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WASHINGTON, Aug. 29-- The U.S. government announced on Thursday to establish the U.S. Space Command to defend its interests in space. "This is a landmark day, one that recognizes the centrality of space to America's security and defense," President Donald Trump said in a White House ceremony joined by John Raymond, the first commander of U.S. Space Command. Trump ordered the establishment of Space Command late last year, making it the 11th unified combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense. The newly established Space Command is built to "protect America's dominance in space" by "employing assigned forces from every branch of the military" and "delivering combat power by operating superior space capabilities such as communications, intelligence, navigation, and early missile detection and warning," according to a White House statement released on Thursday. The establishment of United States Space Command represents a crucial step to improving the Nation's space warfighting structure in the ever evolving world, according to the statement. A U.S. Space Command existed from 1985 to 2002, but was disbanded in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as the country focused on defense of the homeland. The new command is believed to be a step towards building an independent Space Force, a plan that still requires Congress approval. The U.S. Space Command will soon be followed by the establishment of the United States Space Force as the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, according to Trump. | 
