Trump orders creation of U.S. Space Command
FORUM Staff
U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the establishment of a Space Command — an 11th combatant command that would control military space operations.
The command will integrate space capabilities across all branches of the U.S. military. It will also develop space doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures that enable the United States to defend itself in this era of multi-domain battle, where land, air, space and outer space are now considered part of the battlespace.
“We’re working as we speak with leaders in both parties in Congress to stand up the United States Space Force before the end of 2020,” U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in late December 2018, adding that the military will use the foundation provided by the Air Force, which has been “a magnificent steward of our military space capabilities” and build on that with “space professionals from every branch,” according to CNN.
“While we’re taking these actions to ensure our nation’s security, and our future, we’ll be following the very best traditions of the past,” Pence said.
Trump’s order is separate from his desire to create a Space Force, which would operate as an independent armed service branch. A U.S. Space Command is considered one of the first steps toward establishing a Space Force. (Pictured: In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express, launches from Space Launch Complex-4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.)
A Space Command previously existed from 1985 to 2002, according to The Associated Press (AP). It dissolved following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While the U.S. Air Force maintained its own space command, unified operations ceased, AP reported.
U.S. officials have defined space as the next warfighting domain. China has tested missiles designed to destroy satellites, Pence said, according to AP. Both China and Russia are developing ways to station new weapons directly in space, according to the vice president.
“The Space Force will serve as a force provider for personnel, assets and capabilities supporting space operations, while Space Command will serve as the operational command that will employ space capabilities and lead space operations,” Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said, according to SpaceNews.com. “It is urgent that we address space as a warfighting domain and this combatant command is a critical step in that direction. U.S. Space Command will allow us to accelerate our space capabilities to defend our national interests and deter our adversaries.”
