Space Force’s Secret Surge: How 70+ Launches a Year Are Rewriting the Rules of War & Innovation

The Space Force is scaling faster than ever, and Vandenberg Space Force Base is at the center of it all. Colonel James Horne explains how a surge to 70+ launches annually is driven by commercial partnerships, reduced launch costs, and a “second space race” mindset. He breaks down the shift to service-based acquisition, the rise of dual-use innovation, and how automation and AI are transforming operations. From infrastructure overhauls to workforce expansion, the Spaceport of the Future vision is redefining national security space strategy and accelerating America’s ability to compete—and win—in orbit.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com