Although this is the first new military branch created in the U.S. since 1947, they have been thinking about it as a possibility since the turn of the century. The general idea is that the space race originally started in an uncontested environment with little to no impact on civilian life, but now it is a shared arena full of essential technology. Therefore, the committee believes that this should be defended by a separate group.
Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, states that “this is an issue the subcommittee has studied for months and I can’t even tell you how many meetings with space experts and leaders Jim Cooper (Democratic Rep.) and I have had on this subject. We both have come to the same conclusion – that the Department can’t fix itself on this, Congress has to step in. And that is why the Mark creates a new Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force, under its Secretary, but separate from the Air Force itself. It also re-establishes a Space Command as a sub-unified command under U.S. Strategic Command.”
The subcommittee hope that this decision will help the U.S. maintain its strategic advantage in space. However, not all members of the committee were in agreement with this as the mark-up (proposed legislation before it’s passed) was only discussed in a few meetings.
Martha McSally, a retired Air force colonel told Federal News Radio that “this is honestly the first time I’ve heard about a major reorganization to our Air force. This is sort of a shocking way to hear about a very major reorganization to our military, and I think it deserves at least a couple of hearings and discussions at the full committee level.
Those in the Armed Forces have also voiced the concern, but Rogers said that he never expected these reforms to be embraced by everyone. He states that “these changes won’t be easy and will be disruptive in the short-term, but our adversaries will never be less capable than they are today – we must act now if we wish to maintain the advantages the U.S. military obtains by operating in, through, and from space.
The measure still needs to be approved by the full committee, passed by both houses of Congress and signed by President Donald Trump before it can be implemented.
Source: iflscience
Images: depositphotos
Discover the Biggest Science & Tech Breakthroughs of 2017
Explore six of the most fascinating advances that will help shape humanity's future in many different ways.
Would You Live On the Moon? Discover the Possibilities...
Did you know that the human race actually has the cash and resources available to start building a base on the moon today? Find out more here.
All the Fascinating Space Discoveries Made in 2019
2019 has seen quite a few eye-opening discoveries about space and astronomy. Learn about 26 of them in this video.
The FBI Has Various Secrets It Doesn't Like People Knowing
The FBI has numerous secrets, and it's not too keen on the public knowing them. Here are 12 facts that the FBI would rather you didn't know.
Enjoy This Fascinating Collection of NASA's Best Photos!
Here are 15 of NASA's most amazing recent pictures, along with brief explanations of exactly what is going on in each one.
8 Inventions of 2023 That Will Change The Way We Live
This year was a prominent one for ground-breaking innovations that will change the way we live.
Wonder Why Time Speeds Up As You Age? Here's the Answer
We all get the sensation that time moves faster as we get older, but there are scientific reasons for that. Read on to learn about this fascinating phenomenon.
Satisfy Your Curiosity About the Universe with These Q&As
Discover more about the universe by reading through these facts.
Chocolate Exposed! Here's What It Does to Your Brain!
Just what is it that makes chocolate so irresistible to so many people around the world? Find all of the answers in the article.
Whatever Happened to that Hole in the Ozone Layer?
Let's embark on this enlightening journey to better understand our atmosphere's health.
These Expensive Megaprojects Proved to be a Waste of Time
Not all megaprojects are useful. Here are some worthless ones.
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
Incredible: First-Ever Complete Map of an Insect's Brain
This incredible project is the first to completely map the brain of an insect, a monumental undertaking even for such a small creature.
There are Some Great Secrets Found in Mathematics...
Numbers hold some great secrets - they even tell us about life!
WHY is Sugar So Devilishy Addictive?
There seems to be a fascinating scientific explanation for why our will power is weak when it comes to sugar!
What Does the Appendix Actually DO?
Dr. Berg explains, in this video, all about the appendix and what it actually does in our body.
These Ancient Inventions Have Got Scientists Stumped!
Here are 12 items from long ago which prove that our ancestors possessed knowledge and skills far more advanced than we once believed them to be.
12 Earliest Versions of Tech Inventions We Use Every Day
Witness the evolution of 11 popular devices we use all the time by looking at how they all started...
This Secret Invention Changed the Course of WW2
Let’s take a closer look at the proximity fuze, also called Vt Fuze, an invention that changed the course of the second World War.
The Disappearing Computer: Revolution on a Personal Scale
What happens when we lose the physical large computer all together? This lecture explains what ahead for computers.
7 Little-Known Body Parts We Never Knew About
Here's a look at some of the weird and little-known body parts that you didn’t know you had.
These Shoes Can Boost Your Walking Speed by 250%!
Robotic engineers have created shoes that, they claim, will increase your speed by 250%.
Incredible Science Breakthroughs That Made News in 2022
Let’s check out some of the most interesting scientific discoveries of 2022.
These Optical Illusions Will Shock Your Mind!
Optical illusions create miscommunication between our eyes and brain making, us see things that are not really there or not see things that are right in front of us. See for yourself.
The History of Our Planet in One Beautiful Spiral...
This beautiful infographic offers us a remarkable story – the history of Planet Earth.
24 Smart Storage Inventions You Didn't Know You Needed
These super useful inventions are designed to make you help space!
Let's Talk About Size, From Big to Huge.
an incredible discovery that leads us to a better and better understanding of these objects' true size.
These 20 Tech Inventions Will Define the Next Decade
The future is here. Check out some emerging technologies that are all set to chane our world forever.
Remembering the Life and Wisdom of Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking possessed one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen, but was also impaired by a debilitating disease. Here are his life ant times.
10 New Things We've Learned About The Brain
We have learned some astonishing new things about the human brain in recent times.
Watch the Best HD Panorama Photo of Mars Ever Taken
Watch an incredible 1.8-Billion-Pixel panorama of the planet Mars that was recently captured by NASA's Curiosity rover.
This Incredible Documentary Takes You Into the Human Body
A beautiful and graphically advanced animation sheds light on the mysteries of the human body.
Watch This Man Build a Future Using Trash from the Past
In this video, you will see what this incredible community has been able to accomplish by building homes from recycled materials.
Future Technology: Inventions That Will Change Our World
Check out a few amazing futuristic inventions that are about to become mainstream.
How Do the Drugs We Take Affect Our Brain?
We take many pills these days. What is it exactly that they DO to our brain? Find out now.
This Is Why You Should Choose Paper Towels Over Air Dryers
Jet air dryers seem to provide a rapid solution to drying our hands in public restrooms, but they're actually havens for bacteria. Take a look.
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
How It's Made: Merino Wool
Long before we invented moisture-wicking synthetic fibers, this type of wool did it naturally for centuries. Here's how it's produced.
Ever Wonder What Life Is Like if We Zoom In All the Way?
A selection of some of the winning photographs from Nikon's yearly macro photography contest.
Science Proves: These 10 Bible Stories Probably Did Happen
The Bible describes many seemingly supernatural cases, but today, science can show that they might have indeed happened.
Are Underwater Turbines the Answer to Our Energy Question?
One of the most promising technologies in the renewable energy market is the ocean. Learn all about it.
INTERACTIVE: How Personal Items Have Changed Over Time
Some of you will be old enough to remember what many of today's objects used to look like. Here are 20 such objects. Click to see them as they used to be.
These Fire Tricks Will Wow You, But Don't Try Them!
These fire tricks are incredible to look at, but please don't try this at home...
The Channel Tunnel - The 7th Wonder of the Modern World!
The construction of the Channel Tunnel is said to be an impossible feat!
Take an Incredible Tour of Our Colossal Milky Way Galaxy
Fly Through the Milky Way Galaxy!