President Donald Trump said today that he is "directing" the Pentagon “establish a space force as the sixth branch of the Armed Forces,” to be called the “Space Force.”
Why it matters: If a Space Force is created, it would be the 6th branch of the Armed Forces, and its duties are as yet unclear. Trump said he would be "honored" if General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would direct it. Dunford, who was present at the ceremony, expressed support for the announcement when Trump said he wanted him to lead it.
As private companies plan to send thousands of satellites into space to expand broadband internet services and for other uses, the Trump administration is taking steps to ensure that space debris doesn't get out of control.
Why it matters: We are beginning to see a large uptick in the number and diversity of satellites being launched into space by governments and private companies, such as Elon Musk's SpaceX. If no one modernizes the rules governing space, then there's the potential for overcrowding at various altitudes above Earth. This overcrowding could hold back the burgeoning space industry, and threaten national security.
