United States Space Force

The United States Space Force (USSF) is the newest branch of the U.S. military, established in December 2019. Its primary mission is to organize, train, and equip space forces to protect U.S. and allied interests in space. The Space Force is newsworthy due to its role in tracking and predicting the re-entry of space debris, as highlighted by the recent NASA satellite crash. The USSF also monitors the activities of other nations in space, including China's development of reusable spacecraft like the 'Shenlong,' which is seen as a potential rival to the Space Force's X-37B. The USSF's current relevance lies in its responsibility for space domain awareness, ensuring the safety and security of U.S. assets in orbit, and deterring hostile actions in space. As space becomes increasingly congested and contested, the Space Force plays a critical role in maintaining U.S. leadership and security in this domain.