Donald Trump orders Pentagon to create a branch of US armed forces in ‘space’
Vowing to reclaim American leadership in space, Trump announced on Monday that he is directing the Pentagon to create a new “Space Force” as an independent service branch aimed at ensuring American supremacy in space.
Trump envisioned a bright future for the US space program, pledging to
revive the country’s flagging efforts, return to the moon and eventually
send a manned mission that would reach Mars.
Trump framed space as a national security issue, saying he does
not want “China and Russia and other countries leading us.”
Trump had previously suggested the possibility of creating a space unit
that would include portions equivalent to parts of the Air Force, Army
and Navy. But his directive will task the Defence Department to begin
the process of establishing the “Space Force” as the sixth branch of the
US armed forces.
He said the new branch’s creation will be overseen by General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
My administration is reclaiming America’s heritage as the world’s greatest spacefaring nation, Trump said at the White House, where he was joined by members of his space council.
The essence of the American character is to explore new horizons and to tame new frontiers.
He said the new branch’s creation will be overseen by General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
When it comes to defending America, it is not enough to merely have an American presence in space. We must have American dominance in space, Trump said.
We are going to have the Air Force and we are going to have the Space Force, separate but equal.
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