President Donald Trump has developed a strong fixation on Greenland, and floated the idea of the United States buying the island from Denmark. The proposal has been broadly criticized for its imperialistic overtones, but it spotlights that the Arctic region is of critical strategic importance and could become the next frontier in the global space race.
The cornerstone of U.S. space operations in the region is Pituffik Space Base, a remote installation on Greenland’s northwestern coast. From this frigid outpost, America maintains a critical node in its space infrastructure and missile defense network. While the base’s existence stems from Cold War imperatives, its importance has grown in an era where space dominance increasingly determines global power.
The space base was known as Thule Air Base until its 2023 renaming to reflect the indigenous name for the region, and operates under defense agreements between the U.S. and Denmark. During a November visit, senior enlisted leader of the Space Force, Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna, underscored its value.
“The Department of Defense has unveiled a new Arctic strategy, underscoring the region’s critical importance to our national security and that of our allies,” he told servicemembers. “Maintaining a strong presence and projecting power from the Arctic is paramount; we must fortify it, ensuring that we capitalize on our unique position at the top of the world to safeguard our interests and those of our allies.”
Climate change has transformed the Arctic from an impenetrable barrier into a new frontier of great power competition. As polar ice recedes, Russia and China have moved aggressively to establish their presence in the region. Beijing has invested in research stations that could easily serve military purposes. Moscow has already built a network of ground stations optimized for military satellite operations as the island’s geographic position makes it vitally important for space operations.
Polar-orbiting satellites, which form the backbone of modern space-based surveillance and weather monitoring, require Arctic ground stations for reliable control and data collection. Pituffik, along with Alaska’s Clear Space Force Station, provides essential tracking capabilities and early warning of missile launches.
The commercial space sector understands this strategic calculus. Private satellite operators increasingly depend on Arctic ground stations for their polar-orbiting constellations. The world’s largest commercial polar ground station is located in Svalbard, Norway, demonstrating the importance of Arctic infrastructure not just for military but for economic purposes.
The nonpartisan Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), which focuses on strengthening the transatlantic alliance, has argued for increased investment by Western nations in Arctic infrastructure, as well as expanded military cooperation with Greenland’s autonomous government.“Geopolitics and strategic competition are fast changing the Arctic security landscape, a trend compounded by climate change,” CEPA analysts wrote in a December report. They noted that Russia has engaged in “hostile activities including air incursions, snap military exercises, global navigation satellite system/GPS jamming and electronic warfare operations.”
Potential miscalculations and tactical errors risk unintended escalation across critical Arctic choke points, said CEPA. “U.S. and allied presence are still lacking. Persistent gaps prevent full domain awareness.”
CEPA argued that Arctic stability depends on developing deterrence strategies tailored to polar threats. This requires leveraging emerging technologies — including uncrewed platforms, autonomous systems, and space-based assets — in order to have better intelligence about the region, particularly China’s dual-use activities while avoiding unnecessary escalation.
What Trump’s White House might do next regarding Greenland remains uncertain, though the region clearly has his attention. A 45-minute call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in mid-January suggests continued strategic interest, even as she reminded him that Greenland’s independence is solely Greenland’s decision. The autonomous territory’s position remains firm — as Minister Naaja Nathanielsen told Voice of America, “We are not a commodity. And we are not for sale.”
Trump’s persistent focus on Greenland raises concerns about respect for international law, sovereignty and the rights of indigenous peoples. It also draws attention to a national security challenge: The nation that controls the high ground of space will need secure footholds in the High North.
This article first appeared in the February 2025 issue of SpaceNews Magazine with the title “On National Security | Understanding Greenland’s value.”
