FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS



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


U.S. Space Force is a single branch of the military that organizes, trains and equips space forces in order to protect allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the Joint Force.

U.S. Space Command is the warfighting command that actively employs forces from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force to accomplish the mission in space.

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 area of responsibility is surrounding the earth at an altitude greater than 62 miles, or 100 kilometers, above average sea-level.

Space is no longer a sanctuary. Technological advances, changes in strategic guidance and new security challenges require U.S. Space Command to innovate and adapt to ensure that space warfighters are prepared to accomplish future missions in, from and to space.

Who reports to
U.S. Space Command?


U.S. Space Command has two subordinate commands: Combined Force Space Component Command, also known as CFSCC, and Joint Task Force-Space Defense, also known as JTF-SD.

CFSCC plans, integrates, conducts and assesses global space operations in order to deliver combat relevant space capabilities to the combatant force and the nation.

JTF-SD conducts, in unified action with mission partners, space superiority operations to deter aggression, defend U.S. and allied interests and defeat adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict.

What branches
make up
U.S. Space Command?


U.S. Space Command is the warfighting component that actively employs forces from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force to accomplish the mission in space. 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 Operations Command

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.