He acknowledged that potential adversaries, such as the People's Republic of China, are pursuing activities in cislunar space. When questioned about the Outer Space Treaty’s limitations on military ambitions, Gagnon asserted that it does not restrict orbital operations. Brynildson emphasized the need for improved U.S. capabilities in cislunar space to ensure compliance with the treaty and prevent the militarization of the moon. Recent disclosures by Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess regarding on-orbit space-control weapons have raised legal concerns about their responsible use, with experts suggesting these weapons may be non-kinetic. Gagnon deferred questions about kinetic weapon use to policy offices, stating that military capabilities are essential for national defense and deterrence. Brynildson highlighted the ambiguity surrounding legal restraints on space weapons, noting that the Outer Space Treaty does not provide clear guidance. U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns about the military's legal knowledge regarding space operations, leading to a provision in the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that requires the Defense Department to assess its space law requirements and explore options for establishing a dedicated legal organization within the Air Force.