Trump Marks Start of Space Command to Counter Russia, China

(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday marked the inauguration of a U.S. military command for space that’s designed to aid in missile tracking and space operations, countering what officials say are growing threats from Russia and China.

“Spacecom will defend America’s vital interests in space -- the next warfighting domain,” Trump said at a Rose Garden ceremony.

Space Command, led by Air Force General John Raymond, becomes the 11th U.S. combatant command -- joining others such as Indo-Pacific Command and Cyber Command.

Space Command was created by Trump with an executive order in December -- part of an overhaul of military space operations that also included a request that Congress authorize U.S. Space Force, a proposed branch of the military for organizing, training and equipping troops focused on space.

The Pentagon envisions Space Command working alongside Space Force, which Trump touted on Thursday. Trump’s proposal for a Space Force initially generated pushback from the Pentagon and remains controversial in Congress. If established, the force would be the first new service branch since the Air Force was founded in 1947.

Space Command will be responsible for preventing conflict and defending the U.S. and its allies in space, according to the White House.

Trump said the command would “boldly deter aggression.”

The Trump administration says the command is needed as other nations develop new capabilities to target satellites that are crucial to military operations and civilian applications, from mobile phones to banking.

Space Command will temporarily be housed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado while the Department of Defense settles on its permanent headquarters, according to the White House.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alyza Sebenius in Washington at asebenius@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Justin Blum, Joshua Gallu

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