STELLAR

Trump Signs Order to Create Space Command

The command could cost as much as $800 million over the next five years.

President Trump authorized the Department of Defense to create a new command on Tuesday with the duty of defending the United States’ assets in space. The Space Command is intended to accelerate technical advances and better protect U.S. property in space—especially the expansive fleet of satellites the U.S. military relies on for navigation, communications, and surveillance. The president issued a one-page memorandum announcing the order, which requires the Defense Department to reorganize various space units from across the military in order to streamline space defense. The command is separate from the president’s repeated desire to create a “Space Force” as a new branch of the military. The Space Command could cost the U.S. as much as $800 million over the next five years. News of the plan comes amid reports that Russia and China are working to sabotage U.S. satellites.

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