About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 [1] (December 4, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/govermv0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service nform ing theagis ative debate sinee1914 Defense Primer: U.S. Space Command December 4, 2024 U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations in space. As a geographic combatant command (CCMD), USSPACECOM receives personnel and equipment from each of the military services to execute its mission (see Figure 1). USSPACECOM is distinct from, and complementary to, the United States Space Force (USSF), which is an armed service under the Department of the Air Force (DAF). For additional background, see CRS In Focus IF12610, Defense Primer: The United States Space Force. USSPACECOM was initially established in 1985. In 2002, Congress approved a broad reorganization of the CCMDs to facilitate DOD's shift in focus to counter-terrorism and homeland defense. This reorganization included the disestablishment of USSPACECOM, and its responsibilities and assets were transferred to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Driven by the increase in adversary space and counter space capabilities, Congress, in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY2019 NDAA); P.L. 115-232 §169, reconstituted USSPACECOM as a subordinate unified command under USSTRATCOM. In 2019, the Trump Administration elevated USSPACECOM to a CCMD, citing space's importance as avital warfighting domain. Msson and Organ zat on According to USSPACECOM, the command plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower into multi- domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats. The command is responsible for conducting space operations, sensor management, satellite communications management, and trans-regional missile defense. USSPACECOM's area of responsibility (AOR) begins 62 miles above the Earth's surface (also known as the KdrmAn Line), extending to the Moon and beyond (see Figure 2). USSPACECOM, led by a four-star general or admiral, is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base (SFB) in Colorado. The current USSPACECOM commander is USSF General Stephen Whiting. USSPACECOM is organized into five subordinate service component commands and two functional component commands. Approximately 1,700 personnel are directly assigned to USSPACECOM headquarters. About 18,000 joint force personnel are assigned to the command's seven sub-components, which are based in six states. Space Dornain Chalenges and Threats Space is an increasingly contested domain. The People's Republic of China (PRC), the Russian Federation, and other adversaries have, or are developing, offensive space capabilities. In its 2022 report on space security, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) provided an overview of such capabilities, some of which are capable of harming or interfering with DOD and U.S. commercial assets in all orbits. These capabilities range from offensive cyber and electronic warfare platforms to ground- and space-based anti-satellite weapons. Figure I. USSPACECOM Organizational Structure Service Component Comman,ds U.S. Army Spcoe and Missile Defense rCommand U.S. Navy Space Command U.S. Marine Corps Forces Space Command Air Forces -Space U.S. Space Forces - Space U .S. Space Command Subordinate Unified Commands Combined Joint Functional Joint Force Component SpaceComponent Command command For Integrated Missile Defense -' Dual-Hatted Commander Source: DOD Media USSPACECOM officials have raised concerns about adversarial space capabilities. In February 2024, General Whiting testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) that the PRC and Russia seek to exploit perceived U.S. reliance on space systems through the development of military counterspace capabilities aimed at severely degrading U.S., allied, and partner space and terrestrial systems. In May 2024, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee expressed concerns about Russian development of an on-orbit nuclear anti-satellite weapon. For additional background, see CRS Insight IN12420, U.S. Counterspace Capabilities and CRS In Focus IF11895, Space as a Warfighting Domain: Issuesfor Congress. DIA has outlined PRC and Russian pursuit of legally binding international space arms control agreements to curb what Russia sees as U.S. strength in outer space. Congress has oversight and accountability mechanisms available to influence such international agreements. For more information, see CRS Legal Sidebar LSB11049, International Agreements (Part II): Examining Tools for Congressional Influence Over International Instruments. Potential u for Congres USSPACECOM Headquarters. Some Members have reportedly stated that President-elect Donald Trump will seek to move USSPACECOM's headquarters from its current location of Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, perhaps using an executive order. In January 2021, the DAF selected Redstone Arsenal, in Huntsville, AL, to be USSPACEOM's headquarters, moving the new command from its provisional location at Peterson SFB in

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most