// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM

Cislunar

Cislunar refers to the region of space located between the Earth and the Moon, including the Moon's orbit and gravitational influence. It represents a vast area beyond traditional Earth orbits.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

Cislunar space defines the geocentric volume extending from Earth's geostationary orbit to the lunar orbit, encompassing key orbital regimes and Lagrangian points, making it a strategically vital domain for military intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and potential future off-world operations within the space and counter-space context.

BACKGROUND

The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. United States federal law establishes six armed forces: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, each assigned specific roles and operational domains. With the exception of the Coast Guard, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in peacetime, the services are organized under the Department of Defense (DoD).

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SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • Earth-Moon space
  • Lunar space
  • Near-Moon space
  • Earth-Moon region
  • Proximal lunar space

USAGE NOTE

In military and defense, cislunar space is increasingly viewed as a critical theater for strategic competition, requiring advanced capabilities for domain awareness and potential operations.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Cislunar.

  • United States Space Force (USSF)

    The USSF is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for organizing, training, and equipping space forces, with a growing focus on maintaining domain awareness and operational capabilities in cislunar space for national security.

  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

    DARPA initiates and funds advanced research projects like the Cislunar Highway Patrol System (CHPS), specifically aimed at developing capabilities for space domain awareness and traffic management in the cislunar region.

  • Lockheed Martin

    A major aerospace and defense company developing advanced spacecraft, navigation systems, and capabilities for deep space exploration and operations, including those pertinent to cislunar defense and security for government clients.

  • Northrop Grumman

    A leading global aerospace and defense technology company involved in developing satellites, launch vehicles, and advanced systems critical for space domain awareness and operations in the cislunar environment.

  • The Aerospace Corporation

    A non-profit organization operating a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) for the U.S. Space Force, conducting critical analyses and development in space architecture, including cislunar operations and space domain awareness for national security.

  • Blue Origin

    While primarily commercial, Blue Origin is increasingly involved in government and defense initiatives, developing lunar landers, launch systems, and in-space infrastructure that can support future cislunar operations and security needs.

  • L3Harris Technologies

    A defense contractor providing advanced solutions in space domain awareness, satellite communications, and sensor technologies, which are vital for monitoring and operating securely in the cislunar region.

  • SpaceX

    A private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company whose powerful Starship launch and in-space refueling capabilities are becoming foundational infrastructure for future large-scale cislunar operations, including those with military and defense applications.

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