Air Force Technology:
The US military space force sounds like something out of a science fiction film. Yet, in as little as five years’ time, it could be established as the sixth and newest branch of the US Armed Forces. The 2020 defence budget announced by President Donald Trump allocates $500m annually for the space force, which includes an initial $72m for the US military space force headquarters and a required staff of 15,000 employees.
It will initially be included under the remit of the US Air Force. US Air Force Space Command (AFSP) head General John F Raymond has been nominated to lead the new space force.
In the 2020 budget documents released on 11 March 2019, the White House said: “Central to achieving this new acquisition paradigm is the Space Development Agency, which is being established in 2019 under existing authorities to foster innovation by leveraging the thriving domestic commercial space sector.”
The budget also requests $1.7bn for four evolved expendable launch vehicles, Global Positioning System III and associated projects worth $1.8bn, and a $1.6bn space-based overhead persistent infrared system.
