After Successful Indian ASAT Missile Test US Announces Creation Of Space Command
The US government announced the setting up of the US Space Command to defend its frontiers in space. This is taking place after the recent successful test by India of its Anti Satellite Missile. A US Space Command existed from 1985 to 2002, but was disbanded in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as the country focused on defense of the homeland.
President Donald Trump attended a White House ceremony joined by John Raymond, the first commander of US Space Command. He said that it was a landmark day, one that recognizes the centrality of space to America’s security and defense.
The establishment of United States Space Command represents a crucial step to improving the Nation’s space warfighting structure in the ever evolving world, according to the statement. The new command is believed to be a step towards building an independent Space Force, a plan that still requires Congress approval.
Trump ordered the establishment of Space Command late last year, making it the 11th unified combatant command of the US Department of Defense. The newly established Space Command is built to “protect America’s dominance in space” by “employing assigned forces from every branch of the military” and “delivering combat power by operating superior space capabilities such as communications, intelligence, navigation, and early missile detection and warning,” according to a White House statement released on Thursday.
The US Space Command will soon be followed by the establishment of the United States Space Force as the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, according to Trump.
As a contrast, India has only set up a tri service, Defence Space Agency under a two Star Air Force Officer. May be later in it may grow into a full fledged Space Command. May be after sending its astronauts into space and building a base on the moon, India too may establish a separate Space Force.
“As a unified combatant command, the United States Space Command is the next crucial step toward the creation of an independent Space Force as an additional armed service,” said US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Wednesday in a press conference.
The US Defense Department officials had discussed Space Force legislation with the congress, sources told Space News. The Senate proposed a one-year transition before standing up a new military service but the House required no such transition, according to the sources.
The phased-in approach proposed by the Senate came out of concerns about excessive costs and growth in the military bureaucracy.
“There is no reason to believe that adding an entirely new Space Force bureaucracy and pouring buckets more money into it is going to reduce our overall vulnerability in space,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren at a Senate hearing in April.
“In order to achieve the intent of standing up the new force and executing the bill, additional technical and conforming amendments are necessary,” said a Defense Department memo.
