Space Command to Officially Launch on Aug. 29

U.S. Space Command will formally begin operations on Aug. 29 and will be led by Air Force Gen. John Raymond, USA Today reported Tuesday.

Vice President Mike Pence and officials at the Department of Defense announced Tuesday at the National Space Council’s meeting that the new command will pave the way for the establishment of the new Space Force, which will require congressional authority and funding.

Breaking Defense reported that Space Command will have the authority to direct the National Reconnaissance Office to implement “defensive space operations” should conflict arise in space.

Joseph Maguire, acting director of national intelligence, said during the council’s meeting that the NRO will execute such operations “based on a jointly developed playbook and informed by a series of exercises and war games.”

“For the first time, there will be a unified structure that fully integrates Intelligence Community and Department of Defense space defense plans, authorities and capabilities to ensure seamless execution of space defense systems,” Maguire added.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced Tuesday that the National Space Defense Center will transition in late August to the new unified command, which will focus on satellite operations, space support, space control and missile warning missions.