Orlando, FL – The United States Space Force Association began its first national conference, the ‘Spacepower’ conference, today, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.
The two day event, attended by about 2,000 individuals from the Space Force, allied nations, and private industry, marks a significant step in the Space Force’s journey towards establishing its own identity and culture within the military domain.
The Space Force, since its inception in 2019 as part of the Department of the Air Force, has participated in joint conferences with the Air & Space Forces Association. However, the launch of a dedicated Spacepower conference underscores the Space Force’s evolution into a distinct branch, focusing on space power and not merely as an extension of the Air Force.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, addressing the conference, emphasized the importance of having a specialized national conference to discuss and develop space power strategies. “The Space Force is clearly moving beyond the establishment phase,” Gen. Saltzman stated. “Our guardians are now delivering on the investment from the American people to ensure our nation remains the preeminent space power.“
Saltzman highlighted the critical role of space systems in supporting joint military forces and their significance in the new era of great power competition. He also underlined the need for innovation and creative thinking within the Space Force, emphasizing the importance of developing a unique culture for the branch.
The conference provides a platform for discussing the integration of space and joint operations, with Saltzman stressing the need for guardians to understand how the Space Force collaborates with military regional commands and particularly with U.S. Space Command.
Professional development is a key focus of the conference, with Saltzman pointing out the expanding opportunities in fields like satellite operations, intelligence, cybersecurity, and acquisition. In light of this, the Space Force has proposed a new personnel management system to Congress, offering more flexibility to accommodate modern employment trends and life complexities.
Despite concerns over retention and career development within the Space Force, Saltzman expressed optimism, noting that it is still early to draw conclusions but acknowledged the need for continuous evaluation and incentivization to retain talented personnel.
Col. Max Lantz, commander of U.S. Space Forces Europe & Africa, shared his enthusiasm for the conference, likening it to “going from a pickup game to the NBA expansion League.” Similarly, Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir of the U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific Command emphasized the ongoing challenge of educating service members about the integration of space into all domains of warfighting.
The Space Force Association (SFA), which organized the conference, plays a pivotal role in advocating for the Space Force’s mission in public and policy spheres. The SFA combines the expertise of various stakeholders to sustain U.S. dominance in space and offers membership benefits like early access to exclusive talks, networking opportunities, and unique job prospects.
Over 2,000 participants, including Guardians, military leaders, industry innovators, and media, attended the conference, which featured panel discussions, keynotes, training showcases, and interactive displays of military and space technology.
Private companies represented at the conference include well known defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, L3Harris, Parsons, Two Six Technologies, Leo Labs, Advanced Space, AWS, BRPH, and other notable entities in the sector.
The conference also coincides with the Annual SFA Awards Dinner, USSF’s Birthday Celebration, and the Guardian Arena Showcase Competition.
This inaugural event not only highlights the Space Force’s strides in professional development and identity formation but also serves as a reminder of the critical importance of space assets in our daily lives and national security. As Gen. Saltzman aptly put it, the conference is not just another event, but a vital step in addressing the challenges that lie ahead in space.
