Does America need a military branch focused on space? It depends on who you ask.
In early 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would relaunch the Space Force.
Former President Ronald Reagan first established the force in 1985. It merged with the U.S. Strategic Command after the September 11 attacks.
But leaders at the U.S. Department of Defense say a dedicated Space Force is crucial to national security in today’s age.
That doesn’t mean you’ll see soldiers marching across planets or military spaceship formations in the sky — at least, not yet.
For now, the Space Force is a branch within the U.S. Air Force, which already does some space work.
But the Trump administration argues America needs a force focused solely on space.
The Space Force would also have its own National Guard and reserves.
It would also be responsible for helping other branches with missions.
A built-out Space Force would also have its own class of leadership that presides over 15,000 personnel. It would be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The official proposal requests more than $72 million in funding that first year. It would take another $500,000 per year once the force is fully established.
