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The latest development in space technology for the US comes as a response to the increasing presence of China and Russia in space. The US needs to counter this influence. The space command is the second of its kind to launch in two years and is the 11 of the Pentagon’s full command. The Pentagon launched Cybercom to deal with cyber warfare operations in 2018. This is through the understanding that online attacks on defence are going to be important in the near future. The US president announced that The United States armed forces will get a sixth branch named the United States Space Force. The existing five commands include the navy, air force, army, coast guard and the marines.
The importance of Spacecom
The United States air forces have a dedicated operation for space warfare. However, the new addition in terms of Spacecom is necessary to expand the space facilities like satellites, aircraft etc. This expansion is necessary for modern-day warfare that is increasingly becoming dominant between the powerful nations of the world. There are many challenges to space warfare like communication jamming, GPS satellites and various missiles with a high level of technology involved. India has also tested its anti-satellite missile under the project mission shakti. India has also set up a Defence cyber agency, Defence space agency and Special operations division to deal with the latest techniques of defence and security.
The space command was originally made in 1985. It was to facilitate military commands and coordination. It was then disestablished in 2002 and merged with United States Strategic Command. It was then restarted in 2019 with a special emphasis on warfare. In 2021 US Space Command announced that it has achieved initial operating capability. Lieutenant commander John E Shaw commented that achieving full operating capacity would depend on the selection of commands for permanent headquarters.
Latest reports have suggested that China and Russia are developing weapons to attack US satellites. Intelligence reports say that China has developed multi ground laser weapons capable of destroying satellites and even working against laser sensors. China also keeps expanding its intelligence, surveillance and defence systems.
Russia is also working on developing counter-space systems that could neutralize the US’s space services. Russia already has laser sensors that can blind satellite sensors. By 2030 Russia may also develop high power systems that can completely destroy all kinds of satellites.
Currently, the US space command is planning to reorganize its junior commands. The Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC)could possibly be reactivated.JFSCC is planned to be the primary wing in warfare. Stephen Whiting, Space Force Lieutenant General is expected to lead the newly established organization. One of the objectives of US space command is to ensure Space Domination Awareness [SDA]. It also aims to increase the survivability of US satellites in space, provide lethal force and disrupt the space capacities of enemy nations if necessary.
Conclusion
Latest reports have suggested that China and Russia are developing weapons to attack US satellites. This has made it absolutely necessary for the US to increase its own space capacity and warfare systems. The US president announced that The United Nations armed forces will get a sixth branch named the United States Space Force. This spacecom was launched during the tenure of President Donald Trump. The command is called Spacecom and is completely dedicated to warfare in Space. The space command was originally made in 1985. It was to facilitate military commands and coordination however it was disabled in 2002. It was then again established in 2019 owing to new challenges in the space field.
