Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
Senator Cramer Advocated for the Base to Military Leaders
BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Armed Services Committee member, announced today the Defense Department’s Space Development Agency (SDA) has been approved by the Air Force to operate a future satellite mission out of Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). SDA will use the base as a center to monitor and maneuver Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
“Congratulations to Grand Forks Air Force Base for taking on more responsibility in defending our country by bolstering our presence in space,” said Senator Cramer. “The satellite operations center will be vital in improving our space-based defense capabilities, and it further establishes Grand Forks as an important player in America’s national security. I thank the agency’s director Dr. Tournear for visiting the base and the University of North Dakota with me last year and for acting on what he learned, and I appreciate Air Force Secretary Kendall’s recognition of the great capabilities North Dakota brings to the table. I look forward to working with them to ensure this effort is successful.”