United States Space Force

The United States Space Force (USSF) is the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, established on December 20, 2019, to secure the nation's interests in, from, and to space. As the first new military service since 1947, the USSF was created in response to the growing recognition of space as a critical domain for national security.

Mission and Core Functions

The USSF's primary mission is to provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space. This encompasses three core functions:

• Space Superiority: Defending against space and counterspace threats to maintain dominance in the space domain.
• Global Mission Operations: Integrating joint functions across all domains on a global scale, including missile warning, satellite communications, and positioning, navigation, and timing.
• Assured Space Access: Deploying and sustaining equipment in space through missions such as launch, range control, cyber operations, and space domain awareness.

Capabilities and Operations

The USSF organizes, trains, and equips personnel to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to joint forces. This includes managing space launch operations at both East and West Coast Space Launch Deltas, which offer services, facilities, and range safety control for Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial space launches.

Additionally, the USSF operates a global network of space surveillance sensors to monitor satellites and space debris, ensuring the safety and sustainability of space operations. Maintaining space superiority is essential to protect U.S. space assets from hostile attacks.

Personnel and Values

All Space Force personnel, whether military or civilian, are referred to as "Guardians." The USSF upholds core values of character, commitment, connection, and courage, emphasizing high moral standards, dedication to mastery, unity in purpose, and the bravery to act rightly.

Locations

The USSF has major installations including:

• Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, California: Houses the Space Systems Command, responsible for research, development, and acquisition of military space systems.
• Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, California: Home to Space Launch Delta 30, overseeing the Western Range for space and missile testing.
• Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado: Hosts the 21st Space Wing and elements of the Space Systems Command.
• Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado: Home to the 50th Space Wing, which operates the Air Force Satellite Control Network.
• Patrick Space Force Base, near Satellite Beach, Florida: Home to Space Launch Delta 45, overseeing launches for various space agencies and companies.
• Los Angeles, CA, USA
• Colorado Springs, CO, USA

These installations play a crucial role in the USSF's mission to ensure the United States' freedom of operation in space.