President Trump announced the re-establishment of the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), which existed from 1982 to 2002 during the Cold War, as the 11th unit of the United States Army. Defense Secretary Esper said the resurrection of space forces aimed at securing US interests in space.
In this announcement, President Trump stressed that dangers to the United States are constantly evolving and must be overcome. “It will be a completely different situation for those who attempt to attack the United States at the space level.”
As the Cold War with the Soviet Union intensified, the space forces that existed previously functioned as an organization to operate satellites and perform space-related operations in preparation for attacks from space such as the advent of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Since 1999, he has also been in charge of cyber warfare through computer networks. However, as the world situation changed, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of terrorism, it finished its role, and in 2002, it was merged into and abolished as one of the United States’ strategic forces.
President Trump insisted that the establishment of a space force as an independent organization in 2018 was necessary. The role includes US satellite defense and plans to prepare for future battles in space. Currently, the Air Force Space Corps under the command of the Strategic Forces has become independent and becomes the 6th class of space forces following the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
However, in order to formally do this, it requires congressional approval. However, Congress is a passive reaction to the establishment of a new space force. Vice President Pence also mentioned that President Trump is negotiating to create a new military class in 2020 when explaining his vision for creating a space force. However, it can be used as a foothold for the creation of a new military class by reviving the space force as one of the integrated forces and building a structure that takes the lead in space-related strategies. Related information can be found here .