The announcement of President's Trump's Space Force plans ignited a debate across the country about whether or not this proposed new branch of the military is really necessary. Critics on both side of the arguments have already developed strong feelings about the proposal. Their input could be among the many deciding factors about whether or not Congress allows plans for Space Force to move forward or if the plans will be scrapped altogether.
Proponents of the Space Force program say that plans should move forward because of the benefits it will offer to companies within the defense and aerospace industries. If the new branch of the military is developed and grown, companies like Lockheed Martin, Harris Corporation, Boeing, and Northrop-Grumman stand to benefit enormously from the government contracts they would receive.
Specifically, these and other companies in these industries could receive billions of dollar in revenue from government contracts. They would be called upon to make products like shoebox-sized satellites, missiles, rockets, and robots for Space Force.
These companies already receive a huge amount of money from the government for the military products and services they provide on an annual basis. However, if Space Force were to be launched, they would benefit even more by receiving billions for new products and services designed just for this new military branch.
Some of the program's critics argue that Space Force is not needed because of the existence of NASA. However, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine argues that Space Force will serve a separate purpose than NASA, one that will be critical to the defense and protection of the country.
He points out that NASA's primary role centers on space exploration, the development of new technology, and science. Space Force would not focus on these aspects but instead would have separate functions and capabilities that NASA cannot and should not fulfill.
Specifically, Space Force is needed to protect national assets like satellite technology and GPS. Bridentstine argues that these assets are crucial to everyday life in the U.S. and the loss of a single one could cripple the pace and manner in which the country functions on a daily basis. Space Force would protect communications, navigation, food and energy production, banking, and climate, facets of daily life that cannot be risked because of a lack of military readiness.
Further, Bridenstine argues that Space Force would keep the U.S. ahead of other countries in military might. As unrealistic as it might seem right now, warfare in space could become a reality sooner than later. The U.S. must be ready to defend itself wherever the battle takes it.
Critics of the Space Force program argue that it is not needed and would have no specific purpose as a sixth military branch. In fact, because it is proposed to be smaller than the other branches of military, critics say that it could easily be overlooked and under-financed in comparison to other branches.
Further, they say that Space Force is not needed because its proposed functions could easily be divided up among the Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. These branches of military are already well-funded, and their roles are clearly defined. It would seem like a natural progression to ready them for space warfare if or when the need arises.
Another point of contention that critics cannot downplay is the fact that the president made these plans without any discussion with the Department of Defense. He did not seek the counsel of people who are supposed to experts in the defense industry. They argue that decisions regarding the defense of the country or the development of a new military branch cannot be made on a whim but rather must be undertaken with care and extensive discussions.
The newly proposed Space Force has captured the attention of critics and proponents alike. Both have passionate views on whether or not this new military branch is needed and what role it will play. Their arguments could sway the decision of Congress as it takes up Space Force discussions in the near future.
