Space Force Eyes the Moon: Tracking Objects in Cislunar Space Becomes a Strategic Priority

The final frontier is expanding—literally. As humanity’s ambitions stretch beyond Earth’s orbit toward the Moon and beyond, the U.S. Space Force is confronting a new and increasingly complex challenge: how to monitor, track, and potentially defend assets in cislunar space—the vast region between Earth and the Moon.

While the Moon has long captured humanity’s imagination, it’s only recently become a focal point for military and strategic planners. The problem? Observing anything in cislunar space from Earth is extraordinarily difficult.

First, consider the sheer distance. The Moon sits approximately 238,900 miles (384,400 kilometers) from Earth. At that range, even relatively large spacecraft appear as incredibly faint points of light against the overwhelming glare of both the Moon and the Sun. Traditional Earth-based sensors struggle to distinguish artificial objects from natural celestial bodies in this environment.

Second, precise navigation in cislunar space presents its own set of challenges. Unlike operations in Earth orbit, where GPS signals provide reliable positioning data, spacecraft venturing toward the Moon must rely on less precise navigation methods. Establishing an accurate fix on an object’s position and vector from a satellite stationed near the Moon requires navigation capabilities that simply aren’t readily available with current technology.

Currently, if anyone knows exactly where a particular satellite is orbiting the Moon, it’s purely due to the goodwill of that satellite’s operator. Spacecraft owners can voluntarily provide detailed ephemeris data—essentially sharing their location and movement patterns—but there’s no mechanism to compel any operator to publish this information. Some may choose to keep their positions secret for competitive or strategic reasons, creating blind spots in our collective situational awareness.

The stakes are higher than just tracking friendly assets. There’s a very real risk of satellite breakups in lunar orbit that could generate dangerous fields of space debris. At lunar distances, we currently lack the capability to track small fragments, raising the specter of potentially damaging or even catastrophic collisions. A satellite disintegration in lunar orbit could “compromise international science missions and destabilize emerging lunar economic activity,” according to a 2025 report from the Mitre Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that manages several federally funded research centers.

While some military officials focus on the Moon’s strategic potential, others bring the conversation back to Earth. In 2024, Ars Technica asked Space Force Maj. Gen. Anthony Mastalir—then a one-star general—about the military’s perspective on lunar operations. His response was telling: he identified the potential use of the Moon or its orbits as a staging ground for attacks directed at U.S. assets closer to Earth as the primary concern.

“We’re not fighting over mineral deposits on an asteroid somewhere. We’re not, right now, shepherding convoys to Mars,” Mastalir explained. “These are terrestrial conflicts that we hope we can deter. We also don’t want them to, although it’s more and more likely that they may, extend into space or even start in space.”

Mastalir acknowledged that the strategic landscape might evolve: “Some day in the future, that may change, but for now, I’d be more concerned just about what these new orbits present, what that does for potential attack vectors to our traditional operating [areas].”

The Space Force’s interest in cislunar space reflects a broader shift in how the U.S. military views the space domain. No longer content with simply monitoring Earth’s immediate orbital environment, planners are beginning to grapple with the challenges of extending American space domain awareness to lunar distances and beyond.

This isn’t just about military preparedness. As commercial entities and international partners ramp up lunar exploration and potential resource extraction, the ability to track objects in cislunar space becomes crucial for ensuring safe operations, preventing collisions, and maintaining the long-term sustainability of lunar activities.

The challenges are significant, but the momentum is building. The Space Force, along with NASA and commercial partners, is actively exploring technologies and concepts that could enable effective cislunar domain awareness. From advanced sensors capable of detecting faint objects against the lunar glare to new navigation techniques that don’t rely on GPS, the pieces are slowly coming together for what may become one of the most important strategic domains of the 21st century.

As humanity returns to the Moon with increasing frequency and permanence, the question isn’t whether we’ll need to monitor cislunar space—it’s whether we’ll be ready when that need becomes critical. The Space Force seems determined to ensure the answer is yes.

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