The potential benefits of human crews aboard U.S. Space Force missions rates consideration in a new think tank report on dynamic space operations, described as methods of increasing versatility, adaptability and maneuverability in the realm.
“Just as human astronauts were essential to the repair of and upgrades to the Hubble Space Telescope and the rescue of several other satellites, Guardians in space may be essential for future Space Force missions,” retired Space Force Col. Charles Galbreath wrote in a November 2025 report for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The paper is titled “A Broader Look at Dynamic Space Operations: Creating Multi-Dimensional Dilemmas for Adversaries.”
The report’s 44 pages covered a broad range of topics, including space combat logistics, avoiding predictable behavior in space, and steps already taken toward the next “revolution in space operations.” A brief passage titled “Role of Crewed Missions” said more research is required but suggested that “as humanity’s interests in space go further from the Earth, astronaut Guardians may be necessary to execute and secure missions that cannot be accomplished through remote operations.”
The Space Force mission is focused on work that Guardians do from Earth, and the service typically dismisses the notion that they will ever function as the characters in “Starship Troopers” of science fiction fame.
Still, as reported by the military news website Defense One, Galbreath elaborated on the suggestion during a virtual Mitchell Institute event, saying, “We can’t wake up one day and say, ‘My gosh, we need Guardians in space.’” Speaking at the same event, John Shaw, retired U.S. Space Command deputy commander, said the rise of autonomous capabilities in space would seem to diminish the need for human crews.