David Buehler

David Buehler is a Captain in the United States Space Force (USSF) and currently serves as the Futures Lead. He has played a significant role in advancing the U.S. military's capabilities in cislunar space, which is the region between the Earth and the Moon. Buehler is notably the manager of the Cislunar Highway Patrol System (CHPS) experiment, which aims to develop technologies for monitoring this expansive area, as the U.S. prepares for potential military responsibilities beyond geostationary orbit (GEO) .12

Buehler's work is critical in the context of increasing international competition in space, particularly as nations like China pursue ambitious goals in lunar exploration and resource utilization. His role involves not only technological development but also strategic planning to ensure U.S. leadership in space operations .24 He has emphasized the need for enhanced space domain awareness capabilities to protect U.S. interests in cislunar space, which presents unique challenges due to its vast volume and the gravitational influences of both the Earth and the Moon .13

In addition to his technical responsibilities, Buehler is involved in collaborative efforts with NASA and other organizations to leverage expertise and resources for effective cislunar operations. His contributions are part of a broader vision to establish U.S. space power in this new frontier, recognizing the economic, political, and military implications of activities in cislunar space .24