The US military is exploring the deployment of satellites around the Moon, as indicated by a Request for Information published on a federal procurement website. This initiative reflects a growing interest in lunar operations, as stated by Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy of the Space Force. The interest follows an executive order from December 2025 that outlines the US government's strategy for addressing threats in cislunar space. Currently, the Space Force's satellites operate primarily in geostationary orbit, focusing on surveillance and missile warning.
Key facts
- The US military issued a Request for Information for satellites near the Moon.
- Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy indicated a shift in focus towards lunar operations.
- Current military satellites are located 22,000 miles above the equator.
- An executive order from December 2025 influences this lunar strategy.
- Cislunar space refers to the area around the Moon.
A short AI summary in our own words. The reporting belongs to Ars Technica; we don't reproduce it.