The U.S. Space Force is the 6th independent U.S. military service branch, tasked with missions and operations in the rapidly evolving space domain. As of June 2020, its headquarters has yet to be announced. Space Force was signed into law Dec.

Is Space Force a real military branch?

MISSION. Q: What is the U.S. Space Force (USSF)? A: The USSF is the newest branch of the Armed Forces. It was established December 20, 2019 with enactment of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act and will be stood-up over the next 18 months.

What do Space Force soldiers do?

Space Force guardians help facilitate federal and commercial rocket launches, operate Department of Defense (DOD) satellites, monitor for threats, track space debris and much more. They ensure the U.S. maintains its space superiority required to protect against hostile attacks.

What is the Space Force going to do?

It is organized under the Department of the Air Force, similar to how the Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy. Space Force's mission is basically to protect U.S. interests in space from potential adversaries.

How many Space Force soldiers are there?

These new selects join the initial tranche of 50 selects announced in June 2021 and once transferred into the Space Force, they will account for about seven percent of the service, which totals nearly 13,000 military and civilians today.

Space Force : Inside America's Newest Military Branch | TIME

Can I join the Space Force?

Qualify. You must be 17–39 years of age, a U.S. citizen and have a high school diploma, GED with 15 college credits or GED.

What jobs does the Space Force offer?

Rather, he said, the members of the nation's newest military branch will focus on five key technical areas: space operations, space engineering, space intelligence, space acquisition and science, and space cyber.

Does the Space Force have weapons?

One response to these trends was the creation of the US Space Force as an independent military service. But the US wants to do more to show that it shouldn't be messed with in space. Right now, the US only acknowledges one space weapon—a ground-based communications jammer to interfere with signals sent from satellites.

Where is Space Force basic training?

In October 2020, seven recruits made history as the first Space Force Guardians to go through basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, alongside a class of airmen.

What is the highest rank in the Space Force?

Chief Master Sergeant (E-9)

The rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the highest Space Force enlisted rank, with the exception of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.

What are Space Force members called?

Soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Guardians. That's the line-up for personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and America's newest armed service — the U.S. Space Force. Logo announcing that Space Force personnel will be called Guardians.

How is Space Force different from Air Force?

The United States Space Force is a separate and distinct branch of the armed services, organized under the Department of the Air Force in a manner very similar to how the Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy.

Does Space Force have reserves?

Air Force Secretary Wants Part-Time Space Force Guardians, Not Reserves. The Department of the Air Force is pumping the brakes on creating a National Guard or reserve component for the Space Force, opting instead for full-time or part-time Guardians in a new congressional proposal.

Does Space Force deploy?

First Deployment

"Those participating in today's ceremony are not only joining our nation's newest service, they are joining this service while deployed in defense of our nation. In other words, they are the first members of the United States Space Force to be deployed in support of combat operations."

What vehicles does the Space Force use?

The U.S. Space Force has a mini-fleet of two robotic X-37B space planes, which have been flying secret missions since 2010. The most recent mission, called OTV-6, launched in May 2020 and is ongoing.

Why do we need a Space Force?

In December 2019, Congress created the U.S. Space Force, which is meant to bolster U.S. military capabilities in a domain that the existing services have not prioritized. The wisdom of creating a new service is uncertain in the best of times, given the need of forces to coordinate across organizational borders.

Does America have a secret weapon?

The U.S. military already has several rudimentary anti-space weapons. The U.S. Navy, for instance, has the SM-3, a missile originally designed to shoot down incoming ballistic missile warheads. Ballistic missile warheads briefly travel the same general route as satellites in low-Earth orbit.

Is NASA part of Space Force?

But despite the different missions, Bridenstine continued, "We share a very similar—in fact, we share the same—domain." Orbit, and beyond. That shared focus is deepening with the announcement at the forum of a new partnership between NASA and the Space Force, an independent branch within the U.S. Air Force.

Who is the commander of the Space Force?

Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond is the Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Space Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of all organic and assigned space forces serving in the United States and overseas.

How many Space Force bases are in the United States?

As of December 2020, the number of active duty Space Force bases is six, with several more smaller USSF stations, and most of them located within the continental United States.

How much do people in Space Force get paid?

The typical US Air Force Space Operator salary is $79,560 per year. Space Operator salaries at US Air Force can range from $51,744 - $123,108 per year. This estimate is based upon 11 US Air Force Space Operator salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods.

What are the physical requirements for Space Force?

The muscular fitness components, including pushups and sit-ups, may be accomplished before or after the 1.5-mile run. The 1-mile walk has to be accomplished after the abdominal circumference measurement but before the muscular fitness components. There is a minimum three-minute rest period between components.

How long is Space Force officer training?

We got an inside look at the United States Air Force's 7.5-week basic military training program. All future airmen and Space Force guardians must graduate from the program. Insider spent four days at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

What is the age limit for Space Force?

There are three paths to become a U.S. Space Force Officer, each with basic qualifications to apply and tests to complete. Basic requirements: Be 18–39 years of age. Please note the age requirement cutoff for joining via the U.S. Air Force Academy is 23 years of age.