Establishment of United States Space Command as a Unified Combatant Command

Impact dates

1. Date TBD

   Next update to Unified Command Plan to include comprehensive authorities and responsibilities

2. Date TBD

   Secretary of Defense to notify Congress

3. Date TBD

   Secretary of Defense to recommend officers for Commander and Deputy Commander

Key directives

• Establish U.S. Space Command as functional Unified Combatant Command
• Secretary of Defense to recommend officers for nomination and Senate confirmation as Commander and Deputy Commander
• Assign general responsibilities of Unified Combatant Command to Space Command
• Transfer space-related responsibilities from Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
• Assign Joint Force Provider and Joint Force Trainer responsibilities for Space Operations Forces
• Include comprehensive authorities and responsibilities in next Unified Command Plan update
• Secretary of Defense to notify Congress on President's behalf
• Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

• Secretary of Defense · Department of Defense

Timeline

Risks & tensions

• Overlap or friction with U.S. Strategic Command during transition of space responsibilities
• Unclear timeline for Unified Command Plan update creates implementation ambiguity
• Subsequent creation of U.S. Space Force as separate military service (2020) added complexity to space command structure