Subject
Creation of the US Space Force.
Significance
President Donald Trump on February 19 signed a directive ordering the Pentagon to draw up legislation establishing a Space Force as the sixth branch of the US military, alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Impacts
A separation of air and space budgets could positively affect future military space modernisation and development programmes.
Creation of the Space Force could ultimately move the United States closer towards openly putting weapons in space.
If China and Russia perceive it this way, it creates the risk of an arms race in space.