In the April 2023 Issue of Longitude, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Marco Tantardini published an article on the history and future of lunar and Cislunar or xGEO (the area between the Earth geosynchronous orbit and the Moon) space missions. Tantardini discusses how this zone could become the next frontier of economic and security competition.

Some strategic thinkers are looking at xGEO not only as a destination, but in the context of Earth-centric disputes. Backup satellites could be stored at higher orbits, as a strategic reserve

Marco Tantardini
Forward Defense

Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.

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