An analyst called the new commitment to pursue cislunar operations a “massive policy change” for the Pentagon.

The former NASA administrator still has eyes for the moon, but is now focusing on possible future Space Force operations in cislunar space.

The Space Force announced April 16 the establishment of a Cislunar Coordination Office to manage and craft a roadmap for the service’s nascent deep-space missions.

The post Space Force Sets Up Office to Coordinate Cislunar Programs appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory is gearing up to launch its experimental cislunar monitoring satellite, called Oracle Prime, next year.

As NASA prepares for a slew of lunar missions over the next few years, the Space Force is contemplating its role in future operations around the moon and developing a plan to increase focus on cislunar operations, according to Thomas Ainsworth, who is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.

The post Space Force ‘Serious’ About Planning…

The Space Force is “serious” about integrating cislunar capabilities, with plans to work closely with NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory on new tech, Tom Ainsworth, Air Force space acquisition officer, said today.