Bipartisan Effort Resurfaces to Establish Space National Guard, Challenging Existing Space Force Reserve Structure

A bipartisan initiative to create a Space National Guard has reemerged in Congress, spearheaded by Senators Mike Crapo and John Hickenlooper, along with Representatives Jason Crow and Lauren Boebert. Their proposed Space Guard Establishment Act seeks to formalize the Space National Guard as the official reserve component of the Space Force. This move challenges the recently approved Space Force Personnel Management Act, which aimed to integrate full- and part-time service members into a unified system, eliminating the need for a separate National Guard component. The new legislation aims to override this arrangement, addressing concerns that the current framework may not adequately retain space-focused Guard personnel. The central issue involves hundreds of Guard personnel in seven states. Advocates for the Space National Guard argue that it would better leverage existing facilities and retain talent. The proposal has garnered support from several senators, including Jim Risch, Alex Padilla, Marsha Blackburn, Michael Bennet, and Rick Scott. Representative Crow emphasized that the legislation would not require additional resources while ensuring continued support for Space Force missions. The bill's future is uncertain, requiring potential reintroduction in the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA.