The space army is said to be the sixth independent force in the US alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The US House of Representatives has agreed to create a "US Space Force". The bill is part of a Defense Budget (NDAA) package adopted by MEPs on Wednesday evening (local time) in Washington. It is expected that the Senate will approve the package before the session break starts next week.
It is a success for US President Donald Trump, who initiated the creation of Space Force. Vice President Mike Pence spoke on Twitter of a "giant step for the Americans" who were preparing to return to the moon and then fly to Mars. The White House had previously said that the passing of the NDAA would fulfill Trump's promise to "maintain America's leading role in outer space."
President @ RealDonaldTrump made in the NDAA marks a historic step by establishing the sixth branch of the military, the Space Force! Promises Made, Promises Kept!
- Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 11, 2019The draft law states that the "Space Force" should guarantee US freedom of action in space and protect the interests of the Americans there. The task of the new force was also to ward off aggression in and out of space and carry out operations there.
- Read more about the project here: Trump's Star Warrior
The bill does not provide for additional soldiers for the new "Space Force" - these are to be recruited from the Luftwaffe. The creation of a commander of the "Space Force" ("Chief of Space Operations"), who will be subordinate to the civilian director of the Air Force, will be newly created. The commander should be nominated by the president, the senate must then confirm the appointment.
