You may have encountered unusual names for military operations or weapons before—some clever, some strange, and some seemingly pulled from a work of science fiction. From oddly cheerful operation titles to weapons systems with mythological flair, the U.S. military has long balanced seriousness with a distinctive sense of humor and symbolism.

The U.S. Space Force is now adding its own chapter to that tradition.

In a move that feels both modern and deeply rooted in military history, the Space Force has rolled out a formal naming scheme for its satellites and space weapons—one that relies on vivid imagery, mythology, and clear thematic structure. Spoiler alert: it is colorful, memorable, and, in some cases, inspired by things as familiar as playing cards.

At first glance, it may sound like a joke. In reality, it reflects a deliberate and time-tested approach the military has used for decades: naming systems and operations in ways that are easy to remember, rich in symbolism, and meaningful to the people who operate them. In light of this new development, we are taking a look back at the history of military naming conventions, as well as what the next chapter for the Space Force means.

A Young Service Building an Identity

Founded in 2019, the Space Force is the youngest branch of the U.S. military. Unlike the Army or Navy, it does not have centuries of accumulated traditions to draw from. As a result, it is actively shaping its culture, language, and identity—including how it names its systems.

That process recently became public when the Space Force unveiled official naming themes for its weapons and space systems. Rather than relying solely on alphanumeric designations, the service introduced symbolic naming categories designed to reflect mission purpose, hierarchy, and character.

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This approach addresses a unique challenge of space operations: satellites and space-based weapons are largely invisible. Unlike ships, tanks, or aircraft, they cannot be seen, touched, or easily visualized. Naming them gives them personality and helps Guardians—Space Force service members—connect with systems they may only encounter through screens and data feeds.

The Challenge of Naming Space Systems

Space operations present a unique challenge when compared to land, sea, or air warfare. Satellites and space-based weapons are largely invisible to the human eye.

Operators interact with them through screens, telemetry, and data streams rather than physical proximity. This abstraction can make it difficult to intuitively grasp mission roles or develop a personal connection to the systems involved.

Naming serves as a bridge between technical complexity and human understanding. Assigning symbolic names allows operators—known as Guardians—to quickly associate a system with its mission, function, and character. It also enables clearer communication across units and contributes to a shared professional identity.

The New Space Force Naming Themes

The naming themes were revealed by Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman during his keynote address at the 2025 Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference.

Each theme aligns with a specific mission area and uses universally recognizable imagery that avoids trademark or copyright concerns.

The seven official naming themes are:

• Orbital warfare: Norse pantheon
• Electromagnetic warfare: Snakes
• Cyber warfare: Mythological creatures
• Navigation warfare: Sharks
• Satellite communications: Constellations
• Missile warning: Sentinels
• Space domain awareness: Ghosts

According to Saltzman, the goal was not novelty for novelty’s sake.

“After a lot of feedback and deliberation, we’ve chosen to represent each of our mission areas with specific symbology. These symbols conjure the character of the systems, the importance of their mission, and the identity of the Guardians who employ them.”

Saltzman also emphasized that Guardians themselves played a role in shaping the themes.

“We had to find categories that you could use—like ghosts or constellations or things that nobody could claim ownership of.”

The result is a system that is structured, intuitive, and uniquely Space Force.

Looking Back: Military Naming Has Always Had Personality

While the Space Force’s approach may feel fresh, it is hardly unprecedented. The U.S. military has a long history of assigning memorable—and sometimes bizarre—names to operations and programs.

Past operations have included titles such as Operation Viking Snatch, Operation Menu (with sub-operations Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner, and Dessert), and even Operation Toenails. These names often had little to do with their actual objectives and everything to do with memorability, classification requirements, or internal culture.

Operation names, in particular, are often selected for neutrality or randomness, especially when secrecy is involved. Over time, however, they take on meaning through history, media coverage, and the experiences of the people involved.

Weapons systems and platforms follow a similar pattern. Mythology, animals, and symbolic roles—predators, guardians, messengers—have long been used to convey power, speed, stealth, or vigilance. The Space Force’s use of Norse gods, sentinels, and ghosts fits squarely within that tradition.

Why Names Matter—Especially in Space

Names do not change how a weapon or satellite functions, but they shape how people relate to it. They make abstract missions more tangible and help service members communicate complex ideas quickly and clearly.

In the Space Force’s case, Norse mythology conveys dominance and power in orbital warfare, while ghosts reflect the quiet, persistent monitoring required for space domain awareness. These symbolic choices reinforce mission identity and foster pride among Guardians.

More broadly, the naming scheme signals that the Space Force is serious about its mission—but not afraid to embrace creativity or break from convention.

An Early Chapter in Space Force History

The Space Force is telling its story: it is serious about its mission and not afraid to be a little different. They might not get it right at first, but it will be memorable and will surely go down in military history.

If you come to think of it, war, weapons, and military operations always had their own strange details. That’s just how humans are. They always add a little bit of personality to conflict, to make it fun.

In the end, these military naming conventions are not only for labels because they don’t define how things are used. They help people understand how service members, such as those in the Space Force, connect with their mission, whereas civilians don’t really understand what they are doing. With this, they can connect even just a little.

With that, you have to remember that behind a specific name is a long military tradition turning mission into something people can easily understand, and maybe even enjoy talking about.

Read next:

• Before Star Wars: How U.S. Military Technology Influenced the Film Franchise
• “Confederate Army of Manhattan:” The 1854 Plot to Burn Down New York City
• The Sinking of the USS Lexington and the Tales That Survived

Sources:

• Space Force Rolls Out New Themes for Naming Its Weapons and Space Systems
• Snakes, Sharks, and Ghosts: Space Force Reveals Themes for Naming Platforms