Space Force nominee rejects privateering, insists on military control of orbital weapons
Nominee for Chief of Space Operations clarifies that while non-weapon systems may be leased, any asset capable of harming people or assets must remain under strict US military ownership.
Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, the nominee for the next Chief of Space Operations, has firmly rejected the concept of space privateering, asserting that weapon systems capable of inflicting harm must be owned and controlled exclusively by the US military. During a Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing, Schiess affirmed that the Pentagon cannot lease such capabilities to private entities, a stance that aligns with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed into law last December.
The NDAA explicitly prohibits the Pentagon from fielding privatized or subscription-based missile defence intercept capabilities. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the committee, highlighted this restriction during the hearing, noting that the service does not lease M4 rifles or F-15 fighter jets. Reed questioned Schiess on legislative proposals that would allow private companies to lease military weapon systems, emphasizing that the law requires the Space Force to hold title to any space weapon system.
Schiess clarified the distinction between commercial and military operations in orbit. He acknowledged that commercial leasing is appropriate for non-weapon systems, such as satellite communications and space domain awareness. However, he stated that any capability able to harm another person’s equipment, assets, or people must be completely owned by the Space Force and under its control.
The comments address recent legislative efforts by Senator Mike Lee and Representative Tim Burchett to revive letters of marque for cyber warfare and operations against drug cartels. While privateering was historically authorised by the US during conflicts such as the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812, it has not been used since the Civil War and is now prohibited under international law. Schiess noted that while hybrid operational models exist, such as those used by the National Reconnaissance Office, contractors operating government-owned satellites remain under the direction of a military or civilian mission director.
The Space Force is currently preparing for significant budgetary changes, with the Trump administration requesting $71.1 billion for fiscal year 2027. This represents an 80 percent increase over the 2026 budget, though lawmakers are expected to approve between $50 billion and $60 billion. As the lines between commercial and military operations in space continue to blur, with commercial satellites already underpinning terrestrial battlefield communications, Schiess’s position reinforces the requirement for Guardian control over offensive capabilities.
