Topline
U.S. Space Command, which oversees space operations for the entire U.S. military, is leaving Colorado for Huntsville, Alabama, ending the military’s search for a permanent headquarters that had taken on further importance since the launch of the Space Force as a military branch.
Cars travel around the Saturn V rocket at sunset in Huntsville, Alabama.
Key Facts
The headquarters will be at Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal, Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced in a news release, which was picked over five other finalists selected in November.
Since it was revived in 2019, U.S. Space Command has been temporarily located at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, a site that was chosen as a finalist and where many had argued the headquarters should have remained.
Other finalist locations were Port San Antonio in Texas, Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, which were chosen out of a list that originally included more than 60 sites.
Crucial Quote
“I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command!” Ivey said. “Our state has long provided exceptional support for our military and their families as well as a rich and storied history when it comes to space exploration.”
What To Watch For
The transition to Alabama won’t be swift — Space Command is set to remain in Colorado for at least the next six years.
Big Number
Over 1,600. That’s how many new jobs are set to come to the Huntsville area, according to AL.com.
Key Background
Space Command is a unified command responsible for space operations across the U.S. military, which operated from 1985 to 2002 and was re-established in August 2019, leading to the search for a location for permanent headquarters. It has been based in Colorado Springs throughout its existence, which is the same location that Air Force Space Command has been since 1982. The Space Force was created in December 2019 as the sixth branch of the U.S. military, initially as a rebranding of Air Force Space Command, though space operations from other services are slated to be folded into it. U.S. Space Command will direct combat operation of Space Force personnel. The new branch is expected to continue to grow under President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, despite some calls from the left to cut the branch.
Further Reading
US Space Command headquarters coming to Huntsville, Alabama (AL.com)
Finalists Named For Permanent U.S. Space Command Headquarters—Here Are The Locations (Forbes)
Keep U.S. Space Command Where It Is (Forbes)
US Space Force Likely to Survive in Biden Administration, Experts Say (Military.com)
Progressives to Biden: Kill Space Force (Politico)
