Space Force Struggles With Ongoing Classification Issues, Disregarding Recent Policy Adjustments
Unveiling Space Secrets: The Struggle of Declassification and Alliances
In the orbiting realm of space, the high-stakes game of secrecy and collaboration is far from over. A year since the Department of Defense (DOD) loosened classified restrictions on space programs, not a single weapon system has been successfully navigated through the declassification process. This sluggish progress has reveled the intricate bureaucratic obstacles confronting US Space Command and the Space Force, as they strive to invite allies and commercial partners into their celestial strategies.
The DOD policy revision, spearheaded by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks in January 2024, didn't automatically declassify any programs; instead, it outlined a process enabling officials to "pull down" the classification levels for systems previously designated as Special Access Programs (SAP)—a classification level exceeding top-secret clearances—and re-designate them at "more rational classification levels."
For years, Space Force leaders have contended against over-classification, with criticism echoing through the halls even before the Space Force was officially formed. Restrictions restrict not only efficient collaboration but also frustrate operators who remain uninformed about certain capabilities until the eleventh hour. Nevertheless, even moving SAP-designated systems down to top-secret classification proves a tumultuous process.
"There's a lot of work to do when you're taking something from a very high classification level and pulling it down," Gen. Stephen N. Whiting conceded to journalists. "It's not a simple task, transitioning information off one network and onto another."
The delay in progress is crucial because it hinders US Space Command's ability to integrate more effectively into the broader warfighting team. Field operators, dismayed by the slow pace of change, continue to voice their concerns.
"We're experiencing significant over-classification problems," laments Chief Master Sgt. Tina R. Timmerman, senior enlisted leader for the Space Force components to U.S. Space Command and U.S. Central Command.
"Over-classification, or perceived over-classification of what we do, is an inhibitor to the level of partnership we'd like to achieve," concurs Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery J. Grela, her counterpart.
For external partners pondering a limited budget, over-classification is a significant nuisance. As Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, a UK officer serving as the Space Force's Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, pointed out, "We don't want to spend resources on capabilities we already have, or develop redundant capabilities. But a lot of the time we don't even know what is available. We're just not aware of what we don't know."
To address this challenge, Space Force officials advocate for an "allied-by-design" acquisition strategy, promoting more coordinated investments among allied nations. Enhanced information sharing by the Department of the Air Force's International Affairs team is underway, while international collaboration continues to be essential in ensuring a secure and stable space environment.
However, Godfrey underscores the importance of discretion in the realm of space: "We don't need to share everything. Everyone needs their own information that they'll protect. But currently, we're not sharing enough."
Otherwise, the struggle for declassification and alliance-building persists, as collaboration and cooperation in the cosmos remain paramount for global security and development.
- The Space Force, along with the US Space Command, is facing obstacles in inviting allies and commercial partners into their celestial strategies, due to the slow progress in declassifying weapon systems.
- The delayed declassification of space programs is a concern for the US Space Command, as it impedes their ability to integrate effectively into the broader warfighting team.
- Over-classification of space programs is a problem that not only hampers efficient collaboration but also frustrates operators who are uninformed about certain capabilities until the last minute.
- Space Force leaders are advocating for an "allied-by-design" acquisition strategy, which promotes more coordinated investments among allied nations to address the challenge of over-classification.
- Enhanced information sharing between the Department of the Air Force's International Affairs team and international partners is necessary for ensuring a secure and stable space environment, while maintaining discretion in the realm of space is also crucial for global security and development.
