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United States Space Force

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For the unified combatant command, see United States Space Command.

United States Space Force
Seal of the United States Space Force.svg
Founded20 December 2019
(1 year, 1 month)
(As independent service)

1 September 1982
(38 years, 4 months)
(As Air Force Space Command)[1]

Country United States
TypeSpace force
RoleSpace security
Combat power projection
Space mobility and logistics
Information mobility
Space domain awareness
Size2,501 guardians[2][3]
13,590 assigned airmen[2][4]
77 spacecraft[5]
Part ofSeal of the United States Department of the Air Force.svg Department of the Air Force
HeadquartersThe Pentagon
Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.[1]
Motto(s)Semper Supra
"Always above"[6]
March"The U.S. Space Force March" (interim)[7]
Anniversaries20 December
Websitewww.spaceforce.mil
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Joe Biden
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth (acting)
Chief of Space Operations Gen John W. Raymond
Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen David D. Thompson
Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force CMSSF Roger A. Towberman
Insignia
Flag
Flag of the United States Space Force.svg
Space Force Delta
Logo of the United States Space Force.png
Service patch
Patch of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations.png
Part of a series on the
Space program of the United States
Greater coat of arms of the United States.svg
Space policy
Human spaceflight programs
Robotic spaceflight programs
Launch vehicles
Astronauts

The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services and is the world's first and, as of 2021, only independent space force.[8][9] The U.S. Space Force traces its roots to the beginning of the Cold War, with the first Air Force space programs starting in 1945. In 1954, the Western Development Division, under General Bernard Schriever, was established as the first dedicated space organization within the U.S. Armed Forces and continues to exist as the Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center. The Air Force's space forces were organized under several different major commands until they were unified under Air Force Space Command, which was established on 1 September 1982. U.S. space forces first began conducting combat support operations in the Vietnam War, and continued to provide satellite communications, weather, and navigation support during the 1982 Falklands War, 1983 United States invasion of Grenada, 1986 United States bombing of Libya, and 1989 United States invasion of Panama. The first major employment of space forces culminated in the Gulf War, where they proved so critical to the U.S.-led coalition, that it is sometimes referred to as the first space war. The first discussions of creating a military space service occurred in 1958, with the idea being considered by President Reagan as well in 1982. The 2001 Space Commission argued for the creation of a Space Corps between 2007 and 2011 and a bipartisan proposal in the U.S. congress would have created a Space Corps in 2017. On 20 December 2019, the United States Space Force Act, part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2020, was signed, creating an independent space service by renaming and reorganizing Air Force Space Command into the United States Space Force.

The U.S. Space Force is organized as a military service branch within the Department of the Air Force (not to be confused with the U.S. Air Force, its sister service), one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense. The Space Force, through the Department of the Air Force, is headed by the secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the secretary of defense, and is appointed by the president with Senate confirmation.[10] In terms of personnel count, it is the smallest U.S. armed service within the U.S. Department of Defense. The Space Force consists of 2,501 personnel, and operates 77 spacecraft, including the Boeing X-37B spaceplane and the Global Positioning System satellite constellation. The military head of the Space Force is the chief of space operations (CSO). The chief of space operations is also the most senior Space Force officer, unless a Space Force officer is serving as either the chairman or vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The chief of space operations exercises supervision over the Space Force's units and serves as one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Space Force operating forces are assigned to the unified combatant commands, predominantly to United States Space Command. The U.S. Space Force is a distinct entity from United States Space Command, which is the unified combatant command for space operations.

Mission

The United States Space Force Act codified the Space Force would be organized, trained, and equipped to "provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space" and "provide prompt and sustained space operations," with its stated duties enumerated as to "protect the interests of the United States in space, deter aggression in, from, and to space, and conduct space operations."[11]

On 10 August 2020, the Space Force released its capstone doctrine, Spacepower: Doctrine for Space Forces, further expanding on its enumerated missions and duties. In Spacepower, the Space Force defined its three cornerstone responsibilities, which it articulates as why spacepower is vital to U.S. prosperity and security, as to provide freedom of action in the space domain, enable joint lethality and effectiveness, and provide independent options to U.S. national leadership capable of achieving national objectives. Spacepower establishes the Space Force's five core competencies, which articulate how spacepower is employed, as space security, combat power projection, space mobility and logistics, information mobility, and space domain awareness. Spacepower lists the seven spacepower disciplines required for the core competencies as orbital warfare, space electromagnetic warfare, space battle management, space access and sustainment, military intelligence, cyber operations, and engineering and acqusitions.[12]

Organization

Organization of the United States Space Force within the Department of Defense

The United States Space Force falls under the Department of the Air Force, under civilian leadership of the secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) and under secretary of the Air Force. The most senior Space Force officer is the chief of space operations (CSO), unless a Space Force general is serving as the chairman or vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The secretary of the Air Force and chief of space operations are responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Space Force so that it is ready for operation under the commanders of the unified combat commands.

The Space Force field organizations consist of three different echelons of command: field commands, deltas or garrisons, and squadrons. Field commands align with specific mission focuses and are led by a lieutenant general or major general. Deltas and garrisons are organized around a specific function, such as operations or training, in the case of a delta, or installation support, in the case of a garrison, and are led by a colonel. Squadrons are focused on specific tactics and are led by a lieutenant colonel.[13]

Structure

Main article: Structure of the United States Space Force

Space Staff

The Space Staff, also known as the Office of the Chief of Space Operations or Headquarters, United States Space Force, serves as service's highest staff and headquarters element, is located at the Pentagon. The Space Staff is overseen by the chief of space operations (CSO), who holds the rank of general and is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the Space Force and serves as the principle advisor to the secretary of the Air Force on the Space Force. In addition to their service role, they serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, providing advice to the president of the United States and secretary of defense[14] The vice chief of space operations (VCSO), also holding the rank of general, serves as the deputy to the chief of space operations and is responsible for overseeing, integrating space policy and guidance, and coordinating space-related activities for the U.S. Space Force and Department of the Air Force.[15] The chief master sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF) is the most senior enlisted member of the Space Force, unless an enlisted guardian is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman. The CMSSF provides direction for and represents the interests of the Space Force's enlisted corps, while also acting as a personal advisor to the chief of space operations and secretary of the Air Force on issues relating to the welfare, readiness, morale, utilization, and development of members of the Space Force.[16]

Support to the Space Staff is managed by the director of staff, who holds the rank of lieutenant general and is responsible for the staff action, protocol, information technology and administration, resources, and total force integration groups. They are also responsible for synchronizing policy, plans, positions, procedures, and cross functional issues for the U.S. Space Force headquarters staff.[17] Parallel to the director of staff are three deputy chiefs of space operations. The deputy chief of space operations for personnel and logistics, also known as the chief human capital officer, leads the S1/4 staff directorate and is a civilian member of the senior executive service. The deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear, also known as the chief operations officer, leads the S2/3/6/10 staff directorate and is a lieutenant general, responsible for Space Force operations, intelligence, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear operations support.[18] The deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements, and analysis, also known as the chief strategy and resourcing officer, leads the S5/8/9 staff directorate and is a lieutenant general, responsible for Space Force strategies, requirements, and budget.[19] The chief technology and innovation officer is a civilian member of the senior executive service[20]

Title Office Current holder
Service leadership
Flag of the Chief of Space Operations.svg Chief of space operations CSO Gen John W. Raymond
Flag of the Vice Chief of Space Operations.svg Vice chief of space operations VCSO Gen David D. Thompson
Flag of the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Space Force.svg Chief master sergeant of the Space Force CMSSF CMSSF Roger A. Towberman
Space Staff
Flag of a United States Space Force lieutenant general.svg Director of staff Lt Gen Nina M. Armagno
Flag of the United States Senior Executive Service.svg Deputy chief of space operations for personnel and logistics / chief human capital officer S1/4 Patricia Mulcahy
Flag of a United States Space Force lieutenant general.svg Deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear / chief operations officer S2/3/6/10 Lt Gen B. Chance Saltzman
Flag of a United States Air Force major general.svg Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance S2 Maj Gen Leah G. Lauderback
Flag of a United States Space Force lieutenant general.svg Deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements, and analysis / chief strategy and resourcing officer S5/8/9 Lt Gen William J. Liquori Jr.
Flag of a United States Air Force brigadier general.svg Director of Plans and Programs S8 Brig Gen Jennifer L. Grant
Flag of a United States Air Force major general.svg Chief technology and innovation officer Maj Gen Kimberly A. Crider (acting)

Space Operations Command

Main article: Space Operations Command
Space Operations Command deltas and garrisons.

Space Operations Command (SpOC) is the United States Space Force's first field command and commanded by a lieutenant general. Space Operations Command was established on 21 October 2020 by redesignating Headquarters United States Space Force, which itself was redesignated from Headquarters Air Force Space Command on 20 December 2019 when the Space Force was established. Currently the Space Force's sole field command, Space Operations Command is primarily responsible for space operations, cyber operations, intelligence operations, and the administration of Space Operations Command bases and serves as the Space Force service component to United States Space Command. It is responsible for 9 space mission deltas, two garrisons, and two wings.[21]

Space Operations Command West is responsible for executing space warfighting operations and is led by a major general who is also the deputy commander of Space Operations Command and the commander of U.S. Space Command's Combined Force Space Component Command, which SpOC West serves as the headquarters for. Space Operations Command West was redesignated from the original Space Operations Command upon the current Space Operations Command's standup on 21 October 2020. This first SpOC was itself redesignated from Air Force Space Command's Fourteenth Air Force on 20 December 2020.[21]

Space Operations Command is also temporarily responsible for a number of units that are intended to become part of different field commands upon their activation. Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) is intended to form the core of Space Training and Readiness Command when the field command is established in 2021. The 30th Space Wing and 45th Space Wing, responsible for launch and range operations, are intended to join with the Space and Missile Systems Center to form Space Systems Command when it is established.[21]

Name Function Headquarters Commander
Emblem of the Space Operations Command.png Space Operations Command Space, cyber, and intelligence operations, and combat support Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Lt Gen Stephen N. Whiting
Space Operations Command West Space warfighting operations Vandenberg Air Force Base, California Maj Gen DeAnna M. Burt
Space mission deltas
Emblem of STAR Delta (P).svg Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) Space training, test and evaluation, and doctrine development Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 2.png Space Delta 2 Space domain awareness Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 3.png Space Delta 3 Space electronic warfare Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 4.png Space Delta 4 Missile warning Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 5.png Space Delta 5 Command and control Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Emblem of Space Delta 6.png Space Delta 6 Cyberspace operations Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 7.png Space Delta 7 Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 8.png Space Delta 8 Satellite communication and navigation warfare Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of Space Delta 9.png Space Delta 9 Orbital warfare Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
Garrisons and wings
Emblem of the Peterson-Schriever Garrison.svg Peterson-Schriever Garrison Mission and medical support Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Emblem of the Buckley Garrison.svg Buckley Garrison Mission and medical support Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
30th Space Wing.png 30th Space Wing Space launch, Western Range administration, and mission and medical support Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
45th Space Wing.png 45th Space Wing Space launch, Eastern Range administration, and mission and medical support Patrick Space Force Base, Florida

Space and Missile Systems Center

Main article: Space and Missile Systems Center

The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) is the United States Space Force's development and acquisitions center and commanded by a lieutenant general. The Space and Missile Systems Center is the oldest military space organization in the United States Armed Forces, being established on 1 July 1954 as Air Research and Development Command's Western Development Division under General Bernard Schriever. It went through a number of iterations, being redesignated as the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division in 1957, Air Force Systems Command's Space Systems Division in 1961, the Space and Missile Systems Organization in 1967, the Space Division in 1979, regaining the name of the Space Systems Division in 1990, before assuming its current designation of the Space and Missile Systems Center under Air Force Materiel Command in 1992, before being transferred from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Space Command in 2001. The Space and Missile Systems Center is responsible for 6 directorates, 1 division, and 1 air base group.[22]

The Space and Missile Systems center is intended to become the core of Space Systems Command, a field commanded intended to combine the Space Force's acquisitions, engineering, research and development, and launch activities under one organization.[21]

Name Function Headquarters Commander
Space and Missile Systems Center.png Space and Missile Systems Center Research and development, acquisitions, and engineering Los Angeles Air Force Base, California Lt Gen John F. Thompson
Directorates and divisions
Advanced Systems and Development Directorate.png Advanced Systems and Development Directorate Advanced systems development Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
Global Positioning Systems Directorate.png Global Positioning Systems Directorate Global Positioning System acquisition, development, launch, and sustainment Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Launch Enterprise Directorate.png Launch Enterprise Directorate Space launch vehicle acquisition and operations Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate.png Military Satellite Communications Directorate Military satellite communications acquisition, development, launch, and sustainment Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Range and Network Systems Division.png Range and Network Systems Division Launch and test range system and Air Force Satellite Control Network modernization, sustainment, development and support Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Remote Sensing Systems Directorate.png Remote Sensing Systems Division Overhead persistent infrared and weather satellite acquisition, development, launch, and sustainment Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Space Logistics Directorate shield.jpg Space Logistics Directorate Space logistics, maintenance, supply, sustaining engineering Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Space Superiority Systems Directorate.png Space Superiority Systems Directorate Develop, deliver, and sustain space control capabilities Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Air base groups
61st Air Base Group.png 61st Air Base Group Mission and medical support Los Angeles Air Force Base, California

Locations

Former Air Force Space Command bases have not been officially transferred to the United States Space Force from the United States Air Force, however the Space Force has taken over operational control of these bases through its garrisons.[23] On 9 December 2020, Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida were the first Space Force installations renamed, becoming Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.[24] The Space Force operates six primary bases, seven smaller stations, and one air base in Greenland.[25] It also has ten units based outside the contiguous United States in Greenland, the United Kingdom, Ascension Island, Diego Garcia atoll, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam.[26]

Installation Major units and functions Location Garrison Field command
Space Force bases
Buckley Air Force Base Space Delta 4 (missile warning), Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, Joint Overhead Persistent Infrared Center Aurora, Colorado Buckley Garrison SpOC
Los Angeles Air Force Base Space and Missile Systems Center (acquisitions, engineering, and research and development) El Segundo, California 61st Air Base Group SMC
Patrick Space Force Base 45th Operations Group (space launch and range management), 23rd Space Operations Squadron (satellite control network) Brevard County, Florida 45th Space Wing SpOC
Peterson Air Force Base North American Aerospace Defense Command, Northern Command, Space Command, Space Operations Command, Space Delta 2 (space domain awareness), Space Delta 3 (space electronic warfare), Space Delta 7 (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional), 319th Combat Training Squadron (advanced space training), Detachment 1, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, National Security Space Institute (advanced space education) Colorado Springs, Colorado Peterson-Schriever Garrison SpOC
Schriever Air Force Base Joint Task Force-Space Defense and National Space Defense Center, Space Delta 6 (cyberspace operations), Space Delta 8 (satellite communications and navigation warfare), and Space Delta 9 (orbital warfare), 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron, 17th Test Squadron, 25th Space Range Squadron, 527th Space Aggressors Squadron, Detachment 1, United States Air Force Warfare Center, 705th Combat Training Squadron Operating Location-Alpha Falcon, Colorado Peterson-Schriever Garrison SpOC
Vandenberg Air Force Base Combined Force Space Component Command and Space Operations Command West, Combined Space Operations Center and Space Delta 5 (command and control), 30th Operations Group (space launch and range management), 18th Space Control Squadron (space domain awareness), 21st Space Operations Squadron (satellite control network), 533d Training Squadron (undergraduate space training) Santa Barbara County, California 30th Space Wing SpOC
Space Force stations
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 45th Operations Group (space launch and range management) Cape Canaveral, Florida 45th Space Wing SpOC
Cape Cod Air Force Station 6th Space Warning Squadron (missile warning and space domain awareness) Barnstable County, Massachusetts Buckley Garrison SpOC
Cavalier Air Force Station 10th Space Warning Squadron (missile warning and space domain awareness) Cavalier, North Dakota Buckley Garrison SpOC
Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station Missile Warning Center, NORAD and NORTHCOM alternate command center Colorado Springs, Colorado Peterson-Schriever Garrison SpOC
Clear Air Force Station 13th Space Warning Squadron (missile warning and space domain awareness) Clear, Alaska Buckley Garrison SpOC
Kaena Point Air Force Station Detachment 3, 21st Space Operations Squadron (satellite control network) Honolulu County, Hawaii Peterson-Schriever Garrison SpOC
New Boston Air Force Station 23rd Space Operations Squadron (satellite control network) New Boston, New Hampshire Peterson-Schriever Garrison SpOC
Thule Air Base 12th Space Warning Squadron (missile warning and space domain awareness), Detachment 1, 23rd Space Operations Squadron (satellite control network) Qaanaaq, Greenland Peterson-Schriever Garrison
(821st Air Base Group)		 SpOC

Partnerships with other organizations

United States Space Command

Main article: United States Space Command
Seal of United States Space Command.

United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) is the unified combatant command for all military space operations, while the United States Space Force is the military service responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the majority of forces for U.S. Space Command. The Space Force's service component to Space Command is Space Operations Command, providing the majority of space forces. U.S. Space Command also consists of smaller amounts of forces from the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, and United States Air Force. This mirrors the relationship between the Space Force's predecessor, Air Force Space Command, and U.S. Space Command (and between 2002 and 2019, United States Strategic Command).[27]

United States Air Force

Main article: United States Air Force
Service mark of the United States Air Force.

The United States Space Force and United States Air Force are both coequal sister service branches under the United States Department of the Air Force, a civilian-led military department under the Department of Defense. The Space Force's direct antecedent, Air Force Space Command, was an Air Force major command and Air Force space professionals worked throughout Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the rest of the Air Force's major commands. Prior to the creation of Air Force Space Command in 1982, Air Force space assets were spread across Air Force Systems Command for launch and acquisitions, Aerospace Defense Command (until it's inactivation in 1979), and Strategic Air Command and the first predecessor of the Space Force, the Western Development Division, was established in 1954 under the Air Force's Air Research and Development Command.[28]

The Space Force derivates most of its support personnel from the Air Force, being provided civil engineers, security forces, logistics, contracting, finance, and medical personnel who are then assigned to Space Force garrisons. The Space Force and Air Force also share the same service secretary and military department, along with common commissioning sources and training programs such as the United States Air Force Academy, Air University, and Air Force Basic Military Training. [29]

National Reconnaissance Office

Main article: National Reconnaissance Office
Seal of the National Reconnaissance Office.

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a Department of Defense agency and a member of the United States Intelligence Community, responsible for designing, building, launching, and maintaining intelligence satellites. The National Reconnaissance Office was established in 1961 as a joint agency between the United States Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency, being declassified in 1992.[30] The Space Force performs NRO space launches and consists of 40% of the agency's personnel.[31][32][33]

A number of proposals have been put forward, including by the Air Force Association and retired Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula, to merge the National Reconnaissance Office into the United States Space Force, transforming it into a Space Force Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance Command and consolidating the entire national security space apparatus in the Space Force.[34][35][36]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Main article: NASA
Logo of NASA.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for civil spaceflight. NASA and the Space Force's predecessors in the Air Force have a long-standing cooperative relationship, with the Space Force supporting NASA launches out of Kennedy Space Center, to include range support and rescue operations from Task Force 45. [37] NASA and the Space Force also partner on matters such as space domain awareness and planetary defense operations.[38]

Space Force members can also be NASA astronauts, with Colonel Michael S. Hopkins, the commander of SpaceX Crew-1, commissioned into the Space Force from the International Space Station on 18 December 2020.[39][40][41]

Personnel

On 20 December 2019, all members of the former Air Force Space Command were assigned to the United States Space Force. Members of the United States Army, and United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force are also to be detailed to the Space Force.[42] There are currently 16,000 individuals assigned to the Space Force.[4] Air Force space airmen began transferring to the Space Force in FY 2020, while Army space soldiers and Navy space sailors and space marines will begin transferring in FY 2022.[43]

The Space Force is creating career tracks for Space Force Core Organic specialties, including space-specific operations, intelligence, engineering, acquisitions, science, and cyber/communications. Support specialties, such as legal, medical, civil engineering, logistics, financial management, security forces, and public affairs will be detailed by the Air Force to support the Space Force.[43]

Space Force service-members are known as guardians. The title of guardian has a long history in space operations, tracing its heritage to Air Force Space Command's 1983 motto, Guardians of the High Frontier.[44] It was announced to commemorate the Space Force's first birthday by Vice President Mike Pence on 18 December 2020. Previously, they were referred to as space professionals.[45]

Rank structure

Main article: United States Space Force rank insignia

Officer corps

The United States Air Force Academy commissioned the first 86 Space Force lieutenants on 18 April 2020 from the members of the class of 2020.

The Space Force inherited its current officer rank structure from the Air Force, and was set to roll out its new officer rank structure in August 2020, however, the inclusion of a late amendment that would require the Space Force to adopt the Navy's rank structure was introduced in the House of Representative's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, resulting in the Space Force delaying the release of its final officer rank structure until the National Defense Authorization Act is reconciled and passed. The final version of the National Defense Authorization Act removed any requirement for the Space Force to adopt naval ranks. [46][47]

The United States Air Force Academy is considered the premier commissioning source for Space Force officers through its Space Force detachment and Cadet Space Operations Squadron.

On 18 April 2020, the United States Air Force Academy graduated the Space Force's first eighty-six new second lieutenants. [48] Space Force officers are commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps programs at civilian universities, and Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.[49] The United States Air Force Academy is considered the premier commissioning route for Space Force officers, having a Space Force detachment which provides Space Force training, immersion, and mentorship to cadets, the Cadet Space Operations Squadron flying FalconSAT-series of satellite since 1997, and its Department of Astronautics being the oldest in the world, established in 1958.[50][51][52][53]

Space Force officers attend Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base for professional military education, which has a number of space-specific programs including the Space Gray Rhinos program at Squadron Officer School for captains, the Schriever Space Scholars program at Air Command and Staff College for majors, and the West Space Seminar at Air War College for lieutenant colonels and colonels. [54][55] A small number of Space Force and Air Force officers also attend the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.[56]

Space Force officers specialties include:[57][58][59]

  • 13S - Space operations officer
    • 13SA - Orbital warfare officer
    • 13SB - Space electronic warfare officer
    • 13SD - Space battle management officer
    • 13SE - Space access and sustainment officer
  • 14N - Intelligence officer
  • 17 - Cyberspace warfare operations officer
    • 17C - Cyberspace warfare operations commander
    • 17D - Warfighter communications operations officer
    • 17S - Cyberspace effects operations officer
  • 62 - Developmental engineer field
    • 62E - Developmental engineer
    • 62S - Materiel leader
  • 63 - Acquisition field
    • 63A - Acquisitions manager
    • 63G - Senior materiel leader-lower echelon
    • 63S - Materiel leader
US DoD
pay grade 		Officer candidate O-1 O-2 O-3 O-4 O-5 O-6 O-7 O-8 O-9 O-10 Special grade
NATO code OF(D) OF-1 OF-2 OF-3 OF-4 OF-5 OF-6 OF-7 OF-8 OF-9 OF-10
Insignia Various US-O1 insignia.svg US-O2 insignia.svg US-O3 insignia.svg US-O4 insignia.svg US-O5 insignia.svg US-O6 insignia.svg US-O7 insignia.svg US-O8 insignia.svg US-O9 insignia.svg US-O10 insignia.svg Not established
Service dress uniform US Air Force O1 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O2 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O3 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O4 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O5 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O6 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O7 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O8 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O9 shoulderboard.svg US Air Force O10 shoulderboard.svg
OCP uniform USSF OCP O1.jpg USSF OCP O2.jpg USSF OCP O3.jpg USSF OCP O4.jpg USSF OCP O5.jpg USSF OCP O6.jpg USSF OCP O7.jpg USSF OCP O8.jpg USSF OCP O9.jpg USSF OCP O10.jpg
Title Cadet /
Officer trainee 		Second lieutenant First lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant colonel Colonel Brigadier general Major general Lieutenant general General
Abbreviation Cdt / OT 2d Lt 1st Lt Capt Maj Lt Col Col Brig Gen Maj Gen Lt Gen Gen

Enlisted corps

Vice chief of space operations General David D. Thompson swears in the first four enlisted Space Force recruits at the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station, Maryland on 20 October 2020.
Chief of space operations General John W. Raymond and chief master sergeant of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman perform a transfer ceremony for 300 Space Force personnel at the Pentagon on 15 September 2020.

The Space Force swore in its first 7 enlisted recruits on 20 October 2020, graduating basic military training on 10 December 2020. The Space Force performs its basic training through Air Force Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, with the inclusion of space-specific curriculum, while still training alongside Air Force recurits.[60] The Space Force's Forrest L. Vosler Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, operating under Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional), at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, provides enlisted professional military education for Space Force technical sergeants. The Space Force is in the process of standing up a separate enlisted professional military education program and enlisted professional military education center with curriculum focused on Space Force doctrine, values, and competences at the specific ranks of specialist 4, technical sergeant, senior master sergeant, and chief master sergeant.[61]

Space Force enlisted specialties include:[57][62][59]

  • 1C6 - Space systems operations specialist
  • 1N - Intelligence specialist
    • 1N0 - All source intelligence analyst
    • 1N1 - Geospatial intelligence analyst
    • 1N2 - Signals intelligence analyst
    • 1N4 - Fusion analyst
    • 1N8 - Targeting analyst
  • 3D - Cyberspace support specialist
    • 3D0 - Cyberspace operations specialist
    • 3D1 - Cyberspace support specialist
US DoD
pay grade 		E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 E-7 E-8 E-9
NATO code OR-1 OR-2 OR-3 OR-4 OR-5 OR-6 OR-7 OR-8 OR-9
Service dress uniform No insignia E2 USAF AM.svg E3 USAF AM1.svg E4 USAF SAM.svg E5 USAF SSGT.svg E6 USAF TSGT.svg E7a USAF MSGT.svg E7b USAF 1STSGT1.svg E8a USAF SMSGT.svg E8b USAF 1STSGT2.svg E9a USAF CMSGT.svg E9b USAF 1STSGT3.svg E9c USAF CCMS.svg USSF SEASF.svg USAF SEAC.svg
OCP uniform USSF OCP E2 temp.jpg USSF OCP E3 temp.jpg USSF OCP E4 temp.jpg USSF OCP E5 temp.jpg USSF OCP E6 temp.jpg USSF OCP E7a temp.jpg USSF OCP E7b temp.jpg USSF OCP E8a temp.jpg USSF OCP E8b temp.jpg USSF OCP E9a temp.jpg USSF OCP E9b temp.jpg USSF OCP E9c temp.jpg USSF OCP E9d temp.png
Title Specialist 1 Specialist 2 Specialist 3 Specialist 4 Sergeant Technical sergeant Master sergeant First sergeant Senior master sergeant First sergeant Chief master sergeant First sergeant Command chief master sergeant Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force
Abbreviation Spc1 Spc2 Spc3 Spc4 Sgt TSgt MSgt[note 1] SMSgt[note 1] CMSgt[note 1] CMSSF SEAC
  1. ^ a b c The Space Force does not have separate first sergeant ranks. These special ranks are instead positional billets denoted by a diamond within the upper field, and are senior to their non-diamond counterparts.

Uniforms

Main article: Uniforms of the United States Space Force
Chief of space operations General John W. Raymond wearing the service dress uniform during the U.S. Space Command change of command ceremony.
Chief of space operations General John W. Raymond debuting the Space Force's configuration of the OCP uniform.

While the Space Force is currently in the process of designing and testing its own unique mess dress, service dress, and physical training uniforms. In the interim period, the Space Force has adopted the Air Force's set of mess dress, service dress, and physical training uniforms.[63]

The mess dress uniform is worn during official formal evening functions and state occasions and consists of a blue mess dress coat, blue trousers with a 7/8th inch satin blue trouser stripe, white dress shirt, with a satin blue cummerbund and bow tie. Rank is worn on blue shoulder boards for officers and on the sleeves for enlisted. Officers wear a 1/2 inch silver braid on the sleeve, while general officers wear a 3/4 silver braid. Miniature medals and badges are worn in mess dress.[64]

The service dress uniform, also known as the class A uniform, consists of the blue service dress coat worn over the service blues uniform. The service dress coat is worn with a silver name tag, ribbons, silver U.S. lapel insignia, and full sized badges. Metal officer rank is worn on the epaulets, while enlisted rank is worn on the sleeve. Officers wear 1/2 inch blue braid on the sleeve, while general officers wear 1 1/2 inch blue braid. The service blue uniform, also known as the class B uniform, consists of either a long-sleeve or short-sleeve light blue shirt, blue trousers, with a blue belt with silver buckle and a blue tie may be worn. The service blue uniform is worn with a plastic blue nametag and badges. Officer rank is worn on blue shoulder mark, while enlisted rank is sewn on the sleeve. Authorized outerwear includes the lightweight blue jacket, topcoat, and all-weather coat. Authorized headwear includes the service cap with a silver Great Seal of the United States and flight cap. Field grade and general officer service caps include additional clouds and darts on the cap visor, while the chief of space operations is authorized a ring of clouds and darts around the service cap.[64]

Space Force cadets at the Air Force Academy wear the same uniform as Air Force cadets, however, in their distinctive blue and white parade dress uniforms they wear a platinum sash in place of the gold sash worn by Air Force cadets.[65]

The United States Space Force has adopted the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform as its combat uniform, sharing it with the United States Army and United States Air Force. The Space Force is distinguished by the use of embroidered space blue thread for name tape, service tape, rank insignia (except for major and second lieutenant, which use spice brown), and badges, and wears a full color United States flag on the left sleeve. The U.S. Space Force, field command, delta, school or other headquarters patch is worn on the left sleeve, while the unit of assignment patch is worn on the right sleeve. The Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) is authorized with wear with the OCP uniform. The Space Force has also authorized the wear of the legacy digital tigerstripe pattern Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) until its phase out on 1 April 2021.[66][67] The service's announcement that it was adopting the OCP uniform generated some criticism on social media, with some uses questioning if the Space Force would be deployed to the forest moon of Endor, referencing the camouflage uniforms worn by Rebel Alliance soldiers in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, however the Space Force stated that adopting the OCP uniform will save the costs of designing and producing an entirely new one, and that Space Force troops deploy on the ground alongside Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force personnel.[68]

Badges, awards, and decorations

Main articles: Badges of the United States Space Force and Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force
The basic (top), senior (middle), and command (bottom) ratings of the Space Operations Badge.

Members of the United States Space Force wear occupational badges on their uniforms to indicate job specialty. They may also wear previously earned badges, occupational badges, or badges awarded by sister services.[64] Space Force occupational badges are the Space Operations Badge, for 13S space operations officers and 1C6 enlisted space systems specialists, the Intelligence Badge, for 14N intelligence officers and 1N enlisted intelligence specialists, the Cyberspace Operator Badge for 17X cyberspace operations officers and the Cyberspace Support Badge for enlisted 3DX cyberspace support specialists, and the Acquisition and Financial Management Badge for 62X developmental engineer officers and 63X acquisitions manager officers.[64][57]

As part of the United States Department of the Air Force, the United States Space Force and United States Air Force share the same awards and decorations or same variations of awards and decorations.[69]

Equipment

As of mid-2019, in reference to actual satellites in orbit being operated and controlled by the then-AFSPC, the Air Force reported that there were four Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications; one ATRR; five Defense Meteorological Satellite Program; six Defense Satellite Communications System satellites; five Defense Support Program; 31 Global Positioning System satellites; four GSSAP; five Milstar communications; seven Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS, infra-red, launch warning); two SBSS; and seven WGS.[70] The Boeing X-37B and its low-profile missions also represent a significant U.S. orbital asset. The fifth and latest X-37 mission, USA-277, was launched on 7 September 2017, and was the longest X-37 mission to date,[71] landing on 27 October 2019 after 780 days in orbit.[72][73]

Budget

The proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the Space Force would transfer over $15 billion from the Air Force.[74]

United States Space Force Budget[74] 2020 2021 (proposed)
Operation & Maintenance $40,000,000 $2,608,400,000
Procurement - $2,446,100,000
Research, Development, Test & Evaluation - $10,327,600,000
Total $40,000,000 $15,382,100,000

The 2021 Department of Defense Budget requests $1.6 billion for three National Security Space Launch vehicles.[75] $1.05 billion of this budget will fund three launches: AFSPC-36, AFSPC-87 and AFSPC-112.[76] The United States Space Force is reported to be working closely with commercial leaders in the space domain such as Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Blue Origin) to determine their capability in serving the mission. According to Lt. General David Thompson, the United States Space Force is already in contracting talks with Blue Origin.[77] The budget includes $560 million to upgrade the launch systems of Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and United Launch Alliance.[76] Further, the 2021 DOD budget requests $1.8 billion for two Lockheed Martin Global Positioning System (GPS) III systems and other projects to fulfill the Space Superiority Strategy.[75] The GPS III system, first launched on 23 December 2018, is the latest GPS system from contractor Lockheed Martin; the GPS III system has improved anti-jamming capabilities and is three times more accurate than current GPS systems.[78] The FY 2021 Budget also includes $2.5 billion allocated to the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellite constellation as part of a DOD wide increase on missile defense capacity to defend from threats such as North Korea.[74] The Next-Gen OPIR constellation will provide the U.S. military with a resilient worldwide missile warning system.[79] This new generation of satellites will work in tandem with the existing Space Based Overhead Persistent Infrared System (SBIRS); production of the SBIRS will conclude in 2022 and the first Next-Gen OPIR satellite is expected to be delivered in 2025.[76]

History

Main article: History of the United States Space Force

Air Force military space program (1945–2019)

General Bernard Schriever, father of the United States Space Force and military space.
Air Force Space Command shield

Following the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. Early military space development was begun within the United States Army Air Forces by General Henry H. Arnold, who identified space as a crucial military arena decades before the first spaceflight. Gaining its independence from the Army on 18 September 1947, the United States Air Force began development of military space and ballistic missile programs, while also competing with the United States Army and United States Navy for the space mission.[80]

In 1954, the Air Force created its first space organization, the Western Development Division, under the leadership of General Bernard Schriever. The Western Development Division and its successor organization, the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, were instrumental in developing the first United States military launch vehicles and spacecraft, competing predominantly with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency under the leadership of General John Bruce Medaris and former German scientist Wernher von Braun. The launch of Sputnik 1 spurred a massive reorganization of military space and the 1958 establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency was a short-lived effort to centralized management of military space, with some fearing it would become a military service for space, with authorities being returned to the services in 1959. The establishment of NASA in 1958, however, completely decimated the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, resulting in the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division serving as the primary military space organization. In 1961, the Air Force was designated as the Department of Defense's executive agent for space and Air Research and Development Command was reorganized into Air Force Systems Command, with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division being replaced by the Space Systems Division - the first Air Force division solely focused on space. In the 1960s, military space activities began to be operationalized, with Aerospace Defense Command taking control of missile warning and space surveillance on behalf of NORAD, Strategic Air Command assuming the weather reconnaissance mission, and Air Force Systems Command operating the first generations of communications satellites on behalf of the Defense Communications Agency. In 1967, the Space Systems Division and Ballistic Missiles Division were merged to form the Space and Missile Systems Organization, which began to develop the next generation of satellite communications, space-based missile warning, space launch vehicles and infrastructure, and the predecessor to the Global Positioning System. Space forces also saw their first employment in the Vietnam War, providing weather and communications support to ground and air forces.[81]

"Space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man. And only if the United-States occupies a position of preeminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theatre of war. I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space, any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea."

— John F. Kennedy, speech at Rice University, 12 September 1962[82]

The disjointed nature of military space forces across three military commands resulted in a reevaluation of space force organization within the Air Force. In 1979, the Space and Missile Systems Organization was split, forming the Space Division, and in 1980, Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated and its space forces transferred to Strategic Air Command. Resulting from internal and external pressures, including an effort by a congressman to rename the Air Force into the Aerospace Force and the possibility that President Reagan would direct the creation of a space force as a separate military branch, the Air Force directed the formation of Air Force Space Command in 1982. During the 1980s, Air Force Space Command absorbed the space missions of Strategic Air Command and the launch mission from Air Force Systems Command. Space forces provided space support during the Falklands War, United States invasion of Grenada, the 1986 United States bombing of Libya, Operation Earnest Will, and the United States invasion of Panama. The tactical employment of space forces culminated in the Gulf War, where space forces proved so critical to the U.S.-led coalition, that it is sometimes referred to as the first space war.[83]

Following the end of the Gulf War, the Air Force came under intense congressional scrutiny by seeking to artificially merge its air and space operations into a seamless aerospace continuum, without regard for the differences between space and air. The 2001 Space Commission criticized the Air Force for institutionalizing the primacy of aviation pilots over space officers in Air Force Space Command, for stifling the development of an independent space culture, and not paying sufficient budgetary attention to space. The Space Commission recommended the formation of a Space Corps within the Air Force between 2007 and 2011, with an independent Space Force to be created at a later date. The September 11 attacks derailed most progress in space development, resulting in the inactivation of United States Space Command and beginning a period of atrophy in military space. The only major change to occur was the transfer of the Space and Missile Systems Center from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Space Command. Following the inactivation of U.S. Space Command in 2002, Russia and China began developing developing sophisticated on-orbit capabilities and an array of counter-space weapons, with the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test of particular concern as it created 2,841 high-velocity debris items, a larger amount of dangerous space junk than any other space event in history. On 29 August 2019, United States Space Command was reestablished as a geographic combatant command.[84]

Independent Space Force (2019–present)

Proposals

U.S. Space Force logo used from 20 December 2019 on public social media accounts[85][86]

The first real attempt to centralize the military space organizations occurred in 1958, with the Advanced Research Projects Agency sometimes being described as, and feared by its detractors that it would become, a fourth military service. While the 1981 proposal to rename the United States Air Force into the United States Aerospace Force was not an attempt to create a space service branch, it did mark a clear attempt by congress to increase the profile of space within the service, which it rejected. The possibility that President Reagan would announce the creation of the Space Force as an independent service in 1982 spurred the Air Force to establish Air Force Space Command. The 1990s saw a number of proposals for an independent space force, including one by Air Force Space Command Lieutenant Colonel Cynthia A.S. McKinley in 2000 which called for the establishment of a United States Space Guard.[87][88] The most notable proposal for an independent Space Force was by the 2001 Space Commission, which called for the creation of a Space Corps within the Air Force between 2007 and 2011, and the establishment of an independent Space Force after that. The Space Commission was established by Congress after it became concerned that the Air Force was seeking to artificially merge its air and space operations into a seamless aerospace continuum, without regard for the differences between space and air.[89][88] Ultimately, due to the September 11 attacks, a Space Force was not established.[90] The United States' national security space organization actually regressed, with United States Space Command being inactivated in 2002, subsumed into United States Strategic Command. The Allard Commission report, unveiled in the wake of the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test, called for a reorganization of national security space, however many of its recommendations were not acted upon by the Air Force.[90]

Growing impatient with the Air Force, who they felt was more interested in jet fighters than space, Representatives Jim Cooper (D-TN) and Mike Rogers (R-AL) unveiled a bipartisan proposal in the House of Representatives to establish the United States Space Corps as a separate military service within the Department of the Air Force, with the commandant of the Space Corps as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This proposal was put forward to separate space professionals from the Air Force, give space a greater cultural focus, and help develop a leaner and faster space acquisitions system. This was done due to congressional concern that the space mission had become subordinate to the Air Force's preferred air dominance mission and that space officers were being treated unfairly within the Air Force, with Representative Rogers noting that in 2016 none of the 37 Air Force colonels selected for promotion to brigadier general were space officers and that only 2 of the 450 hours of Air Force professional military education were dedicated to space.[91] The proposal passed in the House of Representatives, but was cut from the final bill in negotiations with the U.S. Senate.[92] Following the defeated of the proposal in the senate, both Representatives Cooper and Rogers heavily critcized Air Force leadership for not taking threats in space seriously and continued resistance to reform. The Space Corps proposal was, in large part, spurred on by the development of the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force and the Russian Space Forces.[93][90]

The Space Corps proposal gained new life, when at a June 2018 meeting of the National Space Council, President Donald Trump directed the Department of Defense to begin the necessary processes to establish the U.S. Space Force as a branch of the Armed Forces.[94] On 19 February 2019, Space Policy Directive 4 was signed, initially calling for the placement of the U.S. Space Force within the Department of the Air Force, before later creating and transferring the service to the Department of the Space Force.[95]

Legislative provisions for the Space Force were included in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law on 20 December 2019. The Space Force was established as the sixth armed service branch, with Air Force General John "Jay" Raymond, the commander of Air Force Space Command and U.S. Space Command, becoming the first chief of space operations.[96] On 14 January 2020, Raymond was officially sworn in as chief of space operations by Vice President Mike Pence.[97]

Establishment

Launch of AEHF-6 on an Atlas V rocket, which was the first space launch for the U.S. Space Force as an independent service.

On 20 December 2019, Air Force Space Command was redesignated as the United States Space Force and its commander, General John W. Raymond was sworn in as its first chief of space operations. On 20 December, its first organizational change occurred when Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett redeisgnated Air Force Space Command's Fourteenth Air Force as Space Operations Command.[98] All of Air Force Space Command's 16,000 active duty and civilian personnel were assigned to the new service.[99]

Major organizational changes during the first year included replacing its space wings and operations groups with deltas and garrisons on 24 July 2020 and announcing its field command structure, merging wings and groups into deltas and numbered air forces and major commands into field commands. The Space Force announced that its field commands would be Space Operations Command, Space Systems Command, and Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) absorbed former Air Education and Training Command and Air Combat Command space units, preparing for the activation of STARCOM. Space Delta 2 became the space domain awareness delta, replacing the 21st Operations Group; Space Delta 3 became the space electronic warfare delta, replacing the 721st Operations Group; Space Delta 4 became the missile warning delta, replacing 460th Operations Group and absorbing the ground-based missile warning radars of the 21st Operations Group; Space Delta 5 became the command and control delta, replacing the 614th Air Operations Center; Space Delta 6 became the cyberspace operations delta, replacing the 50th Network Operations Group; Space Delta 7 became the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance delta, replacing Air Combat Command's 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group; Space Delta 8 became the satellite communication and navigation warfare delta, replacing the 50th Operations Group; Space Delta 9 became the orbital warfare delta, replacing the 750th Operations Group; the Peterson-Schriever Garrison became responsible for the base administration of Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Thule Air Base, New Boston Air Force Station, and Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station, replacing the 21st Space Wing and the 50th Space Wing; the Buckley Garrison became responsible for the base administration of Buckley Air Force Base, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Cavalier Air Force Station, and Clear Air Force Station, replacing the 460th Space Wing.[100] On 21 October 2020, Space Operations Command was established as its first field command, replacing headquarters Air Force Space Command. The first Space Operations Command (redesignated Fourteenth Air Force) was redesignated as Space Operations Command-West and its air and space lineage was split between the Air Force and the Space Force.[101]

Unveiling of the flag of the United States Space Force on 15 May 2020 in the Oval Office.

On 3 April 2020, Chief Master Sergeant Roger A. Towberman, formerly command chief of Air Force Space Command, transferred to the Space Force as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Space Force, becoming its second member and first enlisted member. On 18 April 2020, 86 graduates of the United States Air Force Academy became the first group of commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Space Force, becoming the 3rd to 88th members of the Space Force.[102][103] On 16 July 2020, the Space Force selected 2,410 space operations officers and enlisted space systems operators to transfer to the Space Force, with the first back recommissioning or reenlisting on 1 September. The Space Force swore in its first 7 enlisted recruits on 20 October 2020, graduating basic military training on 10 December 2020 and its first Officer Training School candidates commissioned on 16 October.[104][105] The Space Force also commissioned its first astronaut, with Colonel Michael S. Hopkins, the commander of SpaceX Crew-1, swearing into the Space Force from the International Space Station on 18 December 2020.[106][107][108]

During the first year major symbols were also unveiled, with the Seal of the United States Space Force approved on 15 January 2020 and was revealed on 24 January 2020, the flag of the United States Space Force debuted at signing ceremony for the 2020 Armed Forces Day proclamation on 15 May 2020, the Space Force Delta symbol and motto of Semper Supra released on 22 July 2020, and the official service title of Guardian announced on 18 December 2020.[109][110][111][112] The first Air Force instillations were renamed to Space Force instillations on 9 December 2020, with Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station renamed as Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.[113]

In September 2020, the Space Force and NASA signed a memorandum of understanding formally acknowledging the joint role of both agencies. This new memorandum replaced a similar document signed in 2006 between NASA and Air Force Space Command.[114][115] On October 20, 2020, the first seven guardians enlisted directly into the Space Force.[116]

The Space Force's first combat operations as a new service included providing early warning of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force missile strikes against U.S. troops at Al Asad Airbase on 7 January 2020 through the 2nd Space Warning Squadron's Space Based Infrared System.[117] The Space Force also monitored Russian Space Forces spacecraft which had been tailing U.S. government satellites.[118]

Reception

Emblems of the Russian Space Forces (top) and People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (bottom).

The Space Force itself had mixed reception within policy think tanks. The Center for Strategic and International Studies supported the creation of the new service, arguing that it was needed to consolidate national security space responsibilities, which in 2016 was spread out across 60 different organizations. They also argued that Space Force was needed to develop space strategy and doctrine, and ensure space agencies are not overlooked.[119] The Heritage Foundation also supported the creation of the Space Force, citing the existence of anti-satellite threats from China and Russia and the creation of the Russian Aerospace Forces and reoganization of the Russian Space Forces, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force in 2015.[120] The Project on Government Oversight opposed the creation of a space force, arguing that centralizing military assets resulted in more duplication and led to inter-service tension.[121] The United States Department of Defense estimated that establishing Space Force would cost $13 billion over 5 years.[121] The Cato Institute argued the creation of a Space Force was premature, due to uncertainty about its military and international impacts.[122]

The idea of a space force was popular with Trump supporters, and Trump's presidential campaign sold unofficial space force merchandise – a practice criticized by former White House ethics czar Norman Eisen and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith.[123] The creation of Space Force resulted in some jokes, memes, and controversies online.[124][125] Late night talk show hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert joked about the idea.[126] A comedy television show, Space Force, has a plot involving the establishment of a United States Space Force.[127] The Space Force has been accused of being a "vanity project" for President Trump, despite it being debated since the 1990s as a means to counter Chinese and Russian military threats in space. Trump falsely claimed in 2018 to have created the idea of Space Force saying "... nobody even thought about the Space Force before him...", while in reality it was first proposed by representatives Jim Cooper and Mike Rogers in 2017.[128]

A number of cultural items released by the Space Force resulted in comparisons to science fiction franchises, and sometimes criticism, on social media. Its adoption of the OCP uniform resulted in comparisons to Rebel Alliance soldiers on Endor in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the delta on its seal and emblem was compared to the Starfleet symbol from Star Trek, and naming their personnel "guardians" resulted in comparisons to the Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy (and, to an extent, Bungie's Destiny). The Space Force responded that the Army and Air Force also wear OCP's and that it would save money, that the delta symbol has a long history of use by military space forces that predates Star Trek, and that the title "guardian" was derived from Air Force Space Command's 1983 motto "Guardians of Space."[129][130][131]

See also

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External links

Library resources about
United States Space Force
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