New Delhi: The Commander of the US Space Command, Gen. Stephen Whiting has warned that space must adopt manoeuvre warfare principles to maintain superiority
in a contested domain. Speaking at the Space Mobility Conference on 28 January, 2026, he stressed that US forces are legally required to deter conflict, and if needed, fight and win in space, which begins at an altitude of 100 km above the surface of the Earth. Drawing parallels to the American Revolution, he noted how mobile, dispersed operations and allied support defeated a stronger enemy through effective manoeuvres and sustainment.
General Stephen Whiting speaking at the Space Mobility Conference. (Image Credit: US Space Command).
Whiting said, “I’ve been thinking a lot about the significance of the mobility of our forces, and how in order to win core warfighting tenants must be adhered to.” These core warfighting functions are rapid, focused actions to disrupt enemy cohesion across spatial, temporal and psychological dimensions, which remain essential today and are of relevance in the space domain. He argued that sustained manoeuvres in space demands on-orbit logistics, including refuelling, servicing and replacement capabilities. Geostationary orbit is at an altitude of 36,000 km, with cislunar space extending much farther, creating supply chains that are far longer than any previous conflicts. Without these capabilities, satellites remain limited by initial fuel loads, requiring centralised decisions and restricting tactical flexibility.
A call for large-scale exercises
Adversaries such as China are advancing rapidly with anti-satellite weapons, lasers, jamming systems and orbital refuelling demonstrations, while Russia is actively exploring orbital nuclear options. The US needs to match these advantages. To address this, Whiting proposed major exercises akin to the 1941 Louisiana Manoeuvres that prepared the US forces for World War II. The proposed ‘Apollo Manoeuvres’ will test simultaneous satellite repositioning, responsive launches, spectrum operations and reconstitution in simulated contested environments. Ongoing efforts, including bilateral rendezvous exercises with allies and commercial partnerships under Operation Olympic Defender show progress, but fall short of holistic scale due to resource limits.
Whiting emphasised that victory in space belongs to the side with superior agility, endurance and decentralised command, not merely possessing the most assets. Investments in proliferated constellations, resilient access and dedicated logistics are required to shift from a static posture to dynamic operations, ensuring deterrence and mission success in times of prolonged conflict. Whiting said, “To win in a contested space theatre of operations today, we must draw on the same legacy of ingenuity and logistical mastery to protect that amazing future which is coming.”
