Space Force Launches – Do You Support It?

What’s the story?

• The sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Services has officially been created: salute the Space Force.
• About 16,000 Air Force personnel are being assigned to the branch. Interested in joining? The website is live here.
• "Space is the world's newest war-fighting domain," President Donald Trump said during the signing ceremony of the defense spending bill which triggered the Force’s creation.

"Amid grave threats to our national security, American superiority in space is absolutely vital. And we're leading, but we're not leading by enough. But very shortly we'll be leading by a lot."

• The idea was initially mocked, but Gen. John Raymond, who will lead the Space Force, told reporters Friday:

"This is not a farce. This is nationally critical," Gen. John Raymond, who will lead the Space Force, told reporters on Friday. "We are elevating space commensurate with its importance to our national security and the security of our allies and partners."

• China has called the Space Force “a threat to space peace and security.”

“The relevant U.S. actions are a serious violation of the international consensus on the peaceful use of outer space, undermine global strategic balance and stability, and pose a direct threat to outer space peace and security,” said Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry.

What do you think?

Do you support the Space Force? Or is it a threat to space peace and security? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: U.S. Space Force/Released)