Throughout the history of modern space exploration, NASA, as well as NASA-like equivalents from both the U.S' partners and competitors, have always been at the forefront of pushing innovation in space, keeping the Space Race from the 1960s alive. However, with the creation of the United States Space Force (USSF) from former President Donald Trump, the DOD now has a role to play within our nation's interests in space. Originally, the Department of the Air Force worked heavily with NASA to pursue military desires in space, but now, the Space Force has taken on that mission set. On September 28, 2024, the first "Guardian" from the USSF joined Crew-9 and took command of the Expedition 72 crew on the International Space Station, signifying the start of a possible long future of military intervention with scientific research on the ISS for the United States.
With the Space Force's mission being to "secure our nation's interests in, from, and too space", it's no surprise that eventually, the USSF would put a Guardian up in space. The purpose of the mission undertook by Colonel Nick Hague is not that of combat, but rather, of scientific research and maintenance upon the ISS. When questioned about his role in Crew-9's mission, Col Hague described how he "feel[s] privileged to have the opportunity to cast a broader spotlight on everything that Guardians do to make human space flight possible [...] The average person might not understand that human space flight doesn't exist if Guardians aren't doing what they do on a day-to-day basis, whether it's launching us into space and the range support that we get there or it's tracking or navigation … if the Space Force and its guardians and U.S. Space Command are not doing their jobs, we don't explore space". In essence, due to the influence the USSF has now on America's space exploration, without the success of the USSF, we as a country may experience set backs in terms of astronomical research. With continued support from our partners, such as Space X and Boeing, the United States can, and will, further push the boundaries of what was once though impossible in space.
Crew-9, along with Colonel Hague, are due to return home sometime in early to mid February 2025 with the help of NASA, Space X, and the USSF. As the world powers have a keen eye on developing space technology comparable to the United States, NASA, Space X, and the USSF are all doing their part not only to continue America's long lasted venture in the space domain, but also continue to show American dominance on the world stage.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Sept. 28, 2024. The rocket carried U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague in a Dragon spacecraft that he is set to pilot to the International Space Station. This Crew-9 launch marks the first time a Guardian has launched into space. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Contreras).
Citations:
First USSF Guardian launches into space with NASA mission. United States Space Force. (28AD). https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3920258/first-ussf-guardian-launches-into-space-with-nasa-mission/
NASA. (2024a, September 28). Liftoff! NASA’s SpaceX crew-9 launches to International Space Station. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/liftoff-nasas-spacex-crew-9-launches-to-international-space-station/
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