The US Space Force may sound like a fictitious military branch in a sci-fi movie, but it actually isn't. It is an official part of the US military that carries out missions to protect the country's interests in space.
However, not many people much about this branch of the US military, probably due to its age.
With Space Force's third birthday fast approaching, here are some things you may not know about it:
It Was Established On Dec. 20, 2019
Space Force is considered to be US military carrying out official missions to the youngest branch in the US military. According to the USO, Space Force was established on Dec. 20, 2019, under former president Donald Trump.
Space Force is the US' answer to the growing pressure from geopolitical competitors and to secure the country's space interests.
Its headquarters is located in the Pentagon, but it has bases located throughout Colorado, Florida, and California.
People Serving Under Space Force Are Known As "Guardians"
Space Force has a sizeable amount of personnel serving under it, consisting of 16,000 uniformed and civilian personnel responsible for many different capacities.
These people are known as "Guardians," which came from the original command motto of the Air Force Space Command in 1983, "Guardians of the High Frontier."
According to the Space Force's official website, the name "Guardians" connects its heritage and culture to the important missions they execute 24/7, protecting the people and interests of the US and its allies.
Its Uniform, Seal, And Flag Mean Something
Guardians' uniforms are not unlike the ones you wear to work. Their uniforms consist of a dark navy coat with silver thread on the sleeve representing futurism and the vastness of space.
It also has six silver buttons that run diagonally on the right side of the body, with the number representing its being the sixth branch of the US Military.
Each of these buttons carries the Space Force's seal, which shows a grid-lined globe with a delta overlaid on it.This globe is a symbol of Space Force's Earth-based mission, while the delta represents change and innovation. When combined, these two symbols represent defense, protection, and interagency cooperation.
Finally, the seal has two clusters of small stars representing US space assets, while the three larger ones stand for the military branch's functions: organize, train, and equip.The seal bears the roman numeral symbol for "2019," the year in which Space Force is established.
It Won't Send People To Fight In Space
Space Force isn't what most people think it will be: a military branch that sends soldiers up in space wearing power suits to do battle in zero gravity.
According to NPR's interview with Todd Harrison, who directs the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Space Force is more about protecting the US' assets in orbit.
These assets include satellites that gather intelligence, aid communications, detect missile launches, and provide GPS targeting for missiles.
It is also responsible for organizing, training, and equipping service members to conduct global space operations that enhance how the US' joint and coalition forces fight, per the National Federation of Republican Women.
Finally, it also offers decision-makers military operations to achieve national objectives.
Any Mission To The Moon And Mars Will Involve Them
Space Force is not just about protecting the US' space interests, it is expected to provide support to space missions launched by private companies and NASA.
This mandate is due to the fact that US-flagged spacecraft are considered national assets, and as such, should be given the support it needs to ensure their success.
Space Force will also aid NASA in putting people back on the Moon's surface since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, ensuring that the astronauts going to the moon will actually get there and get back home in one piece.
