Space Force to Expand Footprint in Grand Forks with New Operations Facility for Next-Generation Missions

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - There's big news for Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) in President Donald Trump's Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget. The executive budget proposes $250 million for a satellite operations center at GFAFB, expanding the U.S. Space Force's role in next-generation missions. The three-story facility taps the base's unmatched expertise to support National Reconnaissance Office and Space Force operations, powering advanced capabilities to strengthen force protection abroad and security at home. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus, has highlighted the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities North Dakota's defense ecosystem provides and has worked to create a pathway to integrate and expand existing capabilities into a long-term vision for the region's space architecture.

Backed by President Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget, the site's mission will strengthen the ISR capabilities of the Space Force, enhancing the ability to detect, track, and target adversary space capabilities with speed and precision.

"This new project puts Grand Forks right at the center of what's next in space operations," said Cramer. "It speaks to the depth of our Airmen and Guardians' expertise and why this base keeps getting tapped for the most important and modern missions. With advanced ISR capabilities all in one place, Grand Forks is built to deliver timely, actionable intelligence for the space domain-tracking and understanding adversary threats with real precision. I'm looking forward to what's ahead for the base and the broader defense ecosystem growing around it."

Cramer facilitated the partnership between the Space Development Agency (SDA) and GFAFB, hosting officials and promoting the base's strengths for satellite operations. In October 2020, Cramer first brought former SDA Director Dr. Derek Tournear to Grand Forks to view firsthand how GFAFB's UAS professionals operate systems around the world from North Dakota. The following year, after Cramer's steadfast advocacy for federal space assets and defense modernization, SDA designated GFAFB as operator of its future satellite mission using the base as a center to monitor and maneuver satellites. In 2024, Cramer flipped the switch to bring the SDA Operations Center North at GFAFB online.

The new satellite operations facility will house advanced intelligence analysis and production, delivering near real-time, all-source insights tailored to space operations. It will serve the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, joint warfighters, and policymakers with actionable intelligence. According to the Space Force, the facility will include a 500-person auditorium for secure briefings and conferences and include a dining area to support 24/7 operations.

For specific budget information, please see pages 192 - 198 of President Trump's FY27 Executive Budget.