The Defense Department is looking into the creation of a new military service that will focus on space operations, Washington Examiner reported Thursday.
Kenneth Rapuano, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense and global security, said during a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing that the establishment of a Space Force is among a set of options that DoD will recommend as part of ongoing review of military space operations.
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan leads the review, which was requested by Congress after Pentagon leaders opposed a House effort in 2017 to form a new space service called Space Corps.
Rapuano said President Donald Trump will support any option that could optimize the U.S. military’s space operations, Space News reported.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump stated at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in California that he wants to establish a Space Force.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) said at the hearing that he expects DoD to “embrace the formation of an independent space force” following Trump’s remarks.