United States Space Force Act

United States Space Force Act
Shorttitle	United States Space Force Act
Othershorttitles	National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
Longtitle	An act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
Enacted by	116th
Effective date	December 20, 2019
Public law url	https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1790
Cite public law	116-92
Acts amended	Title 10, U.S. Code
Title amended	10
Sections created	§ 9081 et seq.
Leghisturl	https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1790/actions
Introducedin	Senate
Introducedby	James Inhofe (R–Oklahoma)
Introduceddate	June 11, 2019
Committees	Senate Armed Services Committee
Passedbody1	Senate
Passeddate1	June 27, 2019
Passedvote1	86–8
Passedbody2	House
Passeddate2	July 12, 2019
Passedvote2	220–197
Agreedbody3	House
Agreeddate3	December 11, 2019
Agreedvote3	377–48
Agreedbody4	Senate
Agreeddate4	December 17, 2019
Agreedvote4	86–8
Signedpresident	Donald Trump
Signeddate	December 20, 2019

United States Space Force Act. The United States Space Force Act is Title IX of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, the comprehensive defense policy bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019. This landmark legislation formally established the United States Space Force as the sixth independent branch of the United States Armed Forces and the first new military service since the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947. The act reorganized existing space assets and personnel, primarily from the United States Air Force Space Command, into a separate, unified service under the United States Department of the Air Force.

Background and legislative history

The push for a dedicated military space service gained significant momentum during the Trump administration, with vocal support from officials like Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. This legislative effort was preceded by decades of debate within the Pentagon and United States Congress regarding the vulnerability of American space assets and the growing threats posed by competitors like China and Russia. Key congressional champions included lawmakers from both parties on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, who negotiated the final language. The provision was shepherded through the National Defense Authorization Act process by sponsors such as Senator Jim Inhofe and ultimately received bipartisan support in final votes within both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Key provisions and establishment

The act's central provision amended Title 10 of the United States Code to establish the United States Space Force within the United States Department of the Air Force. It mandated the transfer of all functions, assets, and personnel of the United States Air Force Space Command to the new service. The legislation designated the Secretary of the Air Force as responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the Space Force, while operational control was vested in the United States Space Command, a unified combatant command reestablished in August 2019. The act also created the new statutory office of the Chief of Space Operations, a four-star general who serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Organizational structure and components

The act authorized a lean headquarters staff, led by the Chief of Space Operations, to oversee the service's major commands. The primary field command established was Space Operations Command, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. The legislation also provided for the creation of Space Systems Command to oversee acquisition and launch capabilities, and Space Training and Readiness Command for education and doctrine. The service's personnel, known as Guardians, were drawn initially from transfers from the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Army, with subsequent recruitment managed by the Department of the Air Force.

Roles, missions, and responsibilities

The core missions assigned by the act include protecting U.S. and allied interests in space, providing space capabilities to the joint force, and deterring aggression in the space domain. This encompasses operating and defending critical constellations like the Global Positioning System and missile warning satellites such as the Space-Based Infrared System. The Space Force is responsible for developing space professionals, acquiring advanced systems like next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellites, and conducting space domain awareness to monitor activities in orbit. Its operations directly support other combatant commands, including United States Strategic Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Funding and budgetary considerations

The act authorized an initial transfer of $40 million in fiscal year 2020 for headquarters establishment, with the understanding that the majority of funding would come from reallocated budgets of predecessor organizations like the United States Air Force Space Command. Subsequent National Defense Authorization Act bills, such as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, have provided increased direct appropriations for Space Force programs, including satellite communications, rocket launch services through the National Security Space Launch program, and resilient space architecture development. Budget requests are reviewed by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Implementation and subsequent developments

Implementation began immediately upon the act's signing, with the official establishment of the United States Space Force on December 20, 2019. General John W. Raymond was sworn in as the first Chief of Space Operations. Key subsequent developments included the formal stand-up of Space Operations Command in October 2020 and the establishment of Space Systems Command in August 2021. The service has since released its capstone doctrine, the Spacepower publication, and continues to develop its culture and partnerships with allies through initiatives like the Combined Space Operations Initiative and operations at sites like Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Category:United States federal defense and national security legislation Category:2019 in American law Category:Space policy of the United States