Trump plans to create U.S. Space Command
/ CBS/AP
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order as early as Tuesday that would create a U.S. Space Command that will better organize and advance the military's vast operations in space, U.S. officials said.
Vice President Mike Pence will make the announcement Tuesday at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, two U.S. officials said.
Mr Trump's order is separate from his oft-stated goal of creating a "Space Force" as an independent armed service branch, but it's considered a step in that direction. The move will launch a long and complicated process, requiring the Defense Department to pull together various space units and agencies from across the military services into a more coordinated, independent organization.
The U.S. Air Force's existing Space Command would be a key component of the new joint entity, raising space to the same status as U.S. Cyber Command.
The U.S. officials said the order will be signed by the end of the year, but could happen as early as Tuesday. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The move would actually recreate a U.S. Space Command, which existed from 1985 to 2002. It was disbanded in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks so U.S. Northern Command could be established, focusing on defense of the homeland.
Although Space Command went away, its functions did not. They were absorbed by U.S. Strategic Command, and the Air Force retained its lead role in space through Air Force Space Command.
The military has been trying for decades to reorganize and accelerate technological advances in space. Some blame the Air Force for underinvesting in space because it prefers spending on warplanes.
The key goal is to find more effective ways to defend U.S. interests in space, especially the constellations of satellites that U.S. ground, sea and air forces rely on for navigation, communications and surveillance. These roles make them increasingly tempting military targets as China and Russia work on ways to disrupt, disable and even destroy American satellites.
The military's role in space has been under scrutiny because the United States is increasingly reliant on orbiting satellites that are difficult to protect.
U.S. intelligence agencies reported earlier this year that Russia and China were pursuing "nondestructive and destructive" anti-satellite weapons for use during a future war. And there are growing worries about cyberattacks that could target satellite technology, potentially leaving troops in combat without electronic communications or navigation abilities.
First published on December 18, 2018
© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump plans to create U.S. Space Command
The U.S. Space Command will better organize and advance the military's space operations, according to U.S. officials
updated 7M ago 
Foundation brings dogs to brighten people's days
The Good Dog Foundation brings pups to people in need of some love
updated 12M ago 
America's cheese hoard at record 4.3 pounds per person
Massive inventories of unsold cheese, thanks in part to President Trump's trade war and shifting millennial tastes
updated 34M ago 
"Vice's" Christian Bale and Adam McKay chronicle Dick Cheney's rise to power
To play the former vice president, Bale shaved his head and packed on some 40 pounds
updated 11M ago 
Fed rate moves for 2019: The suspense is building
With one more hike likely this week, the betting on what happens next year has plenty of wild cards in play
updated 35M ago 
Trump plans to create U.S. Space Command
The U.S. Space Command will better organize and advance the military's space operations, according to U.S. officials
updated 7M ago 
Wall Street, Congress react to federal judge ruling Obamacare unconstitutional
Health care stocks tumbled after the Friday ruling as more than a dozen states vowed to appeal
14H ago 
Mueller releases memo on Flynn's interview with Peter Strzok
Last week Mueller submitted to the court material regarding Flynn's questioning by the FBI
updated 3M ago 
Three-quarters of CEOs have apologized for Trump
A Yale survey of business leaders finds them full of pessimism and making explanations to international partners
15H ago 
Cuomo cites marijuana legalization in speech laying out priorities
Cuomo says the legalization of recreational marijuana and fixing New York City's subway system are among his top priorities for his third term
16H ago 
Russia rejects damning reports on pro-Trump election meddling
Moscow issues oft-repeated flat denial of "any kind of interference" in U.S. politics as Senator warns it's "time to get serious in addressing this challenge"
updated 6M ago 
Neo-Nazi couple jailed for belonging to group banned in U.K.
All 6 found guilty of membership in National Action, a group banned under anti-terror laws for advocating "overthrow of democracy" by violence
updated 25M ago 
Ross from "Friends" lookalike faces arrest for skipping court
Abdulah Husseni, who looks an awful lot like David Schwimmer, was facing theft and fraud charges, now there's a warrant out for his arrest
1H ago 
Yemen truce off to rocky start, but calm prevails on day 1
Ceasefire in port city of Hodeida – a vital port for the flow of desperately needed humanitarian aid – appears to hold after a violent start
4H ago 
Resorts in Jamaica covered up sexual assaults, report says
Investigation shows a number of popular resort destinations in Jamaica have paid victims to stay silent and says an estimated one American is raped a month there
9H ago 
"Vice's" Christian Bale and Adam McKay chronicle Dick Cheney's rise to power
To play the former vice president, Bale shaved his head and packed on some 40 pounds
updated 11M ago 
Alfonso Ribeiro sues Fortnite over alleged use of "Carlton dance"
At around $5 per dance it's earned the game creators hundreds of millions of dollars
1H ago 
Ray Rice says he doesn't want a second chance – he already got one
In February 2014, surveillance video showed the former Baltimore Ravens running back punching his fiancee in an elevator
updated 16M ago 
Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn share Christmas photo
Hawn posted the picture on Instagram and wrote, "Never thought I'd be sleeping with Santa!"
15H ago 
"The Dark Crystal" prequel reveals first look
Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nathalie Emmanuel lead the voice cast
16H ago 
How I tried and failed to quit Google
Technology experts explain why attempting to stop using one of the world's largest tech companies is so difficult – and possibly futile
updated 53M ago 
New reports detail sophistication of Russian influence efforts in U.S.
Two new analyses this week portray a sprawling, multifaceted operation affecting millions of users in the U.S. and persisting long after the 2016 presidential election
18H ago 
Google to spend $1B on major New York City expansion
The 1.7 million square-foot campus will help the tech giant double its New York City staff within a decade
14H ago 
First of new fleet of GPS satellites set for launch
New generation is designed to be more secure and accurate but many new features won't be available until 2022 or later
updated 7M ago 
Colin Kroll, HQ Trivia and Vine co-founder, dies at 34
Colin Kroll, the CEO and co-founder of the popular HQ Trivia app, has died, the company said Sunday
Dec 16 
How does federal judges' health insurance stack up?
With a federal court ruling that Obamacare is unconstitutional, here's a look at the kind of health coverage judges get
updated 31M ago 
Child abuse rises on day after Friday report cards, study shows
But no such trend noted on other days of week, and researchers could only speculate about the reason for the increases
4H ago 
3 who got Legionnaire's disease in Wisconsin hospital die
University of Wisconsin Hospital says 10 others recovered and were released; blames outbreak on since-flushed hot water system
5H ago 
David Begnaud on seeking "acceptance" for Tourette's
The CBS News correspondent recently revealed that he struggled with debilitating Tourette syndrome as a child
13H ago
Cuomo cites marijuana legalization in speech laying out priorities
Cuomo says the legalization of recreational marijuana and fixing New York City's subway system are among his top priorities for his third term
16H ago 
America's cheese hoard at record 4.3 pounds per person
Massive inventories of unsold cheese, thanks in part to President Trump's trade war and shifting millennial tastes
updated 34M ago
Fed rate moves for 2019: The suspense is building
With one more hike likely this week, the betting on what happens next year has plenty of wild cards in play
updated 35M ago
How does federal judges' health insurance stack up?
With a federal court ruling that Obamacare is unconstitutional, here's a look at the kind of health coverage judges get
updated 31M ago
How I tried and failed to quit Google
Technology experts explain why attempting to stop using one of the world's largest tech companies is so difficult – and possibly futile
updated 53M ago 
Here's how long it could take for women to earn as much as men
Progress in closing the "gender gap" in pay and other key metrics has stalled, World Economic Forum finds
9H ago 
Teen caught on video attacking another, wearing hijab, in school
Authorities in suburban Pittsburgh say they deem the bathroom incident bullying, not hate crime for now
1H ago 
Two Chicago police officers killed by train
Police said the officers were investigating a call of shots fired when they were hit by the passing train
4H ago 
Statue of Liberty climber convicted in July 4 protest
Therese Okoumou testified she climbed the base of the statue to protest separation of families at the U.S-Mexico border
15H ago 
Mother in viral video where NYPD take toddler speaks out
"I was so afraid. I was combative with my thoughts … I just remember being talked to very viciously," Jazmine Headley said Sunday
Dec 16 
Patient hijacks ambulance in Southern California
Incident started in Lake Elsinore and headed north on Interstate 15 until it finally came to an end in Hesperia
Dec 16 Original Article
