The U.S. Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the U.S. Department of Defense, established in December 2019. Its primary role is to organize, train, and equip space forces to protect U.S. and allied interests in space by ensuring space superiority. The USSF manages space launch operations, satellite operations, space environment surveillance, and satellite defense, and partners with organizations like NASA on space domain awareness and planetary defense. Key areas of focus include missile warning, satellite communications, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The legislation restricts funds for the Space Development Agency and provides $15,000,000 to further study the establishment of a Space Force.
The bill includes $15,000,000 for expenses necessary to study and refine plans for the potential establishment of a Space Force as a branch of the Armed Forces.
The Pentagon requested $72,000,000 to begin standing up the Space Force headquarters.
The Department of Defense projects five-year costs of $2,000,000,000 for the Space Force.
The 2019-05-08 Congressional Budget Office report estimated that standing up an independent Space Force under the Air Force, a U.S. Space Command and a Space Development Agency would increase Department of Defense annual costs by $1,100,000,000 to $1,900,000,000 and incur one-time costs of $1,800,000,000 to $4,700,000,000.
In its fiscal year 2020 budget request, the Department of Defense requested $72,000,000 to stand up the Space Force, $83,000,000 to establish U.S. Space Command, and $149,000,000 for the Space Development Agency.
After President Trump directed the Department of Defense in June 2018 to stand up a Space Force as a separate military service, Patrick Shanahan led efforts to write a legislative proposal and persuade lawmakers to authorize the new branch.
The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2020 Pentagon budget request seeks funding for a Space Force, U.S. Space Command, and a Space Development Agency.
The open letter states that the U.S. Space Force will develop military space culture and ethos; recruit, train, educate, promote, and retain scientists, engineers, and warriors with world-class space skills and talent; advocate for space requirements and resources; develop space doctrine and operational art; develop, field, and deliver advanced space capabilities; and steward resources to sustain America’s strategic advantage and preeminence in national security space activities.
The National Reconnaissance Office currently collaborates with the Air Force and other services and would need to collaborate with a created Space Force.
Mark Warner was concerned that the administration might try to merge the National Reconnaissance Office with the Space Force if Congress approves the new military branch.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan seeks authorization for the Space Force as the sixth branch of the U.S. military in the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
The Pentagon floated a $2,000,000,000 five-year cost estimate for the Space Force.
Wallis Laughrey, vice president of space systems at Raytheon, stated that a Space Force could better align contractors with Department of Defense (DoD) space needs.
Carissa Bryce Christensen, CEO of Bryce Space and Technology, believes a Space Force could serve as a crucial link between the military and the commercial space industry.
The proposed Space Force is estimated to need about 15,000 personnel.
The Department of Defense proposes to place the Space Force under the Department of the Air Force to minimize administrative costs.
Stephen Kitay states that Space Force will be assessed based on its impact on national security.
Stephen Kitay has pitched the Pentagon’s Space Force proposal to congressional committees.
The Trump administration has requested Congress to authorize a Space Force in the 2020 NDAA.