NASA and Space Force Sign Broad-Based MOU

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Gen. John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force, signed a memorandum of understanding today which brings the civilian space agency into support for Space Force missions. There has always been a working relationship between NASA and the Defense Department, but it was never advertised publicly, for obvious reasons (everything NASA does is supposed to be open, for one). Joint work has not been described as NASA’s programs in terms of the military’s missions, such as to secure the “space domain” which “underpins our nation’s security.” Perhaps Bridenstine is trying to appeal to Congressional military space supporters for help with NASA’s budget.