As we begin 2026, the Space Force Association enters the new year with strong momentum, renewed leadership, and an expanding mission across the national security space. The accomplishments of 2025 laid critical groundwork, and the year ahead promises even greater opportunity to educate, connect, and advocate for spacepower.
Here are 10 defining milestones from 2025 that shaped our mission and set the foundation for what comes next.
1. The National Spacepower Center Announced
In a landmark step forward, SFA announced the creation of the National Spacepower Center (NSpC), a new initiative designed to educate policymakers, military leaders, industry, and the public on the realities of space as a contested warfighting domain. Through immersive learning, visualization, and strategic engagement, the NSpC will help close critical spacepower knowledge gaps and strengthen national security understanding.
2. Spacepower Conference 2025: A Premier National Security Forum
The third annual Spacepower Conference, held December 10–12 in Orlando, marked a historic milestone for the Association. With more than 2,700 attendees, including over 900 Guardians, Spacepower 2025 became the first-ever sold-out Spacepower Conference, bringing together military personnel, senior defense leaders, industry partners, allies, and policymakers for candid discussions on space strategy, operations, and the future of spacepower. The event reinforced SFA’s role as the premier convener for the national security space community.
3. Spacepower Excellence Awards Gala at SPC25
Hosted during SPC25, the Spacepower Excellence Awards Gala honored exceptional leadership, innovation, and service across military, industry, academic, and civilian sectors. The gala has become a cornerstone tradition, celebrating those whose contributions strengthen the space domain and inspire the next generation of leaders.
4. Engagement with Senior Space Force & USAF Leadership and New Mission Symbolism
Throughout the year, and especially at Spacepower 2025 SFA facilitated direct engagement with senior leaders across the Space Force and the Air Force, including Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink. At the conference, the Space Force also unveiled new mission symbolism, reflecting the service’s evolving identity, mission focus, and operational culture. These moments underscored SFA’s role as a platform not only for dialogue, but for milestones that shape the Space Force’s story.
5. Expanded Thought Leadership & Publications
In 2025, SFA continued to grow its thought leadership footprint through Spacepower Magazine, Spacepower Podcast and Radio Show, blogs and video content. These platforms provided timely insight into strategy, acquisition, international cooperation, and the evolving space domain, reaching an increasingly broad audience.
6. Strengthened Strategic Partnerships
In 2025, SFA formalized and expanded key partnerships across the space ecosystem to accelerate education, workforce development, and global awareness of spacepower. This included a Memorandum of Understanding with the Space Foundation to support joint initiatives in education and workforce development. Additionally, at Spacepower Conference 2025, SFA and i5 Space signed an MOU to enhance collaboration between the Space Force Cadet Corps and i5 Space, creating structured mentorship pipelines and leadership development pathways for future space professionals.
7. Corporate Membership Growth & Advisory Engagement
In 2025, SFA strengthened its role as the bridge across the national security space ecosystem, connecting corporations, government leaders, and academic institutions. Through corporate membership, advisory engagement, and collaborative initiatives, SFA created opportunities for organizations to build relationships, share expertise, and contribute to mission-critical space programs. By participating, partners gain access to a unique platform for collaboration, insight, and influence across the entire space community.
8. Chapter Growth & Grassroots Engagement
Across the country, SFA Chapters continued to expand their impact, hosting speaker events, professional networking, and community education initiatives. These grassroots efforts remain central to building local spacepower communities and supporting Guardians where they live and work.
9. SFA’s collaboration on the expanded ASCEND 2026 event
In 2025, the Space Force Association joined with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Commercial Space Federation (CSF), and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) to expand ASCEND, an influential space industry event, and will play a key role in bringing national security space content into that forum in Washington, D.C. in May 2026. This collaboration positions SFA not only as a convener of its own flagship conference but also as a strategic partner in broader cross-sector dialogues on the future of space policy, national security, and innovation.
10. Leadership Transition: Damon Feltman Named CEO
We capped off 2025 with the announcement that Brigadier General (Ret.) Damon Feltman, USAF, will serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the Space Force Association, effective February 1, 2026. With decades of senior leadership experience in defense and space operations, and as SFA’s current Chief Operating Officer, Feltman will guide the Association into its next chapter. At Spacepower 2025, SFA also honored founder Bill “Hippie” Woolf as its first Legacy Guardian, recognizing his foundational leadership and enduring impact.
Looking Ahead
With expanding partnerships, growing chapters, and the upcoming launch of the National Spacepower Center, 2026 represents a year of opportunity for the Space Force Association. From deeper engagement with Guardians to broader public education on spacepower, SFA is positioned to build on its momentum and continue shaping the future of the space domain.
We look forward to the year ahead, and to advancing the mission together.
