U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring the military personnel responsible for protecting America’s interests in space are prepared for potential conflicts.
Britt and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the bipartisan Space Superiority Readiness Act of 2026, which would expand wargaming, modeling, simulation and training for U.S. Space Force Guardians.
Wargaming uses simulated exercises to prepare military personnel for potential conflicts. The expanded programs would focus on strengthening Space Force readiness and establishing U.S. space superiority.
The legislation comes as space-based systems play an increasingly important role in U.S. military operations. American forces depend on those systems for missile warning, positioning and navigation, communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting. An adversary’s ability to disrupt those services could undermine U.S. operations from the outset of a conflict.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has warned that China is rapidly expanding its space and counterspace capabilities, according to Britt’s office.
“It is well documented that China is determined to dominate the space domain and is working tirelessly to advance its space programs by investing in key sectors of the commercial space economy. The Space Superiority Readiness Act of 2026 underscores how critical space is as a warfighting domain. The United States must be able to maintain space control in a potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China and have the resources and capability required to respond and react to future threats. I’m proud that Alabama has established itself as pivotal to our national space priorities, and I will continue fighting to ensure that our state and nation remain at the forefront of this mission,” said Britt.
Under the legislation, space operators would receive training focused on the tactics, techniques and procedures needed for the United States to remain ahead in space.
The bill would also require an unclassified report to Congress within 180 days of enactment examining Chinese commercial space capabilities and their potential military applications.
Cortez Masto said the United States must ensure Space Force Guardians have the resources and training they need as China expands its activities in space.
“Space is a cutting-edge frontier we must take seriously. Communist China is expanding its military activities in space, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind,” said Cortez Masto. “Senator Britt and I recently saw the incredible work the U.S. Space Force is doing at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, and I know that by providing Guardians with the tools, training, and resources they need, they will continue to be ready to confront any threat.”
The legislation also comes as Huntsville prepares for an expanded role in the nation’s military space operations.
Britt supported bringing U.S. Space Command headquarters to Huntsville. The command is relocating from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to Redstone Arsenal. Space Command includes personnel from across the U.S. military, including the Space Force.
Britt has also backed programs at Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center, including NASA’s Space Launch System, which launched the Artemis II crew on its mission around the Moon in April. According to her office, she advocated for $4.1 billion for SLS to support the Artemis IV and V missions and $100 million for upgrades at Marshall Space Flight Center through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
Got a tip for OTR? Send your tip to [email protected] with related photo/video, your name, phone number, and e-mail address.
