Space Minds Why the Space Force says 2025 changes everything
Dec 15, 2025
Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, a senior U.S. Space Force acquisition leader and SpaceNews Icon Award recipient, talks modernization of software, infrastructure, and commercial integration. He highlights 2025 as a turning point for Space Systems Command. Short takes cover AI adoption, on-orbit servicing and refueling, acquisition reform, and surprising commercial tech shaping military space.
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Ground Game Overtook Satellite Work
- Space Systems Command shifted focus from satellites to the ground game this year emphasizing software, training, and ground hardware components.
- Major software pushes included Battle Management Command Control drops, OTTI test and training architecture work, and AI-injected wargaming like Kronos and SWORD.
Paused A Program To Deliver Training And Parts
- SSC paused delivering a capability mid-year to instead provide training systems and supply parts when warfighters requested them.
- That pivot with industry showed new agility and closer warfighter communication compared with previous years.
New Guardians Expect AI As Standard
- Younger Guardians arrive fluent in AI and LLMs and expect to use those tools in acquisition and day-to-day work.
- SQ and Space Force S6 pushed AI tools into program offices and mandated adoption to accelerate workflows.