U.S. Space Command conducts first orbital maneuver exercise

U.S. Space Command has completed ‘Apollo Maneuvers 2026’, its first-ever live-fly exercise designed to refine orbital maneuver warfare doctrine. The exercise involved maneuvering satellites across low-, medium-, and geosynchronous orbits to demonstrate dynamic on-orbit operations and validate contested logistics.

Led by Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting, the initiative aims to move beyond traditional satellite operations, where spacecraft typically maneuver only to maintain orbit and conserve fuel. Instead, the command is exploring how advanced propulsion, refueling technologies, and lower launch costs can enable satellites to maneuver for tactical advantage. This shift is intended to increase survivability and allow the military to hold adversary systems at risk in contested environments.

The exercise, which included international partners, simulates what military leaders describe as ‘dogfighting in space’—the synchronized maneuvering of objects in proximity to one another. The name ‘Apollo Maneuvers’ references the 1941 Army Louisiana Maneuvers used to test ground tactics during World War II.