§ 9081. The United States Space Force

§ 9081. The United States Space Force

(a) Establishment.— There is established a United States Space Force as an armed force within the Department of the Air Force.

(b) Composition.— The Space Force consists of—

(1) the Regular Space Force;

(2) all persons appointed or enlisted in, or conscripted into, the Space Force, including those not assigned to units, necessary to form the basis for a complete and immediate mobilization for the national defense in the event of a national emergency; and

(3) all Space Force units and other Space Force organizations, including installations and supporting and auxiliary combat, training, administrative, and logistic elements.

(c) Functions.— The Space Force shall be organized, trained, and equipped to—

(1) provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space;

(2) conduct space operations; and

(3) protect the interests of the United States in space.

(Added Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVI, § 1601(a)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1718, § 2279c; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title X, § 1081(a)(17), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1984; renumbered § 9081 and amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 952(b)(3), (4), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 922(a), (b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3806; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1712(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 625.)

Amendment of Subsection (b)

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1712, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 625, provided that, effective on the date of the certification by the Secretary of the Air Force under section 1745 (probably should be “section 1735”) of Pub. L. 118–31, subsection (b) of this section is amended as follows:

(1) by striking paragraph (1);

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and

(3) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated, by striking “, including” and all that follows through “emergency”.

See 2023 Amendment notes below.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 9081 was renumbered section 9067 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1712(a)(1), (2), redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “the Regular Space Force;”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1712(a)(3), struck out “, including those not assigned to units, necessary to form the basis for a complete and immediate mobilization for the national defense in the event of a national emergency” after “Space Force”.

2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283, § 922(a), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Space Force shall be composed of the following:

“(1) The Chief of Space Operations.

“(2) The space forces and such assets as may be organic therein.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283, § 922(b)(1), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Space Force shall be organized, trained, and equipped to provide—

“(1) freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space; and

“(2) prompt and sustained space operations.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, § 922(b)(2), struck out subsec. (d). Text read as follows: “It shall be the duty of the Space Force to—

“(1) protect the interests of the United States in space;

“(2) deter aggression in, from, and to space; and

“(3) conduct space operations.”

2019—Pub. L. 116–92, § 952(b)(4), amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to Air Force Space Command.

Pub. L. 116–92, § 952(b)(3), renumbered section 2279c of this title as this section.

2018—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1081(a)(17)(A), substituted “December 12, 2017” for “the date of the enactment of this Act”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1081(a)(17)(B)(i), substituted “December 12, 2017” for “the date of the enactment of this section” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1081(a)(17)(B)(ii), substituted “after December 11, 2018” for “on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this section”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name; Redesignation of Air Force Space Command as United States Space Force

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 952(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1561, provided that: “The Air Force Space Command is hereby redesignated as the United States Space Force (USSF).”

Effective Date of 2023 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1712(b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 625, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the certification by the Secretary of the Air Force under section 1745 [probably means section “1735” of Pub. L. 118–31, set out in a Transition Provisions note under section 20001 of this title].”

Pilot Program To Demonstrate Hybrid Satellite Communication Architecture

Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XVI, § 1608, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2163, provided that: “(a) Program Required.—Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration shall carry out a pilot program to demonstrate a hybrid satellite communication architecture at the Space Systems Command of the Space Force. “(b) Requirements and Considerations.—In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall include in the hybrid satellite communication architecture at least one military satellite communications system, such as the Wideband Global Satcom system or the Micro Geostationary Earth Orbit system. “(c) Briefing.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2024], the Assistant Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a briefing that includes—“(1) a description of the hybrid satellite communication architecture developed under the pilot program under subsection (a) and a summary of the results of the program as of the date of the briefing; and “(2) a plan for supporting the transition of the hybrid satellite communication architecture efforts to a program of record within the Space Force and the Space Systems Command. “(d) Hybrid Satellite Communication Architecture.—In this section, the term ‘hybrid satellite communication architecture’ means the network of integrated United States Government, allied Government, and commercially owned and operated capabilities both for on-orbit communication constellations and ground systems.”

Authorization for Establishment of the National Space Intelligence Center as a Field Operating Agency

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVI, § 1606, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 586, provided that: “(a) Authorization.—The Secretary of the Air Force may establish the National Space Intelligence Center as a field operating agency of the Space Force to analyze and produce scientific and technical intelligence on space-based and counterspace threats from foreign adversaries. “(b) Colocation.—If the Secretary of the Air Force decides to establish the National Space Intelligence Center as a field operating agency, the Secretary shall consider the operational and geographical benefits provided by colocating with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.”

Applied Research and Educational Activities To Support Space Technology Development

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XVI, § 1607, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2932, provided that: “(a) In General.—The Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations, in coordination with the Chief Technology and Innovation Office of the Space Force, may carry out applied research and educational activities to support space technology development. “(b) Activities.—Activities carried out under subsection (a) shall support the applied research, development, and demonstration needs of the Space Force, including by addressing and facilitating the advancement of capabilities related to—“(1) space domain awareness; “(2) positioning, navigation, and timing; “(3) communications; “(4) hypersonics; “(5) cybersecurity; and “(6) any other matter the Secretary of the Air Force considers relevant. “(c) Education and Training.—Activities carried out under subsection (a) shall—“(1) promote education and training for students so as to support the future national security space workforce of the United States; and “(2) explore opportunities for international collaboration. “(d) Termination.—The authority provided by this section shall expire on December 31, 2027.”

Space System Acquisition and the Adaptive Acquisition Framework

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VIII, § 807, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3742, as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VIII, §§ 804(c)(7), 805(c)(2), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1969, 1972; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, §§ 1802(b)(1)(A), (B), 1805(b)(3), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1227, 1236, provided that: “(a) Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs.—Before implementing the application of the adaptive acquisition framework to a Space Systems Acquisition pathway described in subsection (c), there shall be within the Department of the Air Force an individual serving as the Service Acquisition Executive of the Department of the Air Force for Space Systems and Programs as required under section 957 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1566; 10 U.S.C. 9016 note). “(b) Milestone Decision Authority for United States Space Force.—“(1) Portfolio acquisition executive.—The Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs of the United States Space Force may further delegate authority to an appropriate portfolio acquisition executive to serve as the milestone decision authority for major defense acquisition programs of the United States Space Force. “(2) Program manager.—The portfolio acquisition executive assigned under paragraph (1) may further delegate authority over major systems to an appropriate program manager. “(c) Adaptive Acquisition Framework Application to Space Acquisition.—“(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall take such actions necessary to ensure the adaptive acquisition framework (as described in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02, ‘Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework’) includes one or more pathways specifically tailored for Space Systems Acquisition in order to achieve faster acquisition, improve synchronization and more rapid fielding of critical end-to-end capabilities (including by using new commercial capabilities and services), while maintaining accountability for effective programs that are delivered on time and on budget. “(2) Goal.—The goal of the application of the adaptive acquisition framework to a Space Systems Acquisition pathway shall be to quickly and effectively acquire end-to-end space warfighting capabilities needed to address the requirements of the national defense strategy (as defined under section 113(g) of title 10, United States Code). “(d) Report.—“(1) In general.—Not later than May 15, 2021, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the application of the adaptive acquisition framework to any Space Systems Acquisition pathway established under subsection (a) that includes the following:“(A) Proposed United States Space Force budget line items for fiscal year 2022, including—“(i) a comparison with budget line items for any major defense acquisition programs, middle tier acquisition programs, covered software programs, and major systems of the United States Space Force for three previous fiscal years; “(ii) existing and recommended measures to ensure sufficient transparency and accountability related to the performance of the Space Systems Acquisition pathway; and “(iii) proposed mechanisms to enable insight into the funding prioritization process and significant funding changes, including the independent cost estimate basis and full funding considerations for any major defense acquisition programs, middle tier acquisition programs, covered software programs, and major systems procured by the United States Space Force. “(B) Proposed revised, flexible, and streamlined options for joint requirements validation in order to be more responsive and innovative, while ensuring the ability of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure top-level system requirements are properly prioritized to address joint-warfighting needs. “(C) A list of acquisition programs of the United States Space Force for which multiyear contracting authority under sections 2306b [now 10 U.S.C. 3501] or 2306c [now 10 U.S.C. 3531] of title 10, United States Code, is recommended. “(D) A list of space systems acquisition programs for which alternative acquisition pathways may be used. “(E) Policies or procedures for potential new pathways in the application of the adaptive acquisition framework to a Space Systems Acquisition with specific acquisition key decision points and reporting requirements for development, fielding, and sustainment activities that meet the requirements of the adaptive acquisition framework. “(F) An analysis of the need for updated determination authority for procurement of useable end items that are not weapon systems. “(G) Policies and a governance structure, for both the Office of the Secretary of Defense and each military department, for a separate United States Space Force budget topline, corporate process, and portfolio management process. “(H) An analysis of the risks and benefits of the delegation of the authority of the head of contracting activity authority to the Chief of Space Operations in a manner that would not expand the operations of the United States Space Force. “(2) Comptroller general review.—Not later than 60 days after the submission of the report required under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall review such report and submit to the congressional defense committees an analysis and recommendations based on such report. “(e) Definitions.—In this section:“(1) Covered software program.—The term ‘covered software program’ means an acquisition program or project that is carried out using the software acquisition pathway established under section 3603 of title 10, United States Code. “(2) Major defense acquisition program.—The term ‘major defense acquisition program’ has the meaning given in section 2430 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4201]. “(3) Major system.—The term ‘major system’ has the meaning given in section 2302 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 3041]. “(4) Middle tier acquisition program.—The term ‘middle tier acquisition program’ means an acquisition program or project that is carried out using the rapid fielding or rapid prototyping acquisition pathway under section 3602 of title 10, United States Code. “(5) Milestone decision authority.—The term ‘milestone decision authority’ has the meaning given the term ‘decision authority’ in section 4211 of title 10, United States Code. “(6) Portfolio acquisition executive; program manager.—The terms ‘portfolio acquisition executive’ and ‘program manager’ have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 1737 of title 10, United States Code.”

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