The US Space Force is actively pursuing expanded partnerships with allied nations to strengthen space defense capabilities, marking a significant shift from the military’s historically insular approach. Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein described this as a transformative moment for the youngest branch of the U.S. military, emphasizing that "We no longer can go it alone."
He highlighted the Space Force’s position as the smallest service with the most expansive area of responsibility, underscoring the need for a collaborative, global approach to address the complexities of space security. The Space Force plans to pursue joint development of technologies to protect satellites and respond to attacks on space networks, with the goal of achieving deterrence, interoperability, resiliency, redundancy, and scale in space operations.
However, cultural barriers within the U.S., such as stringent security policies and a preference for domestically-built assets, have historically hampered deeper collaboration with allies. Guetlein acknowledged the need to overcome these obstacles, stating that documentation often restricts information sharing, and programs are typically designed without export considerations, making it difficult to later share capabilities.
To facilitate greater international partnerships, the Space Force is taking steps to foster collaboration. A commercial space strategy released earlier this year emphasizes private sector collaboration, and a similar document for allied partnerships is in development. The ultimate goal, according to Guetlein, is to create systems that are "allied by design."
The Space Force is also pushing for reduced classification of data to enable greater information sharing with international partners, recognizing the current frustration among allies who seek guidance on developing technologies compatible with U.S. systems but encounter barriers to information access.
Several ongoing collaborations showcase the potential of this new approach. The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability project, part of the AUKUS partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, aims to enhance tracking of objects in geosynchronous orbit through a global network of advanced ground-based radar sites.
In South America, the Space Force is partnering with Chile to improve space domain awareness. This pilot project aims to install a half-meter class telescope at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, leveraging Chile’s optimal geographic conditions for astronomical observations.