The Department of Defense’s (DoD) policy office has a new temporary face leading its space policy efforts, the department announced on May 17.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb – the first-ever to hold that title – stepped down from his post on Friday after serving in the role for two years.
The Pentagon created the assistant defense secretary for space policy position in late 2020 following a requirement in the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Before that, space policy fell under the purview of the deputy assistant defense secretary.
Vipin Narang will become the acting assistant defense secretary for space policy effective today. Narang was previously the principal deputy assistant secretary for space policy under Plumb.
“As the first assistant secretary of defense for space policy, his tenure shaped the Department’s approach to space warfighting and established trust and confidence with defense and military partners across the globe,” the department said of Plumb’s tenure.
From March 2022 to May 2024, Plumb oversaw and managed the DoD’s strategic capabilities for integrated deterrence: space, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and countering weapons of mass destruction.
Notably, Plumb worked on easing classifications on space programs and implementing the DoD’s recent commercial space integration policy. During his tenure, Plumb also worked to expand partnerships through the Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals Board.
Plumb also oversaw the DoD’s cyber policy portfolio and served as the Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense until March 2024.
President Biden has yet to nominate a permanent replacement for the position.
