(PHOTO CREDIT: CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES)
Space Force is coming closer to conception
The Trump administration is launching the U.S. Space Command today, August 29, and it is a key step as military officials work to establish a proposed sixth branch of the military: Space Force.
U.S. Air Force Gen. John Raymond will serve as the first head of Space Command and will lead 87 active units handling operations such as missile warning, satellite surveillance, space control and space support, according to Gen. Joseph Dunford at a meeting of the National Space Council that occurred earlier this month.
As stated by Vice President Pence, Space Force will “defend our people, defend our interests, and to defend our values” using technology that can reach outer space. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the establishment of the Space Force in its defense authorization bill back in May.
President Trump directed the Pentagon to create a sixth military branch in June 2018, saying that Space Force would be vital in protecting the country’s interests e from international rivals Russia and China. As revealed by the Congressional Budget Office last May, Space Force could add $1 billion to $2 billion per year to the Pentagon’s annual budget.
Naturally, the idea of Space Force has been met with a lot of pushback, with some military officials warning that it would be a costly and complicated branch to launch.
By: Maytinee Kramer
