Space Systems Command


Space Systems Command is a future field command of the United States Space Force. It will be responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding space capabilities, as well as launch, developmental testing, on-orbit checkout, and sustainment and maintenance of space systems. Space Systems Command also has oversight of all Space Force science and technology activities.

History

Announced as part of the U.S. Space Force's structure on 30 June 2020, Space Systems Command is intended to centralize military space research, development, acquisitions, and launch activities in a single command. The SSC intendeds to bring Army and Navy space acquisition activities under it as well.
The concept has been widely praised by retired military space officers, as well as members of the space industry.
Space Systems Command will be run by a lieutenant general. "Lt. Gen. John “JT” Thompson, the commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center, told SpaceNews that his organization will become the initial foundation of Space Systems Command. “This is truly a work in progress..”

Future structure

Space Systems Command is intended to unify all elements of space research, development, and acquisition, with the Space and Missile Systems Center as the core. Organizations intended to be unified under SSC are:
Discussions are underway on transferring Army and Navy space acquisition elements, including the space acquisition elements of Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the Navy's satellite communications office to SSC. However, "his remains a long shot, however, as neither service has signaled it is prepared to turn over any assets."