More than four years after being reinstated, U.S. Space Command is now fully operational. The milestone, announced on December 15, recognizes that SPACECOM meets the criteria to execute the full range of its mission to deliver a range of space capabilities to military users and combatant commanders. Since its establishment in 2019, USSPACECOM has been focused on delivering capability to deter conflict, defend vital interests, and defeat aggression. The criterial for full operations includes demonstrating its ability to meet operational responsibilities, developing a skilled workforce, and having the infrastructure and processes in place to support its work. The command achieved initial operations in 2021 and required a permanent headquarters, a process involving reviews from government agencies and debates between states vying to host the command.
As he was leaving office in 2021, Trump announced Huntsville, Ala. was his choice to host the command’s headquarters. That decision was met with immediate pushback from Colorado lawmakers. The Biden administration announced on July 31 that Space Command would remain in Colorado Springs, reversing Trump’s decision. The Fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, includes a provision that stalls funding to construct the Colorado Springs headquarters until reviews are concluded. Lamborn praised Space Command’s full operational capability milestone in a December 15 statement.
