President Trump directed the Department of Defense to begin plans to form a U.S. Space Force. The idea of forming a sixth military branch shocked some, but it’s not a new idea. Here’s how we got here.Just The FAQs
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump moved closer to launching his long-promised Space Force on Thursday as his administration embarked on the creation of a new space combatant command.
Pointing to threats from China and Russia and the nation’s reliance on satellites for defense operations, Trump has pressed for a new branch of the military focused on space. While Space Force requires congressional approval, his administration has moved ahead with a Space Command that will draw forces from other armed services.
"Space Com will defend America's vital interest in space, the next war-fighting domain," Trump told reporters during an event in the Rose Garden. "The dangers to our country constantly evolve, and so must we."
Trump said U.S. adversaries are weaponizing "Earth's orbits with new technology targeting American satellites."
Led by Air Force Gen. John Raymond, the announcement of Space Command marks the first time the military has stood up such an endeavor since it created U.S. Cyber Command in 2009.
Trump, initially ridiculed for his emphasis on “Space Force” during campaign rallies, has found some support for the idea among military and congressional leaders. China and Russia have explored military expansion into space and France announced its own space force last month.
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