The United States Space Force is a branch of the U.S. military that was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2019. Its main mission is to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint forces. The Space Force organizes, trains, and equips personnel to accomplish this mission. Some of the specific tasks that the Space Force performs include:

• Observation and Deterrence: The Space Force regularly scrutinizes space for dangers and monitors ballistic missile launches around the world to guard against surprise missile attacks.

• Satellite Operations: The Space Force manages space launch operations at the East and West Cost Space Launch Deltas, which provide services, facilities, and range safety control to conduct DOD, NASA, and commercial space launches. Through the command and control of all DOD satellites, satellite operators provide force-multiplying effects, including continuous global coverage, low vulnerability, and autonomous operations. Satellites provide in-theater secure communications, weather and navigation for ground, air, and fleet operations, and threat warning.

• Space Superiority: Maintaining space superiority is an emerging capability required to protect U.S. space assets from hostile attacks.

• Protection of U.S. Interests in Space: The Space Force protects and defends American interests in space to ensure that U.S. forces, allies, and people have the ability to harness space whenever and wherever they need it.

• Training and Equipping Personnel: The Space Force organizes, trains, and equips personnel to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint forces.

The Space Force is located at the Pentagon and is organized under the Department of the Air Force in a manner very similar to how the Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy.