Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess testifies during a Senate hearing July 16, 2026.. Scheiss was nominated as the 3rd Chief of Space Operations Credit: Air Force photo by Andy Morataya

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Aug. 6 confirmed Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess as the next chief of space operations, installing a career missile and space officer to lead the Space Force as it prepares for a sharp expansion in funding, personnel and military missions driven by growing competition with China.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...