President Trump is finally getting his Space Force: The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) easily passed the Democrat-controlled House in bipartisan fashion last week.
The creation of the sixth branch of the US military was approved as part of the massive $738 billion bill, which includes a healthy (and overdue) raise of 3.1 percent for our troops in addition to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the civilian federal workforce.
The NDAA allocates $13 billion over the next five years to ramp up the new defense branch, which will incorporate the existing Air Force Space Command.
The creation of the Space Force will provide a great launchpad for technologists and entrepreneurs looking to serve their country with their brilliance and business skills.
The focus under the Air Force is to cut costs and minimize red tape. The Space Force will be going from solicitation to contract award in no longer than 93 days — and businesses invited to pitch can walk out with funding in just one day.
The new simpler, shorter approach is going to ignite and fertilize an entirely new field of advanced space engineering talent, ensuring we can compete and dominate for decades to come.
It’s high time for the US to put more emphasis on security in space. Russia, China and other countries have been investing in satellites and space like never before. And private companies like Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are already part of the new space race.
The future is all about communications and data, and, eventually, weaponized drones or satellites that defend against the world’s bad actors before they can commit harm.
The Space Force will make us more lethal and ready to defend Americans and our allies — all while creating and launching new companies and industries.