FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS



What is the difference between U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command?


U.S. Space Force organizes, trains and equips space professionals and then presents those forces to U.S. Space Command and other Combatant Commands.

U.S. Space Command actively employs joint forces from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force to accomplish the command’s mission.

Why does
America need
U.S. Space Command?


From commerce to meteorology to global communications, society not only relies on space capabilities, it expects the services they provide to always be present. Space enables our national security to preserve our way of life. From protecting the homeland and fighting our nation’s wars alongside allies and partners, to providing humanitarian assistance, space makes the achievements of America’s military possible.

The establishment of U.S. Space Command as the 11th combatant command demonstrates the critical importance America places of space.

What is
U.S. Space Command
responsible for?


U.S. Space Command’s astrographic area of responsibility begins at the Kármán Line, 62 miles, or 100 km, above mean sea-level to the moon and beyond.

U.S. Space Command is responsible for delivering space capabilities to joint and combined forces and protecting and defending the space domain.

What branches
make up
U.S. Space Command?


U.S. Space Command actively employs joint forces from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force to accomplish the command’s mission. They are:

  • Army: Space & Missile Defense Command

  • Marine Corps: Marine Corps Forces Space Command

  • Navy: Navy Space Command

  • Air Force: Air Forces Space

  • Space Force: Space Forces Space

Where is
U.S. Space Command
located and
how big is it?


U.S. Space Command is temporarily headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has personnel and functions at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado; Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

It is comprised of military members, civilian employees and contractor personnel. The final size of the command is being determined through a detailed manpower analysis.

Who does
U.S. Space
Command
report to?


The commander of U.S. Space Command reports to the Secretary of Defense who reports to the President. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may transmit communications to the commanders of the combatant commands from the President and Secretary of Defense, but does not exercise military command over any of the combatant forces.