John Plumb Explains Update to Pentagon Space Program Classification Policy

John Plumb, the Pentagon’s assistant secretary for space policy, has shared that a recent classification policy update is meant to facilitate information sharing internally and with allies and industry.

He told reporters that the new memo, signed by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks in late 2023, “completely rewrites” a 20-year-old document that is outdated for the current national security space environment, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

The policy update would reduce the use of Special Access Program status, which prevents documents from being shared outside a small circle of U.S. officials. According to Plumb, files that can be brought down from a SAP level could potentially bring “massive value” to allies and partners.

The Pentagon will begin assigning minimum classifications to files to allow the service branches to reevaluate whether some programs still require the SAP status, Plumb explained. He said Pentagon components now need to have a technical reason to restrict access to space initiatives.