FY 2025 Defense Space Budget: Continued Emphasis on Proliferation Under a More Constrained Top-Line

This year’s budget cycle has been unusual, with significant consequences for the young U.S. Space Force. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget submission reflects DOD’s continued emphasis on the department’s transition to a new model for defense space operations. In coming years, the Space Force will likely take additional steps toward a more distributed and proliferated approach for defense space capabilities. This year’s request includes funding for new proliferated networks of communications satellites and increasing attention on commercial satellite communications. With more limited growth, the presidential budget request reflects trade-offs and priorities for DOD’s space activity.

Author: Sam Wilson