What Is the US Space Force? Mission, Budget, and Why It Exists

The United States Space Force (USSF) was established on December 20, 2019, as the sixth branch of the US military and the first new branch since the Air Force was created in 1947. It organizes, trains, and equips space forces to protect US and allied interests in space.

Core Missions

• Space domain awareness: Tracking 47,000+ objects in orbit to protect US satellites and provide conjunction warnings
• Satellite communications: Operating military SATCOM constellations (AEHF, WGS, MUOS) providing secure communications to forces worldwide
• GPS operations: The 2nd Space Operations Squadron operates the GPS constellation — critical infrastructure for both military and civilian use
• Missile warning: Space-based infrared sensors (SBIRS, now succeeded by Next Gen OPIR) detect ballistic missile launches worldwide
• Space control: Capabilities to deny adversaries use of space while protecting US systems

Organization

• Space Operations Command (SpOC): Headquartered at Peterson SFB, Colorado. Conducts space operations
• Space Systems Command (SSC): Headquartered at Los Angeles SFB. Acquires and develops space systems
• Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM): Headquartered at Peterson SFB. Trains Guardians
• Personnel: Approximately 16,000 active-duty Guardians and civilian staff
• Budget: ~$30 billion (FY2026), making it the smallest branch by personnel but with significant acquisition budgets

Why a Separate Branch?

Space capabilities were previously managed by Air Force Space Command. As space became more contested — with Chinese and Russian anti-satellite weapons tests and electronic warfare capabilities — advocates argued that space needed dedicated senior leadership, budget authority, and career tracks. The Space Force gives space operations a seat at the Joint Chiefs table.

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