History

USSF History

The U.S. Space Force was established Dec. 20, 2019 when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law (with bi-partisan support), creating the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years. The establishment of the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that Space was a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by near-peer competitors in space,it became clear there was a need for a military service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain.

For the last 60 years space capabilities have become essential to the way a modern military conducts operations. Investments in space capabilities have increased the effectiveness of operations in every other domain. The U.S. military is faster, better connected, more informed, precise, and lethal because of space.

The same premise—that space is critical—holds true for the average American; space capabilities are woven into the fabric of daily life. Satellites connect people in every corner of the globe, monitor weather patterns, carry television broadcasts, and the timing and navigation services of the GPS constellation power global financial networks, enable international commerce, synchronize cell phone networks, and optimize critical infrastructure.

Access to and freedom to operate in space underpins our national security and economic prosperity. However, space is no longer free from conflict. Potential adversaries are seeking ways to deny the U.S. access to the space capabilities fundamental to our way of war and modern way of life. They have developed an array of threats, both on Earth and in orbit, that continue to grow in scope, scale, and complexity.

Today, the Guardians of the USSF have been called to protect and defend American interests and to ensure our forces, our allies, and the world never experience a day without space. They serve across the globe, working 24/7 to design, acquire, field, test, operate, and defend the critical space systems the nation, and the world, rely upon.

They stand ready, every day, “Always Above.”

The U.S. Space Force was officially created on Dec. 20, 2019. In its first year, the U.S. Space Force created the largest reorganization of National Security Space in history and implemented the field command structure, establishing the Space Operations Command (SpOC) and 9 Mission Deltas. They filled its ranks with 2,200 members including 86 USAFA graduates, 20 direct recruits, 3 OTS graduates, active-duty transfers, and identified an additional 3,800 Airmen for transfer.

Space Force completed more than 30 national security space launches, and operationally-accepted space capabilities like AEHF and GPS III satellites. The service also released its first doctrine, Spacepower, the Space Capstone Publication, which is the fundamental articulation of spacepower as a distinct form of military power.

U.S. Space Force Firsts

USSF History

Foundational Documents